Jordan: Trains, Petra & the Dead Sea

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Fly to Amman

Fly direct from London Heathrow to Queen Alia Airport. There will be assistance with customs and immigration procedures (including Visas) followed by a transfer to our hotel for a 2-night stay.

Day 2 – Jerash

We drive north through woodland and olive groves to the Greco-Roman city of Jerash. It's noticeably greener up here in comparison to the much drier south. Enjoy a guided tour of the colonnaded street, the hippodrome which hosted chariot races in front of 15,000 spectators, the Temple of Zeus (built around 162 AD) and the vast Roman Forum. If time allows, we'll also visit Ajloun Castle which is set on top of Mount ‘Auf.

Day 3 – Charter Train South

Only two sections of the Hejaz railway (originally planned to link Constantinople with Mecca) are still operable, and both are found in Jordan. Begin the day with a workshop tour and watch the loco steam before we charter our first train (likely to be a diesel) on the mainline south from Amman to Al Jizzah. From here, we continue by bus to "Little Petra" which serves as a wonderful introduction to the interesting rock formations and historical carvings found in this area. Enjoy a 3-night stay in Wadi Musa – the home of Petra.

Day 4 – The "Rose City"

Full day trip to the famous Ancient City of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We journey on foot through the 1.2km Siq (or canyon) which snakes its way towards the hidden city. Dating back to around 300 BC, the site contains tombs and temples carved into the pink sandstone cliffs. We return to the hotel for our evening meal before experiencing "Petra by Night", where the site is lit by only candles and fairy lights.

Day 5 – Petra at Leisure

There is so much to see at Petra that we have added in an extra day for this year's tour. Enjoy one of the longer hikes, explore some more, visit the on-site museum or simply relax after several full days of sightseeing.

Day 6 – Desert Steam & Wadi Rum

Morning steam charter on the Al Hijaz train to Wadi Rum. This journey takes us back to 1916, when Arabs launched a revolt against the oppression of the Ottoman Empire’s government, demanding freedom and independence. Later, we enjoy a light lunch (included), followed by a tour of the desert in 4x4 vehicles. This area, also known as the "Valley of the Moon" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features sweeping red sand dunes and towering sandstone arches. We overnight in deluxe en suite "tents".

Day 7 – Kerak & The Dead Sea

Visit Kerak Castle this morning. This ancient Crusader stronghold (which became a Mamluk fortress), dates back to the 12th Century and dominates the skyline of the city below. After lunch, we continue to Earth's lowest elevation on land – the Dead Sea, whose shores and surface are more than 400m below sea level. There will be time at leisure to experience the buoyant waters and famous mineral-rich mud.

Day 8 – Bethany Beyond the Jordan

Begin the day visiting the baptism site of Bethany Beyond the Jordan, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many Christians believe this to be the location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist. Continue to Mount Nebo, home to the Moses Memorial Church which boasts sweeping views of the Dead Sea, Israel and the Palestinian territories beyond.

A short journey then takes us to the market town of Madaba which is home to some of the finest Byzantine-era mosaics in the world. The whole archaeological area, known as Um er-Rasas, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We return to Amman tonight for another 2-night stay.

Day 9 – Amman City Tour

A full day city tour exploring both old and new Amman. Citadel Hill serves up ruins that date back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as the Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad periods. Another highlight is the Roman Theatre which is thought to have been built originally in the 2nd Century AD. Although it has forgone a thorough restoration, this three-tiered structure has a seating capacity of 6,000 and is still an impressive sight. We also have time to visit the Royal Automobile Museum, home to more than 70 classic cars and motorbikes from the personal collection of King Hussein, and to soak up the atmosphere in the souks (markets).

Day 10 – Flight to UK

Morning transfer to the airport for our direct flight back to London Heathrow, landing mid-afternoon.