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Jordan Less Trodden - A Bedouin Expedition
An epic sojourn for the history buff, adventure soul and nature lover all combined into one. We take the road less travelled uncovering less trodden places, stay in intimate bedouin camps, go where true travel connoisseurs venture to discover Jordan in the most mesmerizing style.
HIGHLIGHTS
Stay in a combination of luxury hotels, eco lodges & bedouin camps
Visit some of the most spectacular ancient UNESCO sites in Jordan
Savour unique local cuisines in Jordan
Experience an insiders experience of touring Jordan
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE AMMAN
Arrive at Amman Queen Alia Intl Airport and transfer to the historical center of Amman, locally-known as Al-Balad. Despite its modern changes, it still retains much of its old character which dates back to the Neolithic Period. Continue to the Citadel Hill of Amman, the site of the Temple of Hercules which is said to have been constructed under the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius who reigned from 161 to 180 AD. We then visit the Roman Forum and Roman Theatre, thought to have been built between 138 to 161 AD by Antoninus Pius.
Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel, Amman
Meals: NIL
DAY 2: AMMAN / JERASH / UM QAIS / DEAD SEA
We leave Amman today and begin our journey today with a visit to Jerash, considered one of the largest and most well-preserved Roman sites in the world outside of Italy. Jerash was conquered by General Pompey in 63BC and became one of the greatest Roman civilizations in history. Witness a stunning collection of colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, plazas and arches in great condition. We then continue to Ajlun Castle, built in 1184 by one of Saladin's generals and became an important line of defence against the crusaders. Thereafter, we take a drive to Um Qais situated on the hilltop with panoramic views of Tiberius Lake, the Golan Heights and the Jordan Valley. Finally, we take the highway to arrive at the Jordanian Dead Sea.
Overnight: Moevenpick Resort & Spa, Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: DEAD SEA (MADABA & MOUNT NEBO)
Spend the morning with a visit to Madaba, renowned as the "City of Mosaics" which came about due to the lavish mosaic map of the Holy Land the covers the floor of St George's Church. Thereafter, continue to Mount Nebo, where Moses was said to have been granted a view of the "Promised Land". Admire views of the Jordan Valley, seeing the ancient lands of Judah and Jericho and head inside the Franciscan Monastery. We then return to your hotel where you will spend the rest of the day enjoying a relaxation at the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea.
Overnight: Moevenpick Resort & Spa, Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: DEAD SEA / KERAK / DANA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Today, we leave the Dead Sea behind and head along the King's Way to Kerak to visit the Crusader Castle, once the capital of the biblical kingdom of Moab and home to the Nabataeans. Thereafter, we continue our drive to to Dana Village where we will rest for the day and prepare for our hiking expedition the next day.
Overnight: Dana Tower Hotel, Dana Biosphere Reserve
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5: DANA BIOSPHERE RESERVE / WADI FEYNAN
Dana Nature Reserve is characterized by a chain of valleys and mountains which extend from the top of the Jordan Rift Valley down to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. Today, the hike of about 6 hours, shows you the beauty and various nature of the area. Our hike ends at Wadi Feynan, where 3000 years ago, copper had been mined and worked up.
Overnight: Feynan Ecolodge, Wadi Feynan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: WADI FEYNAN / WADI ARABA
After breakfast, we continue our way to the wide Wadi Araba, part of the Great Rift Valley. Here, admire the beauty of the desert with gorges and mountains, reaching a height from 1700m, the coloured splendours of the landscape, ranging from red to beige sand dunes. The area is still inhabited by Bedouin tribes.
Overnight: Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp, Wadi Araba
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: WADI ARABA / LITTLE PETRA / PETRA
Enjoy a spectacular morning with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. After breakfast, we begin our "backways hike" from Little Petra to the Monastery El Deir in Petra along an ancient Nabataean trail. On the way, you will pass a neolithic village, farmlands and then walk up to the Monastery through amazing rock formations with glorious views of Wadi Araba. This hike takes about 4-5 hours and upon arriving and touring the Monastery, you will descend and then be picked up by vehicle for transfer to your hotel in Petra.
Overnight: Moevenpick Resort, Petra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: PETRA
Today, we devote a full day to visit the famous red rose city of Petra. Live the miracle of Petra, where each rose red stone has a Nabataean dream to tell. We enter through the famous Siq by horse carriage to as you slowly arrive at the Treasury of Khazneh, designed to strike and impress anyone entering the Nabataean capital. The Treasury was carved out of solid rock from the side of a mountain and stands over 40m high. Take your time to descend as you discover some other famous sites including the Obelisk Tomb, the Byzantine Church and the High Place of Sacrifice.
Overnight: Moevenpick Resort, Petra
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: DEPART PETRA / AMMAN
We bid farewell to an inspiring journey as we transfer to Amman Queen Alia Intl Airport for departure.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Four Seasons Hotel Amman boasts luxurious accommodation with panoramic views of the city and offers an indoor pool, gym and spa. All air-conditioned accommodation at Four Seasons is furnished with warm colours and carpeted floors. Enjoy Arabic dishes at Seasons or dine at Asia for a taste of Asian cuisine. Vivian serves Italian food and the Foyer serves breakfast and snacks.
On the northeastern shore of the historic Dead Sea, at the lowest point on earth, stands the unique Moevenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea. The resort's close to nature, traditional stone village ambience enhances a world of enchantment.
Consisting of 20 traditional rooms, the Dana Tower Hotel is located inside the Dana Biosphere Reserve offering the best accommodations in the reserve for hikers taking on the epic hiking route to Wadi Feynan.
Hailed as one of the best 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, the award-winning, solar-powered Feynan Ecolodge offers the most developed eco experience in Jordan. Set against the glorious desert landscape, guests staying at the 26 room lodge can be found adventuring through the untouched outdoors while exploring archaeological sites and understanding the bedouin culture.
Nestled under the rocks of Little Petra, the Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp is situated in the desert, a 15mins drive from Wadi Musa. The camp offers private tents with carpeted floors and wrought-iron beds. Bathrooms and showers are shared in a common tent. The location of Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp is just 20mins walk away from Little Petra.
The Moevenpick Resort Petra is located directly at the entrance to the historic city of Petra. This resort with an oriental flair features an exciting combination of nature stone, handcrafted wood and Middle Eastern fabrics and textures.
