Jordan: Petra and The Dead Sea Extension

Day 1
Amman, Jordan

Arrive at Amman Airport, where you are met and transferred to the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Amman. Amman is one of the most ancient cities in the world, with archaeological finds dating back 3,000 years. The remainder of the day is at leisure, or you may wish to take our optional excursion to Kharraneh, Amra, and Azraq, three desert castles of the caliphs of the Omayyad Dynasty.

Day 2
Amman / Jerash

Enjoy a city tour of Amman, including its Citadel, archaeological museum, and Roman theater, then visit the ancient Roman city of Jerash, an archaeological masterpiece framed by the hills of Gilead. It was founded by the soldiers of Alexander the Great during the 4th century BC and later joined the Roman Decapolis. Monuments of this prosperous Roman city—considered one of the best preserved provincial cities of the Roman Empire—include a triumphal arch, a stadium, a monumental fountain, and temples. Return to Amman for overnight.

Day 3
Mt. Nebo / Madaba / Kerak / Petra

Travel to Petra, visiting Mt. Nebo, Madaba, and Kerak en route. Mt. Nebo is the mountain where Moses was allowed to view the Holy Land, yet not allowed to enter it. It has long been a holy place and a destination for Christian pilgrimage. Continue to Madaba, whose St. George’s Church houses a world-famous mosaic floor. Later, we explore Kerak, a crusader fortress filled with galleries, rooms, secret passageways, and thick defensive walls pierced by narrow arrow slits where Crusader archers held out for over 100 years. Continue to the Petra Movenpick Resort.

Day 4
Petra

The fabled ruin called Petra was carved from solid red sandstone in the 3rd century BC and reached the peak of its fame after the Romans took over in the first and second century AD. We take a short horseback ride (or walk) from the main gate to the entrance of the old city, then walk through the narrow canyon called the Siq to visit the rose-red city. The archaeological site covers an area of about 50 square miles, with over 800 excavated monuments, including the famous Al-Khazneh (“Treasury”), featured in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Day 5
Dead Sea

Ever since the days of Herod the Great, people have flocked to the Dead Sea in search of its curative secrets. With the highest content of minerals and salts in the world, the Dead Sea water is thought to possess healing properties, and the mud on the shores has been used for therapeutic purposes for over 2,000 years. We drive on the Desert Highway to the Movenpick Resort on the shores of the Dead Sea. The afternoon is at leisure for swimming and using the Sanctuary Spa.

Day 6
Dead Sea / Amman

After a morning at leisure, transfer to Amman. The afternoon is free to explore on your own, or take an optional tour of Kharraneh, Amra, and Azraq, three desert castles of the caliphs of the Omayyad Dynasty.

Day 7
Depart

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for departure on homeward-bound flights.

Extension Costs

Prices are for 2012
$2695 (4-6 members)
$3095 (2-3 members)
Single supplement: $750
Internal airfare: $265 (subject to change)
Optional Desert Castles Tour: $125 per person for 2-3 people, with lunch, guide, and transportation included (for 1 person, please call for price)