Jordan Family Holiday

Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. If you have booked a transfer,
you’ll be met at Queen Alia International Airport and transferred to
your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm
in Amman – the ancient capital of Jordan known for its 1994
excavation uncovering homes and towers believed to have been
built during the Stone Age. If you arrive early, maybe visit the
Roman Theatre, learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls at The Jordan
Museum or explore the excavated ruins of the Umayyad Palace.
After your meeting, you'll be able to get to know your fellow
travellers better over a group dinner.

This morning, set off on a short walk along the Soap House Trail. As
you hike through the Ajloun Forest Reserve, take in the surrounding
landscape of woodlands, filled with oak, pistachio and oriental
strawberry trees. When you arrive at the soap house, meet some of
the local women who are keeping the traditional process of making
pure Orjan olive soap alive. After your hike, travel to Jerash to
explore the ruins, which were re-discovered in 1806. Wander along
the Colonnaded Street and see the grooves in the paving stones
where chariot wheels once rolled. Later, return to Amman. In your
free time tonight, maybe visit the Citadel or find a local restaurant
for dinner - your leader will have the best recommendations!

Take the Desert Highway to Petra this morning. Along the way, stop
at Madaba – a historical town known for its Ottoman-style houses
and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics. Slightly out of town, you might
see the black beit ash shar tents of the hardy Bedouin who still
wander throughout the Middle East as they have for centuries. After,
travel to Dana Village, built on a nature reserve, and join your local
leader on a walk. Meet some locals and learn about their culture as
you make your way through the terraced gardens. After checking into your hotel in Petra the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy.

This morning, squeeze through the long stretch of stonewalls to
Petra – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. When you arrive,
explore the old Roman road, temples, old tombs and the rock-hewn
amphitheatre. After, maybe walk up the clifftop path to the
Monastery for panoramic views overlooking the Treasury. Later
today, join a Jordanian cooking class at a local Al Qantara kitchen.
Prepare appetisers like baba ghanoush and hummus, typical
Jordanian mains like kabsah (mixed rice) or mjadra (lentils and rice)
and learn the secrets behind these delicious Arabic flavours.

After breakfast, travel to Wadi Rum – a valley known for its desert
scenery, which has been the backedrop to many films. Along the
way, stop for a tea with a local Bedouin family in Little Petra. When
you arrive in Wadi Rum, jump in one of the jeeps and drive through
the Mars-like landscapes, passing by Lawrence Spring – a rocky
landscape contrasted by a freshwater spring with panoramic views
over the valley. You’ll also stop at Lawrence House – supposedly the
house where Lawrence of Arabia lived and stored his equipment.
Continue to one of the largest sand dunes in Wadi Rum and check
out some of the famous rock bridges. After, set up camp in Bedouinstyle tents. If you choose, you can even sleep in the open air,
surrounded by the Mars-like mountains in the background. Fall
asleep under a desert blanket of an undisturbed night sky, rich with
stars.

Today you’ll drive from the desert to the coast for some sun and
relaxation. Aqaba is landlocked Jordan’s only town on the sea, and
this Red Sea beach resort is yours to explore for the rest of the day.
Just south of town, the warm and shallow waters of the Red Sea is
home to a series of untouched coral reefs. Maybe grab a mask and
some flippers and explore the underwater world, take a walk along
the shoreline or simply kick back by the pool. Later, maybe visit the
14th century Ottoman Fort. This is where the T.E Lawrence (of ‘of
Arabia’ fame) rode to Cairo with big news about a revolt.

This morning, travel along the King's Highway – a winding road that
follows the contours of the rocky hills, occasionally passing nomadic
shepherds as they tend their flocks in the few areas where there’s
water. Descend lower and lower until you eventually arrive on the
shores of the Dead Sea. When you arrive, put your swimwear on and
take a dip in the salty lake. While you’re here, maybe grab a handful
of the shoreline’s mud and slop it over your body – it’s full of
nutrient-rich natural minerals that are meant to have healing
properties and will leave your skin feeling great. This evening,
maybe find a nearby restaurant and head out for dinner with your
fellow travellers.

After breakfast, this amazing adventure through Jordan comes to an end at your resort in the Dead Sea. You might like to stay longer otherwise Amman's Queen Alia International Airport is approximately one hour's drive from the Dead Sea. Airport transfers and additional nights accommodation can be arranged through your booking agent.