Itinerary

Day 1: Amman

Welcome to Jordan! Our staff will meet and assist us at Aqaba Airport customs and we will head to our hotel in Jordan’s capital city, Amman.  Dinner and overnight at the Amman Marriott hotel.

Day 2: Amman

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a tour of Amman, which will introduce us to the diversity of the people in this rich and proud land. Explore the Citadel of Philadelphia (ancient Amman) with its layers of archaeological remains. Stroll through the dynamic city centre, letting the smell of spices be our guide to the ancient Souks of Philadelphia.

Depart to Amman’s cultural center in one of the city’s quaint, older neighborhoods, to immerse ourselves in the art of Jordan and the Arab world. Begin with a visit to the National Gallery of Fine Arts, followed by a trip to Darat Al Funun, ‘home of the arts.’

Overlooking the heart of Amman, Darat Al Funun is housed in three traditional 1920s buildings alongside the archaeological remains of a sixth century Byzantine church built over a Roman Temple, and all have been restored for use. With its arts, architecture and archaeology, Darat Al Funun speaks of an enduring legacy of urbanism, architecture and cultural identity that is now being enriched by a modern flowering of the visual arts. After the visit of Amman, depart to the western part of Amman to the Royal Stables.

On arrival, a catered lunch will be served at the Royal Stables. We hope to be joined by HRH Princess Alia, daughter of the late King Hussein, who oversees the stables.  There will be a private horse show put on for us.  After lunch take a tour of the stables where we can admire the fine Arabian horses and gain a little insight into Arabian horse breeding in Jordan from one of the people in charge of this charming place.

Return back to our hotel for free time at leisure till dinnertime. Tonight instead of having a regular buffet dinner at our hotel, we will be taken for an exclusive Gala dinner at King Hussein Club, situated in one of the oldest area of Amman.  This seated Gala dinner will be catered by 5 star hotels, and we will be joined by a Government official.  The King Hussein Club was founded in the late 1950s to in order to encourage the cultural and social activities in the kingdom. All its members are part of the Royal Family and high profile personalities in Jordan.

Day 3: Amman

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Wild Jordan, the base of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. Located in a beautiful old Amman neighborhood, the center includes a terrace café which affords wonderful views of downtown Amman, including the remains of the Temple of Hercules at the Citadel. Take a tour of Wild Jordan, where we will learn about the RSCN’s nature reserves and socio-economic projects, as well as the organic agricultural and other products. Enjoy a healthy lunch at the café. After lunch transfer back to our hotel for free time till dinnertime.

Dinner at Fakhreddin: The charmingly old-fashioned house of Jordan's first prime minister has been converted into a classy Arabic restaurant called Fakhreddin. It is one of the most popular restaurants in Amman for Arabic food and has a lovely setting. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 4: Um Qais – Jarash – Amman

Begin our day with breakfast with a spectacular view! In the early morning transfer northwards to Um Qais where we can see the remains of a city that was part of the ten Decapolis cities of ancient Rome. Enjoy a traditional breakfast at the Um Qais rest house as we take in the wonderful panorama of the Golan Heights and Lake Tiberius then tour the site.

Next head to Jarash, the city of the thousand columns. Explore the hidden beauty of this Greco-Roman site, and saunter along the ancient Roman streets that run throughout the city as we take in the marvel of the eastern part of the ancient Roman Empire. After the show enjoy lunch at Jerash’s most popular restaurant. Then return to Amman for a free afternoon. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 5: Mt. Nebo – Madaba – Mukawir – Dana

After breakfast at our hotel in Amman, transfer to Mount Nebo to enjoy the breathtaking views from which Moses last looked upon the Holy Land. Move on to Madaba, City of Mosaics, to visit the Greek Orthodox Church to see the famous 6th century map of the Holy Land. Lunch at Haret Jdoudna, a traditional house converted into a restaurant and craft centre.

Following lunch depart to nearby Makawir to visit the ruins of the castle of Herod the Great where the story of John the Baptist’s beheading took place. Then step out of history and into reality as we meet the Bani Hamida tribe and learn about the Bani Hamida socio-economic project to market items of traditional Bedouin weaving.

Afterwards depart to Dana, a nature reserve that offers a spectacular natural landscape. Visit the Dana village where we meet the locals and get an introduction to the socio-economic projects set up there. Then embark on a short walking tour of the reserve to learn about some of the flora and fauna unique to this area.  From there we drive to Petra and check into the Movenpick Hotel with a welcome drink. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 6: Petra

After breakfast at the hotel we enter the gates of the ancient city of Petra. It was built by magic as myths tell it and could not be taken by the Romans until 106 AD because of the rough terrain guarding its borders. We will be guided through the architectural and spiritual wonders of this majestic place by walking through this intoxicating city.

Lunch at the Basin restaurant inside Petra amid the spectacular ruins. In the afternoon walk to a hidden cave to meet one of the old Shamans of Petra. The cave is set up as it would have been 100 years ago, when the local Bedouins used to live there. Here, the Shaman will talk about traditional Arab medical practices used the past and in the desert, giving a brief history of some the natural medicaments used today. Local herbal tea will be served, accompanied by dried fruits and nuts. Each guest will receive a symbolic gift: a wooden box filled with frankincense and various medicinal herbs. Return to the hotel for a rest before dinner.

In the evening we transfer to Taybet Zaman Eco Village to enjoy a sunset cocktail at this unique village. Taybet Zaman was created from a 19th century village, and so the architecture of the resort boasts grand arches, vaults and houses (guest rooms) of local stones, which keep cool in summer and warm in winter. The facilities at the village are built around themes, and this allows the guest to experience the old village way of life. After cocktails we head to Petra the center of Wadi Musa to Petra Kitchen. Tonight we will become the chefs of cuisine and will prepare our dinner. Local chefs will help in giving our orientation of the recipe we are going to cook. Bon appetite!!! Overnight at our hotel.

Day 7: Petra - Beidha - Little Petra - Petra

After breakfast at hotel depart to visit Little Petra, or Al Beidha, which is a miniature version of Petra, with a smaller siq, and a number of tombs, monuments, caves and other structures inside. After Little Petra stop off at the nearby Ammarin camp. Set amid the spectacular landscape of the Wadi Musa area and sheltered by the towering rose-hued mountains that surround it, the Ammarin Camp is a haven of Bedouin culture and tranquility. It is created as a small Bedouin village. The beauty and magic of Petra combined with the mystery, charm and heritage of the local Bedouin blend together into a truly unique experience. The objective of the camp is to nurture and spread the local Bedouin culture and community, as well as the environment, through creativity in the preservation of Bedouin magic and ecology, and training of the local Ammarin tribe to run the camp. Meet some local Bedouins and learn about their fascinating culture. After lunch at the camp, discover the beauty of Arabic calligraphy, an ancient Islamic art used to decorate mosques.

The early Arabs were a nomadic people whose culture was prolific in terms of writing and poetry. Long before they were gathered into the Islamic fold, they acknowledged the power and beauty of words. Poetry was an essential part of daily life as Arabs delighted in language and linguistic skills, as exhibited in Arabic literature and calligraphy. The early Arabs felt an immense appreciation for the spoken word and later for its written form. A private lecture will be given by a professional Arabic calligrapher about the roots of Arabic calligraphy. Following the talk, each guest will receive a calligraphy kit to take part in an interactive session to try their hand at this wonderful art form by writing their names in Arabic. After the session transfer to our hotel for free time until dinner. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Wadi Rum

After breakfast at our hotel in Petra, depart to the sensational desert of Wadi Rum Nature Reserve. Wadi Rum boasts one of the most spectacular desert landscapes in the world with rolling sand dunes and mountains of sandstone. Its mystery and charm are sure to captivate us, as it has so many visitors before, including the famous T.E. Lawrence. On arrival in Wadi Rum, the local Bedouins will take us for a drive in their jeeps to the great mountain of Al Khazali. Discover clues from antiquity carved on the mountains and the fallen boulder, vestiges of human activity over several thousand years. 

This journey allows us to interact with the Bedouins, who make the trip more interesting and fun! In addition to enabling us to meet some of the locals, these tourist trips benefit them directly from an economic perspective without altering their culture or way of life. This part of the trip is integral to Cultural Crossroads, as it provides not only the economic benefit to them but provides us and them with wonderful cultural connections.  After this visit we will stop for a light lunch prepared especially for us in the middle of the desert. After lunch at the campsite, transfer out of the desert by 4x4 vehicles to move on to our next destination. Feel the heavenly sensation at the lowest point on earth in the Dead Sea basin.

Check in to the Kempinski Hotel and lunch at the hotel’s main restaurant. Enjoy a free afternoon at the resort. Dinner and overnight at the Kempinski Hotel.

Day 9: Bethany - Wadi Rayyan - Pella - Ajloun

After breakfast at our hotel, descend to the Jordan Valley to ‘Bethany Beyond the Jordan,’ the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Discovered only recently, excavation work has unearthed a 1st century AD settlement.  It has plastered pools and water systems that were almost certainly used for baptism was found, in addition to a 5th to 6th century AD late Byzantine settlement with churches, a monastery and other structures. After this visit, head northwards along the scenic Jordan Valley to Wadi Rayyan, where we will stop off to learn about a socio-economic project based there. The women of Wadi Rayyan use cattail reeds and banana leaves that are abundant in the area to weave baskets for sale. Meet some of the women and they will teach us their craft as we make our own basket to take home.

Next we head to nearby Pella for lunch at the rest house. It is perched on a hill overlooking the ruins below. Pella is an ancient city that was part of the Roman Decapolis, and some believe that Alexander the Great is buried there. The ruins of Pella lie in a magnificent valley, with great views of the Jordan Valley and River. Return back to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is renowned today, and throughout history, for its healing properties due to the high mineral content of the water. Because of its salt it allows us to float comfortably on the surface of the water. After breakfast spend the day experiencing the therapeutic qualities of the Dead Sea and make use of the resort facilities.The Dead Sea offers a host of therapeutic advantages for our skin and overall wellbeing. The waters of the Dead Sea contain 21 minerals, 12 of which cannot be found in any other sea or ocean. Take advantage of being at the lowest point on earth where the thick atmosphere resulting from being so low means that harmful ultraviolet rays are filtered making this the best spot for tanning, as extended exposure to sunlight is safer than in other places. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 11: Departure - Airport

After breakfast at the resort we will be transferred to Queen Alia International Airport for our departure back home. Our staff will assist us through departure formalities.

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