Jordan & Holy Lands

Day 1: Arrival Amman – Amman City Tour

After passing through Immigration and Customs control, proceed to the Arrivals Hall where your English speaking driver will be waiting. Begin your holiday by undertaking a tour of downtown Amman and visiting the Citadel before checking-in to your hotel. Overnight: Amman.

Day 2: Umm Qais – Tel Mar Elias – Anjara – Jerash

Travel to Umm Qais (Gadara), where according to the Bible, Jesus performed the Gadarene Swine miracle when he cast out the devil from two men into a herd of pigs. Visit Tall Mar Elias which has long been identified with Tishbe, mentioned in the Bible as the hometown or region of the Prophet Elijah. Drive to Anjara to see the Shrine of the Lady of the Mountain at the Roman Catholic Church. Then with your English speaking local guide take a 2-hour guided tour of Jerash, one of the best preserved cities of Roman times. Enter through Hadrian’s Arch to see the Hippodrome, Greek temples and Byzantine churches, Roman theatres, colonnaded streets, forum and marketplace. Return to Amman. Overnight: Amman.

Day 3: Amman – Baptism Site – (border crossing) – Jerusalem

Drive to the Rift Valley to visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist and the children of Israel, led by Joshua, crossed into the Promised Land. Nearby is the King Hussein Bridge where you will cross the holy river of Jordan to enter the Holy Lands. Once across the border, meet your Palestinian driver and guide and continue on to Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem.

Day 4: Jerusalem

An entire day to explore this historic city on a walking tour. Enter through Dung’s Gate to visit the Wailing Wall, the Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Continue on to the Muslim Quarter and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, through the Jewish Quarter to the Armenian quarter, and then free time to explore the markets or any of the museums. In the evening we try out the nightlife. Overnight: Jerusalem.

Day 5: Jerusalem – Dead Sea

We visit the Mount of Olives, to enjoy the famous view over the city to the Temple Mount. Next we visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of all Nations. Proceed to Mount Zion, the Last Supper Room and the Tomb of King David. Departing Jerusalem we take the short drive to Bethlehem to visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. Make our way back to the border, stopping en route at Jericho, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. At the border we bid farewell to our Israeli guide and cross back to Jordan to travel to the Dead Sea. Free leisure time at the Dead Sea Resort. Overnight: Dead Sea.

Day 6: Dead Sea – Mt Nebo – Madaba – Karak Castle – Dana Nature Reserve – Petra

Ascend into the mountains to visit Mt Nebo, the most revered holy site in Jordan. The Mount is mentioned many times in the Bible when Moses went up from the Plain of Moab to the Mount of Nebo and God showed Moses the Promised Land. Following the Kings’ Highway, an ancient caravan route, we will arrive at Madaba to see the oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land in existence on the floor of the 6th Century St George Church. Pass through Wadi Mujib (Arnon) to reach Karak to explore the famous Crusader Castle built in 1132/34 by King Baldwin I. of Jerusalem. Further along the Highway we will make a brief stop to overlook the natural reserve of Dana. Drive to Petra. Overnight: Petra.

Day 7: Petra – Amman

With your English speaking guide, walk through the 1.2km long Siq (chasm) to reach the rose-red city of Petra, passing the remains of Nabataean shrines, water channels, wall carvings and some of the original paving stones. See the magnificent Treasury as you exit the Siq, explore the Street of Facades, the Theatre, Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street, Byzantine Church, Winged Lion’s Temple, Qasr al Bint, and the Petra Museum where your guided tour will end. Climb to the Monastery and/or High Place of Sacrifice on your own. Mid-afternoon, meet your driver to return to Amman. Overnight: Amman.

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.