Jordan, Petra and Wadi Rum Extension

Itinerary

15/03/2024

Day ( 1 ) Arrival at Queen Alia International Airport – Amman

Arrive at Amman Airport, where we will meet you, assist with immigration and then transfer you to your hotel. Amman is one of the oldest cities in the world, inhabited since the bronze age. The city is growing into a modern city, but retains its character and history. Depending on your time of arrival, a city tour can take place.

Transfer time from QAIA into Amman: Approx. 30min-1hr depending on traffic.
Overnight in Amman.

Day ( 2 ) Amman – Little Petra – Hike from Little Petra to Petra – Hiking Distance: 14Km – Petra

After breakfast you will have an early transfer to Little Petra, followed by a short
Jeep transfer. Enter Petra via ‘The Back Door’ avoiding most of the tourists. Good tracks go pleasantly down Wadi Ghurab amidst sandstone mountains guarding the approaches to Petra. This way follows a Nabataean route out of the valley and
skirting round the final mountain on a natural rock terrace which has been
‘improved’ for the safety of walkers. Even so, it still narrows slightly before
reaching a hidden plateau high above the impressive chasm of Wadi Siyyagh.
Just beyond, carved into the cliff face, ‘The Monastery’ suddenly comes into view,
where there is a Bedouin café for refreshments if you would like. Nabataean steps
then lead down into ancient Petra; through which the route goes before exiting
past ‘The Treasury’ and though the famous ‘Petra Siq’ to the shops, cafés and
hotels of Wadi Musa.

Overnight in Petra. Driving Distances: Amman to Little Petra – Approx. 3 hours
For those who can not hike, we will transfer them to Petra and will enter the site
through the main trail.

In the Evening you will attend the Petra by night event. (It is run every Monday,
Wednesday and Thursday). We will get a special permit to enter the site at night
for night photography

Day ( 3 ) Petra – An option to hike Al Khubtha Mountain, Al Madras or the High Place of Sacrifice – Petra

More time to visit other trails and sites inside Petra. If you feel courageous, want
to avoid the crowds and discover some less visited monuments in Petra you can
visit sites such as the Khubtha Mountain, Al Madras or the High Place of sacrifice.

You will enter the Siq, exploring the ancient rock carved ruins of Facades Street
before following a steep climb up ancient Nabataean steps to near the summit of
Al Khubtha to enjoy the magnificent panorama overlooking the Treasury, then
descending to Petra main entrance. Alternatively, You can continue on and hike up to the High Place of Sacrifice, enjoy spectacular views over the rocky, desert
terrain, where breathtaking panoramic views await. Or you can hike the Madras
trail, this special route into Petra climbs along the southern cliff of the Siq and
involves several scrambles over steep sandstone escarpments. The journey
continues along the rugged mountains to the High Place of Sacrifice, where the
Nabatean altars, an obelisk and foundations of the priest’s house are still visible, as well as a splendid panoramic view of the Petra city center below. Descend through Wadi Farasa, passing the Lion Fountain and the Roman Soldier’s Tomb. Visit the recently excavated Nabatean Villa and the Great Temple as you return to the center of the ancient site. Whichever route is taken, you will be well satisfied with your two day exploration of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Overnight in Petra
For those who can not hike, we will hire a mule/donkey/electric car for them
(check optional for prices).

Day ( 4 ) Petra – Humeimeh – The old lady gorge /Shaq Al Ajooz – Jabal Kharaza – 2 Hour Sunset Jeep tour 

After breakfast, depart from Petra and head to one of the hidden paths in the
southern part of Jordan where you will hike The Old Lady Gorge / Shaq Al Ajooz.
They say that an old lady a long time ago was coming down near this route when
a rock broke and she fell into the canyon below that is why it is called the Old Lady Gorge. It is one of the narrowest gorges in Jordan located in an area called Al -Humaima Abbasyieh. *You may need to leave your bag in the bus as in some parts the gorge becomes very narrow. (Weather permitting hike/ will be skipped in case of rain). After the hike you will then meet your Bedouin hosts for lunch and then head to Wadi Rum where you will start a jeep safari exploring this World Heritage Site and enjoy exploring a different area of Wadi Rum known as Al Kharazah with it’s huge sandstone arches visible in the middle of the mountains. Then you will return to the camp to enjoy the hospitality of the Bedouins and sleep under the stars.

Driving distance from Petra to Wadi Rum – Approx. 2 hours
Overnight in Wadi Rum.

For those who can not hike the Old Lady gorge, they can stay at the Bedouin Host
tent and take pictures of the surrounding area.

Day ( 5 ) Wadi Rum – 2 Hour Sunrise Jeep tour – Free time at the camp – 1 Hour Sunset Camel ride – 2 Hour 

On this day you will rise early, where you will enjoy a 2-Hour Jeep tour to see the
desert sunrise. Then you will be transferred to the camp where you will be having
your breakfast and a free time there. Slightly Before Sunset you will have a 1 Hour
Camel ride sunset tour through the desert while the sky lights up in warm orange
and yellow tones. Then back to your camp. By night you get a clear view of the
Milky Way streaking across the sky, and will recognize shooting stars and volumes of stars. Great opportunity of night/stars photography.

Day ( 6 ) Wadi Rum – Dead Sea Experience – Sunset DS photography

After having breakfast in Wadi Rum you will drive to the lowest point on earth to
float and relax at the Dead Sea. Enjoy the sunshine and view whilst trying out the
invigorating mud bath to cleanse the skin. Before Sunset time we will transfer you to the Dead Sea salt formation spot where you will have the chance to capture
some long exposure seascape photos and practice blurred water effects, combining slow shutter speeds and ND filters.
Bringing your polarizing and neutral density filters is highly recommended.
Overnight in Dead Sea.
Driving distance from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea around 4 hours.

Day ( 7 ) Dead Sea – Jerash – Ajloun – Amman (Photography)

On this day you will head north to walk through history in Jerash, regarded as one of the most important and best preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. Then on to Ajloun and visit the castle, dominating the Ajloun skyline and built to ward off the Crusader armies at the key trade and pilgrimage intersection between Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus and Mecca. You
will spend your time exploring and photographing both locations.

Transfer to Amman for the overnight.
The drive from the Dead Sea to Jerash – Approx. 1 hours 30 Minutes.
The drive from Jerash to Ajloun- Approx. 30 Minutes.
The drive from Ajloun to Amman – Approx. 1 hours 30 Minutes.
Overnight in Amman
End of services

Day ( 8 ) Amman – Queen Alia International Airport – Departure

Pick up from your hotel in Amman and transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for departure.
Transfer time from Amman to QAIA: Approx. 30min-1hr depending on traffic.
We wish you a safe journey back home!