Hiking : The Caravan Route
11 days / 10 nights (including 5 days of hiking)
This trip allows you to combine heritage discovery (Jerash, Madaba, Kerak, Petra), nature exploration (Dana biosphere reserve, Wadi Rum) and the pleasure of hiking in a completely exotic setting under the radiant sun of Jordan.
Day 1 : AMMAN
Arrival at Amman airport. Reception and assistance by one of our agents. Transfer and night at the hotel.
Meals : -
Accommodation : Villa Dia Guesthouse 2* or similar
Day 2 : AMMAN / JERASH / AJLOUN / UMM QAIS / AMMAN
Departure in the morning for Jerash, the most beautiful and best preserved of all the Roman cities. Continuation with the visit of Ajloun fortress known as Qal'at Ar-Rabad, built in 1184 by 'Izz ad-Din Usama bin Munqidh, a general of Saladin. Drive to Umm Qais for a visit of this ancient Greco-Roman city known as Gadara. Umm Qais was renowned for its cultural activities. Overlooking the magnificent Jordan Valley, it will let you discover a unique panorama. Return to Amman, visit of the citadel of Jabal al-Qala and the Old Town with its Roman theater dating from the 2nd century, which can accommodate up to 6,000 people. Dinner in town in a traditional Jordanian restaurant. Night at the hotel in Amman.
Meals : breakfast, dinner
Accommodation : Villa Dia Guesthouse 2* or similar
Day 3 : AMMAN / MADABA / DEAD SEA / KERAK / DANA (King's Way)
In the morning, drive to Madaba and its famous mosaic of the Holy Land. “The City of Mosaics”, known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, is home to the famous mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land dating from the 6th century. With its two million pieces carved from colorful local stones, this map represents the hills, valleys, towns and villages of the region as far as the Nile Delta. Other mosaic masterpieces have been found in the Church of the Virgin and Apostles and in the Archaeological Park and Museum, depicting a whole profusion of flowers and plants, birds and fish, and exotic animals, as well as scenes inspired by mythology or daily activities related to hunting, fishing and farming. There are hundreds of other mosaics dated between the 5th and 7th centuries, scattered throughout the churches and homes of Madaba. Visit of the Madaba mosaic school, the only school of its kind in the Middle East, it trains craftsmen in the art of making, repairing and restoring mosaics. Departure for the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, and then for Kerak and its Crusader fortress. Transfer at the end of the afternoon to Dana. We will arrive in the evening with the sunset over Dana mountains. Night at the hotel.
Meals : breakfast, dinner
Accommodation : Dana Eco Lodge Guesthouse 3 * or similar
Day 4 : DANA / WADI GHOUIR / WADI ARABA / LITTLE PETRA / PETRA
After breakfast, you leave with your guide for the Al Ghouir canyon. Your hike begins at Al Mansoura at an altitude of 1,100m. From there you will descend to Al Ghouir Canyon and its spectacular gorges between high pink sandstone cliffs, to discover the Dana Biosphere Reserve, which covers some 308 km2 and contains many natural treasures. It is made up of a chain of valleys and mountains that stretch from the top of the Rift Valley to the desert plains of Wadi Araba, with a drop of over 900 meters. It encompasses two large geographic areas, and four distinct vegetation zones that promise a remarkable diversity of landscapes, ranging from wooded highlands to rocky gravel slopes, through plains and dunes. At the end of the day, departure in 4 × 4 (pick-up) for the visit of Little Petra, a miniature replica of the “pink city" of Petra. Night at the hotel in Petra.
5-6 hours
Meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation : Petra Seven Wonders Hotel 3 * or similar
Day 5 : PETRA (Trekking)
A whole day dedicated to visiting the “pink city” of Petra, a unique place, built 2,600 years ago by the Nabataeans who carved monumental tombs, stairs, palaces and temples in the naturally red colored rock. Built at the outlet of the gorges of Wadi Mousa (the Siq), the city is one of the treasures of the Middle East. Visit of the site: the treasure (the Khazneh), the theater, the royal tombs, the lower town, the Deir… Night at the hotel.
6 hours
Meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation : Petra Seven Wonders Hotel 3 * or similar
Day 6 : PETRA (Trekking)
Day with your guide to climb Jebel Al-Khubtha & the high places. One of the pleasures of visiting Petra, provided you stay long enough to have time to undertake them, lies in the possibilities of hiking to the high places; these offer superb panoramas on the city and the massifs which surround it. The ascent of Jebel al-Khubtha allows a bird's eye view of the lower town and more particularly of the theater carved into the rock, a little below, it is possible to access a viewpoint facing the Khazneh.
6 hours
Meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation : Petra Seven Wonders Hotel 3* or similar
Day 7 : PETRA / WADI RUM (Trekking) / BURDAH / AL KHAROUBEH
After breakfast, early departure for Wadi Rum where you will be welcomed by your local Bedouin guide. After getting to know each other, transfer by 4 × 4 towards Jebel Burdah and its monumental arch: this rocky bridge is considered one of the tallest natural arches in the world. Ascent of the djebel (about 3h30 round trip) to the arch. This hike consists of climbing this very large sandstone rock to the foot of a huge natural arch. Some passages are dizzying and sometimes technical and it will be necessary to help yourself with your hands. Once at the foot of the arch, you can either admire the arch from below or, equipped with a rope and a harness, climb the last few meters of wall, with the help of your guide and the local guide. On the way back down, we have lunch at the foot of Jebel Burdah. In the afternoon 2 to 3 hours of hiking to reach the camp of Al Kharoubeh. Installation of our camp away from the tourist bustle.
6 hours
Meals : breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation : camp
Day 8 : AL KHAROUBEH / JEBEL HASH / HALG UMM NUGHRA
For our second day in the desert, we head south to Jebel Hash mountain off the beaten track. A 3-4 hour trek will take us to its summit from where the views of the Saudi and Jordanian desert are magnificent. Back at the foot of the massif we will have lunch in the shade before continuing to the valley of Halg Umm Nughra. In the afternoon 2h30-3h of hiking to reach the camp. Back at the camp we have dinner cooked on site before joining our Bedouin tent.
6-7 hours
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: camp
Day 9 : AQABA (Red Sea)
Transfer to Aqaba, seaside resort on the Red Sea. Free day with diving option if you wish. Night at the hotel by the beach.
Meals : breakfast
Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel 5* or similar
Day 10 : AQABA / AMMAN
Free day to enjoy the sun of Aqaba and the waters of the Red Sea. In the afternoon, transfer to Amman for a dinner in an old restored caravanserai which has become a meeting place for Jordanian families. Night at hotel in Amman.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Villa Dia Guesthouse 2* or similar
Day 11 : AMMAN
Transfer to Amman airport.
Meals : breakfast
Important:
The program is given for information only. It is subject to change depending on climatic conditions, winds, the changing nature of the terrain… this under the sole responsibility of the guide in charge of the group.
Why choosing this tour :
• Flexibility and adaptation to your wishes
• Explore and Experience Bedouin Culture
• Local English-speaking guide
