DAY 1: AJACCIO - PARIS - AMMAN
Flight to Amman.
Reception and transfer to the Samawer by Wyndham 4* hotel for 3 nights.
DAY 2: AMMAN - JERASH - AJLOUN - AMMAN • (150 KM/APPROX. 3 H)
Road to the city of Jerash (ancient city of Gerasa), one of the most beautiful Greco-Roman sites. It is the second major site in Jordan after Petra. It is today considered one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the Near East, built entirely in pink and orange limestone. The apogee of Gerasa, like that of its counterparts Philadelphia, Gadara or Pella, dates from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. You can admire Hadrian's triumphal arch, the temples of Artemis and Zeus, the forum, the thermal baths and the theaters.
Lunch.
Continue to Ajlun. Visit the 12th century Saracen castle.
At the end of the afternoon, return to Amman.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3: AMMAN - IRAQ AL-AMIR - DEAD SEA - AMMAN • (180 KM/APPROX. 1H)
Departure to Iraq El Amir and its Hellenistic period castle Qasr al-Abd (2nd century BC). Amazing construction, where we find various inspirations: Greek, Oriental, with the appearance of a Roman palace.
Lunch.
Road to the Dead Sea, a salt sea 400 m below sea level, for a swim (climate permitting) and an unforgettable experience. Its particular climate makes it an exceptional vacation spot. The Greeks called it the "Asphaltite Lake", the Muslims the "stinking lake", the Hebrews the "sea of Salt" or even "the sea of Law". With its 75 km long and 15 km wide, the Dead Sea covers an area of 920 km², almost twice that of Lake Geneva. The maximum depth of the Dead Sea is 399 m. The lower level of the Jordan depression is therefore 410 m below sea level and as such, it represents the lowest point on the globe. Return to Amman.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4: AMMAN - KINGS ROUTE - MADABA - NÉBO - KERAK - PETRA • (310 KM/APPROX. 6H)
Breakfast and departure via the Route des Rois to visit Mount Nebo, the presumed site of the tomb of Moses. You will enjoy magnificent views of Jericho, the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Continue to Madaba to discover its famous mosaics and the oldest map of the Holy Land. Road to the Kerak fortress. The Wadi Kerak, a valley below the city, was one of the main routes of penetration into Palestine.
Lunch.
Continue to Petra via the desert road.
Dinner and night at the Pétra Palace 3* hotel or similar.
DAY 5: PETRA - WADI RUM • (150 KM/APPROX. 2 H)
Full day dedicated to the discovery of Petra. The pink city Petra, "the stone" in Greek, comes from the Aramaic toponym "RQM" ("rekem" or "rakmou"), which means "two-color". Geology is in fact at the origin of the red city, entirely carved out of soft sandstone. Man, present here for around ten thousand years, completed giving the site its appearance between the 3rd century BC. BC and the 2nd century AD. In total, there are nearly 800 monuments, mainly tombs, which dot Petra over 100 km2. Eighth wonder of the world and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, it is the most famous site in Jordan, even in the Middle East.
You will cross the Siq, a narrow and long fault caused by a prehistoric earthquake. At the end of the Siq suddenly appears the most majestic monument of Petra, Al Khazneh or "the treasure" with Greco-Roman decoration. What a dazzling spectacle of beauty... Beyond the Treasury, hundreds of sculpted buildings, temples, royal tombs, houses, burial chambers, party rooms, baths, monumental staircases, shaped doors are discovered arches, cobbled streets and above all the Roman theater with around 3,000 seats. You will cross the Roman cardo and visit the Qasr El Bint, the only temple still standing and in a good state of conservation.
Lunch.
In the afternoon, ascent to Mount El Deir or the Monastery (optional).
Road to Wadi Rum.
Night under the stars with tasting of dishes that reflect true Bedouin generosity and local hospitality.
Dinner and night at camp.
DAY 6: WADI RUM - AMMAN • (320 KM/APPROX. 4H)
Breakfast and tour in a “local” 4 x 4 pick-up in the Wadi Rum desert (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes), you will discover sumptuous landscapes sculpted by erosion, rock engravings and Nabataean inscriptions. This desolate site was one of the highlights of the Great Arab Revolt, magnified by director David Lean in one of the most impressive scenes of his Lawrence of Arabia. Wadi Rum is famous for its unique setting with its wide sandy valleys varying from red to yellow, bordered by mountains also displaying a range of extraordinary colors, from black to light yellow, with a predominance of red.
Lunch.
Return to Amman.
Dinner and accommodation for 2 nights at the Samawer by Wyndham 4* hotel.
DAY 7: AMMAN
Breakfast, then city tour of Amman on foot, stop at the bakery to taste the best traditional Jordanian desserts. Continue to the Hussini mosque then head towards the vegetable market.
Lunch in a local restaurant, popular with Jordanians: Hasheem restaurant where you will taste hummus and these famous falafels. Dessert will end in the famous Habiba pastry shop to taste Knafeh (depending on the season or religious festivals this program may be adapted).
Return to the hotel then dinner and overnight.
DAY 8: AMMAN - PARIS
Departure to the airport for your return flight to France.
