This morning, depart from your hotel in Amman to visit Jerash, widely regarded as one of the most beautifully preserved cities in the world, nestled at the bottom of a green valley. Start the tour from the South Gate into the Oval Plaza, before continuing your way down through the Street of Columns until you reach the Arch of Triumph, built to the honour the Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD. This afternoon, visit the castle of Ajloun located on a high peak overlooking the city of Ajloun. According to the biographer of Saladin, this castle was built between 1184 and 1185 by one of the Saladin’s nephews, to oppose the Crusaders castles of Kerak and Shobak. Transfer back to Amman later this afternoon.

This morning depart Amman and travel south to Petra on one of the oldest highways on earth, the Kings Highway. This fascinating journey into history will include highlights of Madaba where you can view the oldest known map of the Holyland inlaid in mosaics, Mt Nebo where Moses looked out over the Promised Land, and Kerak Crusader Castle before arriving into Petra.

Petra, nestled in the mountains south of the Dead Sea, is perhaps the most spectacular ancient city remaining in the modern world. The city was the capital of the Nabateans who dominated the lands of Jordan during pre-Roman times. They carved this wonderland of temples, tombs and elaborate buildings out of solid rock. For centuries, Petra fell into the mists of legend, its existence a guarded secret known only to the local Bedouins and Arab tradesmen. In 1812, a young Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt heard locals speaking of a "lost city" hidden in the mountains of Wadi Mousa. Burckhardt disguised himself as a pilgrim and discovered the secret of Petra, revealing it to the modern world. In order to best savour the atmosphere of this ancient wonder, visit in the quiet of the morning or late afternoon when the sandstone rock glows red with quiet grandeur.

This morning explore the famous Nabatean rock-cut tombs and temples of Petra. Entry is via a narrow ‘siq’, reaching hundreds of feet high. Your first sight is of El Khazneh - the Treasury, carved ornately in the red rock. Other sights include the 3,000 seat theatre (1st C. AD) and a Palace Tomb in the Roman style (this tour includes a private local guide for 2-3 hours).

Remainder of day at leisure to further explore Petra at your own pace.

Today travel to Wadi Rum where Lawrence of Arabia rode across the desert with his Arab liberation army. Take a jeep ride through this impressive moon-like landscape, with its dramatic canyons and dunes. (Duration of jeep trip: 2 hours approx)

Note: Wadi Rum drivers & jeeps are locally-based, so the quality may vary, and is beyond the control of Ancient Kingdoms Holidays or its Jordanian operators.

Today drive to the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea is 75 kilometres long and from 6 to 16 kilometres wide. It is fed by the Jordan River, but it has no outlet. As its name suggests, the Dead Sea is entirely devoid of plant and animal life. This is due to an extremely high content of salt and other minerals—350 grams of salt per kilogram of water, as compared to about 40 grams in the world’s oceans. This concentration is caused by a rapid rate of evaporation. These natural elements give the waters of the Dead Sea certain curative properties, recognized since the days of Herod the Great over 2000 years ago.

Today you will be transferred to Allenby Bridge for your border crossing into Israel.

• Accommodation in hotels and desert camp as specified (or similar)
• Daily breakfast and one dinner
• Transfer and transportation in private air conditioned car with English speaking driver as per itinerary
• Local private English-speaking guide in Jerash and Petra
• Entrance fees
• Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel
• Short horse ride inside Petra
• Entrance fees as mentioned in the program
• Bedouin jeep tour ride for 2 hrs in Wadi Rum

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above