Day by Day Itinerary

March 29 DEPART U.S.A.
Sunday
Join our small group of no more than fifteen travel companions. We will meet at JFK airport in New York around 7:30 PM for introductions. Depart on ROYAL JORDANIAN AIRLINES RJ262 at 10:30 PM, which flies non-stop to Amman.
(meals en route)

March 30 AMMAN
Monday
Welcome to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan! We arrive in Jordan at the Amman Queen Alia International Airport this afternoon at 5:15 PM. Our transfer agent will be waiting to assist with visas, luggage, and customs. A private, air-conditioned coach will transfer us to our hotel, the five-star Grand Hyatt Hotel. Pre-check in will be arranged and we will go directly to our “Grand rooms” to relax and freshen up from the journey. Our luggage will be delivered shortly. Dinner this evening will be at our hotel.

(meals en route, D) *****Grand Hyatt Hotel

March 31 AMMAN
Tuesday
After a restful night’s sleep, we will meet for a buffet breakfast at the hotel. Our coach is waiting. Our excellent guide Sufyan Twassi will introduce the group to Amman, which was known in history as Rabbath-Ammon and in Greco-Roman times as Philadelphia. High above the city, at the ancient Citadel, study the traces of Amman’s many lives: the regal columns of a roman temple in silhouette against the sky; the elegant capitals of a Byzantine church; endlessly inventive carvings in the Umayyad Palace; fascinating displays in the Archaeological Museum; and digs and ruins everywhere you step. At the foot of the Citadel, take a seat in the Roman Theatre, a deep-sided bowl carved into the hill and still used for cultural events. Afterwards, walk downtown through the bazaars and the Gold market.

Lunch: Experience a traditional falafel sandwich from the best falafel place in Jordan. It is a simple meal but for sure an experience to remember, as this place is very well known to the Jordanians. You can eat the sandwich while walking in the old parts of Amman, or in your vehicle.

We are planning visits to the markets of women-made crafts that have been promoted by Queen Rania and by former Queen Noor. The first of these visits will be today while visiting the Jordan River Foundation Showroom. See textiles and traditional camel hair shawls.

Dinner this evening will be at the Reem El Bawadi Restaurant (please note that they do not offer alcoholic drinks).

(B-L-D) ***** Grand Hyatt Hotel

April 1 AMMAN • JERASH
Wednesday AJLOUN • UM QUAIS
Today, we will travel about one-hour from Amman to visit three ancient cities in the surrounding hills. Second only to Petra in tourist appeal, the ancient city of Jerash is remarkable for its long chain of human occupation. Here at a well-watered site in the hills of Gilead, remains from Neolithic times have been found, as well as Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad and others. Jerash’s golden age, however, arrived with Roman rule. Today it is acknowledged as one of the best-preserved province cities of the Roman Empire. Jerash was a member of the Decapolis, a dynamic commercial league of 10 Greco-Roman cities.

Continuing westward, Ajloun, also known as Qalaat al Rabad, was Sultan Saladin’s 12th century Arab castle. It is considered one of the finest examples of military architecture. The ancient Graeco-Roman city of Um Qais (pronounced Kys) is next. From the hilltops are breathtaking views of three countries – Syria, Israel (Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights) and of course, Jordan. This is still an active archaeological site. Um Qais’ ancient name was Gardara and according to the Bible, this was the town where Jesus cast out the devil from two men into a herd of pigs.

This afternoon we hope to have the opportunity to visit the home of the artist Raghad Hatahet, to see all of her fine locally made traditional ware. Raghad employs local rural women, who have no other means of income, to embroider her designs.

After the marvels we have seen, return to our hotel for dinner and a restful night.

(B-L-D) ***** Grand Hyatt Hotel

April 2 QASR AL
Thursday KARRANEH
QASR AMRA
QAL’AT AL-AZRAQ
AZRAQ WETLANDS
We must fortify ourselves well for an exciting day. After breakfast, we will visit three desert castles located on the black basalt desert east of Amman and then continue to a desert wetland.

The first castle, Qasr Al- Karraneh, was built in the late 7th century and is the most dramatic and well preserved of the castles. Two stories high and interspersed with rounded intervals and corner towers, this caravanserai, like many others, was never fully completed. It is a small castle built of limestone rubble and mortar, only 155-feet square with 61 rooms that overlook the central courtyard. Some of the rooms on the second floor maintain their original decorative stonework with colonnades, rosette friezes, semi-domed ceilings and inscriptions, indicating both Syrian and Iraqi influences.

Continuing past Qasr Al-Karraneh is Qasr Amra, the finest of the Umayyad (desert resort pavilions). The interior of this bathhouse reveals a breathtaking treasure of splendid, sensuous frescoes from the mid-8th century. Qasr Amra is believed to have been built either by Caliph Walid I, the builder of the mosque of Damascus, or by his son Yazid II. The main attraction of this castle are the extensive frescoes, including the famous “fresco of the six kings,” representing the rulers of the world, showing the Byzantine emperor and the emperor of China. The social as well as the religious rituals of cleanliness made this an important part of the society. In an inner room is the small but magnificent “dome of heaven”. This is one of the first representations of the heavens on a domed ceiling. There is little wonder why Qasr Amra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We continue to the third castle. Located on the ancient trade route that served as a key junction from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria. Qal’at al-Azraq stands at the largest oasis in the Jordanian desert. There is indication that this castle had been in continuous use as a military fortress from the third century under the Roman Empire until WWI. It was the headquarters of Sheriff Hussein of Mecca (the great grandfather of HM King Hussein of Jordan), and T.E. Lawrence, better known as “Lawrence of Arabia” during the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. It was from Azraq that Lawrence and the army of Sheriff Hussein set out in September 1918 for a final assault on Damascus, which marked the defeat of the Turks and the end of WWI in the Middle East.

We will also make a short stop at the Azraq Wetlands near the castle. Azraq means “blue” in Arabic and the oasis and corresponding wetlands were once a sparkling blue jewel in the desert. It is a stop on the long migration between Europe and Africa for migrating birds. Designated a Ramsar site in 1977, the wetlands are a source of water for local irrigation and for the city of Amman. By 1993, the degradation was so great that virtually no surface water remained and the ecological value of the oasis was destroyed. With international support, a rescue effort was started in 1994 and a significant portion of the wetland has been restored. Many of the birds for which the oasis was renowned are returning. Return to Amman for dinner and overnight.

(B-L-D) ***** Grand Hyatt Hotel

April 3 MADABA
Friday MT. NEBO • MUKAWIR
BANI HAMIDA
After breakfast, we leave to visit Bani Hamida with stops in Madaba, Mount Nebo and Mukawir. Madaba is located just south of Amman. Known as the “City of Mosaics,” it is home to one of the world’s largest collections of mosaics, most of which are at least 1,400 years old. The Map of the Holy Land, depicting the Holy Land and its surrounding regions, contains over two million pieces of colored stones. Created around the 6th or 7th century, it represents the Biblical lands from Egypt to Lebanon, including Sinai, Israel, Palestine, and Transjordan, and is thought to be one of the best topographical representations of the Biblical lands.

Mount Nebo, a 10-minute drive from Madaba, is one of the most revered sites in Jordan. There is a magnificent view of the Dead Sea and a panorama of mountains with the crowning heights of Jerusalem visible in the distance. On the summit you can stand where Moses looked over the Jordan River toward Palestine. It is generally acknowledged that Mt. Nebo was his final resting place after leading his people from Egypt toward the Promised Land, though there is no actual tomb.

Make a short stop at the mosaics school here in Madaba where you will see how mosaics are natively made, as well as the local styles and techniques.

Southwest of Madaba is the town of Mukawir. Mukawir is famous as the site where Salome danced for King Herod and requested the beheading of John the Baptist. The remains of Herod’s citadel can still be seen on the top of the hill.

The Bani Hamida area of Madaba Governorate is an impoverished remote part of the Kingdom with high levels of unemployment and out migration, in addition to a lack of public services and private development initiatives. The Bani Hamida Women’s Weaving Project, (originated by the Save the Children Federation) revived traditional weaving, helping to maintain the social fabric of the Makawir area. Older women in the community were eager to pass on rug-weaving techniques to the younger generations. Today, women in 13 villages keep these traditions alive while contributing to the betterment of the quality of life of their families. The rugs were an instant hit when commercially introduced in 1985 and have created a unique image for the Bani Hamida Mountain and its women. Halima Al-Qa’aydeh, the 37-year old supervisor of the Center, is a success story acclaimed by national and international development agencies. She has appeared in countless TV documentaries and press articles. Cameras have followed her on daily trips in her white pickup truck as she shuttles between the Center and the weavers’ homes, discussing the latest orders, the designs and color schemes. Wooden spindles and floor looms are used to produce superior quality pure wool rugs that travel the world with a “Handmade With Pride by Bedouin Jordanian Women” ticket.

In 2003, a grant from Citigroup provided seed money for a candle making project that saw light on Bani Hamida Mountain. The marketing strategy is based on research that handmade candles (with ingredients indigenous to the area) out-glow cheaper mass-produced ones. Return to Amman for dinner and overnight.

Time permitting we will make a short stop at King’s Academy, a co-educational private boarding school that opened in 2007 in Madaba-Manja. The school is a creation of His Majesty’ King Abdullah II, who seeks to replicate the educational approach of Deerfied Academy, his Alma mater.

(B-L-D) ***** Grand Hyatt Hotel

April 4 WADI ARABA
Saturday WADI DANA • PETRA
This morning, we will check out of the lovely Grand Hyatt Hotel. Our journeys will take us along the King’s Highway to the Dana Nature Reserve, Kerak and Shobak Castles before continuing to Petra.

Dana Nature Reserve is a system of wadis and mountains that extends from the top of the Rift Valley down to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. Dana is truly a world of natural treasures. Visitors to Dana will experience the beauty of Rummana Mountain, the mystery of the ancient archaeological ruins of Feynan Eco-lodge, the timeless tranquility of Dana Village, and the grandeur of the red and white sandstone cliffs of Wadi Dana.

The visitors’ centre is located at the edge of Dana Village and next to the Dana Guesthouse. The centre contains an interpretation room about Dana’s nature as well as the nature shop that sells organically-grown produce from the village terrace gardens.

Kerak Castle, an imposing Crusader castle, has origins that go back to the Iron Age. Located south of Amman and made famous by the Crusaders, the fortress was built in 1142 on the remains of earlier citadels, which date back to Nabataean times. It has a bloody and treacherous history. Kerak is largely a Christian town today and many of the families trace their origins back to the Byzantines. It remains the center of a large district.

Shobak Castle, another Crusader castle from the same turbulent period as Kerak, rises above a wild and rugged landscape. It was built in 1115 to guard the road from Damascus to Egypt and was the first in a string of strongholds in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. One of the most fascinating remains in this castle in the ancient well shaft cut deep into the rock with 375 steps leading to the water supply. After visiting these sites, we continue to Petra where we will overnight. There will be briefing about tomorrow’s adventure. Pre-check in will be arranged, and we will go directly to our rooms.

(B-L-D) *****Movenpick Petra Hotel

April 5 PETRA
Sunday
Today will be a day to remember! After breakfast, we will spend the day sightseeing in Petra. You may go to treasury and beyond on foot or by carriage. From the main gate of Petra to the entrance of the old city is about 2400 feet.

The ancient city of Petra was built from 800 BC to 100 AD by Nabataean Arabs. In this era, Petra was a fortress, carved out of craggy rocks in an area that was virtually inaccessible. In the first and second centuries after the Romans took over, the city reached the peak of its fame. Petra covers an area of about 60-square miles, where over 800 monuments can be found. When shipping slowly displaced caravan routes, the city’s importance gradually dwindled; it fell into disuse and was lost to the world until 1812, when it was re-discovered by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. The Khazneh (Treasury), starred in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

You might find it interesting to visit to the cave of Marguerite van Geldermalsen, who wrote the book, “I Married a Bedouin.”

Dinner this evening will be a delightful event at the Ammarin Bedouin Camp.

(B-L-D) *****Movenpick Petra Hotel

April 6 WADI RUM
Monday AQABA
After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and depart for Aqaba via Wadi Rum. In Wadi Rum, we will embark on a backcountry excursion aboard 4x4 vehicles! Our Bedouin driver will expertly guide us. Stunning in its natural beauty, Wadi Rum is home to several Bedouin tribes who live in camps scattered throughout the area. T.E. Lawrence was based here during the great Arab Revolt of 1917-1918 and much of the film “Lawrence of Arabia” was filmed here. With sheer granite, sandstone cliffs and ancient valleys, Wadi rum is popular with hikers and campers who enjoy the vast empty spaces. After a lunch at the new visitor’s center, we continue on our way to the port city of Aqaba.

For the history enthusiast, Aqaba contains sites reflecting human habitation back to 4000 BC. This is due to its strategic location at the junction of trading routes between Asia, Africa and Europe. According to the Bible, King Solomon built ships at an Iron Age port city that probably was on the same ground as modern Aqaba. The Queen of Sheba (ancient Yemen) traveled to King Solomon’s port to visit his splendorous court. With its balmy winter climate and idyllic setting, Aqaba is Jordan’s year-round aquatic playground. Even in winter, the temperature in Aqaba hovers steadily at about 25ºC (77ºF).

In the late afternoon there should be time for a swim in the Red Sea at our luxurious resort.

Enjoy an elegant dinner at the hotel before a restful night in our sea view rooms, the perfect conclusion to an adventurous day!

(B-L-D) *****Intercontinental Aqaba

April 7 AQABA
Tuesday AMMAN
Leave early this morning for the drive back to Amman, taking the coastal route along the Dead Sea. Time permitting make a stop at Bethany.
Tonight will be a special farewell dinner. We will say goodbye to new life-long friends we’ve made on this remarkable journey.

(B-L-D) ***** Grand Hyatt Hotel

April 8 DEPART AMMAN
Wednesday ARRIVE CHICAGO
After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for our flights home. Flight RJ261 leaves at 11:30 AM and arrives in Chicago at 4:55 PM.
(B-meals en route)

Welcome home!
Flight schedules are subject to change.
(B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner)