The Kingdom of Jordan is a vibrant conduit between sea and desert, east and west, a destination that’s been attracting intrepid travelers for millennia. Now it’s your turn to explore this exciting country. Take a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Amman, a dynamic metropolis full of history and diverse culture. Take some time to settle in, then meet with the rest of your group for a delicious welcome dinner, an introduction to the endless culinary delights of the Middle East. 

Discover the rich history and culture of Amman today. Visit the Amman Citadel, a cluster of fascinating prehistoric sites on a hill with panoramic views across the city. An expert local guide will introduce you to the ruined eighth century Umayyad Palace, and then reveal the secrets of the Dead Sea scrolls which were once housed inside the nearby Jordan Archaeological Museum. For lunch, you'll visit the Jordanian Kitchen, a restaurant in Amman preserving the cooking traditions of a diaspora. Spend the rest of the afternoon at one of Amman’s boutique wine shops, tasting some of the best wines in the region, while delving deeper into the history of Amman with a local historian. End your day with a mouth-watering meal that showcases the best of Jordanian cuisine, with custom wine pairings suggested by your new winemaker friend.

Today you’ll journey to a trio of seventh and eighth century castles, scattered around Jordan’s black basalt desert. Marvel at the low-domed UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qasr Amra, decorated with frescoes of constellations, pleasure gardens and naked ladies. Check out the well-preserved eighth century Qasr Kharana, a spectacular example of early Islamic architecture. Return to Amman to rev your engine at the Royal Automobile Museum, home to the late King Hussein’s bevy of classic cars, from a replica of the 1886 vehicle that received the first patent for a motorized car, to a reproduction of the armored Silver Ghost Rolls Royce model that carried fighters during the 1916-18 Arab Revolt. Lunch is included at a local restaurant that specializes in preserving Circassian cuisine, a style of cooking brought to the Middle East by a predominantly Muslim community that was exiled from the Caucasus in the late 1800s. Enjoy a free evening to explore the many delights of Amman at your own pace.  

You’ll head north today to Umm Qais, for breathtaking views of Roman ruins, the Sea of Galilee and the green hills of the Golan Heights. With your feet planted atop this special lookout, you can survey the stunning landscapes of  Jordan, Syria, Israel and Palestine. Your next stop will be the 12th century hilltop fortress in Ajlun for more magnificent views across the Jordan Valley. Then wander around the treasures of Jerash, a smattering of well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins of ancient temples, bridges, baths, and streets. In the evening, you’ll return to Amman, where you can enjoy another free evening of solo exploring.

Explore the Dana Biosphere Reserve today, famous for its striking rock formations and flora and fauna, from cypress trees to juniper. You’ll hike amid the shrubs and sandstone until we reach a vantage point with a stunning view of the village below. Then you’ll visit terraced gardens and craft workshops, before enjoying a homemade lunch in the village, where you’ll learn about the history of this unique community. In the late afternoon, we’ll make our way to majestic Petra and enjoy a good night’s sleep before another active day of exploring.

The ancient city of Petra dates back as far as the fourth century BCE. Once home to the indigenous Nabataean people, Petra has been dubbed the Rose City because of the dusty, pink color of the ornate structures carved into its rocks. First, you’ll wind your way through the Siq (gorge), dwarfed by its gargantuan 600 ft walls. Then gaze in wonder at Petra’s most dazzling monument - Al Khazneh, or the Treasury. The elaborate structure was carved into the sandstone rock around the first century BCE and likely served as a mausoleum or crypt. Continue exploring the city’s royal tombs and burial chambers, uncovering its time-worn mysteries as you go. This evening, witness Petra by night. Seeing the Treasury plaza lit up by candlelight while Bedouin music plays is a truly memorable experience.

Today you’ll continue your quest to uncover more of Petra’s fascinating past. First, you’ll explore the Ad Deir monastery, a tomb constructed in the third century BCE that later served as a church. Your next stop will be the High Place of Sacrifice, an altar with a beguiling history and a magnificent view of the wonders of Petra below. Once back on lower ground, you’ll have some time to rest and relax before pressing on to Wadi Rum, also known mysteriously as the Valley of the Moon. We’ll bounce along in a jeep safari, then set off on a camel trek that will carry us to our Bedouin campsite, where you’ll gorge on traditional Bedouin cuisine. Spend the night gazing at the stars beneath the desert sky in a comfortable dome tent.

Journey north to spend the afternoon floating in the famously buoyant waters of the Dead Sea. Benefit from the many healthy properties of this magic water; calm your nervous system, boost your circulation, slow down skin aging, reduce stress, ease joint pain, the list goes on… After another flavorful dinner together, you’ll travel to Madaba to rest up ready for another day of adventures tomorrow.

Follow in the footsteps of Moses today as you visit the monastery on Mount Nebo, the ridge from which Moses was said to have glimpsed the Promised Land. Then wander around the ancient town of Madaba, famous for its Byzantine-era mosaics, with a local archaeologist. Discover an intricate map of the sixth century Holy Land, which sprawls across a church floor, and see the King’s Academy, an international boarding school. In the afternoon, get to know the owner of a women's co-op over a cup of tea at Makawer Guest House. While there, she'll teach the group a bit about traditional weaving methods before strolling amidst the property's orchards (tasting fruit we can pick straight from the trees). This evening we’ll gather one last time for our farewell dinner.

After breakfast in Madaba, we’ll say our goodbyes and head for the airport. If you plan to stay in Jordan, check out the Atlas Obscura Guide to Jordan for inspiration on what to do next. Until our next adventure!