City and Desert tour : Petra Adventure Travel

Reviewed by: Petra Nights Tours Rating:

Petra: the famous rock city placed in the south of Jordan, in the mountains of Edom, where 2000 years ago the Nabataeans, Arab nomads, carved magnificent temples, tombs and houses in the red-rose sandstone.

Since 1985 Petra belongs to the World Heritage Sites and since 2007 it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

City and Desert tour (including 3 days camel trekking)

Day 1: Arrival Amman
Upon arrival at the airport you will be meet and assist by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Amman.

Day 2: Salt – City Tour Amman
In the morning we drive to Salt, once Jordan's capital, 30 km distant from Amman. We loiter through pictorial streets lined by houses from the Ottoman period. Back in Amman we go for a city tour, viewing the Citadel, the Roman theatre and the Al Hussein Mosque. Later we visit the Royal Automobile Museum, where the cars of the latest King Hussein are exhibited. Overnight in Amman.

Day 3: Amman – King's Highway – Dana – Shaubak – Petra
The destination of our today's tour is Petra in southern Jordan. En route we visit the restored village Dana, located in the nature reserve with the same name. Here you have the opportunity to hear something about the first ecological tourism project in Jordan and to enjoy nature, landscape and the fresh air. We go on to the 12th century Crusader castle Shaubak located on a hill. Still to see are two churches, a cistern and a well. We continue the journey to Petra for overnight.

Day 4: Petra
One highlight of the trip is the visit of the rock city Petra, carved 2000 years ago in the sandstone by the Nabataeans. After we passed the Siq, a 1.2 km long, narrow canyon you take a look at the unique, 40 meter high Treasury. We walk along the Street of Facades, see Qasr al-Bint, the Royal Tombs and the Monastery El Deir. Overnight in Petra.

Days 5–6: Petra – Wadi Rum – Wadi Disa
Early in the morning we drive to Wadi Rum. We get to know the camels and the Bedouin guides, who will be our companions for the next three days. On our first ride we pass the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, a pregnant rock formation. In the following days we ride to the sand dunes of Um Ishrin, to the Barragh Canyon, to the rock bridge Burdah and the Bedouin village Ad-Disa in Wadi Disa. Camping in Wadi Rum and Wadi Disa.

Day 7: Wadi Rum – Aqaba
After we experienced the coloured splendour and wild beauty of the desert with its mountain tops, the silence and the nights under the starry sky, we say farewell to the Bedouin guides and the camels. In the late afternoon we drive to Aqaba at the Red Sea for overnight.

Day 8: Aqaba
Aqaba is a perfect place for one day relaxation. You can discover the unique diversity of corals and marine life in the Red Sea during a dive or a ride with a glass bottom boat. Or you stroll through the town and let yourself surprise by the choice of the many small shops. Overnight in Aqaba.

Day 9: Aqaba – Wadi Araba – Dead Sea – Overnight in Amman
In the morning we leave Aqaba and drive through Wadi Araba to the Dead Sea. The way along the Israli border offers a diversified landscape. At the Dead Sea, with 400 meter below sea level, the lowest point on earth, we take a bath in the salty water and try the rejuvenating effects of the dark and mineral mud from the shore. After sunset we drive to Amman to your hotel.

Day 10: Amman – Desert Castles – Overnight in Azraq
In the east of the country the so-called desert castles are to find, which had been built by the Umayyad caliphs in 7th and 8th century. We drive to Qasr al-Kharana, to Qasr Amra, famous for its frescoes, and the black Qasr Azraq. In the small town of Azraq we spend the night.

Day 11: Azraq – Shaumari Wildlife Reserve – Amman
Before our return to Amman we visit the oasis Azraq and the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, 15 km away from Azraq. The oasis serves many migrant birds as resting place in spring and autumn. And in Shaumari we watch the nearly extinct Oryx-antelope, wild donkeys, gazelles and ostriches. In Amman you can spend the rest of the day after your fancy. Search in the suq for souvenirs or get an impression of the modern Amman in the quarters Abdoun and Shmeisani. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 12: Departure
Transfer to Amman airport for your departure.

Category: Adventure Travel