Exotic Treasures of Jordan : A Small-Group Luxury Tour
Uncover the exotic treasures of Jordan on this luxury eight-day small group tour (maximum 12 people). Stay at five-star Kempinski and Mövenpick hotels and enjoy breathtaking experiences like a ‘Petra by Night’ candlelit tour, camel ride in the Wadi Rum desert, dinner with the local Bedouins, and visits to some of the world’s most significant historical sights and more.
Explore one of the most diverse countries in the Middle East with luxurious five-star hotel stays and once-in-a-lifetime inclusions. This small-group tour is perfect for travellers who want to experience some of Jordan’s most iconic sites – including Petra, Wadi-Rum and the Dead Sea – at a relaxed pace, with stunning accommodation, all transfers and an English-speaking tour guide. Discover ancient and religious sites, and vast rose-red desert landscapes dotted with towering cliffs and camels.
What you’ll love:
The sights and sites of ancient civilisations
Begin your tour of Jordan with an overnight stay at the five-star Intercontinental Hotel Amman located in the heart of the bustling capital city atop the highest of the famous seven hills, with **private airport transfers included **for your convenience. Explore the city’s main attractions including the ancient Citadel monument which marks the centre of the capital, the Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace, National Archaeological Museum and the Roman Theatre, one of the largest and most impressive amphitheatres of the ancient world.
Experience the breathtaking** ‘Petra by Night’** tour. Walk through the towering walls using only candlelight to guide the way and catch your **first glimpse of the Treasury **through the clefts in the wall, a truly inspiring and heart-thumping moment. Stay the night at the Mövenpick Resort Petra, located at the entrance to the ancient city.
A day tour of Petra reveals an intricate network of tombs, caves, small amphitheatre and ruins of temples dotted around the area. Climb up the 800 stairs of the Monastery for a panoramic view of the stunning sites.
Explore the red-tinted desert landscape of Wadi Rum in a 4WD, stopping at impressive sights of the region made famous by British soldier, author and inspiration for the movie** ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, T.E. Lawrence.**
Discover the fluted turrets of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom rock formation, named after T.E Lawrence’s book and Siq Um Tawaqi shrine. Stop for a picnic lunch at Lawrence’s Springs – an important waterhole for caravans traveling from Arabia to Syria.
Enjoy some time at your leisure floating in the Dead Sea, which is so salty people are buoyant on the surface, and admire the views across to **Jericho **and Jerusalem. Enjoy a **60-minute spa treatment **at Ishtar Spa at the five-star Kempinski Hotel – located at the lowest point on earth – with full access to the spa including steam, sauna, Dead Sea pools, jacuzzi and hydro pools.
Discover the Baptism Site at Bethany where it is believed that Jesus was baptized. Visit the laidback town of Madaba, renowned for its Byzantine-era mosaics including a map of Holy Land on the floor of St Georges Church. After lunch, head onwards to Mount Nebo where Moses first cast his eyes upon the Promised Land.
Luxury Accommodation – This luxury tour includes five-star accommodation at some of Jordan’s most luxurious hotels.
Stay two nights at the enchanting Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, located on the edge of the banks of the Dead Sea at the lowest point on earth. Enjoy uninterrupted views across the sea towards the west bank, and views of religious sites and the majestic countryside. Indulge in a** luxurious treatment **at the Ishtar Spa by Resene, voted Jordan’s best hotel spa in 2015.
Situated at the entrance to the city of Petra and nestled among rocky outcrops the Movenpick Resort Petra boasts spectacular views over the Rift Valley. Stay at one of its 183 newly renovated rooms and suites, which offer free wifi and complimentary minibar selection, and enjoy a wide variety of restaurants for stylish dining.
Located on top of the famous seven hills of Amman, the Intercontinental Amman offers an intoxicating Oriental atmosphere enhanced by cosmopolitan amenities. Its hallmarks are light-filled rooms, stunning architecture and magnificent views. Dine in style at excellent Mexican, Lebanese and Indian restaurants, and pick up at great souvenir in quality craft and antique shops.
Experience the majesty of the desert at night with the ultimate glamping experience at **Discovery Bedouin Desert Camp. **This eco hideaway in the heart of the Wadi Rum’s shimmering red sands has six stunning tents and a chef on hand to create gourmet desert delicacies over a traditional woodfire.
Gourmet experiences – dine in style on authentic chef-prepared meals in the heart of the desert, and sample delicious local delicacies
Indulge your **culinary cravings **in fine style throughout your holiday. Head into the spellbinding Wadi Rum desert, with its lunar-like landscape dotted with traditional Bedouin tents. Arrive at the luxury Discovery Bedu Desert Camp by camel or 4x4 ride and watch a stunning sunset before being treated to a truly special meal of Zarb, a traditional Bedouin feast cooked in the ground for many hours and infused with herbs and spices.
Traditional** taste sensations** are the order of the day at the Haret Jdoudna restaurant in Madaba. The hotel is a 19th-century house with historical charm. Feast on exquisite local mezza dishes, oven-baked delicacies and homemade meals. Choose from hot mezzas such as** fried Halloumi cheese**, grills such as Sish Tawouk, and Sawani like minced meat with sesame. Pass by the Handicrafts Market on the way out to pick up a mosaic wall hanging, pottery or jewellery.
Your Package Includes
· Luxurious** five-star accommodation** in Jordan’s most lavish hotels.
· Spend two nights at the **five-star Intercontinental Hotel Amman **(not consecutively), two nights at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, and two nights at the Mövenpick Resort Petra situated at the entrance to the ancient city of Petra.
· One night at the **Discovery Bedu Desert Camp, **a small and **exclusive luxury camp **featuring just six tented suites located in the heart of the magnificent Wadi Rum. The desert camp is ideal for those in search of adventure combined with utter comfort and luxury.
· Handpicked meals throughout the tour including seven breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners. Dine on a traditional meal of Zarb, a Bedouin meal cooked under the ground and infused with herbs and spices, and enjoy the opportunity to explore the many traditional and international eateries of Jordan during your leisure time.
·** Return airport transfers** from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman
· All sightseeing and entrance fees with experiences such as a 60 min massage treatment at Kempinski Ishtar Hotel, a jeep tour in the Wadi Rum and an unforgettable Petra by Night experience.
· Small group sizes of just 12 people maximum for the perfect balance of intimacy and freedom throughout your tour.
· Transportation in a private minivan with a driver and an **English-speaking local tour leader **with expert insider experiences.
Egypt Tour Extension
Add another unforgettable experience to your tour with a **seven-day Egypt extension **including an all-inclusive, **three-night cruise on the Nile **and a visit to the one of the most impressive markets in the world, the Khan El Khalili Bazars.
Highlights
Discover Ancient Egypt with unbelievable visits to The Great Pyramid of Giza - the only remaining relic of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the wondrous Valley of the Kings which is home to one of the world’s most famous archeological discoveries, the tomb of Tutankhamun – dating back as far as the 16th century BC – the Great Sphinx of Giza, the **UNESCO World Heritage-listed **ruins of the ancient city of Memphis and much more.
Embark on a luxurious three-night cruise with all meals on the famous river Nile. Board the deluxe Sanctuary Sun Boat IV, an intimately sized ship boasting plush cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows and a luxurious teak and marble sundeck with heated swimming pool, for a scenic cruise with sightseeing guided by an expert Egyptologist. On board, enjoy **all-inclusive food **crafted by an award-winning chef.
Clustered around small courtyards in the tiny lanes of the **Khan El Khalili Bazars **are stalls that stock everything from aromatic spices to semi-precious stones to oriental-style lamps. The most identifiable landmark of this ancient souk, built in the Middle Ages, is the Al Hussain mosque – the square outside is a good place to start your shopping amid the riot of colours and patterns in ceramic wares, hookah pipes and handcrafted goods by local craftsman.
Getting to Amman is easy. Regular flights are available to Jordan via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi with carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian and Etihad with an approximate flight time of 19 hours.
Book your flight through us. First, confirm your tour booking dates. Our Tours Concierge will then be in touch within 24 business hours to assist with additional arrangements, with no booking fee to you.
A visa may be required to the destination you are visiting. It is each travellers responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website Visa’s Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit their website.
Day 1: Arrive Amman, Jordan
On arrival into Amman International Airport (AMM) you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time the day is at your leisure.
This evening meet your leader and the rest of your group for a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Intercontinental Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Amman - Petra
Enjoy a morning tour of Amman, the capital and the largest city of Jordan. Our first stop is the ancient Citadel, towering above Downtown and the rest of the capital. This is the original city, with its monumental Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace, National Archaeological Museum and panoramic views of Amman’s jabals (hills) and the Roman Theatre, one of the largest and most impressive amphitheatres of the ancient world. We then transfer to Petra, arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon. This evening enjoy a magical experience of Petra by Night. Experience an incredible walk down The Siq - your path lit only by candlelight, with your first glimpse of the Treasury through a cleft in the wall - one of the most inspiring and heart-thumping moments in travel, an experience that will take your breath away.
Accommodation: Mövenpick Resort Petra
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Petra
Enjoy a full day of exploring Petra, with an early start meaning you will avoid the tourist crowds. The main path from the Treasury opens out to a wider valley lined with tombs, caves and a small amphitheatre cut into the rock-face. Further on is the Roman quarter, a colonnaded street surrounded by the ruins of temples that are well worth exploring. If you still have energy after the main tour of Petra, it’s worth taking the climb up to the remote Monastery. The climb takes about 50 minutes and is best done in the late morning when there is some shade along the way. The Monastery itself is quite photogenic and there are stunning views from some of the nearby rocks.
Return to the hotel in late afternoon.
Accommodation: Mövenpick Resort Petra
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Day 4: Petra – Wadi Rum
This morning we head to Wadi Rum, during which the scenery changes from craggy hills to a wider expanse of open desert interspersed by rocky outcrops. Wadi Rum is like the landscape of another planet, a series of dramatic jebels (rocky mounds), joined together by valleys of sand that stretch for miles toward a hazy, distant horizon. Look out for black Bedouin tents and flocks of sheep and goats as a reminder of the few Jordanians who still practice this traditional lifestyle. We arrive at our tented desert resort just in time for sunset - and there is no better place to see this then at our camp. Afterwards we are treated to a truly special meal of Zarb, a traditional Bedouin meal cooked under the ground for many hours and infused with different herbs and spices that stimulate your senses.
Accommodation: Discovery Bedu Desert Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: Wadi Rum – Dead Sea
After breakfast, we enjoy a 4WD safari to further explore the surrounds. Afterwards, we head to the Dead Sea - the lowest point on Earth - an intense blue lake surrounded by reddish brown hills. Here you’ll be able to experience the sensation of floating in its water as well as spending the day at the resort enjoying swimming and relaxation, with views across the Dead Sea to Jericho and Jerusalem, some 27km away.
Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Dead Sea - Bethany - Madaba - Mt. Nebo
This morning we visit the Baptism Site at Bethany, where it is believed John the Baptist lived and Jesus was baptised. Next we visit the laidback town of Madaba, best known for its superb, historically significant Byzantine-era mosaics; a map of the Holy Land which was unearthed on the floor of St Georges Church in 1884.
Following lunch at the beautiful Haret Jdoudna restaurant we visit Mt Nebo, where Moses first cast his eyes upon the Promised Land before we head back to the Dead Sea. The afternoon is at your leisure and a good time for you to enjoy your exceptional 60-minute massage and spa treatment at the hotel, which includes full access to the Spa including steam, sauna, Dead Sea pools, Jacuzzi, hydro pool and the Tepidariums.
Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Day 7: Dead Sea - Jerash - Amman
We check out after breakfast and drive north to the ruins of Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities of the Middle East. As we wander the paved, colonnaded Cardo Maximus it is easy to imagine life in ancient times, with bustling streets full of shops, roaming performance artists and open public spaces alive with debates. Continue to Amman for a free afternoon before we gather and enjoy our last dinner in Jordan at a local favourite restaurant, Fakhr El - Din, in Amman.
Accommodation: Intercontinental Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 8: Depart Amman
This morning you are transferred to Amman International Airport (AMM) where you farewell your leader and board your onward flight.
MEALS: Breakfast
Departure dates:
12th of September 2018
26th of September 2018
17th of October 2018
14th of November 2018
12th of December 2018
20th of March 2019
10th of April 2019
All departure dates are subject to availability and early bookings are highly recommended.
Instant Booking: To secure your dates at purchase, click ‘Instant Booking’ and select your preferred package. Once your preferred package is selected you’ll click through to ‘Choose Your Dates of Travel’ and will be able to enter in your preferred tour commencement date.
Tour includes accommodation at the following hotels:
Intercontinental Hotel Amman
Mövenpick Resort Petra
Discovery Bedu Desert Camp
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
Marriott Mena House **
Sanctuary Sun Boat IV **
Kempinski Nile Hotel **
(** extended tour only)
The ’7 day change of mind guarantee’ does not apply for Tour bookings. Due to the high demand and limited departures any cancellation / refund requests must be made within 48 hours of purchase. Otherwise, the standard Luxury Escapes Refund Policy applies.
Tipping and gratuities are not included in the package and are at your own discretion (as a guide, approx. US$10-15 per person, per day is the industry standard).
Arrival and departure transfers are only available on the first and last day of the tour. Any arrivals and departures outside of these days will need to make their own arrangements to/from the airport.
Travellers are advised to check with their local health professional at least 45 days prior to departure, as some vaccinations require 30 days or more to be effective. Proof of vaccination is not usually required unless you are coming from an infected area.
The package is valid for ONE PERSON aged 18 years or older (based on twin share). If you are travelling with another person you must purchase TWO PACKAGES, otherwise you must purchase the Single Traveller package option. See the package options for further details. Single travellers will get their own room throughout the tour.
Maximum tour capacity is 12 people, minimum tour capacity is two people.
Maximum Room Capacity: The maximum room capacity is two people.
Please note, connecting rooms are not available.
All surcharges are payable directly to Luxury Escapes.
Dining inclusions do not include beverages (unless otherwise stated) and menu options are subject to change.
Travel insurance is compulsory. We suggest purchasing travel insurance as soon as possible after purchasing this package.
Additional expenses are not included.
Please note: disability access is limited during the tour, please consider this when making your booking.
Before making a reservation, please ensure that the name on the reservation is the same as it appears on your passport. An error may result in a name change penalty or boarding being denied by the airline. Luxury Escapes accepts no responsibility for accuracy of name on the travel documents.
Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond your intended stay overseas.
A visa may be required to the countries you are visiting and transiting. It is your responsibility to ensure you are holding a current visa.
All activities and services (including late checkout) are subject to availability.
Please note that full terms and conditions apply – refer https://luxuryescapes.com/au/terms-and-conditions