Jordan as a Family

Departure towards Jerash, already called Gerasa, one of the most extraordinary cities of the Roman Decapolis and one of the best preserved in the Near East.

It is the second major site in Jordanie after Pétra.

Founded more than 6,500 years ago, the Romans took control of it in 63 BC.

With its many remains testifying to a glorious past, it is hardly surpassed only by Petra as a major attraction in Jordanie.

Today, considered one of the best preserved Roman provincial cities in the Near East. Hidden under sand for several centuries before being discovered and restored over 70 years.

The city was entirely built in pink-orange limestone, which is magnificently lit by the sun's rays at dawn and dusk. The heyday of Gerasa dates from the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

Jerash is the perfect example of Roman municipal planning, vast and formal, throughout the Middle East. It is adorned with paved streets, with colonnades, immense temples on the crests of hills, charming theaters, spacious public squares, thermal baths, fountains and walls pierced by towers and gates.

You explore the city in the company of an English-speaking local guide (private tour of approximately 2 hours)

Then you will stop at a local family home to have your lunch in the heart of nature in Jarash.

In the middle of the day, it is time to leave the hustle and bustle of the city for the mythical Dead Sea. At the borders of Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, welcome to the lowest point on Earth! The place is ideal for relaxing at the end of your stay, since apart from its exceptional altitude of -417m, its salinity is such (27.5%) that you float there! A unique experience in this vast expanse of water where no fish nor even algae can survive. It is said that Cleopatra already took treatments there to preserve her complexion and that on its shores prospered certain biblical cities such as Sodom and Gomorrah.

Afternoon beach and night by the Dead Sea.

You leave the Dead Sea this morning heading south. Your first stop is Mount Nebo, where it is believed that Moses died and where his tomb is located.

Not far from there, Madaba is home to many churches adorned with beautiful mosaics. The most famous of these is found in the Church of Saint George: it is the oldest known representation of the Holy Land, notably of Jerusalem and the Decapolis, aptly named Map of the Holy Land.

Mosaic art is an integral part of Jordanian culture.

You will have the opportunity to participate in a new artistic experience and activity with professionals in a Mosaic art workshop in Madaba.

You continue south along the Kings Road, along the Dead Sea. The views over the Jordan Valley are magnificent. You follow here the presumed traces of Moses leading the Hebrews during their Exodus. In the Mujib valley, a visit is a must to the Al-Karak Castle, which overlooks the city and is said to be impregnable.

Arrival at your destination for the day, the Dana Nature Reserve

The Dana Nature Reserve is a true paradise for nature lovers and open space enthusiasts. Its arid appearance conceals a great biodiversity. From the rift valley to the desert expanses of Wadi Araba, steep mountains and valleys succeed one another, harboring exceptional fauna and flora. Ancient rock paintings testify to the very early settlement of the region.

After breakfast, you will go on a guided 2-hour hike to explore the reserve.

It is time to continue south. You stop a short distance north of Petra to visit the Shobak fortress, built in the early 12th century, during the time of the Crusades, by the King of Jerusalem Baldwin I. Also called Krak de Mont Real, its position overlooking the Arabah valley made it a strategic location for controlling trade routes between Egypt, Arabia and the Red Sea.

Arrival at your day's destination, the mythical Petra.

Optional: Visit to Little Petra and the Siq el-Barid site, a Nabatean caravan station and commercial hub, as well as the Neolithic remains of Beidah.

Check-in for dinner and overnight stay at a welcoming hotel in Wadi Moussa.

After an early breakfast, a short excursion northward to Little Petra via a lovely mountain road. Discovery of the site and the Neolithic remains of Beidha during a 1-hour hike.
Return to Petra.

You then head due south to Wadi Rum, also called the Valley of the Moon. This enchanting and majestic desert made of dunes and rock formations in ochre tones had already captivated Lawrence of Arabia in its time.

You get a full sense of this landscape of sand, needles and ridges during a 3-hour 4x4 excursion, until the magical glow of sunset.

Camp setup and free time to explore the surroundings. Dinner at the camp.
Optional: guided hike on foot or by camel.

Route for Aqaba situated on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, extension of the Red Sea. Free afternoon to rest, stroll, enjoy the beach and the sea filled with colorful fish.

We recommend taking a cruise on a glass-bottom boat in the morning for 3 hours including lunch to discover the underwater treasure.

This maritime excursion allows you to observe and discover up close the marine fauna with the help of SNORKELING KIT diving equipment and of course towels.

Night in Aqaba.

Mid-morning, it's time to leave the hustle and bustle of the city for an oasis of serenity in a natural setting of great beauty: the Ma'in Hot Springs. Just a stone's throw from the Dead Sea and at -264m altitude, people have come here since Roman times to relax, heal, and rejuvenate.

Make the most of your time at Hammamet Ma'in (Ma'in hot springs). Very popular with the local population as well as tourists, the springs are located 264 meters below sea level, in one of the most stunning oases in the world. Thousands of bathers travel each year to enjoy the waterfalls richest in minerals. Winter rains feed these waterfalls, then the 109 hot and cold springs in the valley. This water, which circulates along underground fissures of lava, can reach a temperature of 63°C and flows into the Zarqa River.

On this extraordinary site is an exceptional thermal spa offering a full range of professional services, including mud wraps, showers and invigorating jet baths. Welcome to the wellness paradise!

End of day, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

you head to Amman for a day dedicated to visiting the capital.

A multi-millennial city, Amman blends history and modernity. History from the Roman era, evidenced by its theatre and citadel, modernity of its skyscrapers… The white city, spread over 19 hills, holds many treasures and a fascinating past.

The morning is dedicated to a visit of ancient Amman, the former Philadelphia of the Roman Decapolis. Roman Theatre, Temple of Hercules, colonnades, museums testify to the rich past of the city. The contrast is striking with the new city of Amman, which also deserves some of your time.