A short drive from Amman airport is the hectic capital of Jordan, Amman. Positioned between the desert and the fertile Jordan valley, it is a city of contrasts, offering plenty to encourage you to want to delve further into its downtown and urban areas. Due to the late arrival time of our suggested flights, accommodation for this night is included in the tour cost and those arriving earlier will be able to check-in from mid-afternoon on DAY 1.

After breakfast we will head out to experience the downtown area of Amman including the many souks leading up to the Roman Theatre and Citadel. The Roman Theatre, cut into the northern side of a hill, is one of the most impressive remnants of Roman Philadelphia in Amman and is a highlight not to be missed. The Citadel, sits on the highest hill in Amman, Jebel Al Qala'a, and is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon. The most notable sights are the Temple of Hercules and Ummayad Palace. We will finish the city tour by visiting one of Amman's many art galleries which highlights local and regional artists. During the tour, we will also get a chance to experience street food by visiting Balat Al Rasheed cafe, known locally as an Eco Cafe, and Habiba Sweets one of the most famous places to indulge in one of the most popular desserts from the Middle East, Knafeh. From here we will then drive to Jerash to explore the extensive ruins of the sprawling Roman provincial city. The city's many monuments still retain the atmosphere of the once thriving metropolis, famous in its time for its magnificent temples, amphitheatres, and oval colonnaded forum. We then will continue to Ajloun where we will overnight with a local host family.

This morning we'll hike part of the Al Ayoun Trail, a section of the famous Jordan Trail, before enjoying lunch with a local family. Along the trail there will be the chance to visit some of the traditional handicraft co-operatives run by Wild Jordan. These include workshops set up by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) to provide employment for local women in the area. These workshops could involve visiting the soap house, cookie shop or calligraphy centre. We'll then continue to our next home stay in As-Salt. Tonight we will have the chance to contribute to our dinner and help our host make the bread of which we will later enjoy.

As-Salt, a former capital of Jordan, is known for its multi-faith heritage. Today we will delve into the city enjoying a guided walk around its sand-coloured buildings, which have been nominated for UNESCO's World Heritage status, churches and mosques and will finish with the souk-like streets. We will then depart to Madaba, a town once known as one of the most important Christian centres east of the River Jordan. Madaba is home to some of the most extraordinary mosaics in the Middle East including the famous 6th century map of Palestine, believed to be the oldest map of the Holy Land still in existence. We will make a visit to Madaba's famous Byzantine Church, to view for ourselves the most important relics of early Christian art. After lunch at a local restaurant, we make a stop at Mount Nebo, one of the reputed sites of the tomb of Moses. The summit of this lonely, wind-swept mountain commands spectacular views over the Dead Sea to the West Bank and Jerusalem and we can see the springs where Moses supposedly smote the ground to bring forth water. Standing amongst extensive ruins is a small church, housing some fine and beautifully preserved 6th century mosaics, which are still being uncovered. We then set off for the crusader castle of Kerak before we will continue our journey to the village of Dana, driving along the spectacular King’s Highway.

This morning we'll drive a short distance to Little Petra. This site is much less visited than the main site at Petra, however is still fascinating and has a charm all of its own. Once a suburb of Petra, entry is through a narrow siq. The site is thought to have been a commercial area, caravans would have paused here, attracted by the huge cistern. It is also interesting in that the Bedouin are still able to sleep in the caves here, which they are not allowed to do on the main sight of Petra. Today’s hike will bring us into Petra via a spectacular, but little-known, Bedouin trail through the mountains. After visiting Little Petra we'll take a shuttle bus (approximately 20 mins) to the starting point of the walk, beginning with a couple of hours’ walk across open farmland from Little Petra before following the path across the eroded sandstone. Huge views begin to open up across the Great Rift Valley to the west. After another hour the trail descends towards Petra and opens onto one of the city’s most impressive sights: the immense rock-cut façade of ad Deir, the Monastery. You can rest and drink tea here, and explore the ruins, before following the stone steps of a Nabataean processional way down into the heart of Petra. Along the way there are traces of ancient stone steps, and eroded relief carvings of deities or ‘god blocks’ cut into the rock walls. This old Nabataean processional route will then lead you downwards, turning back towards Petra and following the main siq for the classic entry into the city. This will bring you out at Petra’s most famous monument, the Treasury. This itinerary offers a long, wonderful day’s hiking around Petra, and means you can experience the two greatest approaches to the city in a single day. Walking distance: 15 km approx 4-5 hours.

Today we'll return to Petra via the "secret road" Madras Trail Hike. We will begin the walk following the crowds through the main gates but then immediately leave them behind and strike out on our own into silent, unspoilt desert landscape. The trail follows an old Nabataean processional route towards what was once the city’s sacred centre, the High Place of Sacrifice. Along the way there are traces of ancient stone steps, and eroded relief carvings of deities or ‘god blocks’ cut into the rock walls. The route brings us out above the High Place of Sacrifice, from where we can see down across the whole of Petra and west towards Jebel Harun, Petra’s highest peak. From here we will descend through the Wadi Farasa, which has some of best temples in the city (including the Garden Tomb and the Roman Soldier’s Tomb), emerging right in the heart of Petra. This wonderful walk takes us away from the crowds and leaves plenty of time to explore the tombs and temples of Petra before leaving the site through the main siq. Walking distance: 8km approx 4-5 hours. 
Leaving Petra behind us we strike into the desert of Wadi Rum in 4WD jeeps. With sheer sandstone cliffs and multi-coloured shifting sands this beautiful area is steeped in history. We enjoy a short sunset drive before arriving at our camp for two nights under the stars. 

As we drive through this breath-taking landscape this morning there will be plenty of opportunities to stop, get out of the vehicles and appreciate the desert silence and examine the remains of ancient settlements. This afternoon we can then explore more on foot with a two-hour hike around this stunning landscape, followed by a visit to the Lawrence Museum and an optional camel ride at sunset.

Departing Wadi Rum after breakfast we set off for the saline waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Rich in minerals and high in salt content (around 33%), the Dead Sea is one of the most remarkable bodies of water on earth and, after a chance to bathe in its saline waters. This evening we enjoy our final night and dinner overlooking the Dead Sea with views along the coast, a perfect place to reflect on the incredible experiences of the past few days.

The tour ends this morning at the hotel. Those on the suggested group flight will be transferred to Amman Airport.