Grand Jordan: Jerash, the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum & the Red Sea

Today you explore the magnificent Roman city of Jerash and the highlights of Amman. You journey north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world, walking its colonnaded Cardo, standing in its vast oval forum, and exploring its grand temples, theatres and arches, vividly imagining Roman life. Returning to Amman, you explore the ancient Citadel atop a hill, with its Roman Temple of Hercules and sweeping views, the magnificent Roman theatre, and the bustling downtown souks. The combination of magnificent Roman ruins and living capital is captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having explored Jerash and Amman. This evening, savour Amman's excellent food and warm atmosphere. Rest well, for tomorrow you follow the biblical sites to the Dead Sea.

Today you follow Jordan's biblical heritage to the Dead Sea. You visit Madaba, the 'City of Mosaics', seeing the famous sixth-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, and ascend Mount Nebo, where Moses gazed upon the Promised Land, with sweeping views over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. You may visit Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, revered as the site of Jesus's baptism, a peaceful and moving place. You descend to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, arriving at your shore resort, where you float effortlessly in the warm, mineral-rich water and relax amid the stark desert beauty. As the sun sets over the Dead Sea, you savour the beautiful setting. Relax this evening by the sea, perhaps with a spa treatment, reflecting on the moving biblical sites of the day. Rest well amid the beauty of the desert shore.

Today you journey to Petra along the ancient, scenic King's Highway. You travel through beautiful landscapes, stopping at the great Crusader castle of Kerak, dramatically set on a hilltop, and taking in the dramatic Wadi Mujib gorge and, perhaps, the beautiful Dana Biosphere Reserve, with its sweeping views and rugged beauty. You arrive at Petra in the afternoon, settling into your hotel near the ancient city. This evening, if it is a Petra by Night evening, you experience the magical candlelit walk through the Siq to the Treasury glowing in the light of a thousand candles, an enchanting experience. As the day ends, you rest near the rose-red city, filled with anticipation of exploring one of the wonders of the world over the coming days. Rest well, ready to enter Petra tomorrow.

Today you explore the extraordinary ancient city of Petra, one of the wonders of the world. You enter through the Siq, a narrow, winding gorge over a kilometre long, which opens dramatically upon the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), its magnificent facade carved into rose-red sandstone, an unforgettable first sight. You explore the vast ancient Nabatean city, the Street of Facades, the Roman theatre, the Royal Tombs, the colonnaded street and temples, and, for the energetic, climb to the great Monastery (Ad-Deir), with breathtaking views. The scale, artistry and mystery of Petra are overwhelming, and your guide brings its history vividly to life. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, awed by the rose-red city. This evening, savour dinner near Petra. Rest well, ready to discover more of Petra's wonders tomorrow.

Today you explore more of Petra's dramatic trails and quiet corners, and nearby Little Petra. In the morning you return to Petra to explore its trails, perhaps climbing to the High Place of Sacrifice with its sweeping views, exploring the back route to the Monastery, or discovering tombs and canyons away from the main path, experiencing the vast ancient city in more depth and tranquillity. You visit Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) nearby, a smaller Nabatean site with its own carved facades and a beautiful ancient painted cave, and perhaps the neolithic village of Beidha. The depth and tranquillity are deeply rewarding. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having explored Petra in real depth. This evening, savour a final dinner near the rose-red city. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to the cinematic desert of Wadi Rum.

Today you journey to the cinematic desert of Wadi Rum. You travel a short way south to Wadi Rum, the 'Valley of the Moon', one of the most spectacular deserts on earth, where you meet your Bedouin hosts and set off into the vast desert by 4x4, weaving among towering sandstone mountains, red dunes and dramatic rock formations, visiting rock bridges, canyons and ancient inscriptions, and watching a spectacular desert sunset. As night falls, you arrive at your Bedouin desert camp, dining on a traditional feast beneath a canopy of brilliant stars, the Milky Way blazing overhead. As the day ends, you settle into the magical silence of the desert, sleeping beneath star-filled skies. Rest well amid the beauty of Wadi Rum, deep in one of the world's greatest deserts.

Today you explore the vast, cinematic desert of Wadi Rum in depth. With your Bedouin guides, you journey by 4x4 among the towering mountains, red dunes and dramatic rock formations, visiting rock bridges, canyons, springs and ancient inscriptions, and scrambling up dunes and rocks for spectacular views. You ride a camel across the sands, as the Bedouin have for centuries, and take in the profound silence and beauty of this magical landscape, sharing warm Bedouin hospitality with tea in the shade. As the sun sets in a blaze of colour over the desert, you return to your camp for a traditional zarb feast beneath the blazing stars. As the day ends, you savour a final magical night in the desert. Rest well beneath the star-filled skies of Wadi Rum.

Today you savour a final desert dawn, then journey to the Red Sea at Aqaba. You wake to a spectacular sunrise over the mountains and dunes, perhaps with a final short desert exploration, savouring the magical morning light and silence of Wadi Rum. You then journey a short way to Aqaba, Jordan's Red Sea resort, on the warm, clear turquoise waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, a refreshing contrast to the desert. On arrival you settle into your hotel and relax by the sea, swimming in the warm water, relaxing on the beach, and perhaps taking a first snorkel over the beautiful coral reefs. As the sun sets over the gulf and its mountains, you savour the warm sea after the desert. This evening, enjoy fresh Red Sea seafood in Aqaba, reflecting on the extraordinary journey so far. Rest well, ready to explore the vibrant coral reefs tomorrow.

Today you enjoy the vibrant coral reefs and warm waters of the Red Sea at Aqaba. You snorkel or dive over the beautiful coral gardens of the Gulf of Aqaba, teeming with clouds of colourful tropical fish, vibrant coral and marine life, in warm, clear, turquoise water, easily reached from the shore, or take a glass-bottom boat cruise over the reefs. You relax on the beach in the sunshine, swim in the warm sea, and enjoy the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, a lovely, restful finale to your grand journey. As the sun sets over the gulf and its mountains for the last time, you savour the beautiful setting. This evening, enjoy a final dinner by the Red Sea, reflecting on the extraordinary grand journey you have made across Jordan. Rest well ahead of your departure, savouring your final evening by the warm sea.

After a final morning by the Red Sea at Aqaba, perhaps a last snorkel over the coral or a relaxed breakfast overlooking the gulf, you are transferred to the airport for your onward departure (via Aqaba's airport, or a transfer to Amman). You leave having experienced Jordan in full, welcoming Amman and magnificent Jerash, the biblical sites and float of the Dead Sea, the ancient King's Highway, the rose-red city of Petra over several days, the cinematic desert of Wadi Rum, and the warm reefs of the Red Sea at Aqaba, all warmed by legendary Jordanian hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you land, the colonnades of Jerash, the float in the Dead Sea, the Treasury glowing at the end of the Siq, the blazing stars over Wadi Rum, and the vibrant coral reefs. Jordan packs world-class wonders into a welcoming land, and having experienced it in full, you depart with the definitive experience of this extraordinary country, already dreaming of a return.