Highlights of Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead 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 amid the magnificent ruins. Returning to Amman, you explore the highlights of the capital, the ancient Citadel atop a hill, with its Roman Temple of Hercules, Umayyad palace and sweeping views, the magnificent Roman theatre, and the bustling downtown souks and streets. The combination of magnificent Roman ruins and lively modern capital is captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, having explored Jerash and Amman. This evening, perhaps savour Amman's excellent food scene and warm atmosphere. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey along the ancient King's Highway to Petra.

Today you journey south to Petra along the ancient, scenic King's Highway, one of the oldest roads in the world. You visit Madaba, the 'City of Mosaics', famous for its remarkable sixth-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in St George's Church, and Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have gazed upon the Promised Land, with sweeping views over the Jordan Valley and, on clear days, the Holy Land. You explore the great Crusader castle of Kerak (or Shobak), dramatically set on a hilltop, with its dungeons, halls and history. As you travel, the beautiful landscapes unfold. You arrive at Petra as the sun sets. As the day ends, you settle into your Petra hotel, filled with anticipation of exploring one of the wonders of the world tomorrow. This evening, perhaps experience the magical Petra by Night, when the Siq and Treasury are lit by candlelight. Rest well.

Today you explore the extraordinary ancient city of Petra, one of the wonders of the world, in depth. You enter through the Siq, a narrow, winding gorge over a kilometre long, its towering walls glowing in the light, which opens dramatically upon the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), Petra's most famous monument, 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 the many steps to the great Monastery (Ad-Deir) or the High Place of Sacrifice, with breathtaking views. The scale, artistry and mystery of Petra are overwhelming. Your guide brings its extraordinary history vividly to life. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, awed by the rose-red city. Rest well, deeply moved by Petra.

Today you explore more of the Petra area, then journey to the desert of Wadi Rum. In the morning you might visit Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), a smaller Nabatean site with its own carved facades and a beautiful painted cave, or return to explore more of Petra or hike a scenic trail. You then journey south to Wadi Rum, the 'Valley of the Moon', one of the most spectacular deserts on earth. There 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 beneath a canopy of brilliant stars. 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.

Today you savour the desert of Wadi Rum at dawn, then journey to the Dead Sea. You wake to a spectacular desert sunrise over the mountains and dunes, perhaps enjoying a final 4x4 exploration or a camel ride amid the beautiful, silent landscape, taking in the magical beauty of Wadi Rum in the morning light. You then journey north to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, arriving at your beautiful shore resort. There you float effortlessly in the warm, intensely salty, mineral-rich water, an extraordinary and surreal sensation, coat yourself in the famous therapeutic black mud, and relax amid the stark desert beauty. As the day ends, you settle into your Dead Sea resort, perhaps enjoying its mineral spa and a spectacular sunset over the sea. Relax this evening by the Dead Sea, savouring the remarkable contrast of desert and sea, and the beauty of the day. Rest well.

Today you enjoy the Dead Sea and visit the sacred baptism site. You might visit Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan (Al-Maghtas), the site on the river Jordan revered as the place where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, a moving UNESCO World Heritage Site, and perhaps Mount Nebo if not yet seen. The rest of the day is yours to relax at your beautiful Dead Sea resort, floating in the mineral-rich water, indulging in the famous mineral spa treatments and therapeutic mud, and soaking up the sun and the stark beauty of the desert shore. The combination of sacred history and blissful relaxation is a lovely finale to your journey. As the sun sets over the Dead Sea, you savour the beautiful setting. This evening, enjoy a final dinner by the sea, reflecting on the spectacular wonders of Jordan you have experienced. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final, relaxed morning at the Dead Sea, perhaps a last float in the mineral-rich water or a treatment at the spa, you journey back to Queen Alia Airport for your onward international departure. You leave having experienced the greatest wonders of Jordan, the rose-red city of Petra, the cinematic desert of Wadi Rum, magnificent Jerash and Amman, the ancient King's Highway, and the float in the Dead Sea, all warmed by legendary Jordanian hospitality. The images stay vivid long after you land, the Treasury glowing at the end of the Siq, the star-filled skies over Wadi Rum, the colonnades of Jerash, and the float in the lowest place on earth. Jordan, a small, safe and endlessly welcoming country, offers world-class wonders, rich history and genuine warmth in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this extraordinary and hospitable land.