• Night 1 - Amman

Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport we will be met by our representative in Amman for assistance with customs and immigration procedures. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight Amman.

• Umm Qais & Ajloun
• Jerash
• Night 2 - Amman

In the north of Jordan the Roman-era town of Umm Qais sits on a long high promontory with stunning views overlooking the north Jordan Valley, the Syrian Golan Heights and Lake Tiberius (the Sea of Galilee). Rich in black basalt ruins is the cities theatre, basilica and courtyard strewn with carved black sarcophagi. We continue on to the well-preserved Arab/Islamic fortress of Ajloun Castle, with its galleries, towers, staircases, many chambers and magnificent views to the town of Ajloun and surrounding green hills.

Our afternoon is reserved for Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world first built by Alexander the Great in the 2nd Century BC. After 2,000 years, virtually the entire city centre remains, with beautiful carved architectural details on columns, arches and facades. Walk the colonnaded main street, visit the ancient temples and sit in the open air theatres while imagining a thriving city of 20,000.

In the evening enjoy exploring the markets, the bakeries, spice & coffee blending shops near our hotel. Overnight Amman.

• The Roman Theatre, The Citadel & Umayyad Palace
• Desert Castles - Al Azraq, Qasr Amra, Qasr al Kharaneh
• Dead Sea
• Night 3 - Dead Sea

The city of Amman is relatively new; its early history found in remnants of the ancient cities at The Citadel, The Roman Theatre, and Umayyad Palace. Whilst at the Citadel site, visit the Jordanian Archaeological Museum to view The Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1952 on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Although the Roman city centre is mostly underneath modern Amman, the restored Roman Theatre gives us a sense of its importance and size. Seating about 6000 people it is still used for performances today.

East of Amman the landscape becomes desert where the Omayyad palaces, or Desert Castles are scattered. Our first visit is Al Azraq "the blue fort" where T.E. Lawrence's made his base in 1917/18. Qasr Amra is the remains of a larger complex built in 711; the walls and ceilings are covered in vivid frescoes despite centuries of neglect and smoke from Bedouin fires. Qasr al Kharaneh is the most complete of the Omayyad castles; the function of this great four-square, two-storey building with its round towers still remains unknown.

After our day of exploration of ancient sites, we proceed to the Dead Sea to relax, enjoy a swim in the buoyant waters of the lowest place on the earth's surface and partake in the rejuvenating properties of the mineral and mud treatments. Overnight Dead Sea.

• Madaba
• Mt. Nebo, Madaba, Karak
• Wadi Mujib, Shoubak, Bedouin Caves, Petra
• Night 4 - Wadi Musa (Petra)

Morning departure is south via the King's Way, an ancient route that still has marks left from traders, armies and pilgrims who crossed it centuries ago. Enroute we stop at the Christian Town of Madaba "The City of Mosaics", to see the 6th Century mosaic map of the ancient Byzantine world, before our visit to Mount Nebo, site of the endearing monastery and the death of Moses; a place of pilgrimage since the early days of Christianity.

Proceed to Karak through Wadi Mujib, a deep valley holding one of Jordan's most breathtaking views; the King's Highway twists and winds its way down 900 metres to a dam at the bottom of the wadi. Towering above a natural promontory, surrounded by deep ravines, stands the huge Crusader and Mamluk fortress of Karak Castle. As with other other castles in Jordan, Karak is meant to be explored; there are many dark passages and galleries, cavernous holes and sheer drops.

As we continue enroute to Petra our first sight of Shoubak Castle on its isolated hill is stunning. There are ruins of baths, cisterns and rainwater pipes; deep within the castle, a shaft from which a set of stairs has been cut into the rock, leads down to a spring below the castle. The shaft has 375 steps and is one of the deepest wells ever cut by Crusader forces. Sharing a similar history to Karak, views from the castle ramparts are breathtaking. A brief stop to share tea with a Bedouin family who continue to live in the caves in the area. Overnight Wadi Musa.

• Petra & Petra Kitchen
• Overnight - Wadi Musa

A visit to the ancient capital offers a powerful combination of Nabataean antiquity amidst sensational natural scenery. Our day begins with a walk through the Siq, a long narrow fissure between two overhanging cliffs. The tour then proceeds to gradually unfold the mysteries of the Red Rose City with its dramatic tomb and temple facades, carved from the rose coloured sandstone over 2000 years ago by its Nabataean Arab inhabitants. Petra still forms part of the domain of the Bedouin; We find them with their horses, camels and mules for unforgettable optional trips into the Red Rose City.

As a complete contrast to our day of exploration, in the evening we make our way to Petra Kitchen for a night of learning, fun and a very special dining experience. In a relaxed and informal atmosphere, alongside local women and our chef's supervision, we will prepare the evening meal of tantalising middle-eastern food. Each evening meal includes soup, cold and hot mezza and salads, and a main course—all typical Jordanian dishes. Overnight Wadi Musa.

• Petra
• Turkish Hammam & Petra Kitchen
• Overnight - Wadi Musa

Our second visit to Petra begins early to enable us to appreciate the stillness and peace of this ancient city. Our destination, Ad Dayr (The Monastery), is Petra's largest facade measuring 50 metres by 40 metres topped by a massive urn. The views from the high peaks of Petra to 'the end of the world' are breathtaking. In the early morning tranquility, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the civilisations that created these mesmerising ancient monuments.

During the afternoon we visit a traditional Hammam (Turkish bath) to relax and wash away our two days of exploration. In the evening using our culinary skills to create a middle-eastern dining experience, we will join fellow guests and the staff from Petra Kitchen for our second evening of wining and dining. Overnight Wadi Musa.

• Al Beida (Little Petra)
• Wadi Rum
• Overnight - Wadi Rum

Al Beida, also known as Little Petra was one of the main commercial areas of Petra. Walking the siq, there are many rooms, facades and stairways to the high places; Amongst them is a unique room with a first-century AD frescoed ceiling. From the outside it is insignificant, however, the ceiling of the alcove at the back of the chamber is painted all over with a delicate tracery of vines, flowers and birds.

Moving south we enter the enchanting desert of Wadi Rum, Jordan's largest desert and one of the most spectacular desert landscapes in the world. Great ramparts of rock soar from the desert sands, piled one behind the other into the hazy horizon. After checking into our tents we head out into the desert in our open Jeep to enjoy a traditional Bedouin lunch. Our drive through the desert takes in ancient petroglyphs, the remains of T.E. Lawrence's house and the colours of sunset before returning to the campsite for our evening meal of zarb. (The Bedouin way of cooking using an underground oven) Overnight camp.

• Wadi Rum to Aqaba
• Overnight - Tala Bay

Early morning we meet our Bedouin cameleer to enjoy the serenity of the desert at sunrise with a camel ride. After a traditional Arabic breakfast on our return to camp we transfer to Aqaba, Jordan's only sea port. The road drops sharply through dramatic scenery to Jordan's holiday resort, famous for its beautiful coral reefs. Check in to our hotel for a day at leisure. Choose from several good restaurants in Aqaba for our evening meal, followed by a stroll through the local souqs. Overnight Tala Bay.

Side trip: Boat to Pharoah Island & Saladins' castle (depends on numbers/weather on the day).

• Dana & Dana Biosphere Reserve
• Overnight - Dana

A mid morning departure from Aqaba allows for an extra swim. The ancient village of Dana perched high above Wadi Araba is a honeycomb of tightly packed houses built during Ottoman times. The entire area is a nature reserve under the auspices of The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. The old villages houses are being restored as living quarters, handicraft and organic foodstuff centres. Our rooms for the night are at the atmospheric guesthouse, perched at the edge of a cliff, with breathtaking views over the deep and dramatic Wadi Dana valley. Afternoon at leisure or enjoy a stroll through the ancient Dana village and terraced gardens. Traditional Arabic food, made from local organic food is some of the best in Jordan. Overnight Dana.

• Dana
• Airport Transfers

A relaxed morning enables us to join a short guided walk with a local 'ranger' who will share his knowledge of the area. Visit a traditional silver workshop and craft store, before our return to Queen Alia International airport for our outbound flights.