Jordan Discovery Tour

You will be taken to a mosque that was built as a tribute to the founder of Jordan—King Abdullah Bin Al-Hussein. You will feast your eyes on a beautifully domed mosque, embedded with millions of glimmering blue mosaics awaiting your camera lens to capture its beauty.

To expand on your mosque experience, we will then broaden your horizons by visiting the magnificent Islamic museum. This museum is divided into two sections: the first covers manuscripts of the Martyr, King Abdullah Bin Al-Hussein (God rest his soul), along with spectacular photos and models of archaeological sites of the Islamic existence; the second section features fascinating artefacts belonging to the various extended eras of Islam in Jordan.

King Abdullah Mosque entrance fee: 2 Jordanian dinars.

• Temple of Hercules: built between 162 and 166 AD, this massive structure dedicated to Hercules is larger than any of the temples in Rome.
• Byzantine Church: a basilica built between the 5th and 6th centuries.
• Umayyad Mosque: the remains of the Umayyad governor's palace mosque dating from the 8th century.
• Dome of the Vestibule: a modern recreation of the interior of the dome of the Umayyad Vestibule.

Amman Citadel entrance fee: 3 Jordanian dinars.

If we have time on our hands, we will take you on a stroll down and around the old markets where you can sense the vibe of the old city. Become a part of the community and experience what it has to offer, getting a feel for the life that is streaming through the area and embracing its culture.

Moving swiftly up town, we will make our way to a unique museum, which was a tribute by King Abdullah to his father, the late King Hussein. With an impressive selection of antique cars, you will also be observing moments in history. The attraction of these antiques lies within the great men who drove them, the events and occasions they were used for, as well as the cars themselves.

The Royal Automobile Museum entrance fee: 3 Jordanian dinars. The museum is open for guests on a daily basis except for Tuesdays.

Mount Nebo is where you can stand in Moses's shoes when he first gazed upon the 'Promised Land'. The area is located at the summit and where you will undoubtedly feel a surge of calm and peace flow through you. On a clear day, you will be able to see Bethlehem, Jericho and the Holy City of Jerusalem, as well as the Dead Sea. The view is powerful, special, and something you will surely never forget.

Mount Nebo entrance fee: 3 Jordanian dinars.

Coming down from Mount Nebo, we head back towards Madaba. Your guide will now take you to experience Jordan Jewel for Art & Mosaic. Here you will have the chance to visit their workshop and learn about the intricately detailed craftwork that goes into the production of mosaics and other interesting arts of this region.

Travelling to Madaba only takes ten minutes and it is a city known for its spectacular Byzantine era mosaics. Possibly the most famous of these mosaics lies within the 19th century Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George. Unearthed in 1864, this map constructed in the 6th century once contained millions of mosaic pieces and depicts lands from Palestine to Egypt. Today one third of the map survives and shows the earliest surviving representation of the city of Jerusalem.

Madaba Saint George church entrance fee: 1 Jordanian dinar.

After Madaba we follow the path of the ancient trade route that began in Egypt and travelled all the way up to Damascus (a route that had been used by the Nabateans to bring spices and frankincense from southern Arabia). This route was also used for the important pilgrimage of both Muslims and Christians.

As you drive along the King's Highway, you will notice the different geological and altitude changes. We will begin driving at 400 metres below sea level, to a point of around 1,400 metres above sea level. At the top, the land opens up before you and you are presented with spectacular views of open farmland, plateaus, and deep ravines. It is a glorious and moving sight.

Prior to our next site, Karak, you will be going around the Wadi Mujib dam on a very steep road that offers one of the best views this part of the country has to offer.

Upon your arrival in the town of Karak, we visit one of the largest Crusader fortresses in the Levant region.

Karak was once a powerful kingdom situated on a hilltop 1,000 metres above sea level. Karak is surrounded on three sides by a deep valley, and a town was built on a triangular plateau around the castle. The city's building layout has been dated back to the 19th century, specifically the Ottoman Empire Period. The narrow streets and crumbling buildings give you a sense of walking through history.

The view from the top of the fortress is stunning. Far below, you'll glimpse blocks of farmland of various colours. In the distance, the Dead Sea sparkles; a cool breeze caresses your face as you look out and try to imagine a world of long ago.

Karak Castle entrance fee: 2 Jordanian dinars.

The King's Highway will lead us to Tafilah (a town that has been built by the Edomites under the name Tophel) with olive and fig trees, and grape vines alongside the road. In recent history, T.E. Lawrence, during the Arab revolt, destroyed a Turkish castle near the city.

As we approach higher land, we reach the village of Dana. Here, we will stop at a vantage point that overlooks a 500 year old village, the Dana Biosphere Reserve, and Wadi Araba.

We will continue our drive to Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses) and stop by the Prophet Moses's spring that comes from underneath a rock. History claims that Moses's staff struck this rock, and the Nabateans then built channels and brought the water down into Petra.

This monastery is a one hour climb up 800 rock steps from the basin restaurant/museum area. Don't be intimidated by the ascent though; donkeys are available, but the essence of the experience for many people is in the walk itself.

While it is not as famous as the Treasury, the Monastery is considered one of the most impressive views at Petra. It is similar to the Treasury yet only larger (50m high x 45m wide). While containing much less decoration, it is still beautifully carved and worth every one of the 800 steps you took to reach it.

If you are a lover of scenic landscapes and breath-taking views, another part of your day should include this location. With just an extra ten minute walk from the Monastery, you will be happy you took the extra time. Here you will enjoy panoramic views of the Wadi Araba Valley. This walk can be extra rewarding for the bird watchers among the group as eagles populate this area in abundance.

This is another place that is offered that provides the opportunity for both a close look into the faith of the Nabatean priests as it was used for animal sacrifice, and also provides a very spectacular view of the city below. Get yourself ready for 700 steps into the mountain (again donkeys can be hired for those looking for a ride up). Your trek up will begin in the area by the theatre near the Treasury.

What better way of viewing the Treasury than to see it lit up by hundreds of candles? Imagine the rose-coloured rock sparkling with hundreds of tiny dancing flames lighting your way throughout. You will enjoy drinking traditional Bedouin tea while traditional Bedouin music plays softly in the background.

The journey starts at the visitor centre, with candles lining the way to the Treasury. The candles give the journey a whimsical effect, while the only sound you hear is that of your own breath echoing in the Siq (gorge).

Petra by Night runs three times a week. Tours start at 8:30 pm and finish at 10:00 pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Ticket: 30 Jordanian dinars.

Whether you are tired after a long day of exploring the city of Petra, or if you are preparing for your night tour, a Turkish bath is a must for a true visitor's experience. Trust us, every muscle in your body will thank you. A renowned local family owns the baths where we will be taking you so you are guaranteed an authentic Turkish bath experience. Feel free to bring your suit with you, or if you have forgotten yours, one can be provided.

As you enter the first chamber, your masseur will greet you. You will then be cleaned with warm soapy water, and rinsed off by pouring warm water over your head. Next it's off to the steam room. The steam is mixed with a special blend of local herbs that will aid your breathing and also break down those sore muscles. It's a unisex bath so you and your friends can enjoy each other's company while in the steam room.

Afterwards, we're off to the hot stones where you can put your tired feet up, aiding your blood circulation (definitely needed after all those steps!). Once you're ready you can head back into the steam room to prepare for your massage. We conclude our time at the Turkish baths with a cool down, followed by some local herbal tea, before we head back to your hotel or off to dinner. This experience will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated like never before!

Price: 24 Jordanian dinars for the full works.