The Silk Road Trails to Petra.

Meet, assist and transfer with local representative for check-in at hotel in Amman.

Overnight Standard Hotel

From Amman we immediately head south on the Desert Highway to Wadi Rum. On arrival we load our bags into vehicles, which then set off to deliver them to our night stop whilst we walk approximately 2 hours through one of the most powerfully evocative places in the Middle East, to our campsite. The legend of Lawrence of Arabia and his Arab revolt lives strong here and scenes from the famous film were shot here – deep in the fabulous purple-black and yellow mountains that rise from the sands of the desert. We generally arrive in the late afternoon as the hot desert sun starts to set, revealing an evening of incredibly clear skies studded with stars.

Overnight Basic Camping. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the next day exploring the beautiful desert area of Wadi Rum. Starting from our desert camp, we walk in the footsteps of the early Nabatean traders. Spices, silks and perfumes were once carried along this same route. We shall see their inscriptions and ‘graffiti’ on the weathered pink granite mountains that we pass. The desert is another world, inhabited by the Bedouin people for generations. After an unforgettable day’s trekking through this remarkable desert scenery of sculpted sandstone canyons and pristine dunes, we return to our camp and enjoy another night under the star studded sky. Approx. 6 hours walking.

Overnight Basic Camping. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast there is an optional camel ride through a landscape of sandstone canyons. Non-riders are welcome to walk with the riders – quite a moderate pace, given the speed at which camels walk – or transfer ahead by 4WD to the road. From Wadi Rum we drive northwards to Petra. Our luggage is taken to our campsite and we look forward to 1 and 1/2 days of exploring this dazzling site on foot. We first enter via the twisting and colourful Siq gorge arriving at the famous ‘Al-Khazneh’ (The Treasury), and continue through the heart of the ancient city before heading up to our campsite in the Wadi Shammasat. Approx. 5 hours walking.

Overnight Basic Camping. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we head back to Petra with the option of walking up to one of Petra’s greatest monuments, ‘Ad-Deir’ (The Monastery), set high above the city and almost hidden in the mountains. Following the 900 steps down into the heart of Petra, we hike to the High Place of Sacrifice. Here is a unique and unforgettable vantage point offering excellent views out over the whole city of Petra. Finally we descend into the site before returning to our camp. Approx. 7 hours walking.

Overnight Basic Camping. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set out today along the Desert Highway before joining one of the oldest trade routes in the world, the King’s Highway, up to the impressive Crusader Castle of Kerak, imposingly sited on a hilltop. Kerak became famous in the time of the Crusades as one of a chain of fortresses in the Holy War against Islam. The castle was built in 1132 by Baldwin of Jerusalem, a Crusader king. Later in the afternoon, we continue to the small, mainly Christian town of Madaba where we spend the night.

Overnight Standard Hotel. Included meals: Breakfast

Madaba is famous for its collection of extraordinary mosaics, including the Great Map of Palestine (6th century). Discovered in 1896, and only fragmentary, it contains a good picture of Jerusalem. From Jebel Neba (808m), better known as Mount Nebo – the point from which Moses saw the Promised Land we descend to the lowest place on earth, the shimmering Dead Sea. Surrounded by barren hills, this unique water body has an amazingly high salt content (33%) that means no animal life survives and that it is almost impossible to sink! We end with a flourish as we finally drive northwards to ancient Jerash. Located in the Gilead Hills, it is considered to be the best-preserved city of the Decapolis, a confederation of ten Roman cities. One of the highlights of the Middle East, a triple arch gateway gives way to colonnaded streets, theatres, temples and baths. Particularly striking is the elegant forum – a fitting place to reflect on our exploration of this wonderful desert kingdom before we return to Amman.

Overnight Standard Hotel. Included meals: Breakfast

You may like to extend your time in Jordan, otherwise this morning you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.

Included meals: Breakfast