France – Amman

Amman - Welcome at Queen Alia International Airport and transfer to the hotel in Amman. Dinner and overnight stay.

Amman – City Tour of Amman – Desert Castles – Amman

The Citadel - After breakfast, begin the day with a tour of the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom. Nestled between the eastern desert and the Jordan Valley, Amman is home to over a million residents. The city, built entirely from beige-white limestone, is a collection of cream-colored cubes, glowing in the sunlight. Ancient history sits above the downtown streets at the Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qalaa), a compact hill topped with Roman ruins, a palace, and the national archaeological museum. Whether exploring the sites or simply enjoying panoramic views of Amman, the Citadel is a must-see.

Roman Theatre - The most imposing and best-preserved monument of Roman Philadelphia is the theatre: according to an inscription, it was built under the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD) to accommodate 6,000 people. The theatre and the odeon (which seated around 500) were located on either side of a colonnaded forum, dated to 189, of which only a part remains. Originally, they were next to a stream and a main road, the Decumanus Maximus – the stream is now in an underground culvert and the road has long since been built over. The propylon (a triple-arched gateway that once stood north of the forum, beyond the stream and road) has also disappeared; it was the entrance to the processional staircase leading up to the citadel and was mentioned by travelers as early as 1911.

Qasr al-Kharrana - Located 55 km from Amman. It is likely the only one that initially had a military function, as suggested by its architecture. However, some researchers believe the importance of the stables suggests it was more of a caravanserai.

Quseir Amra - Qasr Amra is situated 26 km southwest of Azraq, along the main road. Qasr Amra occupies an island formed in the bed of an almost always dry Wadi. This well-preserved small castle features clear lines and rounded contours, with blonde stone blending into the desert heat. Qasr Amra was built in the early 8th century by Caliph Walid I, a great lover of hunting, poetry, and various pleasures.

Al-Azraq Al-Shamaly - Qasr Al Azraq was severely affected by an earthquake in 1927, yet the castle remains magnificent. The inscription above the main entrance allowed for dating the 13th-century renovation, which is likely when the mosque in the center of the courtyard was constructed.

Amman – Jerash – Ajloun – Amman

Jerash Ruins - Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Jerash / Lunch. In the morning, depart for the ancient city of Jerash or Gerasa, approximately 45 km from Amman. It is the second largest site in Jordan after Petra. Today, it is considered one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the Near East. Buried under sand for several centuries before being discovered and restored over 70 years. The city was entirely built from pink-orange limestone, which is beautifully highlighted by the sun’s rays at dawn and dusk. Gerasa’s peak was in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Jerash is a prime example of Roman municipal planning, vast and formal, throughout the Middle East. It is adorned with paved streets, colonnades, immense temples on hill crests, charming theaters, spacious public squares, baths, fountains, and walls pierced by towers and gates.

Ajloun Castle - After lunch, continue to Ajloun, a city with a very impressive fortress (Qalaat al Rabad), perched atop a mountain, built in the 12th century during the time of Saladin to defend the region and control local iron mines, as well as to prevent the Crusaders from crossing into Jerusalem. From the top, enjoy superb views of the Jordan Valley. Return to Amman. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

Amman – King’s Highway – Madaba – Nebo – Kerak – Petra

St. George’s Church - Breakfast at the hotel and departure along the King’s Highway, visiting Madaba. The city of mosaics, both in churches and homes, their high technicality and artistic value prove that this Byzantine bishopric, which had 14 churches, housed an extraordinary school of mosaicists. Their art reached its peak in the 5th and 6th centuries. Visit St. George’s Church in Madaba, where the “Map of Palestine” was unearthed in 1898 during the church’s construction. This mid-6th-century mosaic, barely altered, depicts the geography of Byzantine Near East. Initially measuring 25 m by 5 m, it was composed of two million tesserae.

Mount Nebo - Then visit Mt. Nebo, 10 km northwest of Madaba - “And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to the top of Mount Nebo, to Pisgah, which faces Jericho… Then the Lord said to him, ‘This is the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to your descendants. I have allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not go any further.’ And so Moses, the servant of God, died in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. (Deuteronomy, 34:1, 4-5). Presumed site of Moses’ tomb, Mount Nebo rises to 840 m in altitude. It became a universal pilgrimage site from the beginning of the Christian era.

Kerak Archaeological Museum - Continue to the fortress of Kerak - The Wadi Kerak, a valley below the city, was one of the major routes into Palestine. It was in 1115 that Baldwin I founded the lordship of Montreal. Fulk the Younger of Anjou, a baron of France and the third Frankish sovereign of the Kingdom of Jerusalem (1131-1144), entrusted this fief to his cupbearer Payen the Butler, who built the fortress of Kerak in 1142 and made it his residence. In 1176, Reynald of Châtillon, former lord of Antioch, received it following his second marriage. It took the Crusader disaster at Hattin (1187), after which Jerusalem was conquered by the Muslims and Reynald executed, for Kerak to fall in 1189. But Saladin had to besiege the fortress defended by Reynald’s widow for over a year before it finally surrendered. Lunch in Kerak. Continue to Petra via the desert road. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

Petra the Rose

Petra - Enjoy a delightful day in Petra starting with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, where you can prepare for exploration. Immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning architecture of Petra, admiring its ancient wonders. For lunch, savor local flavors at a charming restaurant, indulging in traditional Jordanian cuisine. Afternoon adventures await as you continue your journey through Petra’s fascinating landscapes. At the end of the day, retreat to the comfort of your hotel for a delicious dinner, perhaps opting for a luxurious dining experience.

Petra – Little Petra – Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum Protected Area - Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Little Petra, then head to Wadi Rum - The Wadi Rum desert - If Petra is the result of human and nature’s work combined, the cliffs, peaks, and valleys of Wadi Rum owe their “serene beauty” and “overwhelming grandeur” solely to themselves, according to T. E. Lawrence. Wadi Rum “vast, echoing, and God-like” is such that “[only] landscapes in children’s dreams have this grandeur and silence.” This desolate site was indeed one of the high places of the Great Arab Revolt, glorified by director David Lean in one of the most impressive scenes of his Lawrence of Arabia. Take a local 4X4 pickup tour in the desert for about an hour and a half. Lunch in a Bedouin camp. Dinner and overnight under Bedouin tents.

Wadi Rum – Wadi Araba- Dead Sea – Amman

Wadi Araba Desert - Breakfast at the camp, via the Araba road, depart for the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, 1306 feet below sea level. Lunch… Then free time for swimming.

Dead Sea Region - The Dead Sea is surrounded by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost otherworldly beauty. It is believed that this sparsely populated and peaceful region today once housed five biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adma, Zeboim, and Zoar. The therapeutic benefits of the Dead Sea have been known for at least two thousand years. It is proven that the climate and elements (sun, water, mud, and air) offer a unique combination of natural conditions capable of alleviating a wide range of chronic conditions such as dermatological issues (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, psoriatic arthritis, etc.), respiratory problems (such as asthma), and many other conditions like arthritis, circulatory problems, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, and ophthalmological conditions. Enjoy a strange but delightful experience: “floating” on the water’s surface.

Amman Departure Transfer

Amman - After breakfast, transfer to the airport and assistance with departure formalities. End of services.

• Bouteille d’eau offerte dans le bus durant les visites
• Accueil et assistance à l’arrivée et au départ pour le groupe avant douane
• Petit-déjeuner
• Déjeuner
• Dîner
• Transport moderne et climatisé selon le nombre de personnes
• Excursion en Jeep 4x4 bédouins pour une heure et demie
• Frais d’entrées mentionnés dans l’itinéraire
• Guide francophone permanent durant les visites

• les boissons non mentionnés dans le programme.
• Le supplément de la promenade en calèche à Petra.
• Les billets d’avion
• Les pourboires usuels pour le guide, chauffeurs les restaurants et hôtels.
• L’assurance de voyage
• La soirée du réveillon

Embarquez pour un voyage inoubliable à travers les merveilles antiques et les merveilles modernes de la Jordanie avec notre circuit exclusif de 8 jours. Ce qui distingue notre expérience, c’est le parfait mélange d’authenticité, d’aventure et de luxe qui vous attend à chaque tournant.

Dès que vous posez le pied dans cette terre enchanteresse, vous serez accueilli avec une hospitalité chaleureuse et une multitude de trésors culturels. Explorez la célèbre ville rose de Pétra, site classé au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO, en vous promenant dans ses vallées cachées et ses falaises de grès imposantes, dévoilant les secrets de cette civilisation antique.

Mais notre circuit va au-delà des sentiers battus. Plongez dans les marchés animés d’Amman, où les sights, les sons et les parfums titillent vos sens.

• Additional single supplement charges will apply if required an extra room.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.