Jordan Wildlife & Nature

Welcome to Jordan! On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to your hotel where the evening is free to relax or explore at leisure. Perhaps visit some of the vibrant souqs in bustling downtown Amman, the heart of Jordan’s capital city.

Today, we’ll enjoy a full day of guided sightseeing in Amman. Visiting the iconic Citadel, the National Archaeological Museum and the Roman Theatre, which dates back to the 2nd century. Learn about the history of the country at the New Jordan Museum and see the modern western side of the city, home to many malls, restaurants and cafes.

Amman - Jerash - Aljoun. Say goodbye to Amman today and transfer to Jerash, the Graeco-Roman city famous for its Roman ruins. Explore the colonnaded street and the amphitheatre before transferring to the Aljoun Forest Reserve where we’ll enjoy a three hour hike to the village of Orjan. Walk through lush woodlands of oak, pistachio and strawberry trees to Eagle’s Point - a panoramic view point. Descend to the village and meet the local women at the soap house, who create pure olive oil soap using a traditional process.

Aljoun - Azraq. Our day begins with a visit to the Byzantine and Roman ruins at Um al-Jimal, driving to Shaumari Wildlife Reserve. This small but important 22 km square conservation area is an important haven for endangered Middle Eastern species including the Arabian Oryx and Persian Onager. There is a good chance to view some of these species as you embark on a 3 hour safari drive into the reserve. Binoculars are provided so you can spot bird species including the Imperial Eagle and the Egyptian Vulture. Your guide will also teach you the basics of animal tracking and you’ll see an exciting falconry display and the Oryx breeding enclosure. Leaving the reserve, we transfer to the nearby Azraq Lodge for the night.

Azraq - Dana. Enjoy a short hike this morning in the Azraq Wetland Reserve, an excellent place to spot migratory birds and water buffalo if you’re lucky. Continue to the historic desert castle of Qasr Azraq. The castle has been strategically important since Roman times as it’s built in the Azraq Oasis, the only permanent source of freshwater for 12,000 square miles. After visiting this site we continue to the 500 year old village of Dana, which overlooks the incredible Wadi Dana Gorge.

Dana - Feynan Eco Lodge. Enjoy a day of trekking today as we explore Dana, the largest nature reserve in Jordan. Meet local Bedouin farmers tending their goats and look out for the many species of flora and fauna that inhabit the reserve. There is a population of the threatened Nubian Ibex and the world’s largest breeding colony of the colourful Syrian Serin. We pass through four different biosphere zones, from striking mountains to the desert of Wadi Arabah, before stopping for the night at the Feynan Eco Lodge (14km trek).

Feynan Eco Lodge - Petra. This morning we’ll explore the Roman ruins at Feynan and drive to the lesser visited site of Siq Al Barid, known as Little Petra. Reaching the site through a narrow passage, similar to the famous Siq at Petra. Little Petra was once a thriving Nabatean supply post and there is evidence everywhere of its past. See temples, rock cut stairs and some of the few surviving Nabatean paintings before continuing to UNESCO-listed Beidha. This stone age village is more than 9,000 years old, making it one of the world’s earliest known permanent human settlements. After our visit, we continue to Petra for the evening.

Today we discover the incredible Rose Red City of Petra, one of the New7Wonders of the World. We’ll walk down the narrow Siq to Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) and admire this spectacular tomb. Explore the Street of Facades, visit the fascinating Byzantine Museum and the Theatre, which once held a capacity of 8,500 people. There is also the opportunity to climb the 800 steps to the imposing hill-top ad-Deir (The Monastery), which is far larger than the Treasury with spectacular views.

Petra - Wadi Rum. Return to Petra this morning for a light trek to the High Place of Sacrifice for incredible views of your surroundings and the Treasury below. This afternoon we travel to the wild desert of Wadi Rum. Here you'll enjoy an exhilarating desert 4x4 safari across the vast expanse of this red desert, with its amazing rock formations and rolling dunes. Reach our desert campsite and watch the sunset before enjoying a traditional Jordanian dinner and camping beneath a blanket of stars.

Wadi Rum - Karak - Madaba - Mt Nebo - Dead Sea. Leaving the desert this morning and travel to the Crusader Castle at Karak. You’ll then enjoy a tour of the town of Madaba and see the 6th century mosaic map of the Middle East, which decorates the floor of St George Church. Other highlights of the town include the Madaba Museum and the Archaeological Park. After visiting these sites we continue to Mt Nebo for breathtaking views over the Holy Land. Finally, we descend to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth and our final stop for the day.

Today is free to relax by the Dead Sea. Float in its famously buoyant, mineral-rich waters and enjoy a therapeutic mud bath. If you’re feeling adventurous then you may wish to join an optional excursion and go canyoning along the Siq Trail to Wadi Mujib, one of Jordan’s most remarkable natural features (April - October departures only).

Dead Sea - Amman. Your Jordanian adventure comes to an end today with an included transfer to the airport.