Petra & Wadi Rum Family Adventure

Welcome to Amman, the capital of Jordan, where our adventure begins. There are free transfers to the hotel from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) for all customers today. Please note, transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts. Accommodation: Corp Hotel (or similar)

After breakfast, we take our first steps back in time to the Roman city of Jerash. The Hippodrome and its history come alive with an entertaining gladiator show, where chariots complete circuits in a cloud of dust and Roman soldiers show off their manoeuvres. At the end of the show, you can even get a photo with the actors who are dressed in traditional uniforms and armour. In ancient times, Jerash was a city of great wealth and importance. Settled as a town during the reign of Alexander the Great, it peaked during the period of the Decapolis – a group of 10 great Roman cities on the eastern frontier of their empire. Walking along the well-preserved Roman roads, wandering through the marketplace and climbing the theatre steps is bound to capture the imagination of everyone in the family. After our Roman adventure, we return to Amman for free time and maybe a dip in the hotel pool. Accommodation: Corp Hotel (or similar)

Leaving Amman, our first stop is Mount Nebo where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land. Race to the top and take a family photo on this historic spot. Our next stop is the market town of Madaba, famous for its Byzantine-era mosaics, which includes the oldest map of Palestine in existence. Crafted in 560 CE, it depicts all the major Biblical sites of the Middle East from Egypt to Palestine. A visit to a mosaic workshop reveals how these artworks are made. Before leaving Madaba, fill up your water bottle with one of the many delicious fresh local juices. We journey south through deserts and amazing canyons and stop at a high point for wonderful views. We also see fossils and have a picnic lunch. On arrival at Wadi Musa, the gateway to Petra, we have free time to settle into our hotel. Accommodation: Standard hotel – see accommodation section for more detail

This morning, we start early to avoid the heat of the day. Maybe your family is too excited to sleep anyway because today is our Indiana Jones adventure into the lost city of Petra. We start our early wandering through the Siq, a natural gateway to one of the most spectacular landmarks in the world. Along the way, we pass djinn blocks – djinn is Arabic for spirits and source of the word genie, so maybe these monoliths can grant wishes! Through a narrow opening in the rock, we get our first glimpse of Al-Khazneh or the Treasury. Featured in the 1989 blockbuster film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the astonishing sites of Petra were brought to the attention of the world. We continue exploring this amazing city, scrambling up hills to find huge tombs and palaces. Winding our way around the hillsides, we stop for a picnic lunch before exploring the colonnaded street and great temple. Heading back along the main street, we re-enter the Siq leaving a magical city that will stay in your memory forever. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to relax. Accommodation: Standard hotel – see accommodation section for more detail

After breakfast, we head to Little Petra to climb through cave rooms and explore a much less crowed site. From here, we head to Aqaba, the premier beach resort on the Red Sea. Our hotel has a private white-sand beach, lagoon-style pool and options for watersports and snorkelling. It has several restaurants and is close to the downtown area, home to a small market and more cafes and restaurants. This afternoon is free to relax. As the sun sets, meet up with the tour leader – it’s time to dive into the colourful bazaars and have fun haggling for a souvenir. Accommodation: Beach resort

Today you have extra time to enjoy Aqaba or relax on the beach. The pool area of our resort features artistic fountains surrounded by palm trees and there are watersports available, including snorkelling and scuba diving among the amazing Red Sea coral. The hotel also has a spa and wellness centre and a gym so the needs of the whole family are catered for. Your tour leader can arrange fun time on the beach; in the evening, they arrange a group dinner in Aqaba for those who want to join. Saraya Water Park is also near and features more than 25 waterslides and water-drenched versions of Petra and Jerash – it is suitable for children up to 12 years’ old. Prices start from 20 Jordanian dinars (US$28) for adults and 25 dinars (US$35) for children. Please let your tour leader know if you would like to go and they will arrange a taxi for you (approximately 2.15 dinars/US$3 each way). Accommodation: Beach resort

Leaving the Red Sea, we head into the desert and to our private Exodus camp run by a Bedouin family. There’s a small dune nearby, which is great fun to roll down. Later in the day, we bounce around the dunes in our 4x4s and then scramble up rocks to watch the sunset. This evening, we can stargaze and maybe even meet up with some of the animals that come out at night. Our dinner is cooked the traditional Bedouin way, underground, and there’s a campfire where we can sit and talk. Camping in Wadi Rum is an experience of a lifetime. Accommodation: Permanent Bedouin camp

We’re up early today to say goodbye to our new Bedouin friends and head to the lowest point on earth: the Dead Sea. Our family-friendly resort has outdoor pools with waterslides and a terrace overlooking the Dead Sea. Have fun floating in the saline waters, rub on the mineral-rich mud for a great family photo and enjoy the swimming pools at the resort. Tonight, get together with the rest of the group to share all the memories of our Jordan adventures over dinner and maybe cement new friendships. Accommodation: Four-star hotel

The adventure comes to an end this morning and we begin our return journey home. Of course, if you’d like to stay a little longer, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.