Noon Tours: Jordan April 2024

Your time in Jordan will be spent discovering the cosmopolitan delights of Amman, the breath-taking majesty of Petra, the vibrant mosaics of Madaba and the rugged beauty of Wadi Rum. You’ll swim at the lowest point on earth, walk through ancient ruins, clamber up sand dunes, take a jeep safari and sleep in a Bedouin tent. With an emphasis on authentic experiences, and in the company of our knowledgable local guides, you’ll see how to cook traditional Jordanian food, find out how the custom of arranged marriage works and talk to a Bedouin Sheik about life in the desert. Join us for an exciting and enriching adventure through this ancient, majestic Middle-Eastern land.

What’s on the itinerary?

Day 1 – April 14th 2024 flight from London to Amman

Your flight will leave London Heathrow at 1830 and arrive at 0145 local time. You’ll be taken to your hotel where you’ll be able to get some sleep before your adventure proper begins.

• Accommodation: Art Hotel or similar

Day 2 – April 15th 2024 Amman

Welcome to Amman, a city that’s cosmopolitan and contemporary yet steeped in biblical history.

Once you’re awake, the day will be spent at leisure. There will be a welcome meeting at 6pm, followed by dinner at a cooking school, Beit Sitti, which is run by three sisters who continue their grandmother’s legacy. Learn their stories as you cook and enjoy an authentic meal under the sisters’ supervision. On the menu is maqluba, a dish that literally translates to ‘upside down’. It’s a hearty casserole with rice, vegetables and chicken that’s cooked, flipped and served with either yoghurt or an Arab salad with tahini.

• Included Activities: Beit Sitti cooking class and dinner
• Accommodation: Art Hotel or similar

Day 3 – April 16th 2024 Amman

A walking tour of Amman starts with the citadel, Roman Odeon, and the Roman Theatre then to Rainbow Street, the heart of Amman’s arts and shopping scene and home of the city’s best falafel. A stroll along this lively street takes you past cafes, arts venues and galleries. Check out the Rainbow Theatre, admire 1920s villas and take in Mango Street, Malouf Street, and the Souk Jara market. Sit, relax and grab some lunch afterward.

In the early afternoon, leave Amman for a short drive north (approximately 1 hour) to Jerash, a city famed for its Greco-Roman ruins. Reaching its zenith as a favourite of the emperor Hadrian, it has a striking collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets to explore.

Return to Amman in the late afternoon and head to the home of a local matchmaker for a cup of tea while learning about the tradition of arranged marriage in Jordan and how she helps couples get together.

• Included Activities: Amman – City Tour
• Amman – Tasting Tour
• Amman – Meet with a Jordanian matchmaker
• Jerash – Roman ruins
• Accommodation: Art Hotel or similar

Day 4 – April 17th 2024 Wadi Rum

This morning, you’ll leave Amman and head to Aqaba – the only coastal city offering a pocket of beach in this otherwise landlocked country. On arrival you’ll get a chance to explore the bustling market and walk along the beach on a guided walking tour with your group leader. Then you’ve got a couple of hours under your belt to explore this city at your own leisure, you might like to go snorkelling in the Red Sea, explore the local markets further or simply chill out and relax by the water. Then, you’ll leave for Wadi Rum and arrive just in time for dinner. Tonight, you’ll get a chance to sit down with the sheik of the local Bedouin tribe and get a glimpse into what life is like living in this desert environment. You’ll sleep in a simple Bedouin desert camp this evening, with the choice of sleeping under a camel hair tent or out under the stars. Enjoy dinner cooked in an earthen oven by your Bedouin hosts. Meaning ‘desert dwellers’ in Arabic, the Bedouins are a semi-nomadic people, and in Jordan up to 40 per cent of the general population is thought to have Bedouin ancestry. Conditions are basic at the desert camp, but the hospitality of your hosts as well as the chance to sleep beneath the twinkling desert night sky will make up for it.

• Included Activities: Wadi Rum – Bedouin Desert Camp
• Aqaba – leader-led walking tour
• Wadi Rum – bonfire talk with the Sheik
• Accommodation: Pamorama Camp or similar

Day 5 – April 18th 2024 Wadi Rum

After waking up in the unique surrounds of the camp in the morning, head out on a hike around the area (approximately 12 to 15 kilometres), with a stop for tea and a lunch break. You might scale one of the large sand dunes for sensational views of the valley – the perfect chance to snap some unbelievable pictures. Explore the distinctive rock formations and bask in its eerie silence. Wadi Rum is probably best known for its connection with the enigmatic British ofcer T E Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917–18.

This afternoon, gear up for half-day jeep safari through some of the most striking desert scenery on the planet. Wadi Rum is full of weird and wonderful lunar-like rock formations, and traces of ancient civilizations can be seen in the many carved inscriptions found throughout the area – from pictographs to Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic texts. The most enduring monuments in Wadi Rum are those carved by nature – the natural rock bridges, towering rose-coloured sand dunes and scattered rocky peaks.

After an action-packed afternoon, tonight is yours to enjoy the traditional Bedouin hospitality and the clear night skies of the desert.

• Included Activities: Wadi Rum – Guided hike
• Wadi Rum – Bedouin Desert Camp
• Wadi Rum – 4WD jeep safari
• Accommodation: Panorama Camp or similare

Day 6 – April 19th 2024 Petra

This morning you’ll leave your desert camp, taking 4WDs to the main entrance of Petra, which is opposite the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – the mountain named after Lawrence of Arabia’s book. The visitor’s centre here is also a great spot to buy some jewelry and handicrafts, mostly made by a women’s co-operative aimed at supporting local industries. Then, continue your journey to the fabled city of Petra by private vehicle. The site remained unknown to the wider world until 1812 when it was visited by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt – a Swiss explorer. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. Spend the afternoon on a guided tour of Petra. Squeeze through a mile-long narrow path, known as the Siq, through huge towers of rock and get your rst glimpse of the iconic Treasury complex. It’s amazing to think that this enormous, intricate building entrance was hand-carved out of the rock.

• Included Activities: Petra – leader-led tour of Petra
• Accommodation: La Maison or similar

Day 7 – April 20th 2024 Kerak – Dead Sea – Mt Nebo – Madaba

Today you’ll traverse the King’s Highway to the historic crusader castle of Kerak, which stands on a cliff overlooking Wadi Karak and the Dead Sea in the distance (approximately 2.5 hours). You’ll have time to explore the ruins and discover the legends of centuries-old battles. Pack your swim gear as next you can wash off the dust in the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth (420 metres below sea level). This super-salty lake is a perfect place to spend some time relaxing and oat your worries away. For those who are game, why not cover yourself from head to toe in a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath. Continue to Mt Nebo – the spot where the prophet Moses is said to have seen the ‘promised land’ and where he’s supposedly buried. Explore this sanctuary and view the remarkable mosaics of the fourth-century church. Afterwards, continue to Madaba, famous for its Ottoman-style houses and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics, including the acclaimed sixth-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St George’s Church. Other mosaic masterpieces from the fth to seventh centuries can be found throughout Madaba’s churches, museums and homes.

• Included activities: Kerak – castle visit
• Mt Nebo – site visit
• Dead Sea – swimming opportunity
• Accommodation: Mariam Hotel or similar

Day 8 – April 21st  2024 Madaba

Today you’ll leave Madaba for a short drive to Jerash – once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world. These are some of the best-preserved Greco-Roman ruins in the region. The ancient walled town that survives today is a remarkable evocation of life 2000 years ago. It has a striking collection of archways and theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend a day exploring. Discover Hadrian’s arch, the partially restored hippodrome, ornate public fountains, the south amphitheatre, and see the collection of daily artefacts uncovered during excavations. Grand columns encircle the city’s centerpiece, the Oval Plaza. After a full day of exploring, return to Madaba. Maybe gather your travel buddies together and share a celebratory shisha as you reminisce on your memories of majestic Jordan.

• Included Activities: Jerash – Roman ruina
• Madaba – St Georges Church
• Accommodation: Mariam Hotel or similar

Day 9 – April 22nd 2024 Departure

You leave after breakfast for Amman Airport and your flight back to Heathrow. Flight departs at 0830 and arrives at 1205

Package price (flight + tour)

FROM £2,650pp

Price will be confirmed at time of booking

Single supplement

£299pp

Price is subject to change because flight prices are not guaranteed and can change at any time, which will affect the package price.

To book your place or for more information email hello@inherspace.co.uk

Terms and conditions: Prices are from per person based on twin share. Valid for departures specified. Price includes return international flights, pre-payable taxes, transfers and accommodation as stated. Flight prices are subject to change and availability, price will be confirmed once group numbers have been reached. The price is correct at the time of advertising and subject to change, call for further details. Booking terms and conditions apply. Holiday deposit terms and conditions apply – full details of the applicable payment will be given to you at the time of booking. Silver Travel Advisor sells travel services on behalf of Hays Travel Limited and benefits from Hays Travel’s membership of ABTA with membership number P8411.