Jordan Itinerary - November 2010 |
20/11/2010HEATHROW/AMMAN – British Midland flight - 1250/2005 On arrival at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport you will be met and assisted through customs and immigration formalities. Assistance with the visa for which there is no charge. You will then be transferred to Al-Qasr Metropole for over night B/B accommodation and advised when/when to meet your driver in the morning. 21/11/2010After breakfast you will be collected from the hotel at approx. 0900 to begin your city tour (2-3 hrs), visiting the Citadel, National Museum, Amphitheatre, Folklore Museum and King Abdullah’s Mosque. Later on, proceed to the Desert Castles, visiting Kharraneh, Amra and Azraq. Jordan's desert castles - beautiful examples of both early Islamic art and architecture, stand testament to a fascinating era in the country's rich history. Their fine mosaics, frescoes, stone and stucco carvings and illustrations, inspired by the best in Persian and Graeco - Roman traditions, tell countless stories of the life as it was during the eighth century. Called castles because of their imposing stature, the desert complexes actually served various purposes as caravan stations, agriculture and trade centres, resort pavilions and outposts that helped distant rulers forge ties with local bedouins. Several of these preserved compounds, all of which are clustered to the east and south of Amman, can be visited on one - or two - day loops from the city. Qusair Amra, one of the best preserved monuments, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes, and two of the rooms are paved with colourful mosaics. Qasr al - Kharrana, has been restored and is in excellent condition. The black basalt fort at Azraq, in continuous use since Late Roman times, was the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt. Qusair Amra is a UNESCO world heritage site. After the tour, head back to Amman for over night bed and breakfast accommodation at Al-Qasr Metropole Hotel. 22/11/2010Jerash, Um Quais (time permitting) and PellaJerash A very busy day! At 0800, after an early breakfast, travel to Jerash for an escorted tour; a close second to Petra on the list of favourite destinations in Jordan, the ancient city of Jerash boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. When you get to Jerash you will have the services of a local guide to explore this amazing antiquity. Jerash lies on a plain surrounded by hilly wooded areas and fertile basins. Conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC, it came under Roman rule and was one of the ten great Roman cities, the Decapolis League. The city's golden age came under Roman rule, during which time it was known as Gerasa, and the site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates. Watch the mock Roman chariot race between 1100 & 1200 (included). Um QaisSite of the famous miracle of the Gadarene swine, Gadara was renowned in its time as a cultural centre. It was the home of several classical poets and philosophers, including Theodorus, founder of a rhetorical school in Rome; one poet called the city "a new Athens". Perched on a splendid hilltop overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee, Gadara is today known as Umm Qays and boasts impressive colonnaded streets, vaulted terrace and the ruins of two theatres. You can take in the sights and then dine on the terrace of a fine restaurant with a breathtaking view of three countries. From Jerash we will visit Pella and if time, Um Quais, before Pella. PellaMagnificently set in a fold of the hills that rise from the Jordan Valley 78 km north of Amman, Pella, known in Arabic as Tabaqat Fahl, is one of the most ancient sites in Jordan and a favourite of archaeologists being exceptionally rich in antiquities. It is perfectly situated, for there is a spring here which issues into a small river and never runs dry. The tell itself seems to have been continuously occupied since Neolithic times for some flints from this period have been found there; and some recent finds 2 km north of the tell even date to Paleolithic times, around 100,000 years ago. The first literary reference to the city is from the 19th century BC when it is mentioned in Egyptian texts as Pihilum, or Pehel. It was a flourishing trade centre, with links with Syria and Cyprus as well as Egypt. On the division of Alexander's Empire, its name was changed to Pella - either in honour of Alexander's birthplace, or as a Hellenisation of Pihilum, or both. After Pompey's conquest in 63 BC its prosperity increased further as one of the cities of the Roman Decapolis and the Roman city more or less eliminated the Hellenistic city. The Byzantine era saw a revitalization of Pella, as trade routes strengthened and local industries developed. Under them there was yet more building, in particular of churches - on the hillside overlooking the valley stands one such church, while another is near the river at the foot of the ancient tell. After the 7th century Arab conquest, Pella continued as an Umayyad city for just over 100 years, and some superb pottery remains have been found here, made in the Jerash kilns. But like so many places in Jordan, the city was destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 747 AD. The site continued to be occupied during the Abbasid and Mamluk periods, but it was now a much smaller and more rural community. There was still a mud-brick village on the tell until 1970, but it was bombed in an Israeli strike across the border. Head back to Al-Qasr Metropole Hotel for over night B/B accommodation. 23/11/2010Kerak - Madaba – Mt Nebo & PetraAfter breakfast you will drive to Mount Nebo - one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan and the place where Moses was buried. A small Byzantine church was built there by early Christians, which has been expanded into a vast complex. During his visit to Jordan in 2001, the Late Pope John Paul II held a sermon here that was attended by some 20,000 faithful. Proceed to Madaba to look the Mosaic Map which covers the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. The church was built in 1896 AD, over the remains of a much earlier 6th century Byzantine church. The mosaic panel enclosing the Map was originally around 15.6 X 6m, 94 square meters, only about a quarter of which is preserved. Proceed to Kerak. Kerak was an important city, and for a time the capital, of the Biblical kingdom of Moab. For this reason, the castle is also sometimes known as Krak des Moabites. Kerak Castle was built in 1142 by the Frankish lord of Oultrejourdain, Payen le Bouteiller, to whom the territory had been ceded by King Baldwin II of Jerusalem in 1126. The castle was constructed over foundations of earlier citadels dating back to Nabatean times. Under Reynald de Chatillon, Kerak resisted assaults by Saladin's troops in 1183 and 1184, but it finally fell after a siege in 1188. Arab repairs and additions in the white limestone contrast with the Crusader parts built in dark, volcanic tufa. Continue South to Petra for over night at bed and breakfast accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. 24/11/2010PetraHave an early breakfast and meet your guide at a pre-set time and he/she will be with your for approx. 4 hours and then you’ll have the rest of the day to explore Petra on your own. Begin the amazing visit of the Red Rose City of Petra with an along 800-meters horse ride or walk if you don’t want to ride. The giant red mountains and vast mausoleums of a departed race have nothing in common with modern civilization, and ask nothing of it except to be appreciated at their true value - as one of the greatest wonders ever wrought by Nature and Man. Although much has been written about Petra, nothing really prepares you for this amazing place. It has to be seen to be believed. Entrance to the city is through the Siq, a narrow gorge, over 1 kilometre in length, which is flanked on either side by soaring, 80 metres high cliffs. Just walking through the Siq is an experience in itself. The colours and formations of the rocks are dazzling. As you reach the end of the Siq you will catch your first glimpse of Al-Khazneh (Treasury). The Treasury is just the first of the many wonders that make up Petra. You will need at least four or five days to really explore everything here. As you enter the Petra valley you will be overwhelmed by the natural beauty of this place and its outstanding architectural achievements. There are hundreds of elaborate rock-cut tombs with intricate carvings - unlike the houses, which were destroyed mostly by earthquakes, the tombs were carved to last throughout the afterlife and 500 have survived, empty but bewitching as you file past their dark openings. Here also is a massive Nabataean-built, Roman-style theatre, which could seat 3,000 people. There are obelisks, temples, sacrificial altars and colonnaded streets, and high above, overlooking the valley, is the impressive Ad-Deir Monastery – a flight of 800 rock cut steps takes you there. Should you wish to climb up to the “Monastery” then advise your guide at the onset of the tour because this will commence mid-morning before it gets too hot. There is a small café at the Monastery and the commanding views of Wadi Araba are breathtaking. There is a lot of walking involved today. One can get a buggy from the entrance to The Treasury and back but there are very few and they can’t be pre-booked. This evening you will have the opportunity to see “Petra by Night” (approx.US$22.00 per person and this can be booked when you get to Petra – not included). From the entrance to The Treasury is lit with candles. There is no buggy facility for this event. Return to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for bed and breakfast accommodation. 25/11/2010Dead Sea & AmmanBreakfast at the hotel followed by a drive of approx. 1 hour to Wadi Rum where you will have a 1.5 hour jeep ride into the desert. You will see the house that T E Lawrence lived in - now a Govt building. From here you will then continue to the Dead Sea Spa Hotel where you can use the hotel’s facilities and experience a “swim/float” in the dead Sea. At 410 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth. Jordan’s Dead Sea coast is one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world and it remains as enticing to international visitors today as it was to kings, emperors, traders, and prophets in antiquity. The main attraction of the Dead Sea is of course the soothing, abnormally salty water itself. The salt content of the water is 31.5% making the water so buoyant that it is impossible for the visitor to sink. The water also contains 21 minerals including high levels of magnesium, sodium, potassium, and bromine and 12 of these minerals are found in no other body of water in the world. Overnight at the Movenpick Dead Sea (standard rooms located in the YARMOUK building of the hotel) 26/11/2010Baptism Site.The site of John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany beyond the Jordan where Jesus was baptised, has long been known from the Bible (John 1:28 and 10:40) and from the Byzantine and medieval texts. The site has now been identified on the east bank of the Jordan River, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and is being systematically surveyed, excavated, restored, and prepared to receive pilgrims and visitors. Bethany Beyond the Jordan is located half an hour by car from the Jordanian capital Amman. The Bethany area sites formed part of the early Christian pilgrimage route between Jerusalem, the Jordan River, and Mount Nebo. The area is also associated with the biblical account of how the Prophet Elijah (Mar Elias in Arabic) ascended to heaven in a whirlwind on a chariot of fire. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the Movenpick Dead Sea – B/B 27/11/2010Breakfast at the hotel followed by a transfer to Queen Alia International Airport. |
