Signature Luxury Jordan Tour

Meet your private guide and set off on an orientation of the Jordanian capital Amman, which will include sampling some delicious street food, then drive to Jerash, one of the best preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. Jerash, also called the ‘City of 1,000 Columns’, was visited by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD. Its stunning remains are the equal of Ephesus in Turkey and are prized by UNESCO as an ‘ancient meeting place of East and West’.

Travel south along the Desert Highway to Wadi Rum where you’ll check in at your exclusive tented desert camp and have lunch. Then, set off in a jeep on a ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ style desert adventure across the desert sands that are regarded as some of the most magical in Arabia. The journey concludes with a short camel ride and private sunset drinks. Dinner this evening will be al fresco under a canopy of a billion stars.

Ascend into the sky on a hot-air balloon flight (shared basis) to see the magnificent spectacle of dawn over the desert. After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Aqaba on the Red Sea. After check-in at your beachfront hotel, the remainder of the day will be at leisure to relax and enjoy your hotel’s facilities.

Board a privately chartered fishing boat and cruise over the blue waters of the Red Sea on a three-hour snorkelling excursion. The Red Sea’s colourful coral reefs and exotic fish are considered some of the world’s finest and offer a stunning spectacle for snorkelers. On returning to your hotel, the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

After a lazy morning by the Red Sea in Aqaba, you’ll be driven into the Shara Mountains to visit the Nabataean site of Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), which provides a tantalising foretaste of the wonders that await. This evening, enjoy the magical sight of Petra by candlelight (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday only).

A full day to discover the rock-hewn ruins of ancient Petra – Jordan’s foremost tourist attraction. Once the capital of the Nabataean Arabs who controlled the lucrative trade routes between Arabia and the Mediterranean coast, Petra or ‘Rekem’ as the Nabataeans called it, was ‘lost’ to the outside world for a thousand years until its rediscovery in 1812. The site is approached through a hairline crack in the mountain known as the Siq, and on emerging into the ancient city, you are greeted by the breathtaking sight of the vestiges of long-forgotten kings and once a fabulously wealthy empire – a spectacle that is unequalled in the Middle East. This evening, we can arrange for an optional (supplement applies) private candlelit cave dinner – a wonderful Bedouin experience.

Walk the battlements of the mighty Crusader and Mamluk castle of Kerak, then descend into Wadi Araba and drive along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, passing a pillar of salt known locally as ‘Lot’s Wife’. Then, experience the thrill of a scenic gyrocopter flight (20 min) over the waters and cliffs of the Dead Sea before arriving at your Babylonian-themed resort hotel.

Today will be at leisure to relax by the shores of the Dead Sea, which at 430m below sea level is the lowest point on dry land on Earth. Here you may experience the unique sensation of floating cork-like in its waters, revitalise at the Resense Spa, and benefit from the region’s special dry climate with its weakened ultraviolet radiation and high oxygen content.

A private Mercedes transfer will bring you to Amman International Airport. On arrival check in for your onward flight.