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Admire the wealth of Jordan's culture and history as you travel from captivating Petra and historic Amman to the ancient settlement of Jerash and renowned mosaics of Madaba. Combining age-old structures with dramatic natural surroundings, your tour ends with a safari through the rolling desert dunes of Wadi Rum and a chance to float on the salty expanse of the Dead Sea.
Depart London on your scheduled direct flight to Amman where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
A morning tour of Amman's historic downtown area takes in the cultural artefacts of the Archaeological and Folklore Museums and the hilltop ruins of the Citadel which sits on the highest hill in Amman, about 850m above sea level. Occupied since the Bronze Age, it is surrounded by a vast 1700m metre long wall which has been re-built numerous times throughout the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as the Roman, Byzantine and Umayyad periods. Two of the Citadel's most fascinating sights are the Umayyad Palace, renowned for its distinctive domed entrance known as the chamber, and the towering columns of the Temple of Hercules, believed to be the most significant structure in the historic Amman Citadel. Continue on to the ancient city of Jerash, one of the ten great Roman cities of the Decapolis League with a history of an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. Hidden for centuries in sand, the city offers a wealth of wellpreserved Roman ruins. Witness its long-standing theatres, paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, and spacious public squares and plazas before returning to your hotel in Amman.
This morning, set out for the city of Madaba, famous for its 6th century map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, as well as its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, some of which are vibrantly colourful.Travel onward to Mount Nebo, renowned as the biblical city where Moses having led his people from Sinai, stood on the edge of a ridge overlooking the dead sea, and was granted a view of the 'Promised Land' that he would never enter. It is also said that he died and was buried here. In the basilica that marks the spot, beautiful mosaics portray rustic scenes which are as varied with colour as the day they were laid. From here, journey south to explore Al Karak's imposing 12th century crusader's castle, built on a triangular plateau and an impressive example of the Crusaders' architectural military genius before continuing to Petra for your overnight stay.
Today's exploration of the awe-inspiring Nabatean Red Rose city of Petra starts with a dramatic entry through a long, narrow gorge flanked by soaring cliffs. This unique city, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World and a UNESCO Heritage site, was carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people, who turned it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Syria, Greece, Egypt and Rome. Colossal red mountains and vast tombs of a departed race which are such a far reach from modern civilization, are often considered as one of the greatest wonders ever wrought by Man and Nature. Pass dazzling rock formations before the final turn opens up to a view of the iconic 2,000-year-old facade of the treasury. Believed to be a royal tomb, the impressive rock-hewn site may be recognised from the film 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade'. Continuing deeper into this fascinating ancient city, you'll have a full day to explore its elaborate, tombs, temples, sacrificial altars and Roman-style theatres.
After breakfast, visit Al Beidha, known as 'Little Petra' for the similarity of its rock-cut tombs and structures. Witness centuries-old dining halls, washrooms, fountains and rooms skilfully hewn into stone. Next, travel further south to the undulating desert dunes of Wadi Rum where you'll embark on a scenic jeep safari. Described by T.E Lawrence as 'vast, echoing and godlike', the locals refer to the untamed sea of red sand as the 'Valley of the Moon'. In a land where the sun beams over imposing rock formations, breath-taking crimson mountains and carpets of untouched sand dunes, soak in awe-inspiring vistas in this otherworldly territory. In the midst of this ethereal kingdom, enjoy a unique overnight stay in an authentic desert camp.
Transfer from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea and spend the rest of your day at leisure, providing the perfect opportunity for relaxation. Alternatively, take a trip to the shores of the iconic Dead Sea in the Jordan Rift Valley. Submerged at a dramatic 400 metres below sea level, the lowest point on the face of the earth, this vast stretch of water is 304 metres deep and is renowned as the deepest hypersaline lake in the world; by the time the waters reach the Dead Sea, they are land-locked, resulting in evaporation which leaves behind a dense cocktail of salts and minerals. A fascinating phenomenon occurs here where you can float on the salty waters and also cover yourself in its rejuvenating black mud, making for a truly unique experience.
Take another day to relax on the Dead Sea, or explore this area of incredible colour and beauty, before this evening's farewell dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to back to Amman.
A visa is required for your trip to Jordan. For UK Nationals, the Jordanian Government has waived visa fees for travellers staying a minimum of two consecutive nights. Our representative in Jordan will apply for this visa on your behalf, therefore, please ensure that you have sent a copy of your passport page to our team at least 60 days prior to departure. Failure to receive this in the given time will mean that we are unable to apply for a visa on your behalf, and you will need to obtain your own visa. You can get a single-entry visa valid for 1 month on arrival at the airports or the Sheikh Hussein/North Border crossing at the Jordan/Israel border. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
Previous travel to Israel
Evidence of a previous visit to Israel like an Israeli entry/exit stamp in your passport does not normally cause any difficulties when entering Jordan. It is, however, for the Jordanian authorities to determine the right of entry into the country. If you have any concerns, you should contact the Consulate of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in London.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of €250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your flight is to Amman International Airport with Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ), departing from London Heathrow Terminal 3. Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure.
Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus 1 item of hand luggage not exceeding 23cm x 41cm x 51cm in size and 7kg in weight. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your E-ticket receipt. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure.
If you wish to arrange airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking on uneven paths and small hills and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 40. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a partly escorted tour. A tour guide will be with the group from days 2-5. For day 6 and 7 during your time at leisure, you will not have your tour guide with the group. During transfers, an English-Speaking Driver Guide will assist the group.
The currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar, known as JOD, but US Dollars are also widely accepted in the major cities. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in the local currency.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. Tipping is common practice in Jordan and it is customary to tip your driver £1.50 and guide around £3.00 per day and the airport representative £1.50. Tips for the driver and guide can be given at the end of the tour for your convenience. Tips can be given in any currency you have.
| Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Dates | |||
| 01 Sep 2020 | 08 Sep 2020 | €1656.00 | |
| 22 Sep 2020 | 29 Sep 2020 | €1656.00 | |
| 06 Oct 2020 | 13 Oct 2020 | €1656.00 | |
| 20 Oct 2020 | 27 Oct 2020 | €1656.00 | |
| 03 Nov 2020 | 10 Nov 2020 | €1533.00 | |
| 24 Nov 2020 | 01 Dec 2020 | €1455.00 | |
| 01 Dec 2020 | 08 Dec 2020 | €1432.00 | |
| 2021 Dates | |||
| 20 Jan 2021 | 27 Jan 2021 | €1399.00 | |
| 24 Feb 2021 | 03 Mar 2021 | €1600.00 | |
| 17 Mar 2021 | 24 Mar 2021 | €1600.00 | |
| 14 Apr 2021 | 21 Apr 2021 | €1600.00 | |
| 21 Apr 2021 | 28 Apr 2021 | €1600.00 | |
| 05 May 2021 | 12 May 2021 | €1768.00 | |
| 19 May 2021 | 26 May 2021 | €1768.00 | |
| 09 Jun 2021 | 16 Jun 2021 | €1735.00 | |
| 11 Aug 2021 | 18 Aug 2021 | €1791.00 | |
| 01 Sep 2021 | 08 Sep 2021 | €1791.00 | |
| 08 Sep 2021 | 15 Sep 2021 | €1757.00 | |
| 29 Sep 2021 | 06 Oct 2021 | €1757.00 | |
| 06 Oct 2021 | 13 Oct 2021 | €1735.00 | |
| 13 Oct 2021 | 20 Oct 2021 | €1735.00 | |
| 20 Oct 2021 | 27 Oct 2021 | €1735.00 | |
| 03 Nov 2021 | 10 Nov 2021 | €1668.00 | |
| 24 Nov 2021 | 01 Dec 2021 | €1623.00 | |
| 01 Dec 2021 | 08 Dec 2021 | €1567.00 | |
Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, the order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times.
Please note from and including this departure date, there will be an English-speaking tour guide from days 2-5, for days 6 & 7 during leisure time the tour guide will not be with the group.
Please note, for these two departure dates, in Amman your 2-night stay will be at the Gerasa Hotel. A finalised hotel list will be sent to you with your ticketing package.
Jordanian Dinar
5 hours
12 °C / 35 °C
Arabic
Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
Our guide Ashraf was excellent with great knowledge of the history of his country.
All hotels were superb but the food in the Downtown Hotel Amman was poor. No communication about being picked up from the hotel in Aqaba, we had to call the company ourselves and then they were late! Could have been a better warning about the amount of walking as some of the group struggled but we did see a lot. No contact with the rep or information about Aqaba.
The Old Village Hotel was excellent because it was so traditional.
The guide needs to realize we are tourists not students taking a degree in the history of Jordan (Middle East).
1st Hotel - excellent room, food only fair.
2nd and 3rd Hotels - excellent rooms and food.
No comments
Day 1 - Too much to do and only had 4 hours sleep then 12 hours of visits/ tours ect very intense.
Split into two days with Jordan Museum added then not go back to Amman but go direct from Dead Sea to airport. Same number of days in each hotel.
All hotels were clean and comfortable as expected
No comments
Enjoyable stays
In Jordan the tour guide was very helpful and friendly also spoke English well. The Hotels were good but one the Hotel Sulaf was not very welcoming and slow. There was a mix up in Jerusalem over which hotel as it was different to the one stated on our itinerary. The tour of The Old City was on the wrong day it should have been on a Wednesday when the weather was good, it was rearranged to the Thursday after. Much difficulty in communicating with the tour operator. The weather was terrible on the Thursday, then we had to go back to the airport and we missed our time in Tel Aviv. The Jordan arrangements were excellent but Israel arrangements were disappointing. As for the Israel extension we found it quite stressful for the things that went wrong. We have traveled with Mercury many times and not experienced problems like this.
Amend brochure to guided tour of the sites rather than fully escorted.
It didn�t concern us too much, but an elderly couple needed reassurance when they felt there was nobody with us at the Dead Sea resort.
Relax for 4-nights at the Red Sea resort of Aqaba, on Jordan's southern coastline. A popular beach resort this town has a relaxed atmosphere and is famed for its diving opportunities.
View Tour + Extension
Stretching along Israel's Mediterranean coastline, Tel Aviv's first-class eateries, pulsing nightlife and seaside neighbourhoods are waiting to be discovered on this three-night extension. Whether you choose to tour the historic wonders of the city, sunbathe on one of its 16 glorious beaches or sample the city's fantastic shopping and dining options, an extended stay in this lively city is the ideal way to round off your tour.
View Tour + Extension
Enjoy 2 nights in Jerusalem, including a full-day tour of the city's historic sites, followed by a night in Tel Aviv.
View Tour + Extension
