JORDAN-From the Mountains to the Valleys
13-day Nomadic Nature Tour of Jordan
![Image]() WALKING THE WORLD
When thinking of Jordan, many of us associate it primarily with desert sands and the rose-red city of Petra. Jordan offers so much more than that. Jordan abounds in natural beauty. There are a lot of places in Jordan where you can still merge with nature and have a true wilderness experience. You can wander about for days without meeting a soul, should you choose, something that is a rarity anymore in our crowded and busy western world.
This 13-day hiking tour offers you a glimpse of the undiscovered Jordan. The trails we explore will offer you an endless variety of landscapes including the green mountains of Dana, the natural fountains and white sands of Wadi Araba, the black basalt rocks near Namalah and the prehistoric site of Little Petra, to name just a few.
Many of the sites we will visit are inhabited, though lightly, by the local Bedouin tribes. In earlier days, many of these same sites were flourishing. This trip will introduce you to some of the highlights of these cultures, past and present.
ITINERARY (May be changed at the discretion of the trip leader.)
Please note the following: B (= Breakfast included), L (= Lunch included), D (= Dinner included)_
Day 1: Flight to Amman. Our local guide will meet you at Queen Alia International Airport and transfer you to the hotel in Amman by bus, where you will enjoy your dinner and stay overnight. D
Day 2: In the morning we begin our adventure with a visit to Madaba, world-famous for its Byzantine mosaics, to view the masterpiece: the map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Then it’s off to Mount Nebo, where we will stop for an overlook of the promised land, just like Moses did once after traveling through the desert for forty years. We’ll also visit the remains of two churches dating back to the 6th century.
From Mount Nebo we’ll then journey down to the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. The Dead Sea is believed to have healing powers because of the super salty water. Sodom and Gomorrah, the site where Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt, is believed to have been located close to the Dead Sea. Enjoy the afternoon floating around in the sea water, bathing in the sun, or enjoy one of the relaxing mud treatments.
At the end of the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the Dana Nature Reserve. Tonight we’ll enjoy a traditional Arabic dinner and spend the night in an authentic environment. B, L, D
Days 3 – 6: Our four-day hiking tour will lead us through the Dana Nature Reserve and the Wadi Araba, with the rose-red city of Petra our final destination. Dana Nature Reserve is a system of mountains and wadis or dry riverbeds. The elevation drops dramatically over 1600 meters from the tops of the Rift Valley to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. This, combined with the condensed variety of landforms, results in a very high biological diversity, including densely vegetated mountainous areas, the Rummana fountain, white desert sands covered with fanciful acacia trees, small streams flanked by man-size oleander bushes, sky-high sand dunes and barren basalt or granitic rocks. The area is also rich in archaeology and culture. Near Wadi Feinan we’ll visit the remains of the ancient capital of the Edomite kingdom. Feinan is an extensive area of copper mines, which in ancient times were among the largest in the world. We will also visit the ruins of a Roman water system and two early Christian churches. From Feinan, one of the most beautiful off-roads in Jordan will take us to Beidha, or Little Petra, dating back to the Stone Age. Camping near Little Petra is a wonderful experience; one where you can imagine yourself living like the people did in prehistoric times. B, L, D
Day 7: Petra. Our local guide will escort us into Petra in a spectacular way to show us the highlights of this Nabatean city. We’ll visit the most astonishing and dramatic monument in Jordan: the Treasury. We will also visit the Monastery, the theatre, the tombs and facades and the colonnaded street. B, L, D
Day 8: Today is a free day to explore Petra and the surrounding environment as you choose. You might continue your exploration of Petra and take in some more of the monumental buildings in this rose-red city. Or you might climb the stairs all the way up to the High Place of Sacrifice and see the obelisks believed to represent Dushara and Al Uzza, the most important Nabatean gods. You might also take an off road jeep tour to Aqaba. Or maybe you’ll just want to relax and enjoy a Turkish bath in the local hammam. B, L, D
Day 9: Today we travel by jeep to Wadi Rum. On the way, we’ll pass the seven pillars of wisdom, described so vividly by Lawrence of Arabia. The next two days we’ll enjoy the beauty of this unique and timeless place where uniquely shaped massive mountains rise out of the rose-red desert sand. In the evening a traditional Bedouin dinner will be prepared for us by campfire. B, L, D
Day 10: Today we will visit some of the most beautiful spots in Wadi Rum and view the inscriptions written by the Thamudic and Nabatean people a long, long time ago. We’ll also take time to climb the famous rock bridges. Our trail will lead us to the red sand area to contemplate the silence while sitting on top of one of the sky-high sand dunes, beautifully set against the eroded rocks. B, L, D
Days 11-12: In the morning we’ll transfer to Aqaba. Aqaba lies on the northern tip of the Red Sea and is well-known for its beautiful coral reefs. Our first day here is a free day to enjoy this beautiful spot. Aqaba is an ideal location for scuba diving, snorkeling and other water sports. Or, as an alternative, you might just like to relax, spend a good time on the beach or stroll around some of the traditional markets. On our last afternoon we’ll be transported back to Amman where we’ll spend the night and have the opportunity to explore Jordan's capital, enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants and see some of the highlights. B, L, D
Day 13: Say fond farewells to our new friends before an early departure to Queen Alia International Airport. B
THE DETAILS:
Date April 10-22, 2011
Trip Price $/person U.S.
Single Supplement: $/person
Lodging: Motels/campings:
Trip Begins: Amman, Jordan 13-days
Trip Ends: Amman, Jordan
TRIP RATING:
You do not have to be an experienced hiker to participate in the Nomadic Nature Tour. The tour is accompanied by an experienced local guide and a Walking The World guide. Nevertheless it is good to bear in mind that Jordan's climate can sometimes be hot and dusty. We’ve planned our trips to coincide with, traditionally, the best weather patterns.
From our experience we can tell you that those who are in average physical condition do well on the program. You will be walking about 18 to 20 kilometers daily. In the morning you will be walking for about 3.5 hours. After lunch you will be walking 2.5 to 3 hours before you settle down to take a rest and have dinner. During the walks there are sufficient breaks in the program to make sure you remain fit for the entire day.
In case you unexpectedly can't finish the day’s walk, you can hop aboard a camel or donkey for the rest of the trail. Or, you can opt to ride in the jeep which accompanies the group each day.
ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS:
In Amman, Petra and Aqaba we stay in 3-star hotels, based on half-board. During most of the hiking tour we’ll camp under the moonlit sky in tents. During the hiking days camping equipment and showers are provided as are ALL the meals, water, tea, coffee and (alcoholic) drinks.
WHAT WE PROVIDE:
Accommodation in 3-star hotels including breakfast and dinner during your stay in Amman, Petra and Aqaba.
Dinners, guided sightseeing excursions and entrance fees as mentioned per itinerary.
Camping equipment
Transport of luggage
Meals and drinks during the hiking days.
Local tour leader during the entire program.
Experienced guide during the hiking days.
All ground transportation during the trip.
Good fun, humor and companionship.
Walking The World T-shirt or hat
The Experience of a lifetime.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Visa costs and departure taxes.
Meals other than those listed.
Optional excursions.
Insurance.
Drinks, laundry and other items of personal nature.
Tips.
Single Supplement
|
|
|
