Day 1
You should arrive at the airport for your flight to Amman transferring to the well-located four-star Al Qasr Metropole Hotel for one night.

Day 2
Today we take the aptly named Desert Highway, soon becoming immersed in the timeless flat, sandy and rocky terrain which stretches endlessly onwards with just a few Bedouin, tending their sheep much as they have since biblical times. Expectation mounts as we board 4x4 vehicles and enter Wadi Rum itself. Nothing prepares you for the first awesome sight greeting us: the vast sandstone massif which TE Lawrence called the Seven Pillars of Wisdom and described as ‘vast, echoing and godlike’. The magnificent cliffs and stone buttresses rise sheer from the flat, sea-like red sand, together forming a timeless panorama of monolithic rocks. Coloured in a range of shades - spectacular reds, oranges, ochre and black combine to create a landscape of outstanding natural beauty. The twisted huge bulk of this network of canyons, rock bridges and ravines forms one of the world’s most stunning desert environments! Quite apart from the visual experience– the silence is almost unnerving; bizarrely you cannot hear anything at all! We arrive at a Bedouin camp for a late lunch whilst absorbing the sheer majesty and tranquillity of our surroundings. You may, at a supplement, (from £49 per person), stay the night, enjoying a traditional ‘zarb’ dinner. Tents have twin beds and a simple shared shower/wc block. The remainder of our group travels to Wadi Musa, near Petra, staying three nights at the three-star superior brand new Petra Moon Hotel on bed and breakfast basis.

Day 3
Along with the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids, Petra is one of the world's ‘must see’ sights, firmly deserving of its accolade as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Famous throughout history, its huge wealth, amassed from its time as the centre of the ancient caravan routes which incredibly traded as far as China, even rivalled that of the Romans. A city to match was created, with large, sophisticated public buildings and libraries, sumptuous houses, colonnaded streets and villas staggeringly carved from solid rock.

Firstly we see where vast caravans, some with over 1,000 camels gathered for their epic journeys, exploring the mysterious rock-carved rooms of ancient ‘hotels’ in the area known as ‘Little Petra’. Then we enter the increasingly narrow gorge and the main entrance to Petra itself. Admiring carved tombs with intricate facades as we wind downhill, we become increasingly aware of how the Nabateans transformed this incredible natural phenomenon: a partly collapsed entrance arch is just visible above, then the cleverly carved water channels on both sides of the rock. Just as you think that the vertiginous sides could get no narrower, the incredible vista of the Treasury appears like a mirage through a slit in the rock. The perfection of its proportions and the sheer vast size of this edifice are astounding! Beyond there’s a whole ancient city waiting to be discovered: the amazing Royal Tombs, the theatre, the Street of the Facades, the Great Temple, early Christian Churches and the main colonnaded road that ran through the centre of this ancient but extremely sophisticated city. Amazing!

Day 4
This morning you can continue your exploration as you wish. Perhaps take the ‘secret road’ of Al Madras, visiting the amazing High Place of Sacrifice, high above the city an unforgettable route. Or perhaps take your time wandering amongst the ruins – there are several paths to explore, radiating from the very centre to much quieter areas. Here in the tranquil stillness, let your imagination wander back through the millennia to appreciate the triumphs and tribulations of these bygone peoples. During the afternoon, you could visit the hilltop Ad Deir, or Monastery. Again, the scale is quite breathtaking, with the entrance alone being the size of the average British house! The stunning vistas beyond this rose-hued ‘Wonder of the Ancient World’ and the striking deep-red mountains encircling it are awe-inspiring.

This evening we have the option of a 'Petra by night' tour, with thousands of candles illuminating your path. This is a truly haunting spectacle which brings the day to an end in the most perfect and magical way - befitting of such a special and truly beautiful place.

Day 5
Leaving Petra, we firstly visit the 12th century Shobak Crusader Castle, then we continue on the scenic King’s Highway, one of the major spice routes, used by the Romans and the Crusaders. It passes through some of Jordan’s most spectacular scenery with views across arid, rocky peaks towards the fertile Wadi Arabah. This afternoon we visit Mount Nebo, where Moses first saw the Promised Land. According to Jewish and Christian tradition, the climb was so arduous for him that the mountain remains his final resting place, leaving Joshua to lead his people over the river Jordan. There is a small church here, plus incredible views across Palestine towards Jerusalem. We also visit nearby Madaba, where St. George’s church houses a superbly intricate 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land.

Tonight we stay for two nights at the new four-star Holiday Inn on the the Dead Sea, 400 metres below sea level. It has several swimming pools, spacious air-conditioned rooms, as well as a small beach. You must take a dip in the Dead Sea, it’s one of life’s ‘must do’ experiences! Due to the salt content being 30% compared with normal seawater of 3%, you float so easily. You cannot actually swim; but ‘bob’ around like a cork and even whilst wading, you physically have to push your feet to the bottom to stand up! The banks are lined with contorted, salt-encrusted formations and with the desert again forming the back-drop, this really is another world-class sensation.

Day 6
Where the river Jordan enters the Dead Sea is one of the most pivotal places in Christian history, Bethany, where John the Baptist baptised Jesus. Next we visit Jerash, the largest and best preserved Roman city in the region, once visited by the Emperor Hadrian. We tour the city and in one of the ancient world’s most intact hippodromes, we see re-enactments of gladiatorial combat and chariot racing. This spectacle is not just a ‘tourist show’, but the result of painstaking research by respected academics. We return to our hotel on the Dead Sea, catching the spectacular sunset over the hills of Judea, as the sparkling lights of Jerusalem and Bethlehem flicker into life amidst a darkening sky.

Day 7
At the appropriate time you will transfer to the airport for your flight home, after a truly fascinating tour.

Amman – the four-star Al Qasr Hotel (www.alqasrmetropole.com) is well located in a quiet position in the centre of the city. Dining options include an Italian trattoria, a roof-top continental/Japanese restaurant and a bar. The 66 well-appointed rooms are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, flat screen satellite TV, free wireless internet, minibar and safe.

Wadi Musa, Petra – the new three-star superior Petra Moon Hotel (www.petramoonhotel.com) is located just a couple of minutes’ walk from the entrance to Petra and close by to several shops and restaurants. There’s a rooftop pool (seasonal) and a restaurant. The 52 comfortable rooms are all air-conditioned, with en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, flat screen satellite TV with DVD, safe and minibar.

Dead Sea – the four-star Holiday Inn Resort (www.hirdeadsea.com) is located 400 metres below sea level on the shore of the northern end of the Dead Sea. It has several beautiful swimming pools (plus swim-up bar), a fitness room, a small private beach with umbrellas and sunbeds, an all-day dining buffet restaurant, a steakhouse restaurant and pool/beach bar. The 202 comfortable rooms have air-conditioning, luxury en-suite bathroom with hairdryer, flat screen satellite TV, writing desk, free wireless internet in lobby, minibar, safe, iron/iron board, tea/coffee-maker and balcony.