On this active Jordan holiday you will experience some magnificent scenery for hiking, and get off the beaten track , as well as exploring many of Jordan's scenic and cultural attractions. With accommodations as varied and intersting as the sights you will see, this holiday will give you a unique taste of the diversity of this small country.
At around the time of Alexandra the Great, ten great cities made up region referred to as the Decapolis. Of these three were in present-day Jordan: present-day Amman, Jerash and Umm Qais. Umm Qais in the north of the country was formerly Gadara. As well as being an interesting archaeological area, the setting of this ancient site has spectacular views over the Jordan Valley to the Sea of Galilee. The extensive ruins of Jerash are considered to be the most complete and best preserved Graeco-Roman city of the Decapolis. You will see all three on a fascinating tour of Jordan's Roman history, but that is just the start of your journey back in time in Jordan. You will also explore the Desert Castles of Amra and Kharrana, and the Crusader castle of Kerak, before discovering the Biblical site of Mount Nebo, from where Moses saw the Promised Land, and the Byzantine mosaic map showing the significant sites of the Holy Land.
One of the highlights of Jordan's past is the famous rose red city of Petra. It is a Nabatean city carved into the sheer rock in a hidden valley. The incredible scale, beauty and complexity of the carved 'buildings' easily rank this site amongst the most impressive archaeological wonders in the world. The setting for this city is unbelievable, as Petra is reached via a narrow rock gorge called the siq. The first building you come to is the impressive treasury - also famed for being the setting for the final scenes of the movie Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade.
But modern day Jordan is just as fascinating, and as you head south another aspect of Jordan will be revealed to you through the people. You will stop at Dana Village overlooking Wadi Dana, which is inhabited mainly by the Al Ata'ata tribes, and has been occupied since about 4000BC. In the recent past many families moved away from the village and it became almost derelict. Today the village is being restored and is once again becoming a thriving community. You will stop here at the welcoming Dana Guest House, which will be your base for some superb hiking and birdwatching in Dana Nature Reserve. The reserve is a haven for birdlife with 214 bird species having been recorded and there are 7 different points for monitoring raptors. Also recorded here are 44 species of reptiles, 41 mammals, 707 plant species and various other fauna and flora.
Your immersion into the natural beauty of Jordan begins in the north at Azraq Oasis, which is a birdwatcher's heaven, and Shawmari Wildlife Reserve where you can see the rare Arabian Oryx. As well as Dana, you will also enjoy the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum is a spectacular area of desert flanked by steep cliffs. There are lots of hidden canyons or siqs within Rum, with some very remote and beautiful areas to explore. We will explore this great landscape by jeep and on foot. This desert experience will be made all the more special by spending the nights camping in the wadi.