Highlights of 08 Islamic Jordan Trips :
-Tour Amman's most important Islamic mosques & shrines
-Journey into the Jordan Valley to the Al-Sahaba Tombs
-Visit the site of the famous battle of Mu'ta
-Travel down the historic King's Highway to Petra
-Spend an evening camping in the deserts of Wadi Rum
Brief Itinerary
Day Highlights & Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Amman, Amman
Day 2 Amman Islamic City Tour, Amman & Overnight
Day 3 Day Trip to the Al-Sahaba Tombs & Shoaib Shrine - Amman & Overnight
Day 4 Amman Old City Tour, Day Trip to Lot's Cave & the Dead Sea, Amman & Overnight
Day 5 Transfer to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo, Kerak & Mu'ta, Petra & Overnight
Day 6 Explore Petra, Transfer to Wadi Rum Wadi Rum & Overnight
Day 7 Wadi Rum Jeep Excursion, Transfer to Amman, Amman & Overnight
Day 8 Depart Amman to Queen Alia Airport
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Amman
Day 2: Amman Islamic City Tour
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up for a half-day tour of Amman's most important Islamic sites. Start on the outskirts of the city with a visit to the Cave of the Seven Sleepers (Ahlul Kahf). Here, according to tradition, seven young men hid in the cave to escape religious persecution around 250 CE and slept for 300 years.
Day 3: Day Trip to the Al-Sahaba Tombs & Shoaib Shrine
Back on the road, a 40-minute drive takes you to the hillside town of Al-Salt to discover the shrine of Prophet Shoaib. Spend some time in the peaceful mountain setting, then transfer back to Amman for the afternoon.
Day 4: Amman Old City Tour, Day Trip to Lot's Cave & the Dead Sea
Start today with a tour of Amman's historic Old City. Discover the magnificent Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) and the 2nd-century Roman Theater, two of the most famous archaeological sites in the capital, and stroll amid colorful wares and aromatic spices in Amman's old souks (markets).
In the afternoon, you'll head out to the shores of the Dead Sea to visit the fascinating archaeological remains of Lot's Cave. Perched dramatically on a hillside overlooking the sea, remains excavated from the cave show it was first used over 5,000 years ago, and it's said to be the place where the Biblical figure of Lot and his daughters sheltered after fleeing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Fascinating remains of a large Byzantine basilica also surround the site, where mosaics, tombs, and Bronze Age pottery have been unearthed.
Spend some time exploring the site and enjoying the panoramic views, then transfer back to Amman for the evening.
Day 5: Transfer to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo, Kerak & Mu'ta
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll check out and meet your driver for today's journey south. Stop in Madaba to check out its intricate Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, including the spectacular Madaba Map, the oldest preserved mosaic map of the Holy Land. Nearby, the Madaba Archaeological Park preserves the mosaic-rich Church of the Virgin Mary and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras.
Continue your journey to Mount Nebo, an elevated ridge of the Abarim range said to be where Moses took in the view of the Promised Land. Follow in his footsteps and look out at the Dead Sea and beyond, before eventually making your way to the Memorial Church of Moses, a modern structure that now houses excavated relics from the region.
Carry on south along the ancient King's Highway to Kerak to visit the impressive Crusader castle of the same name. Exploring the fortress-like structure provides an opportunity to experience the vaulted halls and passageways typical of the era, a remarkable insight into the architectural and military prowess of the Crusaders. Nearby, you'll find the site of the famous battle of Mu'tah, fought between Muslim and Byzantine forces in 629 CE. You can also visit the tombs of the Prophet's venerable companions who commanded the army and fell in battle.
When you're ready, continue to Petra where you'll check into your hotel for the night.
Day 6: Explore Petra, Transfer to Wadi Rum
Today you'll explore Jordan's beloved archeological treasure: the lost city of Petra. Known as the "Rose City" for the area's distinctive red sandstone, it's easy to see why Petra was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Its intricate architectural design is hundreds of years old, and remarkably well maintained. You can choose to hire a guide for a two-hour tour of the site or spend the day exploring at your own pace.
Enter through the Siq, a dramatically narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs, and spend your day wandering at your leisure through Petra's seemingly endless temples, tombs, and colonnaded streets. Navigate the impressive water conduit system of the historic Nabataean city, paying a visit to Qasr al-Bint, a grand temple that was once the population's primary place of worship.
If you're feeling adventurous, climb your way up the 800 steps to the Monastery, Petra's largest and lesser-visited monument. For a stunning view overlooking the Treasury and jagged mountains beyond, hike the steep stone-carved staircase to the top of Jabal al-Khubtha.
After getting your fill of Petra, your driver will take you south into the wilderness of the Wadi Rum, an expanse of desert dubbed the "Valley of the Moon" by Lawrence of Arabia. Along the two-hour drive, you'll pass through red valleys, rock canyons, and dunes to reach a Bedouin-style camp, where you'll enjoy a traditional meal and spend the night sleeping under the stars.
Day 7: Wadi Rum Jeep Excursion, Transfer to Amman
Day 8: Depart Amman
Spend a relaxed morning in Amman exploring any city highlights you may have missed or picking up some last-minute souvenirs. When the time comes, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the Queen Alia International Airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!
