JORDAN AND SYRIA
JORDAN AND SYRIA
THE ANCIENT WORLD – JORDAN AND SYRIA
Once again we have esablished a route of Jordan that is unique. We also do not rush the tour and by giving added days to the tour you get to enjoy more of Jordans history, gifts and desert solitude. This is not a tour that should ever be rushed. We do not ever drive like most tours and actually see, hear and feel all of Jordan, never missing its true heart beat.
Schedule
Day:
1/2
After a good sleep, spend the day exploring Amman’s citadel, it's remarkable Roman theatre, wander the streets into markets and enjoy the great citys vibe.
Day:
3
Our Jordan ride begins with a short 40km ride to the ancient city of Jerash – one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East - and spend a few hours wandering its ancient streets. Jerash’s spectacular entrance through the South Gate, long pillared walkways, theatre and imposing Oval Plaza is sure to impress. Here you will find the Castle of Ajlun or Qalaat Errabadh (Arabic for "Hilltop Castle"), from which there is a splendid view westwards into the Jordan Valley.
Camp or Hotel
Day:
4
From Ajlun our next days ride us back towards Amann [circling around it] and into Madaba or the City Of Mosaics on the 5,000 year old Kings Highway. Some of the pieces located in its many churches, hold up to 2 million pieces. Hotel and nice dinner in one of it's quaint local restaurants
Day:
5
Today we start the morning touring a few of the fabulous Churches and their stunning mosaics and before heading downhill to the Dead Sea and a stop at Mnt Nebo. Mnt Nebo holds the memorial to Moses which includes the 4th century Trefoil church which also holds some stunning and very ancient mosaics. This is where supposedly Moses came down to after recieving the 10 Commandments. Religious or not this is a spectacular ancient church with an incredible view over the promised land. We finish by riding downhill to the Dead Sea you’ll have the opportunity to float in the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest exposed point on the Earth’s surface and its exceptionally high salinity makes for a very unique swimming/floating experience. Our night is spent camping in a stunning walled canyon where a short walk will take you to a picturesque waterfall.
Day:
6
The next mornings ride takes place along the beautiful Dead Sea Highway. A magical and stunning way to start your day. In the afternoon your fitness will be tested during the uphill climb[ Oh Ya remember you are at the lowest spot on earth] into the charming town of Karak. Karak is best known for its impressive castle with its commanding position almost 1000 meters above the Dead Sea Valley. Here we stay for the nite.
Camp or option for hotel
Karak is a very cool town and worth spending some time wandering its streets
Day:
7
We start with a short tour of the castle and sites and then it's time to reknew our journey back on the 5,000 year old Kings Highway and it's stunning and peaceful desert scenery. The long and stunning downhill through Wadi Hasa will more than make up for the previous day’s uphill slog. Our destination is the Dana Nature Reserve. The Reserve was established in 1993 in southern Jordan and covers 320-square kilometers. It embraces two major biogeographical zones and four distinct vegetation zones and contains a remarkable diversity of landscapes, ranging from wooded highlands and rocky slopes to gravel plains and sand dunes. It also supports a wide variety of wildlife, including many rare species of plants and animals such as the Ibex. Here we bed down at an established camp in the Reserve were you will have the opportunity to enjoy the trails and stunning sunset/sunrise.
Day:
8/9
From Dana its due south towards Petra, passing by many small settlements along the way where you’ll experience rural Jordanian life in the raw. Once we reach Petra and a rest at our hotel, you will have time to quickly explore this absolutely remarkable area at sunset. Petra and its rock-carved structures are overwhelming but add the nites sun on the colorful rock walls and you have stunning photo op of man and natures power The ancient Nabateans carved this city and became the major hub for camel caravans stopping for water collected by an ingenious system. Gold in the desert to these traders. From sunrise to sunset, you’ll be busy taking photos and exploring this wonderful site. You have a full day to really explore the whole valley and city after a nites rest. We highly recommend getting up early for the sunrise.
Day:
10/11
Next on our agenda is a ride to Wadi Rum and its incredible desert vistas. It is definitely one of the most spectacular natural environments in the Middle East. Much of the epic Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here. The fascinating and thrilling ride into Wadi Rum will be something that you won’t soon forget. In Wadi Rum, we will be camping at a Bedouin camp for two nights. This will give you an opportunity to take advantage of true Bedouin hospitality and sleep under a sky filled with more stars than anything you’ve seen before. Our stay in Wadi Rum also includes jeep tour that will get you up close and personal with this mountainous desert landscape. There are really no words to describe the intense beauty of this area.
Day:
12/13
Our last days ride takes us out of Wadi Rum and into Aqaba. Aqaba plays host to the Red Sea at the southern tip of the country. Aqaba is where you will find some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving along its unspoiled coral reefs. You will have a full day to take advantage of this wonderful underwater world and eat all the hummus you can stomach. From Aqaba we drive back to Amman to say farewell to those not continuing on to Syria.
Day:
1
SYRIA OPTION
If you liked what Jordan had to offer, wait till you see Syria. If time and budget permit, we highly recommend joining us in this vibrant Middle East country. Syaria is a country who's name makes many think of terrorism. This country is anything but that and the Syrian peoples hospitality is above that of the Jordanians This is pure desert riding, unlike Jordan which has desert mountain ranges[some climbing] and Rums
Amann and good nites sleep after drive from Aqaba
Day:
2
We drive from Amann to near the Syrian border before we start our days ride.
After getting our visas ur first destination is Bosra and its old-world charm. Bosra is an extremely ancient city where the oldest Islamic still-standing square minarets are found. The most interesting part of the city today is the famous Roman theatre built in the second century AD, which seats 15 thousand spectators, and is considered one of the most beautiful and well-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. A must see.
Day:
3
From Bosra we make our way through the Syrian Desert towards the phenomenal Palmyra. The Palmyra ruins are some of the most stunning in the world and cover an area of 6-square kilometres. You will need the full day we give you to adequately explore the beauty of the remaining architecture such as Baal-Shamin Temple, Bel Temple, Arch of Triumph, the Amphitheatre, the Baths, the Straight Street, the Congress Council and the Cemeteries. Wait till you see the sunset from the hilltop castle!
Day:
4
Hama and its 16 ancient water wheels are next on the agenda. These are the only remaining working waterwheels-2,000yrs old] left from this incredible time in history. Hama is a little city on the Orontes River and is home to several water wheels (some of which are up to 20 meters in diameter) - used for a couple of thousand years to irrigate the surrounding valleys. We will also be visiting the unique Beehive houses and ancient ruins of Apamea. Hama also houses the lush decadent Azem Palace. This town is beautiful to walk at nite with lights on all the wheels, aquaducts, fountains and gardened waterfalls.
Day:
5
We head on a short ride to Aleppo a very historic Islamic centre. With its massive citadel and moat, the ruins of the St Simeon Monastery and it great Mosque this is a cool town to stay and tour
Day:
6/7
Our final destination is the bustling city of Damascus. In Damascus you will have plenty of time to explore the “old-city” and its charming coffee houses, vibrant shops and splendid architecture.
Day:
7
From Damascus we make our way back to Amman for the departure home.
THE ANCIENT WORLD – JORDAN AND SYRIA
Once again we have esablished a route of Jordan that is unique. We also do not rush the tour and by giving added days to the tour you get to enjoy more of Jordans history, gifts and desert solitude. This is not a tour that should ever be rushed. We do not ever drive like most tours and actually see, hear and feel all of Jordan, never missing its true heart beat.