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Arriving in Amman, we drive north to Jerash, founded
by the soldiers of Alexander the Great after 300 BC. With its triple-arched
gateway, oval Forum, colonnaded streets, baths, temples and theatres,
Jerash is an exceptionally well-preserved Roman provincial city. Our introductory
day will be spent exploring this extensive site, with an evening stroll
to the waterfalls in nearby Wadi Rajeb. Next, we shall
walk along Wadi Yabis, a pretty wadi which flows from
the Ajlun Mountains to the Jordan Valley. Our route takes us past watermills,
and fig and pomegranate orchards. The following day we will explore the
spectacular Dana Nature Reserve, with a guide from the
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. The Wadi Dana,
flanked by sandstone cliffs, extends from a high plateau down to the desert
lowlands of Wadi Araba, at sea level. It offers a remarkable range of
landscapes from wooded highlands to sand dunes, with breathtaking views
and diverse wildlife, including many bird species. We follow the contour
from the Rummana Camp to the old village of Dana,
nestling among fruit orchards. The Desert Highway, a pilgrimage route
from the 16th century, brings us to Taybet Zaman, a delightlful hotel
created within an old stone-built village, with panoramic views over the
Petra mountains.
From our starting point at Hawaleh, we walk along The Hazim Road,
a traditional transhumance route used by the Bedouin as they travelled
from the valley to the plateau. We walk through a pastoral Mediterranean
landscape to a steep escarpment, Siq el Bared, descending
on a good track to Little Petra. The next morning we
pass the stone age farming settlement of Beidha, taking
an old Nabatean route through a network of valleys and rocky bluffs to
arrive at the ‘rose-red city half as old as Time’, rediscovered
in 1812 by the young Swiss explorer, Burckhardt.
Entering Petra through the dramatic Siq
ravine, we marvel at the sight of the Treasury, carved out of the sandstone
cliffs. Over two days, we will explore the abandoned city, seeing the
Theatre, the monumental Monastery, the Royal Tombs and the recently-found
mosaics in the great 5th-century Basilica, as well as climbing to the
High Place of Sacrifice. A more strenuous option on the second day is
to climb up to the Shrine of Aaron on the peak of Jabal Harun,
for the stupendous views.
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PRICE
l £1,790
The cost includes accommodation in comfortable hotels in Jerash (3 nights)
and Taybet Zaman (4 nights); economy class air travel London (Heathrow)
/ Amman / London (Heathrow) by scheduled services; ground transport by
private coach; all meals; guides; taxes; entrance fees; visa and the services
of two tour leaders.
Please note: The walks are mostly 4-6 hours per day,
often on rough terrain. This tour is only suitable for those who are healthy
and fit. A medical certificate is required from any participant over 70
years of age. This tour is limited to 15 participants.
Price without flights £1,465
| Single room supplement £120
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