Jordan In Luxury

Itinerary

• Jordan

  Jordan is an Arab country in the Middle East, spanning the southern part of the Syrian Desert down to the Gulf of Aqaba. It shares control of the Dead Sea with Israel. Much of Jordan is covered by the Arabian Desert. The capitol of Amman is in the north-west. Jordan has a rich history; its location astride major trade routes has long made it a prized possession. Jordan has seen numerous civilisations, including the Sumerian, Akkadian, Israelite, Babylonian, Assyrian, Mesopotamian, and Persian empires. Jordan was for a time part of Pharaonic Egypt, and spawned the native Nabatean civilisation who left rich archaeological remains at Petra. Cultures from the west also left their mark, such as the Macedonian, Roman, and Byzantine empires. Since the seventh century the area has been under Muslim and Arab cultures. For a small country it has some superb tourist sites including the carved city of Petra, preserved Roman city of Jerash, old city Amman, Crusader castles, desert of Wadi Rum and Dead Sea resorts. 

• Amman

  Amman's history dates from the bronze age and features grand Roman ruins and some of the region's finest mosques. The old city is centered on the Souk (a colorful traditional market) and the King Hussein Mosque. Since Amman resembles Rome, as it is situated on seven hills, the city was a favorite place for Roman soldiers and officials. Behind the Roman forum stands a Roman theatre—the largest theatre in Jordan—with room for 6,000 spectators. Amman is also home to some of the grandest mosques in the Middle East. The enormous King Abdullah I Mosque is capped by a magnificent blue mosaic dome beneath which 3,000 Muslims may offer prayer. The most unusual mosque in Amman is the Abu Darweesh Mosque covered with an extraordinary black and white checkered pattern and is unique to Jordan.

• Aqaba

  Aqaba (Al-Aqabah) is a coastal town in the far south of Jordan, and the country's only seaport. The town borders Eilat, Israel and there is a border post where it is possible to cross between the two countries (see Wadi Araba Crossing). The town is best known today as a diving and beach resort. The port serves ferries crossing to Egypt's Sinai region including Sharm El Sheikh. It is a short drive from Wadi Rum and Petra in the north.

• Dead Sea

  The Dead Sea is an inland lake lying 400m (1320ft) below sea level in the lower part of the Jordan Valley, which has more minerals and salt than any other body of water in the world and is renowned for its rejuvenating and health-giving properties. Other interesting sights around the Dead Sea include Mount Sodom, a 13km- (8 mile-) long mountain range made up of pure salt which has many caves with extraordinary hanging salt formations, and Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls, written by Essene scribes, were discovered in ancient pottery jars.

• • Amman
  • Four Seasons Amman

  Day 1: Amman

  You will be met by an airport representative who will facilitate the visa process , escort you through customs and immigration, then it is off to baggage claim and finally to passenger pick up. It is here that you will connect with our Kensington associate who will arrange airport transfer to your hotel.

  Airport meet and assist/transfer in Amman with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

  Accommodation: Four Seasons

  Framed by the energetic city of Amman, the Four Seasons rises above the hills between the prestigious areas of Al Sweifiyah and Shmeisani. At 15-storeys, the 192 rooms and suites are the most sophisticated and spacious in the city. With dark, intimate settings, restaurants range from thematic Thai cooking in an exhibition kitchen to Italian dining in a trendy, refined environment. It is key to make use of the splendor of facilities available at the Four Seasons Amman, as the lively guest will relish the classic massages and aquatic exercises. Retreat from pampering, and take in the breathtaking view of Amman, be it from your balcony or the Foyer lounge terrace over drinks.

• • Ayyubid castle
  • Jerash

  Day 2: Amman

  A Jordanian Tourism tax will be paid on your behalf to cover public liability insurance on equipment such as Jeeps, camels and horses.

  The marvels of nature and the genius of medieval Arab military architecture have given northern Jordan two of the most important ecological and historical attractions in the Middle East: the sprawling pine forests of the Ajloun-Dibbine area, and the towering Ayyubid castle at Ajloun, which helped to defeat the Crusaders eight centuries ago.

  Jerash, located 48 km north of Amman and nestled in a quiet valley among the mountains of Gilead, rivals the grandeur of Imperial Rome being one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture in the World outside Italy. To this day, its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theaters, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates remain in exceptional condition. Enjoy visiting the sites in the company of your Driver-Guide.

  Certified Private English speaking guide provided for daily tours.

  Accommodation: Four Seasons
• • Aqaba
  • Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea

  Day 3: Amman - Aqaba

  Airport meet and assist/transfer in Amman with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

  Take your flight from Amman to Aqaba. The flight duration is approximately 30 mins.

  Surrounded by rugged mountains that subtly change colour as the day unfolds, Aqaba is Jordan’s only port city. It lies on the most northern tip of the Red Sea and on a clear day one can see Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. With its balmy winter climate and idyllic setting, Aqaba is Jordan’s year-round aquatic playground. Travel back in time with a visit to the Aqaba Castle and the museum. Marine life enthusiasts can visit the Aquarium at the Marine Science Station Complex, to see colourful shoals of fish swim past. Discover more with a visit to Aqaba’s downtown, and lounge at its many cafes and restaurants.

  Explore Wadi Rum, a vast, silent place, timeless and starkly beautiful. Uniquely shaped massive mountains rise vertically out of the pink desert sand, which separate one dark mass from another in a magnificent desert scenery of strange breathtaking beauty, with towering cliffs of weathered stone.

  Certified private English speaking guide for daily tours outside of Amman.

  Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea

  Distinguished by rich Arabian architecture, ideally placed along the shores of the Red Sea, and promising the highest standards of international hospitality, Kempinski Hotel Sawsana Aqaba is destined to redefine modern luxury. With immaculately appointed sea facing rooms and suites, acclaimed restaurants and state of the art business facilities, the hotel is set to be in a class of its own.

• • The Monastery

  Day 4: Aqaba

  A private vehicle and driver will pick you up from your Aqaba hotel and take you on an endeavor to Petra, which is considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. This rock-carved rose-red city is unique and full of mysterious charm. Indeed, it was "designed to strike wonder into all who entered it". Petra is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, this remarkable city of grand buildings carved into massive cliffs evokes wonder to this day. This full day tour also includes entrance fees, a lunch in Petra, and a horse ride.

  Certified private English speaking guide for daily tours outside of Amman.

  Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea

• Day 5: Aqaba

  Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

  Certified private English speaking guide for daily tours outside of Amman.

  Accommodation: Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea
• • Dead Sea Sunset
  • Kempinski Ishtar

  Day 6: Aqaba - Amman - Dead Sea

  Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

  Take your flight from Aqaba to Amman. The flight duration is approximately 30 mins.

  Transfer from Amman to the Dead Sea.

  A private vehicle and driver will pick you up and deliver you to the Dead Sea Panoramic Complex. From here, enjoy the absolutely stunning sunset views of the Dead Sea while enjoy the crisp clean air at this high elevation. This complex also contains the Dead Sea Museum which informs about the physical and chemical characteristics of the Dead Sea, while highlighting the relationship between the Dead Sea and human beings, in an attempt to promote the conservation and protection of the area.

  Accommodation: Kempinski Ishtar

  Highly commended by the international hospitality industry, the Kempinski Ishtar, located at the Dead Sea, is one of a kind. With 117 rooms and suites with balconies, terraces or verandas, the hotel’s allure is not simply in its proximity to the Dead Sea. It is the chic design and architecture of the property and rooms that lends flair to a vacation. The restaurants, host to international fusions and trendy bar settings, are exciting and full of surprises. With endless views of the sea and the 9 swimming pools on the hotel grounds, some appearing to overflow into the Dead Sea, the hotel is unforgettable.

• • Top of Mount Nebo, burial spot of Moses
  • John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany

  Day 7: Dead Sea

  According to Jewish and Christian tradition, Moses was buried on this mountain by God himself, and his final resting place is unknown. Scholars continue to dispute whether the mountain currently known as Nebo is the same as the mountain referred to in the Torah. Madaba’s most famous site is the Mosaic map in the 19th century Greek Orthodox St George’s Church. Unearthed 1864, the mosaic was once a clear map with 157 captions (in Greek) of all major biblical sites from Lebanon to Egypt. The mosaic was constructed AD 560 & once contained more than 2 million pieces; only 1/3 of the whole now survives.

  Drive to Dead Sea area to visit the site of John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptized, has long been known from the Bible (John 1:28 and 10:40) and from the Byzantine and medieval texts. The site has now been identified on the east bank of the Jordan River, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and is being systematically surveyed, excavated, restored, and prepared to receive pilgrims and visitors. Bethany Beyond the Jordan is located an hour by car from the Jordanian capital Amman and 15 minutes from the Dead Sea hotels area.

  Certified private English speaking guide for daily tours outside of Amman.

  Accommodation: Kempinski Ishtar

• Day 8: Dead Sea

  Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

  Accommodation: Kempinski Ishtar

• Day 9: Dead Sea - Amman

  Avail of a private transfer between the Dead Sea and Amman.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Amman international airport - end of itinerary.

Accommodation

• • Four Seasons Amman

  Four Seasons

  Framed by the energetic city of Amman, the Four Seasons rises above the hills between the prestigious areas of Al Sweifiyah and Shmeisani. At 15-storeys, the 192 rooms and suites are the most sophisticated and spacious in the city. With dark, intimate settings, restaurants range from thematic Thai cooking in an exhibition kitchen to Italian dining in a trendy, refined environment. It is key to make use of the splendor of facilities available at the Four Seasons Amman, as the lively guest will relish the classic massages and aquatic exercises. Retreat from pampering, and take in the breathtaking view of Amman, be it from your balcony or the Foyer lounge terrace over drinks.

  • More information
• • Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea

  Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea

  Distinguished by rich Arabian architecture, ideally placed along the shores of the Red Sea, and promising the highest standards of international hospitality, Kempinski Hotel Sawsana Aqaba is destined to redefine modern luxury. With immaculately appointed sea facing rooms and suites, acclaimed restaurants and state of the art business facilities, the hotel is set to be in a class of its own.

  • More information
• • Kempinski Ishtar

  Kempinski Ishtar

  Highly commended by the international hospitality industry, the Kempinski Ishtar, located at the Dead Sea, is one of a kind. With 117 rooms and suites with balconies, terraces or verandas, the hotel’s allure is not simply in its proximity to the Dead Sea. It is the chic design and architecture of the property and rooms that lends flair to a vacation. The restaurants, host to international fusions and trendy bar settings, are exciting and full of surprises. With endless views of the sea and the 9 swimming pools on the hotel grounds, some appearing to overflow into the Dead Sea, the hotel is unforgettable.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Tours, Transfers, Flights, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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