Jordan

Day +1: En Route from U.S

Day +2: Arrive in Amman, Jordan
A sprawling city spread over 19 hills, Amman is the modern—as well as the ancient—capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Known as Rabbath-Ammon during the Iron Age and later as Philadelphia, the city was once part of the Decapolis League (10 cities in eastern Palestine that were formed after the Roman conquest of Palestine in 63 B.C.). The city now boasts a population of around 4 million people. 

Transfer to your centrally located hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure to refresh and relax.
Overnight: InterContinental Amman Hotel 

Day +3: Amman | Jerash 
This morning, travel to Jerash, the city of 1,000 Pillars. Buried beneath sand for centuries and excavated during the past 70 years, the ruins of Jerash reveal urban development from an ancient time, such as paved streets, public plazas, temples, and fountains. Admire its Triple Arched Gate, the enormous Hippodrome, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the only Roman Forum surrounded by 63 jonick columns.

Return to Amman for lunch, then ascend to the Citadel for a spectacular view of the old city, including the 6,000-seat, 2nd-century Roman theatre. 
Overnight: InterContinental Amman Hotel (B,L,D)

Day +4: Amman | Madaba | Mount Nebo | Petra
After breakfast, explore the region's history at the Jordan Museum. Then, continue to the prosperous ecclesiastical center of Madaba, where some of the world's finest Byzantine mosaics were produced between the 4th and 7th centuries. Several church floor mosaics can be seen in their original locations, including Madaba's real masterpiece inside the Orthodox Church of Saint George. It features a 6th-century A.D. map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, which is the earliest religious map of that area to survive from antiquity. 

Afterward, travel to Mount Nebo, which overlooks the Dead Sea, Jordan's River Valley, Jericho, and the distant hills of Jerusalem. A small church was built on Mount Nebo in the 4th century to commemorate the end of Moses' life. The church was subsequently expanded in the 5th and 6th centuries into the present-day large basilica with its stunning collection of Byzantine mosaics.
Overnight: Mövenpick Resort Petra (B,L,D)

Day +5: Petra 
Spend the day inside the ancient city of Petra, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and considered Jordan's most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction. A major caravan city for merchants during the Hellenistic and Roman times, Petra is impressively carved from the surrounding red rock cliffs and is the site of on-going archaeological excavation missions.
Overnight: Mövenpick Resort Petra (B,L,D)

Day +6: Petra | Transfer to Amman | Flight to Cairo
After breakfast, drive to Amman to board the included flight to Cairo to join fellow travelers on the main program. (B,L)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Pre-tour pace is limited. We recommend reserving early for best availability.

Activities are generally not very strenuous, but there is a considerable amount of walking—on uneven surfaces such as gravel, sand, and stone—climbing stairways, and standing for long periods of time. Guests should be able to walk miles over uneven surfaces to be able to fully enjoy this program. Due to the nature of some structures, handrails may not be present, and facilities for people with disabilities are limited. Participation in itinerary activities is up to the individual.

• 4 nights luxury accommodations
• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners
• Admission to all sites listed in the 6-day itinerary
• Touring by an English-speaking guide
• Internal airfare from Amman to Cairo
• All gratuities and porterage
• Airport transfers for guests arriving during the suggested times