You're invited on Undersea Expeditions' first exploratory visit to Jordan! As an exploratory tour, the itinerary, guides, hotels and attractions are all being evaluated for future gay expeditions to this destination. Your feedback will be extra important to us, as well as your positive attitude and sense of adventure for those times when things don't go as planned!
After a fantastic seven days exploring the Red Sea by liveaboard, we'll return to Cairo and depart from there for Jordan. Unlike the standard Bible-centered tours of this part of the "Holy Land", our tour focuses on the ancient architecture and natural beauty of this small yet fascinating nation.
Jordan Highlights:
- Petra
- The Dead Sea
- Roman Ruins of Jerash
- Wadi Rum
Detailed Itinerary
July 6, 2013 (Saturday) - Amman, Jordan
- Fly from Cairo to Amman on Royal Jordanian (flight not included).Transfer to Hotel. Hotel overnight.
- Amman is the capital of Jordan, the country's political, cultural and
commercial center, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
July 7 (Sunday) - Amman / Jerash
- Our 3 hour morning visit of the main historical sites of Amman will start
at 9:30 am and will include:
the theatre, Amman citadel and Zeus Temple and the
older part of this wonderful city.
- Then we drive north to visit Jerash: located 48 km north of Amman and
nestled in a quiet valley among the mountains of Gilead, experience the grandeur of Imperial
Rome in 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.
- Return in the afternoon to relax before we go out for dinner (not included) or a drink at
Books @ Cafe, Jordan's LGBT friendly meeting place.
July 8 (Monday) - The Dead Sea / Petra by Night
- Breakfast, then morning checkout and transfer to the Dead Sea for a half-day where you can sunbath, relax, enjoy a cleansing mud bath and float effortlessly in the
hypersaline waters of the Dead Sea.
- After lunch at our own expense, we will travel to Petra, one of the world's outstanding
ancient cities and check into our comfortable hotel.
- This evening, a candlelight visit to Petra is included in our package.
Petra is mystical, beguiling and romantic. Walking through the narrow canyon of the
Siq, its towering water-cut, pink rock walls cutting off all but a sliver of sky,
enclosing you in its silence and beauty, enchanting and leading you towards that one
fateful step where the incomparable majesty of El Khazneh, the Treasury, reveals itself. This sight never fails to stun with its
grandeur. The only thing that can possibly improve on this experience is
to see it at night; the Siq and El Khazneh illuminated by the flickering flames of more than
2000 candles when their warm lights seems to make the pink rock glow from within.
July 9 (Tuesday) - Petra by Day
- Today we continue to explore Petra, the 'Rose-red city, half as old as time'. Petra was hidden
for centuries until the Swiss explorer Burckhardt made his great discovery in 1812.
The Nabateans, an Arab tribe, arrived here in the sixth century BC and started
building this marvelous city in the 3rd century BC. Building
continued through the Roman period, financed by taxes levied on desert
caravans. Two features of Petra are unique: first, it is a city made defensible by
being built down a series of chasms, rather than on a hilltop. Second, it is built
directly into the rock - beautiful red and yellow sandstone carved into the most
impressive facades, which glow in the brilliant sunlight.
To enter the mystical city of Petra we again walk down the narrow
chasm known as the Siq, surrounded by high cliffs on either side. Unveiled at the
end of your journey is El Khazneh, the Treasury. This is just the first breathtaking
sight of a remarkable day.
Continuing to the center of the city, we pass the houses and tombs of the rich
citizens and the remarkable scale of the site begins to unveil itself. There's so much more than we saw last night! A long walk
beyond the centre is El Deir, the monastery, with its superb facade topped by a
huge urn (the walk up is by a series of steps). There is so much to take in and
explore and some of this can be done on camel or horseback.
- Bidding a fond farewell to Petra, we depart toward Wadi Rum for a magical final night
in Jordan.
Famous for its high mountains and pink sand, Wadi Rum is a popular attraction
for those enticed by nature to explore its desert beauty. A remote and peaceful area about 30 km from the main highway between Aqaba and Amman, you won't find luxurious hotels or
spas in Wadi Rum. Instead we will experience a Bedouin camp at Wadi Rum Park, traditional except for the fact that we have forgone a tent in favor of air-conditioned
lodging.
- Tonight, gather by the fireside for our traditional Bedouin
farewell dinner.
July 10 (Wednesday) - Wadi Rum
- Enjoy the magical colors of sunrise reflecting
on the sandy rocks and dunes of the wide desert on our early morning 4x4 safari.
- Transfer to the information office to catch our bus to continue to
Amman airport for departure.
- Depart this evening to return home via Cairo or directly from Amman.
Itinerary subject to modification.
Included:
- Hotels and transfers as described above
- Gay and gay-friendly local guides in Amman, Jerash, Desert Castle & Petra
- Entrance fees to the Amman Theatre, Amman’s citadel, Jerash & the Desert Castle and
Petra
- 4 x4 jeep adventure
- Breakfast daily
- Farewell Bedouin dinner
Not included:
- International airfare to and from Amman
- Dead Sea resort entrance fee
- Gratuities for the local guides and drivers
- Lunches and dinners, other than farewell dinner in Bedouin camp
- Any additional hotel nights
Single rooms on the tour are available for a supplement of $800, or we are happy to match you with a roommate.
Travel to Jordan
- From Cairo, please plan to join us on Royal Jordanian flight RJ 506, departing Cairo at 18:45 and arriving at Jordan's Queen Alia International Airport at 21:00 on July 6
- Please plan to depart after 6 pm on July 10 or very early on the morning of July 11
- Additional hotel nights can also be arranged for those who choose a flight departing later on July 11.
- E-mail us for assistance with international flight selection. We'll help you find the best option online for your flights.
Deposit:
A $500 deposit is due upon booking. Balance due 90 days prior to departure.
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