Jordan: Between Ancient Wonders and Mystical Desert

Welcome to Jordan!

Flight to Amman. Upon arrival in the Jordanian capital, meet and assist with immigration formalities at the airport.

Your private driver will then transfer you to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel – Half Board.

Head to Iraq Al Amir, where you will admire the impressive Hellenistic palace and visit a ceramic and paper workshop run by a women's cooperative. Visiting Iraq Al Amir is a privilege for lovers of antiquities passing through Jordan. Known in French as the “Grottes du Prince” (“Caves of the Prince”), the village derives its name from nearby rock caves that the ancestors of the Abaddi tribe once inhabited during prehistoric times. As you hike through the area, you’ll come across a series of dwellings carved into the stone, set among olive and fruit trees. But the real highlight for most visitors is Qasr Al-Abd. This “Castle of the Slave,” standing proudly at the heart of the village, is considered the finest masterpiece of Hellenistic architecture in Jordan. Iraq Al Amir was affectionately called Tyros by the Greeks.

Continue toward the historic town of Al Salt, whose significance dates back to Roman times. For centuries, under various empires, the town served as a vital link between the eastern desert and the western regions. Today, Al Salt is renowned for its unique architecture and rich cultural heritage. It flourished as a commercial hub during the Byzantine, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods. Under the Ottomans, its strategic location led to its development as an administrative center, attracting people and facilitating imperial expansion in the region. At the entrance to the city, you’ll see Roman tombs, followed by the 13th-century Ayyubid citadel built by Saladin’s nephew, Al-Ma’aazam Issa. You’ll also visit a traditional craft school and a museum showcasing textile weaving and ceramic arts, as well as the Archaeological and Folklore Museum, which features beautiful examples of traditional clothing and handicrafts.

Return to Amman. Dinner and overnight at your hotel – Half Board.

Breakfast and rental car delivery at your hotel. Then, set off towards Jerash, one of the Greco-Roman cities of the Decapolis, said to have been founded by Alexander the Great himself. In spring, the site bursts into a thousand colors as vegetation takes over and wildflowers bloom between the stones!

Continue your day with a visit to the famous Ajloun Castle, one of the finest examples of 12th-century Islamic architecture. Enjoy the stunning panoramic views from the fortress over the Jordan Valley.

Return to Amman at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at your hotel – Half Board.

First Step of the Day: Mount Nebo, Madaba & Dana – Journey to Petra

Begin your day by heading to Mount Nebo, located at 840 meters above sea level. According to tradition, this is where Moses struck the ground with his staff to bring forth water, and where he later passed away. It is believed to be his final resting place. From the summit, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, the oasis of Jericho, and the Judean Hills.

Continue your journey south along the famous King’s Highway.

The day is dedicated to visiting Madaba, known as the “City of Mosaics.” The town is famed for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. Stop by one of the many mosaic workshops lining the streets to admire this intricate craftsmanship and perhaps pick up a memorable souvenir.

Madaba is also the most important Christian city in Jordan. Visit St. George’s Church, a Greek Orthodox church that houses the famous mosaic map of Palestine, now partially damaged, but still a remarkable historic artifact.

Next, head toward the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s second-largest protected area. Stretching from the Dead Sea across the Rift Valley highlands to the desert plains of Wadi Araba, this 300 km² reserve invites peaceful contemplation with its stunningly diverse landscapes. It features four distinct ecosystems — savannah, sandy and dune deserts, Mediterranean semi-arid land, and Iranian desert — and is home to around 40 species of mammals, 800 plant species, and 49 types of butterflies.

An optional hike is available to fully experience this natural gem.

After your visit, continue on to Petra.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Petra – HB (half board).

Full Day Dedicated to Exploring Petra – The Rose-Red City

Today is entirely dedicated to the discovery of Petra, the legendary Nabataean city.

No need to go through the trials faced by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to experience the majesty of this world-famous site carved into sandstone cliffs.

Access to Petra begins with a walk through the Siq, a narrow, winding gorge of reddish-brown hues that leads dramatically to the Khazneh (the "Treasury") – Petra’s most iconic monument.

Throughout the day, several hiking routes will be available, varying in length and difficulty. Petra is vast, and exploring it requires time and energy! Here are some of the must-see highlights of the site:

The High Place of Sacrifice

The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)

The Roman Theater

The Royal Tombs

The Nymphaeum

The Byzantine Church

The Colonnaded Street

The Great Temple

The Lion Triclinium

The Monastery (Ad-Deir)

A detailed map will be provided at the site entrance, showing all trails and recommended routes.

Take your time to admire the pink sandstone scenery of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Siq passage, the Khazneh, and the lower city from the Roman era, including the theater, palaces, baths, temples, the Cardo Maximus, and the grand Nabataean tombs.

Free time in the afternoon to explore the site at your own pace.

Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel – HB (half board).

This morning, begin your day with the discovery of Siq al-Barid, better known as Little Petra, a smaller and more secluded Nabataean site that served as a suburb or trading post of Petra. Its rock-carved façades and chambers offer an intimate glimpse into Nabataean life. Nearby, visit the Neolithic village of Beidha, one of the oldest human settlements in the region, dating back over 9,000 years — a remarkable site for those interested in early human history.

Afterward, head to the far southwest of Jordan, toward the majestic desert of Wadi Rum.

Famous for its dramatic landscapes of towering sandstone cliffs, vast canyons, and sweeping dunes, Wadi Rum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has served as a filming location for movies like Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars. Unlike other deserts known for flat sandy expanses, Wadi Rum is distinguished by the vertical grandeur of its rock formations, known locally as “djebels.”

On arrival, set out on a 4-hour Jeep excursion with your local Bedouin guide, exploring some of the desert's most iconic sites:

Lawrence’s Spring

Khazali Canyon

Sand dunes

Anfishiyeh inscriptions

Lawrence’s House

Little Rock Arch

Umm Fruth Rock Bridge

Geber Amra Canyon

At each stop, there is time to explore on foot — from climbing sand dunes to reaching the top of natural rock bridges for panoramic views.

By late afternoon, return to your desert camp, nestled in the heart of Wadi Rum.

Dinner and overnight in the camp – HB (half board).

Early Departure – Bethany Beyond the Jordan / Dead Sea

Start the day with an early departure and a stop at Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas), the baptism site of Jesus Christ, located along the banks of the Jordan River.

Explore the banks of the river and the key excavated ruins, and learn how this site was sanctified as the place of Jesus’ baptism by the Vatican, especially following the historic visit of Pope John Paul II in 2000.

Experience the profound spiritual atmosphere of this sacred place and discover the remains of ancient churches, caves, wells, and Roman and Byzantine baptismal pools. Archaeologists believe this is where John the Baptist lived, preached, and baptized.

You’ll also learn why this site is revered by the three major monotheistic religions — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — as it is believed to be the location of the Prophet Elijah’s ascension into heaven.

Continue to the Dead Sea

Next, head to the Dead Sea, whose waters are the saltiest in the world and renowned for their healing and therapeutic properties. Despite its name, the Dead Sea is actually a saltwater lake, fed by the Jordan River, which forms the natural border between Jordan and Palestine.

Three main features make the Dead Sea unique:

Its intense heat,

Its extraordinarily high mineral content, and

Its location as the lowest point on Earth, over 400 meters below sea level.

The waters are rich in bromine, potash, sodium chloride, and magnesium. While no plants or animals can survive in this environment, the Dead Sea’s mineral-rich waters and mud are prized for their therapeutic benefits.

Relaxation and Cultural Experience

Check in at your hotel by the Dead Sea, ideally located with direct access to a private beach. Enjoy some leisure time to float in the salty waters and unwind.

In the evening, enjoy dinner and a cultural experience with a local Jordanian family, offering a warm moment of authentic exchange and hospitality.

Overnight at your Dead Sea hotel – HB (half board).

Visit Amman: the Citadel, the ancient Acropolis, the Roman Theater, the King Abdullah Mosque, the Folklore Museum, and the Archaeology Museum. Walk through the city amidst the surrounding hills. Optional Jordanian wine tasting. Free time in the city. Farewell dinner at a restaurant in the city.

Transfer to the Airport – Flight to France