JORDAN – A Land of Rich Treasures

From the teeming centre of urban Amman to the haunting starkness of Wadi Rum; from the majestic ruins of a bygone civilization in Petra to the timeless splendour of the Dead Sea; the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a land of rich treasures and stark contrasts. Experience its breath-taking sights, exquisite cuisine, unique activities and high standards of accommodation that inspire, motivate, and rejuvenate every visitor.

Rich and beautiful, Jordan has been coveted by just about every empire - from the Romans to the Byzantines, from the Ottomans to the British. Its capital city Amman combines modern living with ancient history. Situated on an area spanning nineteen hills, the city's elevation changes from 740 mts to 1400 mts.

At the very top of Amman's highest hill is the Citadel, a complex that is home to the National Archaeological Museum, the ruins of the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace. The towering pillars, ruins and museum filled with antiquities, offer a fascinating peek into the history of the region.

A modern prosperous city, Amman has fabulous dining options, a lively nightlife with everything from cultural and theatrical events to traditional Arabic entertainment, and is a great place to shop for intricate gold and silver jewellery.

A New7World Wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage, the spectacular rose-red city of Petra is Jordan’s most valuable treasure. Hewn out of solid sandstone, its buildings are carefully excavated caves that were painstakingly carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab civilization who settled there more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important trading junction.

The entrance to Petra is through the Siq, a narrow gorge, over 1 km in length, which is flanked on either side by soaring 80 mt high cliffs. On reaching the end of the Siq you catch your first glimpse of the famed Al-Khazneh or the Treasury. Used as the final sequence of the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, this towering facade is the first of the many wonders that make up Petra. Various walks and climbs reveal hundreds of elaborate rock carved tombs, temple facades, funerary halls, and rock reliefs. High above, overlooking the valley is the gigantic 1st century Ad-Deir Monastery – a flight of 800 rock-cut steps takes you there.

The Dead Sea, the saltiest body of water, is the lowest point on the face of the earth. One of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world, the Dead Sea continues to entice visitors today as it did kings, emperors, traders and prophets in ancient times. The dense, rich, cocktail of salts and minerals in the water makes it so buoyant that it is impossible for you to sink.

The haunting, primeval starkness of the red-sand desert of Wadi Rum, with its maze of monolithic rockscapes that rise up from the desert floor to heights of 1750 mts, makes it a place of timeless beauty. Explore the canyons and water holes to discover 4000 year old rock drawings and the many other spectacular treasures this vast wilderness holds in store.

The ancient city of Jerash which is located 48 km north of Amman has an unbroken human history of over 6,500 years. Conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC, it came under Roman rule and was one of the ten great Roman cities, the Decapolis League. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, it is a fine example of the grand Greco-Roman architecture comprising Hadrian's Arch, the Hippodrome, a colonnaded street, the Cathedral, the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Artemis, North Theatre, South Theatre and the Jerash Archaeological Museum.

Check out the many hidden jewels of Jordan including Aqaba - the beautiful Red Sea holiday resort with its blue coral-filled waters that are ideal for snorkelling; Mount Nebo - the final resting place of Moses; and Madaba - the City of Mosaics.

Discover the mesmerising wonders and awe-inspiring treasures on memorable holiday of Jordan.

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