21 Days Middle Eastern Treasures Tour Package
Duration: 21 Days / 20 Nights
Priced From: $3,689 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses)
Dates: Oct, Nov, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov
Beginning in Amman, Jordan's capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban centres in the world, we admire the city's curious blend of old and new in a place where modern buildings and towers share the skyline with ancient temples and amphitheatres. Travelling to Jerash, we find one of the most important and best-preserved Roman sites in the world and our trip into the Jordanian Desert yields unique photo opportunities as we investigate desert palaces built by the Omayyed Caliphs in the 8th century AD and then it's on to one of the highlights of our tour at Petra, 'the red rose city half as old as time', which is considered among the most impressive archaeological sites in the Middle East. Here, we investigate elegant columns, mystifying temples and elaborate royal tombs carved into multi-coloured wall-faces and have the opportunity to ascend mountain slopes for spectacular panoramic views of the city. We visit settlements dating from the Neolithic era, some 8,500 years in the past, travel along the Desert Highway to relax on the white-sand beaches of the Red Sea, take an excursion to Wadi Rum, where Lawrence of Arabia conducted many of his campaigns during the First World War, and stop in at numerous Crusader fortresses on the King's Highway. The next leg of this 21-day adventure kicks off in Damascus, Syria, one of the highlights of the tour and, indeed, of any trip to the Middle East. Roman temple ruins, some of the oldest mosques in the world, the great Muslim leader Saladin's tomb and abundant museums detailing over 9,000 years of history are but a few of the outstanding sites of interest that 'the pearl of the East' has on offer, making it a destination that itself warrants a visit to the region. We travel into the Syrian Desert to see Bedouin villages, necropolises and ancient temples in desert oases and as we head toward the Crac des Chavaliers, considered by Lawrence of Arabia to be the most perfect castle in the world, we take in fruit orchards, Byzantine churches and the sights and sounds of the Phoenician trading city where the world's oldest known alphabet was discovered.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Amman
Arrival in Amman, Jordan. Amman, the modern and ancient capital of Jordan, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, where the city's modern buildings blend with the remnants of ancient civilizations. Overnight in Amman. Dinner if required.
Day 2 Amman: Jerash & Amman City Tour
This morning we leave Amman by bus for a tour of the extensive Roman site of Jerash. In the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, Jerash was a wealthy city and is today considered one of the most important and best preserved of all Roman sites. We visit the famous elliptical forum, the beautiful amphitheatre with its superb natural acoustics, and the site of the huge Temple of Artemis. This afternoon we tour Amman, visiting the Roman amphitheatre, Folklore Museum, Museum of Popular Traditions, Archaeological Museum, and the ruins of the Temple of Hercules. Overnight in Amman. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3 Amman - Madaba - Mt Nebo - Petra
This morning we travel to Madaba, a small town famous for its magnificent mosaic floors. A unique mosaic covers the floor of St. George's church and consists of a huge map of the Holy Land as it appeared in the 6th century AD. Driving to the edge of the Jordan Valley we reach Mount Nebo from where Moses and the Children of Israel first saw the Promised Land. On a clear day you can look down to see the Dead Sea and the River Jordan. On the other side of the valley is the city of Jerusalem. Here we see a huge mosaic of hunting scenes covers the floor of a ruined Byzantine church. We leave Mt Nebo and travel south via the Dead Sea Highway to Petra, arriving in the afternoon. Overnight in Petra. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4 Petra: Site Tour
Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom from the fourth century BC to the 2nd century AD. From the 12th century until its rediscovery in 1812, Petra was lost to the world -- a closely guarded secret of the local tribes. Today the 'rose red city half as old as time' is probably the most impressive archaeological site in the Middle East, rivaling the temples and pyramids of Egypt in grandeur. This morning, on our way into the hidden valley of Petra, we will see the Obelisk Tomb and the irrigation system that carried water from a dam throughout the desert city. Access to the monuments of Petra is through a narrow gorge in the towering rocks called the 'Siq'. As we emerge from the 'Siq' you stand in awe in front of the 'Treasury' (El Kazneh), a graceful structure carved from the living rock. After pausing to admire the elegant columns and carvings we carry on into the valley where elaborate tombs are carved into the multi-coloured walls. Everywhere the sandstone swirls and twists in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and white. Next we will see the Roman amphitheatre, carved directly out of the mountain, with space for over 3,000 spectators. Further on in the main valley of Petra, are the Royal Tombs including the Palace Tomb and the Silk Tomb. We visit the temple of the Nabataeans' main god, Dushara, and we also see the 'Temple of the Winged Lion'. Our formal guided tour of the site terminates with a visit to the Petra Nabataean Museum. At this point, you may explore further on your own, or return to our hotel to relax and / or shop. You may also take a strenuous walk up a narrow pass to see the magnificent 'Monastery' building, El Deir. The views of Petra and the surrounding area are expansive. The walk is steep, mostly on steps carved into the rock, and will take APPROXIMATELY one hour up (30 minutes down). This evening after dinner you may like to go for a drink in a bar partly built into a 2,000 year-old Nabataean tomb! NOTE: Access to Petra is by means of footpath only. The main sites occur near ground that is level and well-worn, though the overall site is huge. Our pace is leisurely with frequent breaks; however, to fully experience Petra you must be prepared for a considerable amount of walking and little shade. Overnight at Petra. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5 Petra: El Beidha & Leisure Time
This morning we take a tour by bus to the nearby site of 'el Beidha' (known as 'Little Petra'). We will also see a settlement dating from the Neolithic period, some 8,500 years ago. This is one of the oldest sights in the Middle East; it shows evidence of habitation by a Pre-Pottery population who were herders experimenting with agriculture. We return to our hotel by bus. This afternoon, you can either relax or re-enter the breathtaking main site of Petra (the entrance fee today is at your own expense). You can join your Tour Leader on a steep walk to the 'High Place', which (some believe) was the site of human sacrifice to the Nabataean gods. From here it is possible to see the tomb of the Jewish prophet, Aaron. This site offers the best views of the entire site of Petra, but should be attempted only by the fit! Overnight at Petra. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6 Petra - Aqaba - Wadi Rum - Aqaba
Leaving Petra we stop briefly at 'the Spring of Moses', supposed to have magical properties. We then continue down the Desert Highway to Jordan's only port, Aqaba, on the Red Sea. We will have time this afternoon to relax or visit the Red Sea beaches. Later this afternoon we make an excursion to Wadi Rum where Lawrence of Arabia conducted many of his campaigns during the First World War. While at Wadi Rum we take four wheel drive vehicles out into the desert where the sand is red and the rocks look like gigantic multi-layered chocolate cakes melting in the setting sun. We may be invited into a goat-hair tent to share a glass of tea with some Bedouin tribesmen -- the nomadic herdsmen of the desert who made up Lawrence's army. Running along the floor of the valley is the Hejaz Railway that Lawrence blew up repeatedly. After sunset we return to Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7 Aqaba - Shobak - Kerak - Dead Sea
Today we travel along the historic King's Highway. Along this route castles and towns were positioned a one day's travel distance apart. The first castle we come to is Shobak Castle, built by the Crusaders in 1115 and sacked by Moslem forces under Saladin in 1189. Farther north we explore Kerak Castle, also a 12th century Crusaders fortress. The castle's huge water cisterns and commanding position on a hill top allowed it to hold out against many sieges. We continue to the Dead Sea. King David, King Herod, Jesus, and John the Baptist were closely linked with the Dead Sea and its surroundings. During the Egyptian conquest it is said that Queen Cleopatra obtained exclusive rights to build cosmetic and pharmaceutical factories in the area. Later the Nabataeans discovered the value of bitumen extracted from the Dead Sea used by the Egyptians. Our hotel is located on the shores of the sea where you will have the chance to swim and experience your amazing buoyancy in the ultra-salty waters. Overnight at the Dead Sea. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8 Dead Sea, Jordan - Bosra - Damascus, Syria
Today we cross from Jordan into Syria and make our way to Bosra, where we discover a beautiful Roman amphitheatre hidden inside an Arab castle. Bosra is rich in its layers of history; at various times in antiquity it has been a capital city under the Nabateans and the Romans, when it became the capital of their province of Arabia. An important Christian city, it was here that a monk met a young man named Mohammed and foretold of his imminent prophethood. We will pass through the Gate of the Wind and see one of the three oldest mosques in the world, among other sights. The ancient city is especially striking because of the dark basalt rock used in its construction and the fact that there are still people living on the site itself. From here we drive northward to Damascus, across the fertile Hauran Plain, Syria's breadbasket. Off in the distance, to the west, we might catch a glimpse of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains. Damascus is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, and reports run back at least 3,500 years. Many claim that Damascus is the oldest continued inhabited city in the world. While modern Damascus is today a largely modern Middle Eastern city, it was famous for centuries, and often referred to as the "Pearl of the East". Overnight in Damascus. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9 Damascus: Great Ommayad Mosque & Azem Palace
Today we walk within the old city, surrounded by an ancient wall which originally had seven gates named in Roman times after the stars that made up the constellation of the Seven Sisters. We see the remains of the massive Roman Temple of Jupiter, walk through the absorbing Hamadieh Market, and visit the Great Ommayad Mosque, one of the first great mosques of the Muslim world built in AD 718 by the Caliph el-Walid. After a visit to Saladin's tomb, we continue to a visit of the lovely Azem Palace, seat of the Ottoman governor during the 18th and 19th centuries. In its airy courts, we can imagine the Ottoman ruler savouring a warm Damascene evening, looking up at the three minarets of the great mosque illuminated by a full summer moon. The Azem Palace is today an ethnographic museum displaying the costumes of the different classes of Syrian society in the different parts of this varied country. You will have some free time later in the afternoon for shopping or exploring on your own. Overnight in Damascus. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 10 Damascus: National Museum & Christian Quarter
This morning we visit the immense National Museum with its monumental gateway transported from an Umayyad (Ommayad) fortress in the Syrian Desert. The collections in the museum span a period of over 9,000 years and include the brightly-painted frescoes from one of the oldest synagogues in the world. At the Takiyyeh as-Sulaymaniyyeh we see a beautiful Turkish mosque built in 1554. Next to the mosque is a Sixteenth Century Ottoman caravanserai which has been converted into a handicraft centre where you can see traditional Syrian handicrafts being made and sold. In the afternoon we will enter the Christian quarter to walk along the Street Called Straight (mentioned in the Bible). Near the great gate, Bab as-Sharqi, we visit the Chapel of Ananias where St Paul hid after his conversion to Christianity. This afternoon is free for you to explore old Damascus. This evening we finish our day by driving up to Mount Kassioun for a view over all Damascus Overnight in Damascus. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 11 Damascus - Hama - Orontes Valley - Homs
Travelling northward today, we arrive at Maloula where we visit one of the oldest churches in the world, the Church of Saint Sergis. Here we can see how a Christian altar table has been adapted from a pagan sacrificial stone, and perhaps hear the priest recite some of the liturgy in Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ, spoken in only three places on earth. Aramaic was, at one time, the lingua franca of western Arabia and is related to modern Arabic and Hebrew. The people of Maloula--most of whom are Syrian Christians--still speak Aramaic among themselves, though it is a dying language. Maloula is also the spot where a young woman, Tekla, who had rejected pagan practice and embraced Christianity during the Roman era, found a miraculous escape from her Roman pursuers. Arriving in Hama, we view a unique and lovely example of ancient engineering: the great Noria water wheels, first constructed in Roman times. The wheels still turn and groan under the power of the Orontes River, delivering water to the fields around the town. In Hama we visit the 18th century inn that now houses the local museum. North of Hama, in the heart of the Orontes Valley, we visit the impressive second century BC ruins of the Roman city of Apamea. This huge site was once a city of one-half million inhabitants which was visited by Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. The focus of the site is the long double row of fluted columns rising from the surrounding fields. The museum near the site contains several beautiful and extensive mosaics. Above the Roman site stands the Thirteenth Century Arab castle of Qala'at al-Mudiq. Overnight in Homs. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 12 Homs - Palmyra
From Homs we drive eastward into the Syrian Desert to reach Palmyra, the great city of the Palmyrans, one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. By the time of Christ, the Palmyrans had developed a vast trading empire which extended as far as India. The setting is magnificent, in a fertile depression in the vast flat desert. The heritage of trade is evident in the marvellous statuary depicting prominent merchants draped in Roman style robes and wearing Persian boots and pantaloons. We can walk along the main thoroughfare of the immense antique city, lined with columns bleached by sun and wind. Because this was first and foremost a trading city, the main street is a pathway of sand so that camels carrying their burden to the market square would not slip on the paving stones. We see the Monumental Gateway, market place, amphitheatre and Tetrapylons. Today we may also have the chance to visit a Bedouin village. We visit the magnificent temple of Baal, and learn about the rebellious Queen Zenobia, who flouted Roman suzerainty, declared an independent kingdom and struck coins bearing her own image. The Emperor Aurelian finally conquered her armies and brought her to Rome in golden chains. We also visit the Ethnographic Museum to see displays depicting Bedouin tribal life in this desert area. Overnight in Palmyra. Breakfast and dinner
Day 13 Palmyra: Area Tour
Today we have a full day in Palmyra and the desert oasis in which it is situated. We will visit the spectacular Archaeological Museum where we will see a well preserved collection of statuary from the Palmyra site, as well as collections from prehistoric Palmyra. We will visit the necropolis, comprised of multi-storey tombs that were rented out rather than sold. The builders of the tombs themselves become rich through the rent they collected. In the afternoon, you may wish to walk through the oasis with its palm and olive groves and its gardens separated by irrigation canals. In the evening the small town of Tadmor is busy with locals and visitors. Overnight in Palmyra. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 14 Palmyra - Syrian Desert - Dier ez-Zor
This morning we travel across the vast expanse of the Syrian Desert to the River Euphrates. This afternoon you may like to explore the town of Deir Ez-Zor and the lively Bedouin market. The town is a meeting place for the local tribes who come in from the surrounding desert to trade sheep, skins, milk, butter, and cheese for goods and fresh produce grown by the farmers along the Euphrates Valley. Each Bedouin tribe from the desert frontier areas has a slightly different style of dress, and the women often tattoo their faces and hands. The Bedouin are referred to locally as "Shawi", from the Arabic verb "to grill", as they are renowned for their boundless hospitality, often going so far as to slaughter one of their prized flock for the benefit of a guest. Those who do not wish to have a free afternoon in Dier ez-Zor may join our bus excursion south of the Euphrates to the 5,000 year-old Mesopotamian city of Mari. Here we discover a civilisation remarkably advanced and complex that dates back to the Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian and Babalonian periods. In Mari we walk through the halls of the great mud palace to the throne room of Semurilim. En route back to Dier ez-Zor, we stop at the vast walled city of Doura Europos, built by Seleucis Niikator, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, as a defensive garrison on the eastern frontier of the empire. Overnight in Deir Ez-Zor. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 15 Dier ez-Zor - Ar-Raqqa - Resafa - Aleppo
Following the course of the Euphrates, once the lifeline of ancient Mesopotamian civilisations, we observe how the waters have receded greatly in recent years. The river valley today supports large-scale cultivation of wheat, sugar beets and cotton. In the Bedouin town of Ar-Raqqa, we visit the old Abbasid city walls and the Baghdad Gate of the great fortified city that once stood here. Nearby we make an excursion to the ancient walled city of Resafa, known in antiquity as Sergiopolis, after a Roman soldier who, along with his friend Baachus, embraced Christianity and was martyred for his heresy. During the Byzantine period, Resafa became an important place of pilgrimage and the Emperor Justinian had an impressive series of ramparts built against marauding desert Arabs. The city has huge underground cisterns to hold water. Many of the column capitals are carved from gypsum, a crystalline rock that looks like glass. Further up the river we arrive at the Thawra Dam, completed in the early 1970s. It was the first great dam project to harness the mighty waters of the River Euphrates, creating Lake Assad. We arrive in Aleppo in the early evening. Overnight in Aleppo. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 16 Aleppo: City Tour
Today we explore the city of Aleppo, beginning with a visit to the Citadel, situated on an eminence at the centre of the city. In the past anyone who took control of the citadel took control of Aleppo, and it's easy to see why. During the time of Saladin, the walled fortress we see today was given its present shape. This afternoon, you may wish to make your own explorations or join your Tour Leader on a tour of the Grand Bazaar. It is often said that if you did not get lost in the market then you have not seen it! You will find for sale Bedouin goat hair tents, felt shepherds' coats lined with sheepskin, Bedouin carpets and headscarves amidst a tumult of activity. The bazaar has a real "Thousand and One Nights" atmosphere with narrow, cobbled streets lined with vendors of every kind. The market is particularly famous its gold and silver items. Overnight in Aleppo. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 17 Aleppo - St Simeon's Monastery - Aleppo
From our base in Aleppo, we journey into the countryside to visit the monastery of St Simeon, where the famous anchorite spent 42 years in meditation atop a pillar in the fifth century. Here we visit the basilica which represents one of the most graceful and important examples of early Byzantine architecture. From this spot, we have lovely views over the landscape of northern Syria and into Turkey. We will stop to see a beautifully preserved section of Roman road. In this area there are many Byzantine "Dead Cities" whose populations were devastated by the Black Death brought via the Silk Road in the Middle Ages. Today they stand as empty testaments to the advantages and pit-falls of living from trade. Returning to Aleppo city, we tour the museum with its excellent collection of artifacts from the period of the great Mesopotamian kingdoms, including the water-bearer statue from Mari and some excellent cuneiform tablets from Elba. Overnight in Aleppo. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 18 Aleppo - Saladin's Castle - Safita
From Aleppo we cross the coastal mountains, a lovely area famous for its fruit orchards. We take a spectacular mountain road up to the dramatic ruins of Saladin's castle, a crusader fortress situated above a breathtaking pine-covered ravine. Before reaching the Mediterranean coast we visit Ugarit, the Phoenician trading city where the world's oldest known alphabet was discovered. We arrive this evening at Safita, situated on the coast. Overnight in Safita. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 19 Safita - Crak de Chevaliers - Damascus
From Safita we make our way to Crak de Chevaliers, situated at a strategic break in the coastal mountain chain. This huge castle stands guard over the valley pass below, controlling the route from the Mediterranean coast through the mountains to Damascus and the interior of the Levant. It was considered by Lawrence of Arabia to be the most perfect castle in the world, a splendid place to gain a sense of how these medieval adventurers lived in their kingdom of Outremar--"the land across the sea." We visit the great hall, kitchens, chapel (later converted to a mosque when Muslim forces won this redoubtable stronghold) and walk along the extensive ramparts. From Crak de Chevaliers we drive to Damascus. Overnight in Damascus. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 20 Damascus: At Leisure
Today is free to further explore the covered bazaar, walk the Street Called Straight, and / or re-visit the National Museum. PLEASE NOTE: As of 13 Feb 08, our optional day trip to Lebanon has been suspended due to a deterioration in the current security situation. The excursion will be re-activated once the situation improves and current government warnings against travel are lifted. Overnight in Damascus. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 21 Departure
Departure from Damascus. Breakfast. BON VOYAGE!
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11/09
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