9 Days The Lost City of Petra
Exploring the kingdom of
Jordan
Introduction
Petra - the 'Rose-red city half as old as time' - is for
many the most impressive site in the Middle East. More
than 2,000 years ago the ancient Nabateans carved
magnificent tomb facades from the ochre sandstone, but
then for centuries the site was lost to all but a few
Bedouin families who lived amongst the ruins. However
since the rediscovery of Petra in 1812 travellers have
come from far and wide to witness the amazing scale and
majesty of the rock-cut city. But our journey
encompasses much more than just Petra - Roman Jerash,
magnificent Wadi Rum and the aquamarine waters of the
Red Sea are just some of the other highlights.
JERASH & THE KING'S HIGHWAY
First we explore the impressively well preserved ruins
of Jerash, one of the great cities of the Roman
Decapolis, a confederation of ten prosperous trading
cities spread across the region. Then for a complete
change of scene we head to the lowest point on earth:
the Dead Sea. At more than 400m below sea level, these
waters have a salt content so high that you can enjoy
the bizarre sensation of floating on the surface of the
water, like a cork! Next we travel south along the
historic King's Highway to Petra, visiting imposing
Kerak Castle en route.
EXPLORING THE LOST CITY OF PETRA
We enjoy two full days at Petra: ample time to explore
the extensive site on foot. One of the unexpected
pleasures here is the sheer beauty of the setting:
tucked away like a long lost Shangri-la, the 'Rose Red
City' is carved from a mountain of multi-coloured
striated sandstone. Following narrow gorges and half
hidden, rock-cut stairways, we reach breathtaking
vantage points and stumble across corners of the site
scarcely changed in 2000 years.
WADI RUM & THE RED SEA
We continue by 4WD across the desert to the dramatic
landscapes of Wadi Rum. This is 'Lawrence of Arabia'
country, where we'll sleep in a Bedouin-style encampment
amongst echoing granite cliffs and beneath a star-filled
desert sky. To appreciate fully the beauty of the desert
we trek on camels through the twisting Siq al Barrah
gorge, perhaps appreciating why for Lawrence of Arabia
this landscape was both so humbling and so inspiring.
Finally we reach the Red Sea, whose crystalline waters
and amazing undersea life make a fitting end to our
journey.
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Western Australia - The Real Australia
The Lost City of Petra
Tour Information Petra - the 'Rose-red city half as old as time' - is for many the most
impressive site in the Middle East
Prices & Dates Prices and departure
dates throughout 2007/08
Itinerary & Map 9 Days Hotels/Bedouin Camp - Exploring the Kingdom of Jordan
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