Introduction to Jordan
Jordan is part of the Bible Lands in the Middle East and has many significant Holy Places of the three monotheistic religions Christianity, Islam and Judaism. There are more than 100 Christian sites in Jordan that are mentioned by name in the Bible. The most significant are maybe Bethany beyond Jordan, the site of the Baptism of Jesus by his cousin John the Baptist, Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land, died and is buried, the fortress of Mukawir where Salome danced for King Herod and John the Baptist was beheaded and Mar Elias, where traditionally it is believed the Prophet Elias (Elijah) ascended to heaven. Jordan has a long and rich cultural history and it is also possible to combine your Pilgrimage programme with a visit to the ancient Nabatean city of Petra, which is chiselled out of the rose tinted cliffs and is one of the wonders of the world. It lay forgotten for centuries until it was discovered by the Swiss explorer Jean Burckhardt in 1812, at which time it was home to the Bedouin. Jordan is a place not to be missed. A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land combined with Jordan is also highly recommended and popular with our pilgrims.
This tour is available for groups of 15 or more pilgrims
Please email info@special-pilgrimages.co.uk or call 01702 394000 should you wish to set up a pilgrimage to Jordan or include a visit within your Holy Land pilgrimage!
Day 1
London / Amman
Depart from London to Amman on a direct scheduled service. Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Jordan and transfer to your hotel in Amman for check in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2
Amman city tour / Madaba / Mount Nebo / Amman
After breakfast we will take a city tour of Amman. Amman is the capital of Jordan, a fascinating city of old and new. The visit will include the Roman Theatre and Nymphaeum that reflect the historic legacy of the city and the enchanting Citadel, which has stood since the ancient times of the Ammonites. This is the place where David sent Uriah the Hittite to the front lines of the battle. The massive fortifications, where David an ancestor or Jesus brought about Uriah's death so that he could marry hi widow Bathsheba are still standing. We will then continue to Madaba, which is famous for its mosaics of old and new. We will visit the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration. This is the only project of its kind in the Middle East; the institute trains artisans in the art of making, repairing and restoring mosaics. We will then have a traditional Arabic lunch and visit Madaba, which is best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. Madaba is home to the famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Later in the afternoon we finally visit Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land and is the traditional site of his death and burial. We will then return to Amman for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3
Jerash / Anjara / Tell Mar Elias / Umm Qays
Today we will visit Jerash, one of the three Great Roman cities of the Near East for a visit, with its superb colonnaded streets, its exquisite oval forum, theatres, temples and Byzantine churches. We will take a tour of the ruins including the Triumphal Arch, Hippodrome, the Temple of Zeus, St Theodore’s Church and the Ancient Cathedral and the ‘miraculous fountain’. We will then continue to Anjara to visit the cave, which has long been a holy place for pilgrims. also visit Tall Mar Elias, the home of the Prophet Elijah and where tradition has, he ascended to heaven. In the afternoon we will proceed to Umm Qays, the old Decapolis city of Gadara, with its spectacular views of the Sea of Galilee. This is the site of Jesus' miracle of the Gadarene swine. It is here that he encountered a demented man who lived in the tombs near the entrance to the city; Jesus cast the bad spirits out of the man and into a herd of pigs, which then ran down the hill into the waters of the Sea of Galilee and drowned. We will then return to our hotel in Amman for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4
The River Jordan / Mukawir / Umm Arrasas / Dead Sea
In the morning we will check out of our hotel in Amman and proceed to Bethany beyond Jordan the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River and one of the most important recent discoveries in biblical archaeology and the area known as Wadi Kharrar, where John the Baptist lived and Jesus was baptised. We then continue to the fortress of Mukawir, where Salome danced for King Herod and the location of the imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist. We will then proceed to Umm ar-Rassas where the extensive ruins of a Byzantine town are to be found. We will visit the remarkable Church of St Stephen, which houses mosaics showing city plans from Egypt, Jordan and the Holy Land. Continue to The Dead Sea, one of the most dramatic places on Earth with its stunning natural environment and is the lowest natural point on the Earth. Continue to our hotel by the Dead Sea for check in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5
Dead Sea / Lot's Cave / Karak / Petra
In the morning we will have some time at the Dead Sea to 'float'. We will then continue to Lot’s cave for a visit (please note there are approximately 350 steps to climb). Continue to Karak to see the famous crusader’s fort. The fort itself is a dark maze of stone vaulted halls and endless passageways. We will then continue to our hotel in Petra for check in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6
Petra
In the morning after breakfast we will proceed to Petra for a tour. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabateans who settled here more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. Entrance to the city is through the Siq, a narrow gorge, over 1 kilometre in length, which is flanked on either side by soaring, 80 meter high cliffs. The colours and formations of the rocks are dazzling. As you reach the end of the Siq you will catch your first glimpse of Al-Khazneh (Treasury). A massive façade, 30m wide and 43m high, carved out of the sheer, dusky pink, rock-face and dwarfing everything around it. It was carved in the early 1st century as the tomb of an important Nabatean king and represents the engineering genius of these ancient people. We will visit the Nabatean ‘rose red city’ of Petra, carved out of the brightly coloured desert sandstone. You will also have the option of a short horse ride (included).We visit the dramatic Treasury, Monastery and Tombs. The afternoon is free in Petra for you to look around at your own pace. Dinner and overnight stay in Petra.
Day 7
Wadi Rum / Ma'in hot springs / Amman
Today we will check out of our hotel in Petra. We will then proceed to Wadi Rum, where T.E Lawrence's headquarters were during the Arab revolt against the Ottomans. This place is also known as the 'Valley of the Moon'. We will take a jeep ride through the spectacular landscape. We will then continue to Hammamat Ma’in (Ma’in hot springs) for a visit. The springs are located 264 metres meters below sea level in a desert Oasis. Thousands of visiting bathers come each year to enjoy the mineral rich waters (please note you will be visiting the public area where you will need to provide your own towels). Continue to our hotel in Amman for check in, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8
Amman / London
In the morning we will check out of our hotel and proceed to Amman airport for our return flight to London.
