Trip Overview
Is this tip for you? HOLY. BREATHTAKING. INCOMPARABLE
Fiery desert landscapes to world-class wreck diving. Ancient stone facades to churches built on grave of the big man himself. Floating weightlessly on the surface of the Dead Sea to partying with the best in lively Tel Aviv....it's hard to know what to expect from these two incredibly diverse countries except the fact that they EXCEEED expectations in every. single. way. Ready to see why?
YOUR #TOPDECKER TRAVEL MOMENTS
Trip Itinerary
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Amman to Petra via Madaba, Mt Nebo and Karak
2Rise and shine! We're off to the Lost City after breakfast. But it's not just about the destination - the road to Petra is gonna' be amazing. First? Madaba: the site of an ancient holy map that's so detailed it puts Google Maps to shame. Check out the vibrantly coloured and intricately detailed Byzantine-era mosaics scattered across the city before we take in allllll the views of the Promise Land from Mt Nebo. Seen Kingdom of Heaven? Channel your inner Orlando Bloom as we storm through the Crusader stronghold of Karak Castle. And to round it all up? Experience Petra - by night. Opt in to take a goosebump-inducing walk down the dark ravine, following the sound of traditional music and the soft glow of a candle-lit desert floor. Awesome is an understatement.
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Included Today
- Visit Madaba
- Visit Mt Nebo
- Visit Karak Castle
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Petra by Night tour: from 25 USD
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Included Today
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Petra
3Words can't describe how breathtaking this place is, so why would we try? Spend the whole day uncovering the magic of the Lost City and learn why people have been drawn to this place since 312 BC. With towering burning-red cliff faces and a façade made famous by Indiana Jones - this place is a testament to man's ability to create beauty from absolutely nothing. Get your bearings on an orientation tour with our expert Trip Leader. Then: the rest of the day is yours to explore. Just be back in time for tonight's optional dinner - a delicious traditional meal of maqluba with a local family. This is as authentic as it gets.
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Included Today
- Orientation tour of Petra
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Dinner with a local family in Petra: from 20 USD
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Included Today
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Petra to Wadi Rum
4Back in the day, camels were the go-to way to cross the desert. But they're uncomfortable and smell bad. Instead, we'll switch the coach for a 4X4 and venture across The Valley of the Moon to our traditional Bedouin Camp - in the heart of the Jordanian desert. If you want to see if Alice really does have two humps - there's an optional ride on offer today. Or just sit back and take it all in. This is your moment. Tonight's included dinner is brought to you by one of the world's most ancient nomadic tribes - tuck in around the camp fire and learn all about Bedouin life with your trip mates. We're spending the night under the best-looking night sky you've ever laid eyes on. Heck yes!
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Included Today
- Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion
- Stay overnight in Bedouin desert camp
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Camel ride: from 20 USD
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Included Today
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Wadi Rum to Aqaba
5From a sea of burnt-red sand to well, the actual sea - we're making tracks to Jordan's only coastal city. A city that dates back to 4,000 BC - Aqaba's temps rarely drop below 20°C and is located smack bang in the middle of the Red Sea. Meaning? It's THE place for diving, snorkelling and Nemo-spotting. And you've got the whole afternoon to do just that. Scuba dive around sunken military tanks, transport planes and Lebanese freighters. Go snorkelling with colourful fish, a variety of corals and green turtles (maybe). Then, gather the gang for a shawarma (Jordanian kebab) and sunset on the beach. This is livin'.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Diving in Aqaba from: prices available locally
- Snorkelling in Aqaba: from 25 USD
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Meals
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Aqaba to Amman via the Dead Sea
6Ready to tick "bob on top of the Dead Sea" off your bucket list? Today is your day. At 427m below sea level (the lowest point on Earth), the Dead Sea is so salty you can float weightlessly around like last night's second helping of shawarma didn't happen. Tip: avoid shaving your legs, face or other...parts too close to your swim. Sh*t stings! Give yourself a free spa treatment with the mineral-laden mud. Snap a pic for mum. And pile back on the coach - we're heading back to Amman for an education in the Roman, Byzantine AND Umayyad empires that have left their mark on this place. Check out the Roman Amphitheatre, Citadel and melting pot of ancient historical sites on a city tour before heading downtown with the gang for a falafel feed.
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Included Today
- Float in the Dead Sea
- Guided city tour of Amman
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Amman to Jerusalem, Israel via Jerash
7Crank the history knob to 11 with a visit to Jerash – home to a bunch of Greco-Roman highlights, including a hippodrome which was used for chariot racing (and has nothing to do with hippos). Then wave goodbye to Jordan as we cross the Allenby Bridge into Israel. Flash your passport and meet your local Israeli guide. We’re bunking down in the heart of Jerusalem tonight. Head out in search for Aricha Sabich – the best place for a delicious Israeli sabich. Or sit back and enjoy the view at our hostel’s outdoor roof terrace.
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Included Today
- See the Roman ruins of Jerash
- Local Israeli guide
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Jerusalem
8Christianity, Islam and Judaism all consider Jerusalem a holy place, so it's a big deal. Get educated on a guided tour of old town, checking out the likes of Via Dolorosa, Dome of the Rock, Gethsemane, King David’s Tomb, the Western Wall and Golgotha (where Jesus was crucified). Then: the rest is up to you. Need some suggestions? Take in all the I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E views from the Mount of Olives. Visit Jesus’s final resting place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (expect queues!). Then, check out Mahane Yehunda Market – a variety of local produce stores by day, buzzing bars and shisha stalls by night. You wanted free time to delve deeper – go get it!
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Included Today
- Guided city tour of Jerusalem
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Jerusalem to Tel Aviv via Bethlehem
9The trip may be winding up – but the adventure isn’t over yet! We’re rolling on to the culturally rich city of Bethlehem to see the very spot Jesus was born (according to certain sources). Wander across Manger Square and check out the Church of Nativity with our Trip Leader, before heading over to Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel for the ‘worst view in the world’. Think: a hotel, museum, protest and art gallery all in one. Learn your ABC’s of Israeli wine with a quick stop at a local winery, before we arrive in Tel Aviv. Get your bearings around the chilled-out seaport of Old Jaffa – ticking off the Clock Tower and St Peter’s Church. Then: there’s a reason they call this place ‘Non-Stop City’ – time to gather the gang and find out why.
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Included Today
- Guided city tour of Bethlehem
- Local winery tour
- Walking tour of Old Jaffa
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Tel Aviv
10Down your pomegranate juice and brush away those tears – we’ll say our goodbyes after breakfast. Swap those Insta handles and pencil in next year’s reunion trip. Sticking around? Track down Abu Hassan for hummus that will haunt your dreams (it’s that good).
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
What's included
Included Experiences
- Visit Madaba
- Visit Mt Nebo
- Visit Karak Castle
- Orientation tour of Petra
- Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion
- Stay overnight in Bedouin desert camp
- Float in the Dead Sea
- Guided city tour of Amman
- See the Roman ruins of Jerash
- Guided city tour of Jerusalem
- Guided city tour of Bethlehem
- Local winery tour
- Walking tour of Old Jaffa
Accommodation
-6 nights in hotels (twin-share), 2 nights in hostels (twin-share), 1 night in a Bedouin desert camp (twin-share)
Transport
Air-conditioned minibus or coach
Optional activities
-Dinner with a local family in Petra: from 20 USD
-Petra by Night tour: from 25 USD
-Camel ride in Wadi Rum: from 20 USD
-Diving in Aqaba from: prices available locally
-Snorkelling in Aqaba: from 25 USD
OTHER INFORMATION
Note
Individuals departing Jordan via land at all border crossings will incur a departure tax charged by Jordanian border control of approximately 10 Jordanian Dinars.
Visas
For all non-restricted nationalities (please check the eligibility for your passport) we will obtain a free visa on your behalf. To obtain your free visa on arrival in Amman, we will require your full passport, flight and insurance details no later than 60 days before arriving to ensure our representative can meet you before immigration. If you do not provide us with these details we will be unable to obtain a free visa for you and you will be subject to paying the full amount on arrival.
Please note: Topdeck does not include Israel visa fees in the total trip price. Please check the individual entry requirements for your passport.
Accommodation
On your trip you will primarily stay in quality three-star hotels on a single or twin-share basis, depending on what you have booked. You will also get to experience a night in a desert camp at Wadi Rum. The camp features twin-share tents or cabins, with beds, pillows and all sheets and blankets provided.
Please note: the bathroom facilities are basic (hey, you're in the desert!) and the showers are usually cold-water only – but it's all part of an amazing experience you’ll remember forever!.
Meals
Breakfasts are included every day on most trips (except on the first morning). A typical breakfast may consist of cereals with milk or yogurt, bread, croissants, cold meats, cheese and a range of spreads with fruit juice, tea or coffee to drink. It is rare to get a hot breakfast, though on some occasions there may be some hot food available as well.
Included evening meals are in local restaurants or your place of accommodation. In most cases, table water is provided with the meals, and if you wish to purchase additional drinks you can do so at your own expense.
If you have any dietary requirements we will make every effort to cater to your specific needs as long as you advise your travel agent or Topdeck Customer Service Consultant when you book. However, please be aware that although we will do everything in our power to arrange it, we cannot guarantee that every restaurant we use will be able to cater to all dietary needs. We also cannot cater to tastes or dislikes, as most of our included evening meals feature a set menu
Your included meals are detailed in the 'More Inclusions' section of your trip notes.
Important note on Ramadan
As many Middle Eastern countries are of Islamic faith, it is important to remember that lots of restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating on reduced hours during Ramadan. As a result, some optional and included activities on your trip may be affected. Ramadan, which takes place in either April, May or June, is an incredibly important and sacred month for Muslims. When equipped with some basic knowledge, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in this special tradition and experience all its highlights.
Currency
Below is a list of all the currencies you will use on your trip:
Jordan - Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
Israel - Israel Shekel(ILS)
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