Ancient Jordan
Monday 29 April – Wednesday 08 May 2024
A Geological and Cultural Tour “500 million years of history”.
Ancient Jordan
A Geological and Cultural Tour “500 million years of history”
Monday 29 April to Wednesday 08 May 2024
This tour will look at aspects of the geology and geography of Jordan, a country rich in geological and cultural interest, all set in dramatic desert scenery. A highlight of the trip will be our visit to the exquisite ancient Nabataean capital of Petra, hewn out of sheer rock faces of beautifully banded sandstone. Dr Clark-Lowes is well qualified to reveal the details of the geological history of these rocks having studied very similar ‘Nubian Sandstones’ present elsewhere in Arabia for his PhD thesis. In the evenings there will be a chance to learn about the origin of these and other features in discussions about the geology and culture. With Roman ruins, Crusader castles and locations associated with Lawrence of Arabia – Wadi Rum and Aqaba – you will be taken through a long and varied human as well as geological history.
Dr Danny Clark-Lowes
Dr Danny Clark-Lowes will lead this tour to Jordan. He is a geologist, educated at Cambridge and London universities, who has given industry training courses on geology at locations throughout the world. As well as publishing scientific papers and books on geology, he is a mountaineer who has climbed in the Swiss Alps and in the Himalaya. He has led geological tours for Indus Experiences for some six years now.
10 days
Day 1 : To Amman
Departure from London on direct British Airways Flight BA312 at 17:20 for Amman.
Day 2 : To Dead Sea visiting Jaresh
Just past midnight arrival (00:35). Meeting, assistance and transfer to Movenpick Hotel.
Visit the beautifully preserved Roman city of Jerash and observe evidence of recent earthquake displacements. Travel to Dead Sea. Stay at Hotel Holiday Inn Dead Sea for 3 nights.
B, D
Day 3 -4 : Wadi Mujib (Dead Sea)
Visit the ‘the lowest reserve on earth’ on the eastern bank of the Dead Sea. At 400m below sea level this is the lowest water surface on earth. Here we see a deep canyon and wadis that drain into the sea where luxurious aquatic plants thrive, and the salt water allows the swimmer to float. Visit excellent museum. Option to visit mineral hot springs, the result of hot waters which bubble up from deep in the earth along the transform fault that separates the African and Arabian continents. Stay at Hotel Holiday Inn Dead Sea. B, D
Day 5 -6 : Petra
Transfer to Petra, visiting Kerak Crusader Castle on the way. Visit Petra where the stories of rocks and ruins intertwine. Petra is an ancient Nabataean capital city with numerous temples sculpted from towering sandstone rock faces, a stunning site entered by a deep rock cleft only rediscovered in the 19th Century. This spectacular World Heritage site is extensive, and we take two days to fully enjoy its splendour, viewing the different temples from horse back for those who wish to ride. Two nights at Old Village International Hotel. B, D
Day 7 : To Wadi Rum
Safari desert tour of Wadi Rum. This is the region of spectacular desert scenery and rock formations famous as the area through which Lawrence of Arabia travelled. We stay at Sun City Camp and use desert vehicles to explore the amazing desert ‘Mesa’ landscape carved out of African basement rock. B, D
Day 8 : To Aqaba
Transfer to Aqaba. Visit a raised beach – undersea coral that once lay below the sea and now lies metres above sea level – evidence of the changing positions of land and ocean. Explore the evidence for the magnificent undersea coral world of the Red Sea, which in many millions of years will petrify into the limestones we see in many locations of our tour. Marvel at this colourful and exotic marine life from the comfort of a glass-bottomed boat. Overnight at Movenpick Resort, Aqaba. B, D
Day 9 : To Amman
Transfer to Amman, stopping off at Mt. Nebu, famous as the location where Moses died, and with stupendous views over the Jordan Rift valley, the line along which the continents of Africa and Arabia are moving laterally against each other. Evening: traditional farewell dinner at Khan Zaman Restaurant or Wind Mahal Restaurant. Overnight at Amma Airport Hotel. B, D
Day 10 : To London
Transfer to airport for departure for London by direct British airways flight BA313 at 08:35 arrival Heathrow at 12:10. B
Itinerary map
Prices
| Price per person
(Double/Twin share) |
Single room supplement |
|---|---|
| £2,980.00 | £750.00 |
- International air fare in economy class on British Airways. Premium Economy & Business class supplements and options for flying from regional UK airports are available on request.
- Departure taxes from UK and Amman.
- Accommodation with private facilities.
- Half Board meals (beakfast & dinners) throughout the tour.
- All transfers, sightseeing and geological visits by a deluxe coach and jeeps where needed.
- Entry fee to monuments and places of interest.
- Geological guide services of Dr Clark-Lowes.
- Services of an English speaking guide.
- Full ATOL and ABTA bonding.
- Visa fee for Jordan. Tourist Visa is avialabe on arrival at the Amman Airport. There is a 10JD fee payable on departure from Jordan.
- Lunches are on direct payment basis.
- Any expenses of a personal nature.
- Tips and Gratuities
- Travel Insurance*
Sightseeing arrangements, visits to geological sites may vary according to local circumstances at each place on a day to day basis. The Trip scholar may decide to alter the programme where they feel it is necessary.
*Travel Insurance
It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
• Make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
• Make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year).
• Make sure it covers you for all activities.
• Disclose pre-existing medical conditions.
• Take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency contact numbers with you.
If you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer. Please note Covid-19 cover is now available.
For a competitive quotation please visit https://www.indusexperiences.co.uk/insurance/
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