Jordan – The Land of T. E. Lawrence

EIGHT NIGHT HOLIDAYS | 13 NOVEMBER 2023 & 20 FEBRUARY 2024

The sight of the Great Treasury of Petra is one of the most thrilling travel experiences you will encounter, giving the visitor a great sense of discovery and something very special to savour. There is so much more to Jordan than just Petra though, as this tour will demonstrate. It is a country with a rich and colourful history which has embraced many civilisations. The remarkable site at Jerash reminds us that Jordan was once a prosperous Roman province, and the architecture of numerous churches and castles hints at the country’s Byzantine and Umayyad periods.

the itinerary

1

We fly from London Heathrow to Amman where we stay for the first three nights of the tour at the centrally located 4* Amman Marriott Hotel.

2

A visit to the city’s Archaeological Museum and the new Jordan Museum will be followed by a drive into the surrounding countryside to see a selection of the beautiful desert castles that dot the landscape, including Azraq Castle which was used by Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab revolt.

3

We will explore Jerash, one of the finest and best-preserved Roman sites to be found anywhere. Its altitude of 500 metres makes for wonderful views over the surrounding fertile countryside which we see as we drive through the Jordan Valley.

4

We leave the capital and drive to Petra, stopping at the Crusader Castle at Shobek. Built in 1115, it is part of a string of imposing castles that stretches from Aqaba to Turkey. We will stay at the 4* Marriott Petra hotel.

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TOUR LEADER

ANDREW ALLEN

Andrew Allen read History of Art at the University of East Anglia and undertook his postgraduate study at the University of Essex taking his MA in early Italian painting. He worked for Phillips Auctioneers and lectured at Anglia Polytechnic University before beginning his extensive work in the travel industry. He is a great traveller, spending much of the year abroad (working and investigating mediaeval iconography) and is one of Kirker’s most popular tour leaders. He often contributes articles to travel publications and has built up particular experience in parts of the Middle East and the great cities of Europe.

Petra

DAY 5

The day is spent at Petra. Situated at the end of the siq, a narrow passage through a cliff, is the magnificent Treasury of Petra. There will be plenty of time for you to explore the other sites of interest, including The Royal Tombs, Qsar El Bint and the Temple of the Winged Lion.

6

Today we visit Aqaba and Wadi Rum, following the route taken by T. E. Lawrence and Bedouin guerrillas in 1917. We will visit the Ottoman fort at Aqaba in the morning and will then proceed to Wadi Rum for a jeep ride across Jordan’s most spectacular desert landscape.

7

Today we visit ‘Little Petra’, a smaller archaeological site located north of Petra, which is thought to have been an agricultural and trading centre. The afternoon is free to explore the local area, or you may wish to return to Petra.

8

We leave Petra and travel along the Escarpment to Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land. The tour moves on to the Dead Sea arriving mid-afternoon, where we spend the final night of the tour at the 4* Kempinski Hotel Ishtar.

We drive to Amman airport for the flight back to London.

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TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 13 November 20 February 2024 £4,898 £960

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS

Flights with Royal Jordanian Airlines: Depart London Heathrow 16.05, arrive Amman 23.05 Depart Amman 11.20, arrive London Heathrow 14.45

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Eight nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Dinner each evening • All entrance fees and gratuities • Group visa • The services of our Tour Lecturer as well as a local guide