Explore Jordan & Saudi Arabia: Ancient Trade Routes

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting followed by an optional group dinner. Amman is a very big city and there is not one central area to stay - hotels are spread out across various neighbourhoods within the city. For this reason, to move around the city in your free time, you will have to take a taxi, please feel free to ask your CEO for recommendations and assistance.

Set off on a half-day trip to Jerash, a fascinating site and one of the largest and most well-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy.

Continue on to the Dead Sea. Known for its high salinity, opt to bob like a cork in the healing water or cover yourself in therapeutic mud. There is also the option to visit the site of Jesus' baptism.

Depart early for the first stop, Mt Nebo. Learn the ancient history of this spot and check out the views.

Enjoy lunch at Safi Kitchen. The kitchen is a nonprofit organization working in the South Ghour region, south of the Dead Sea, to create opportunities for members of the local community. The mission of the company is to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage and natural resources of the area. Their tourism program is key to the expansion of their environmental and social mission.

Continue on to Madaba to see the famous Byzantine mosaics, dating back to the sixth century. After, visit Karak Castle, built during the Crusades.

Arrive in the early evening to Wadi Musa, the town just outside Petra.

The site is large so please be prepared for a lot of walking over sand and rocks for the entire day. Pace yourself, stay hydrated and be sure to have proper walking/hiking shoes.

Drive to Wadi Rum, a vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds and the largest and most magnificent of Jordan's desert landscapes. Head deep into the desert by 4x4 stopping at famous landmarks along the way.

Arrive to the camp in time for a traditional meal and learn more about this ancient culture. Our dinner is prepared in traditional fashion, with the meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven. Soft drinks and water are available for purchase. Lanterns light the way but we do suggest you bring a flashlight.

We enjoy our picnic lunch as we visit Al Bad’, site of the ancient city of Madyan until the Middle-Ages. The archaeological site dates from the 2nd Century BCE. The city was active during the Nabatean, Roman, and Islamic periods. See The Well of Moses and watch the sunset over the surrounding valley before ending the day in Tabuk.

Jibal Hisma (Jimal Hisma) is the Saudi version of Wadi Rum but left undisturbed for the last millennium. The red sand dunes and giant sandstone mountain protect rock art dating back to the Nabateans. The site is only accessible by 4x4. Small farm families and herdsmen call the region home, with luck we may encounter their herds as we explore.

Explore a very unique area in the desert on the way to Al Ula. We'll leave the main road for the Qaraqir mountains. The area starts off dry and arid but below the rock is a spring that comes out further down the valley where it feeds the green valley known as Wadi Dissa (Sometime spelled Disah). The valley is home to small farms and herds of goats and sheep.

Walk along the Oasis trail. Stop at a stall selling freshly squeezed juice, hang out on a palm swing and enjoy the beautiful setting. Later, visit the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh. Hegra was a principal Frankincense route town built by the Nabataeans, a spectacular site that can't be missed. After a farm lunch, walk around the farm with the owner and learn about local life and agriculture, gaining insight into the life of a local Saudi Farmer. This evening, head over to elephant rock for sunset. Enjoy the transition from sunset colours to night sky and see the illuminated stone formations. We end the day with dinner featuring local Yemeni specialties.

Set out on an early morning drive from Al Ula to Medina. Upon arrival visit the International Fair and the Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization. This is near the Holy Mosque which you will be able to take photos of from the outside. Then, visit Qiba Street which connects the two oldest mosques, the Holy and the Qiba You will only be seeing these mosques from the outside. Spend the later afternoon and evening at your own leisure.

Hop on a train this morning from Medina to Jeddah. After lunch on the corniche, where you might want to try the Saudi version of KFC known as Al Baik, the group will go on a city tour of Jeddah. Stop at the most famous monuments, like the world’s tallest flag pole, fountain, and open air museum. Then, go towards the beach to see the floating mosque and the waterfront. End the day exploring Jedda’s Historical Old City, Al Balad. Which was founded in the 7th century and historically served as the center of Jeddah, another UNESCO World Heritage site. End the visit of the old town by tasting some local specialties. Then, take advantage of free time in the evening to walk along the waterfront and grab a bite to eat for you final night in Saudi Arabia.