Tour Packages From NATAS Travel Agents

Jordan

OVERVIEW:

A Wealth of Ancient Wonders

There are not many places in the world that can compare to the Kingdom of Jordan, a destination that offers a mix of superb food, magnificent landscape and the Bedouin way of life. A visit to Jordan includes a tour of archaeological sites, remarkable desert scenery and places of religious significance to several major faiths.

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ATTRACTIONS:

Dead Sea

One of the most intriguing sites in the country is the Dead Sea, where the water is nine times saltier than normal seawater. It is situated 1,312 feet below sea level, which makes it literally the lowest spot on earth. As far back as ancient times, the Dead Sea has been regarded as a natural and geological wonder. Traders, prophets and even kings travelled from far and wide to experience it.

The water here contains high mineral content so nothing can live in it, which is why it is known as the Dead Sea. Be sure to try the novel experience of floating effortlessly in the water. Even if you are a non-swimmer, there is no chance of drowning. It is virtually impossible to sink in the buoyant water. The Dead Sea is located about an hour from Amman, the capital of Jordan.

Aqaba

The city of Aqaba in southern Jordan stands in stark contrast to the desert in the north. The weather is clement for nine months of the year, and even during summer, it is possible to enjoy cool evenings.

Aqaba is home to the Red Sea, where it is possible to swim among the genial dolphins, sea turtles and schools of colourful fish. Beneath the calm water currents, there is an abundance of coral and marine life making it ideal for snorkelling. If you are averse to getting your feet wet, it is possible to marvel at the deep-sea wonders in a glass-bottomed boat or by submarine

Several diving centres here offer boat trips to dive sites and professional instructors are on hand to cater to diving enthusiasts

Don’t miss exploring Wadi Rum, about an hour away, and its famous labyrinth of massive natural rock landscapes. Film buffs will find the valley familiar; it was used as a filming location for the movie Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen.

Religious sites

Some of the places mentioned in various religious texts are located in Jordan. The spiritually significant sites include Bethany Beyond the Jordan where Jesus was baptised by John as revealed in the Bible. People from all over the world still come here to be baptized.

St. Elijah’s Hill (Tell Al-Kharrar) is renowned as the place where the Prophet Elijah ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire. The Jordan River Valley is mentioned in the Book of Genesis as the ‘Garden of the Lord’ and it is believed to be the location of the Garden of Eden.

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are referred to in Old Testament stories. The tour guide will point out a dried salt column which is said to be the remains of Lot’s wife who disobeyed God’s will and was turned into a pillar of salt.

The Kings’ Highway is an attraction that dates back to Biblical times. It is mentioned that Moses intended to lead his people along the Kings’ Highway through the land of Edom. Today it is a well-paved road that winds through the heart of the Jordanian highlands, passing through stunning landscapes and important ancient sites. The journey is an astonishing experience that takes you to Petra, regarded as the jewel of South Jordan.

Petra City

The ancient lost city of Petra is an amazing site. Just imagine. A city carved out of the rocks more than 2,000 years ago by an Arab tribe known as the Nabataeans. Not surprisingly, it is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. Petra showcases Eastern traditions combined with the architecture of the Hellenistic era, which marks the period after the rule of Alexander the Great.

The entrance to Petra is an experience in itself. You will find yourself walking through a narrow ravine known as the Siq. It is about a kilometre long and on both sides of the chasm are cliffs that soar as high as 80 metres.

At the end of the gorge, a towering structure known as the Treasury or Al-Khazneh will greet you. It was used to great effect in the final sequence of the Steven Spielberg film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Hidden even deeper and higher up in the mountains is the Monastery. The steep 900-stair path cut into the rock winds its way into the mountains. The walk takes about one hour up and 20 minutes down.

Bedouin culture

Little has changed among the Bedouins in Jordan. They maintain a semi-nomadic lifestyle and wear customary clothes that consist of a full-length tunic and checked headscarf. The Bedouin people carry out traditional activities like herding sheep or goats, as they have done for centuries. The locals also provide horse, donkey and camel rides to tourists. What sets them apart is the Bedouin sense of hospitality; they often invite visitors to take a seat and enjoy coffee or a meal.

Shopping

Jordan abounds with handicrafts such as beautiful embroidery; rugs weaved by hand, earthenware and glass vessels, paraphernalia decorated with Islamic imagery and deftly woven baskets that make excellent souvenirs. Also look for Bedouin ornaments and bottles filled with multi-coloured sands.

Arabic fare

Arabic food ranks highly in nutritional value because it is made of nourishing and easily digested ingredients. A typical Arabic feast starts with a range of appetisers called mazzeh or muqabalat. Be sure to savour the hummusand koubba maqliya - a deep fried oval-shaped ball of bulgar wheat paste crust filled with minced meat and pine nuts. A Jordanian specialty dish is the mansaf, which is stewed lamb in a yogurt sauce served on a large platter.

Nothing beats sipping tiny cups of strong Arabic coffee in authentic Bedouin style. Typically, three cups of the brew are served - one for the soul, one for the sword and one for the guest. If you ask for a fourth cup, you’re being greedy.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

Getting there:

Royal Jordanian flies daily direct from Bangkok (for more information, visit DeksAir, Singapore)

The main gateway to Jordan is the airport in the capital city of Amman. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways fly to Amman with a stopover. Royal Jordanian flies daily direct from Bangkok.

Getting around:

While it is best to go on a group tour, it is possible to explore Jordan as a free independent traveller (FIT) by means of private cars for hire or taxis. Taxis are reasonably priced and can be engaged from lines outside hotels or hailed on the road. Generally, taxi drivers are helpful and usually speak some English.

Visa requirements

Singaporeans are required to have an entry visa to Jordan, which is available upon arrival at Amman Airport. The fee for visa stamping is 20 Jordanian Dinars (approximately S$38). ** Please check with your travel agents.

Language
While Arabic is the official language in Jordan, English is widely spoken by service providers in the tourism industry.

Currency
1 Jordanian Dinar (JOD) is worth approximately S$1.90

* Note:Information correct at the time of publication.

Information is provided by JORDAN TOURISM BOARD

WEATHER:

Jordan enjoys four seasons during the year. The colder months are from the middle of December to February and the hotter months are from the middle of June to August. Apart from these periods, the weather is pleasantly cool in the day for most of the year.

Average temperature for cold months (Range 3.2 - 13 degrees C.)
Average temperature for hot months (Range 29 - 32 degrees C.)

Destination

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