Day 1
Arrive Amman airport for collection and short drive to our 3 star locally owned and run hotel to settle in and rest.

Day 2
After a sleep in and good breakfast, we shall hold a briefing before we set out for the Roman city of Jerash. The drive north through the green hills of upper Jordan takes about an hour passing through green hilly country before we find ourselves entering Hadrian's Arch and making our way to the circus.  Jersah may be regarded as the Pompeii of the Middle East but without the crowds.  Theatres, shops, temples baths and fountains will all be explored before we walk the Cardo.  Lunch will be a buffet of delicious Arab foods taken under a trellis of Bougainvillea with history before us.  We return to our home in Amman for dinner.

Day 3
We depart early as today there is much to be discovered.  We transfer to our excellent hotel in Petra.  Our route will take us along the shore of the Dead Sea before climbing 4,000 feet to the magnificent Crusader Castle town of Karak.  We picnic within the castle walls before enjoying the company of a castle guide for an hour. Then having visited our friend the carpet weaver (who works only with natural camel and sheeps wool) we journey south on the Desert Highway for 100 miles before turning into the mountains to stop in the evening twilight to marvel at the silhouette of jagged mountain peaks that form the hiding place of Petra - the incredible Nabatean city of temples that pre dates the Roman Empire.  A warm welcome always awaits us here at one of the friendliest hotels to be found anywhere. 

Day 4
Quite simply this is a day like no other.  Hiking in Petra is unique.  The views are stunning but more than any other place history seems to take a hold of your imagination and leads ever onwards to new discoveries.  A 2 mile hike down the narrow corridor of the famous siq (canyon) will reveal one of the ancient world's great wonders - the rose red city of Petra.  Our day will be one of exploration and amazement as we discover temples, amphitheatres and tombs before gently climbing the stairway to the High Place of Sacrifice or depending on how we feel Monastery.  We return to our hotel in time top relax by the pool before dinner.  Afterwards, you may stroll across the street to the very spot where Moses is said to have tapped the rock from whence the water spouted forth:  Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff.  Water gushed out and the community and their livestock drank (Numbers 20:11)

Day 5
An early start.  Before breakfast a drive of just 6 miles will bring us to the entrance of Al Beid – Little Petra.  This largely ignored gem, hidden deep within the canyon system of the mountains, offers us a gentle walk through history in complete solitude – except perhaps for the shepherd boys and their goats.  We return to our hotel for a hearty breakfast before enjoying further exploration of Petra itself.  We will enjoy a third night in our friendly home.

Day 6
A big day today as we hike to Aaron's Tomb - our final Petra hike and one packed with intrigue.  Our final evening in Petra.

Days 7, 8 & 9
"Miles of wind rippled sand, ever changing mountain scenery; elegant camels with big soft feet led by beautiful Bedouin boys; dunes of red sand; a soft wind on your face at sunset.  Absolute silence.  Above all, a sense of being alone yet embraced by nature.  Quite magical."  David and Maria Grenfell, New York, NY
We drive almost 100 miles down from the mountains to fabled Wadi Rum.  It was here that in 1917 T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) raised the Bedouin tribes in revolt against the Ottoman Empire.  These days little has changed.  The Seven Pillars of Wisdom still stand guard over what Lawrence described as “The Triumphal Way” and the Huweitat tribe still offer the same famous hospitality to travelers as they did in the days of Lawrence.  Our guide here is Saleem – an old friend whose company and laughter we have enjoyed on many hiking and climbing adventures (in fact, Euan lived with Saleem’s family for most of 2002 living the life of a desert nomad & camel herder). We will arrive in time to enjoy a Bedouin lunch at Saleem’s family home – Manseff (a delicious meal of rice, chicken and boiled yogurt) . As we eat, our luggage will be loaded -  this is the start of our Safari.  We say Safari because we would not wish you to think of camping as we know it.  We will have 2 jeeps, camels, cook, camel boy and, of course, Saleem and Dig.  Bed mattresses are provided as are carpets, tents and everything to make you comfortable and ready for trekking by day and relaxing by night around the camp fire, sipping tea under a canopy of stars worthy of the tales of Arabian Nights. We will have 4 days and 3 nights on Safari during which time we will learn to ride camels (optional!), walk Rock Arches, discover the solitude of the desert and take a half days hike from camp to Jordan's highest peak (1,830m or just over 5,000ft) from where stunning views of Arabia and the distant Red Sea are breathtaking.

Safari Information
TENTS:  We find most people prefer to sleep under the stars, however we supply good sized tents  (this is no ordinary tent) and upon your arrival to camp each evening, your bed will be made, incense will be burning on your table with a cold beer/juice waiting for you in the cooler.
FOOD:   Breakfast will consist of Tea/Coffee/Fruit juices with freshly baked bread from the fire, fruit, honey, eggs, cheese. Lunch is always freshly cooked rice with chicken or Lamb, fruit and tea and fruit juices. Dinner is as above but also accompanied with salads and baking. 
WATER:  The dry warmth of the desert tends not to make one sweat much.  We have showers which will leave you feeling fresh and relaxed.
HIKING is gentle and at a relaxed pace that allows you to enjoy the surroundings.
Our camels are always with us and you may ride as much, or little as you wish. We hike for about 6 hours in the day plus a lunch break that also allows for an hour long siesta or time to catch up on your journal.  Light footwear is best and only very light packs need be carried.

Day 10
Following our final desert breakfast, we will hike to Khazali Canyon to view some amazing Thamudic inscriptions in this beautiful place before our return to Rum village for lunch while our kit is transferred to our mini bus. Later, we drop down from the desert to the rather quaint little town of Aqaba which sits on the shore of the Red Sea. After settling in to our comfortable hotel, we suggest you enjoy a libation by the rooftop pool, watching a glorious sunset over the sea and mountains - there is nowhere more comfortable to watch a sunset going down over four countries ... which four? That is for you to discover!

Day 11
We spend the morning exploring the little streets and alleys of this truly Arab town perhaps being tempted by rugs, jewelry or antique coffee pots before another excellent lunch at one of our favorite restaurants.  For the afternoon we suggest you join us at The Royal Jordanian Diving School for a real contrast to your Desert Expedition – snorkeling in the Red Sea over stunning coral reefs amongst tropical fish of every color.  In the evening you may wish to relax in the Turkish baths before our final dinner together.

Day 12
At 3pm we head north and return to the airport at Amman for connections homeward.

"An unforgettable gourmet experience - Jordanian food is wonderful." Fred and Betty Zochetti, Seattle, WA

ACCOMMODATIONS
Based for 8 nights in very comfortable hotels and 3 nights camping under the stars. 

TRANSPORT
Support by mini-bus, jeep and camel.
Dutch airline KLM offers a good service via Amsterdam; Continental flies direct from New York to Amman;  Air France to Amman via Paris.

MEALS
All meals included except 2 lunches and 4 picnics. In each of our exceptional hotels in Amman, Petra and Aqaba you will have a choice of international cuisine or Arab food. 
At no time have guests on any of our trips suffered from upset stomachs - food is excellent and well prepared and hygiene impeccable.

GUIDES
Dig Bulmer BAEML; Euan Bulmer (both have been leading trips to Jordan for 6 years); Saleem Atieg (Slaeem was born and raised in Wadi Rum and as you would expect knows this desert intimately).  When His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visited Wadi Rum in September 2004 he chose Saleem's family to guide him on his desert adventure.

LUGGAGE
To be kept to a minimum please - one carry bag and a large rucksack should suffice (remember the less you bring the more you can take home!)

CLOTHING
Cool clothing that both covers the body from the sun and ensures that we do not offend local custom is required. Evenings can be cool, so bring some woolens. In the desert, and for scrambling, good quality trainers are perfect - heavy boots are not required. Sleeping bags are not required - 2 person tents and mattress and blankets are provided. All expedition cooking will be done by the Bedouin.    

LAND COST    
$3650. Single supplement $645.
This trip is limited to 14 people plus guides

"Great adventure and travels with a Scotsman."  Ann Carrington, London, England