Jordan & Syria Coach Tour  

Syria & Jordan offer travellers a journey along ago old highways steeped in the heritage and culture of past and present civilisations, past Caravanserais from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.  At each turn the depth of history can be viewed.  Explore Roman, Greek, Nabatean, Ottoman and Islamic ruins from Zenobia's Palymyra, the Crusader Castle of Crak de Chevalier to Petra.  Discover the wonders hidden in the labyrinth of the old cities of Damascus and Aleppo, under the sea at Aqaba or on the water of the Dead Sea,

Amman - arrival
Arrive Amman. This afternoon, explore Amman, formerly the Ammonite capital city of Rabbath-Ammon and later called Philadelphia. This city with a population of over one million is crowned with the Citadel and Temple of Hercules. At the foot of the citadel in the midst of downtown Amman is the 5000 seat Roman Theatre.

Amman– King's Highway - Petra
This morning leave Amman and travel via one of the world's oldest roads, the 5,000 year old "King's Highway".  Stop at Mt. Nebo, where Moses looked out over the 'Promised Land and from where there are breathtaking views across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea towards Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Then proceed to Madaba to visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George with the earliest surviving mosaic map of the Holy Land (Byzantine, 6^th C AD). Continue by Kerak Crusader Castle. Later arrive at Petra, the rose-red city described as 'half as old as time'. (B)

Petra
Today explore the famous Nabatean rock-cut tombs and temples of Petra.  Entry is via a narrow 'siq', reaching hundreds of feet high.  Your first sight is of El Khazneh - the Treasury, carved ornately in the red rock. The Nabataeans were an industrious Arab people who settled in South Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Other sites include the 3,000 seat theatre (1st C. AD), a Palace Tomb in the Roman style, and a gigantic 1st Century 'Monastery'. (B)

Petra – Wadi Rum - Petra
Today travel to Wadi Rum where Lawrence of Arabia rode across the desert with his Arab liberation army. Take a jeep ride through this impressive moon-like landscape, with its dramatic canyons and dunes. (Duration of jeep trip = 1 hour approx. Note: Wadi Rum drivers & jeeps are locally-based, so the quality may vary, and is beyond the control of Ancient Kingdoms Holidays or its Jordanian representative Petra Tours.)  Return to Petra. (B)  Optional – Petra by Candlelight.

Petra – Dead Sea - Petra 
Return northwards to the Dead Sea on one of the oldest highways on Earth – the King's Highway.  This fascinating road in to history will include Kerak Crusader Castle, Mt Nebo where Moses looked out over the "Promised Land" and Madaba where you can view the oldest known map of the "Holy Land" inland in mosaics. On arrival enjoy the customary float in the local waters. (B)

Dead Sea- Jerash – Border – Bosra- Damascus
Morning visit to Jerash, considered as one of the most beautifully preserved cities in the world. Continue to the border and cross. Drive to Bosra, with its magnificent amphitheatre and once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia, today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then drive to the national capital, Damascus.

Damascus
Walk through the covered Hamidieh Bazaar. Visit the Mausoleum of Sultan Saladin and 17th Century Azem Palace. Continue to the immense and beautiful Umayyad Mosque where the head of John the Baptist is enshrined. This afternoon visit a street famous from the New Testament called Straight Street. Walk onto the Eastern gate of Damascus, St Paul's window and the old walls. Finish your day amidst the brocade, copper and Mosaic factories. (Exact sightseeing may vary depending on day of the week).(B)

Damascus- Palmyra
Depart via the desert road to the ruins of the oasis city of Queen Zenobia at Palmyra. (B)

Palmyra-Hama-Aleppo
Visit Palmyra. These ancient monuments are spread at the foot of a range of limestone hills. An old Arab castle overlooks the ruins. See the Temple of Baal, the Arch of Triumph, Theatre.  Continue north to Hama a view of their famous waterwheels (note: sometimes not operational as depends on water levels). Continue to Aleppo, renowned for its covered souks. (B)

Aleppo
Visit St. Simeon Monastery, where St-Simeon used to live and pray atop a pillar. Later visit the Grand Mosque, Aleppo Citadel. (B)

Aleppo – Krak des Chevaliers - Damascus
Today, visit the impressive Crusader fortress of Krak de Chevaliers and continue to Maaloula, one of the last places where Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ, is still spoken. Later drive to Damascus for your overnight accommodation. (B)