DAY 1 - UK/Amman
Depart on your scheduled flight to Amman where we stay overnight.
DAY 2 - Petra
Depart Amman for the drive south to Madaba, home of the most famous Byzantine mosaics. Visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, where the famous 6th century Madaba Mosiac Map of holy places in the biblical world can be seen. Continue to Mount Nebo, from which Moses sighted the Promised Land. Drive via Wadi Mujjib and the Kings Highway to visit the Crusader castle of Kerak, which dates back to the 12th century. Continue to the greatest city of the Nabataeans, Petra, which dates back over 2,000 years where we stay for two nights.
DAY 3 - Petra
Today we include a full day walking visit to Petra, which was once a wealthy city on the trade route to the east. The people of Petra carved their dwellings and civic buildings out of the sandstone to create a magnificent city like no other before or since. The city was later to fall into decline and was abandoned in the 4th century. The city is reached via a long narrow defile, known as the Siq. As you emerge from the Siq your first view is of the magnificent Treasury building.
DAY 4 - Amman
Depart Petra via Wadi Rum, where you will explore the desert in a 4x4 jeep before continuing to Wadi Araba and the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth at 1,369ft below sea level. Here you may have the opportunity to bathe and relax in the unusually salty water. Return to Amman for an overnight stay.
DAY 5 - Amman
Morning city tour of Amman (known in biblical times as Philadelphia), including the Roman amphitheatre and the magnificent citadel. We will also visit the most beautiful and preserved Roman city of Jerash. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to Delhi.
DAY 6 - Delhi
Morning arrival in Delhi followed by a transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. This afternoon we include a sightseeing tour of New Delhi. You will visit Humayan’s Tomb, aptly described as the predecessor of the Taj Mahal, and the Qtab Minar, one of the most impressive towers in the world. You will then drive through the diplomatic quarter, seeing the official residence of the President and the Indian Gate. A brief visit will also be made to Old Delhi.
DAY 7 - Agra
Depart Delhi for the drive to Agra and en route visit the tomb of Akbar the Great at Sikandra. On arrival in Agra you will visit Agra Fort, an imposing sandstone fortress, where you will see the octagonal Jasmine Tower. Continue to the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 8 - Jaipur
This morning we pay a visit to the Taj Mahal at sunrise before the morning drive from Agra to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. This graceful sandstone city was built in 1569 by Emperor Akbar to commemorate the birth of his son. Continue to the famous pink city’ of Jaipur, which is set amongst barren hills and is the capital of Rajasthan. Here India is arguably at its most colourful and exotic. Under the British, Rajasthan continued as a collection of princely states, each with its own Maharaja. Huge battle-scarred forts dominate almost every town, the most spectacular of which is the Amber Fort, eight miles outside Jaipur. Accommodation for two nights has been arranged.
DAY 9 - Jaipur
Morning included visit to the Amber Fort, set high above a valley and lake. This afternoon we include a sightseeing tour of Jaipur. The old city is surrounded by a wall with seven historic gates. All the buildings were painted pink by Maharaja’s decree, and the central landmarks are the City Palace and the Hawe Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds, one of the best known sights in India. This stunning sandstone building is unique, consisting of tier upon tier of curved arches surmounting casement and trellis work through which the wind whispers.
DAY 10 - Delhi
Depart Jaipur for the drive back to Delhi for an overnight stay at the Crowne Plaza. Evening at leisure.
DAY 11 - Delhi/UK
Early morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK via Amman.