Arrive at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Toledo Hotel 3* or similar (D)

Explore the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, nicknamed the “white city” for its many white stone buildings. Visit the Roman theatre, the Amman Citadel, the National Archeological Museum, and the Jordan Folklore Museum. Next it’s off to the desert castles. See the enigmatic Qasr al-Kharana fortress, the Qasr Amra wall paintings, and the Roman/medieval fort built from basalt at Azraq. Return to Amman at the end of the day. (B-L-D)

Set out on the King’s Highway to see Mount Nebo, said to be where Moses is buried. Enjoy incredible views of Jericho, the Jordan Valley, and the Dead Sea. Continue on to Madaba to explore the famous mosques and see the oldest map of the Holy Land. Next visit Shobak, a fortified castle dating back to the 12th-century Crusades, before arriving in Petra. Petra Palace Hotel 3* or similar (B-L-D)

Spend the whole day exploring Petra, a city carved by the Nabataeans in the pink rock of Sharah and rediscovered in the 19th century by explorer Jean Louis Burkhardt. Enter the city through the Siq, a narrow passage cut into the rock by the wind, and admire the many monuments, including the Khazneh (“The Treasury”), the Roman theatre, the royal tombs, and the Pharaoh’s daughter’s palace. (B-L-D)

Set off for the Neolithic village of Bheida and “Little Petra” before continuing to Wadi Rum and its magnificent weathered dunes. Wadi Rum is a vast plain dotted with gigantic towering rocks, the cracks of which reveal signs of ancient human cultures. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, followed by a 2-hour jeep tour. Have dinner and spend the night at the camp. Rum Oasis Luxury Camp (B-L-D)

Travel through Wadi Araba to Bethany, where John the Baptist is said to have baptized Christ, before arriving at the shores of the Dead Sea. Spend the afternoon at the beach on your own schedule. Return to Amman at the end of the day. Toledo Hotel 3* or similar (B-L-D)

Set off to visit Jerash, pearl of the East and one of the best-preserved Roman cities. The Oval Plaza is the only one of its kind in the entire Mediterranean basin. Then travel to Ajlun, known for its 12th-century castle built by Saladin, who chased the Crusaders out of Transjordan in 1189. Enjoy sweeping views over the entire region, famous for its olive trees. (B-L-D)

Transfer to the airport. (B)