Lebanon & Jordan Encounters

Lebanon & Jordan Encounters

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16 Days From

$3840

Lebanon & Jordan Encounters

16 Days

Visiting: Beirut, Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Baatara Gorge, Qadisha Valley, Becharre, Cedars Ski Resort, Byblos, Ksara Winery, Zahle, Baalbek, Anjar, Bekaa Valley, Deir al Qamar, Beiteddine, Tyre, Sidon, Amman, As-Salt, Dana Biosphere Reserve, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra, Little Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Jerash

Tour operator:

Encounters Travel

Tour code:

333

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 14

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

8-95

Special diets catered:

Request dietary needs

Tour operated in:

English
From: $3840

NB: Prices correct on 25-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Spend the first 7 days of this tour exploring Lebanon, located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Though small, Lebanon is rich with history, culture and was the site of some of the world's oldest human settlements.

On this tour, you will visit the great Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. You will see Byblos, the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, and the City of the Sun, the most well-preserved temple complex in the Middle East.

This Lebanon tour is also perfect for lovers of nature and scenery. You will see several natural phenomena, including the Ksara Caves, Rock of Raouche, the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, and the Jeita Grotto. You will visit the birthplace of the renowned poet Khalil Gibran and see the famous Lebanon cedar trees, mentioned in the Old Testament.

In Jordan our journey begins in Amman, where we'll explore the city's downtown area, including the Citadel and Roman Theatre, and sample local cuisine. We'll then head north to As-Salt for a walking tour showcasing the harmony between its Muslim and Christian communities.

Heading south, we'll stop at the Dana Biosphere Reserve for a short hike around the restored Dana Village. Next, you'll have free time in Aqaba to relax, explore reefs, or take a boat trip.
Our adventure continues into the Wadi Rum desert, where we'll spend the night in a Bedouin camp and embark on a jeep safari through sand dunes and past rock bridges. We'll also learn about the nomadic lifestyle of local Bedouin shepherds.

Next, we'll visit the iconic Petra, entering via the less-crowded back-route hike. We'll explore Little Petra before embarking on a mountain trail to the Monastery and main site, enjoying incredible views of the Holy Land.

Our journey then takes us along the scenic Dead Sea road, offering stunning views of the salt flats. We'll stop at Wadi Mujib for a day of hiking, climbing waterfalls, and swimming in the salty waters of the Dead Sea. On our final day, we'll visit the Roman mosaics at Madaba, enjoy views of Jericho and Israel from Mt. Nebo, and explore the well-preserved Roman site of Jerash.

Highlights

  • Beirut, Beiteddine, Tyre, Sidon, Aanjar, Baalbek, Bcharreb, Qadisha Valley, Bylos, As-Salt, Amman Food Tasting, Dana Hike, Red Sea in Aqaba, Wadi Rum Bedouin Experience, Petra Reverse Hike, Dead Sea and Wadi Mujib Hike, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Jerash

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrival In Beirut, Hotel Transfer

Location: Beirut

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

You arrive at Beirut International Airport. After being met by our representative, you are transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 : Jeita Grotto, Harissa Cable Car & Baatara Gorge

Location: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Baatara Gorge, Qadisha Valley

Accommodation: Lodge

Accommodation Name: Qadisha Valley monastery or guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After leaving Beirut and heading north towards Byblos, we'll experience a thrilling visit to the spectacular Jeita Grotto. Here a system of limestone caves spans a distance of almost 9 kilometres, and contains one of the largest collections of stalactites and stalagmites in the world. It is a symbol of the country and was a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition. Depending on the water level you can explore both on foot and by boat. Next, we visit Harissa, famous for containing an important Christian shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of Lebanon. We take a cable car to the top of the Basilica, from where we can enjoy a spectacular view of the Bay of Jounieh, considered one of the most beautiful bays in the Middle East. Then, we'll head inland to visit the unique Baatara Gorge sinkhole, where during the spring and especially rainy periods a 255-metre waterfall cascades into an enormous cavern known as the Baatara Pothole. The cave is also called the Cave of the Three Bridges, for the three natural stone arches over which the waterfall drops. This is a spectacular natural phenomenon and we have time for a short hike here, and can also explore nearby Douma Village. A traditional Lebanese lunch is included today. The day finishes with a short drive to the beautiful Qadisha Valley where we spend the night in the Monastery of St. Anthony, in a separate building with simple but comfortable en-suite accommodation (a nearby guesthouse will be used if the monastery is closed to visitors or unavailable).

Day 3 : Qadisha Valley, Cedars Ski Resort & Becharre

Location: Qadisha Valley, Becharre, Cedars Ski Resort, Byblos

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Byblos hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Those interested may rise early this morning to join morning prayers with the monks of the monastery. After breakfast, we have time to explore the Qadisha Valley, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known as the Holy Valley, and the Holy River, Nahr Qadisha, flows through it. Many caves are found along its steep cliffs, used as shelters and burial sites in ancient times, and it's a great place for a short morning hike. Our first stop after leaving the valley is the nearby village of Becharre, the birthplace of the iconic novelist and poet of Lebanon, Kahlil Gibran. The village contains a museum dedicated to him, featuring his paintings and manuscripts. Next, we stop at the Cedars Ski Resort, famous for skiing and snowboarding. The area known as the Cedars of God is found nearby, and contains the last remaining groves of the cedar forests that once thrived in the region. The famous cedar trees of Lebanon - Cedrus Libani- are mentioned in the Old Testament and are the national symbol of the country. Later today we arrive in Byblos, an ancient Phoenician city that is thought to have been inhabited for up to 7000 years. Locally, the city is known as Jbeil and is another UNESCO World Heritage site. Byblos is filled with significant historical and archaeological sites, and also features a lovely Phoenician harbour.

Day 4 : Morning In Byblos, Ksara Winery

Location: Byblos, Ksara Winery, Zahle

Accommodation: Homestay

Accommodation Name: Zahle guesthouse

Meals Included: Breakfast

We spend this morning exploring the harbour area and highlights of Byblos. Our destination today will be the village of Zahle, however we'll be making a stop along the way at the Ksara Winery which is possibly the oldest winery in Lebanon. The caves and tunnels have a total length of approximately 2 miles and have been used for generations as wine cellars. You'll have a guided tour of the caves and winery before sampling (and buying if you wish) some of the produce in a wine tasting session.

Day 5 : Baalbeck & Anjar

Location: Baalbek, Anjar, Bekaa Valley, Beirut

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we head to Baalbek, a definite highlight of any visit to Lebanon. Called "Heliopolis" or "City of the Sun" by the Romans and Greeks, it is home to a famous temple complex that is superbly well-preserved. This complex, which is one of the finest examples of Roman architecture at its peak, was built as a sanctuary dedicated to worshipping the Heliopolitan triad of god- Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury. Pilgrims would flock to the temple in their thousands in order to venerate the triad. Still largely intact, the temple has outstanding artistic and historical value. We then visit the Umayyad city of Anjar, located in the Bekaa Valley. Founded in the 8th century by Caliph Walid, it provides evidence of excellent town-planning and features mosques, palaces, and baths. It also features 600 shops, indicating that it was an important commercial centre. In the afternoon we'll return to Beirut.

Day 6 : Deir Al Qamar, Beiteddine & Beirut City Tour

Location: Deir al Qamar, Beiteddine, Beirut

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave Beirut after breakfast and we drive to the Chouf Mountains to visit the village of Deir al Qamar, its name meaning "Monastery of the Moon". The village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the capital of Lebanon during the 17th century. It is quaint and charming, with stone houses and winding roads. We then continue onto the beautiful Beiteddine Palace. The palace, constructed in the 19th century by Emir Bashir, is exceptionally well-preserved and is a testament to the opulence of the time. Finally, we return to Beirut in the afternoon where we'll have time for a city tour. Lebanon's capital and largest city. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, and has had a turbulent history, both ancient and modern. This is evident in the contrast of modern buildings seen alongside small old houses and historical architecture, some still displaying bullet holes and damage from the civil war in the 1970s. Highlights visited include the Beirut Souks, the Corniche, and the downtown region. We will also see the Pigeon Grotto, or the Rock of Raouché, a famous natural formation rising out of the sea.

Day 7 : Tyre, Sidon

Location: Tyre, Sidon

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today’s itinerary consists of a full-day tour of South Lebanon. We start in the city of Tyre, a Word Heritage Site located 85km from Beirut. Tyre is an ancient Phoenician city and is home to a number of important historical sites. Its golden age was during the reign of King Hiram, the most legendary Tyrian king. He fostered close ties with the Hebrew kings David and Solomon, and contributed to the construction of the Temple of Solomon by sending skilled workers and cedar wood. We then drive to Sidon, also known as Saida, another important ancient Phoenician city. The city grew wealthy due to the trade of murex, a type of shellfish from which an expensive purple dye used to be produced, as well as glass. Today, Saida is an important administrative and commercial centre of South Lebanon. You will visit the Great Mosque, the Crusader Sea Castle, Khan el Franj, and other interesting sites. You can also enjoy browsing through the old souks.

Day 8 : Transfer To Jordan

Location: Amman

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Amman hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your time is free today until we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Amman in Jordan to start the next leg of your tour. The Beirut (BEY) to Amman (AMM) flight is not included in the price of the tour, but can either be built into your main international flight ticket or purchased separately as a single ticket. Direct flights are available with Middle Eastern Airlines and Royal Jordanian. On arrival into Amman you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the centre of Amman.

Day 9 : As-Salt, Amman City And Local Food Tasting

Location: As-Salt, Amman

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Amman hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our first visit today is to the hilltop town of As-Salt, around 40 minutes drive from Amman. As-Salt was an important trading link between the Jordan Valley and Eastern Desert, and once the capital of Amman. The town developed its old Islamic architecture using yellow limestone, which was the finest at the time and many impressive buildings can still be seen today, as well as tiny narrow streets packed with shops and stalls. Today the town provides an example of religious and cultural friendship between the local Muslim and Christian population and we take a walking tour on its self-designed 'Harmony Trail' to learn more about the town and local life in Jordan. In the afternoon we continue with a city tour of Amman. Amman is rich in history, dating back many millennia. Archaeological discoveries have uncovered remains from the Neolithic period as well as the Hellenistic and late Roman to Arab Islamic Ages. We'll start by making our way to the Citadel - the former home of the ancient Temple of Hercules, The Umayyad Palace, the Byzantine Church before we make our way to the 6000-seater Roman theatre, which was built during the Roman Period. The ancient theatre is still in use today, playing host to numerous cultural events. Whilst in Downtown Amman, we also include a food tasting tour. During the tour we'll try several different dishes (which will vary from departure to departure), starting with a snack of either Manakish (with its various toppings of egg, white cheese or za'atar) or a classic falafel sandwich. Perhaps the Jordanian national dish of Mansaf, slow cooked lamb with rice and yoghurt sauce. Finally we'll try one of the cities famous desserts like Knafeh from one the popular local sweet shops.

Day 10 : Dana Biosphere Reserve Hike. Drive To Aqaba

Location: Dana Biosphere Reserve, Aqaba

Accommodation: Resort

Accommodation Name: Aqaba Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, we'll make our way down the Desert Highway, to the Dana Biosphere Reserve where we'll stop for a relatively easy hike in the beautiful scenery and hills of the reserve. This is Jordan's largest nature reserve, and there are great views of the valleys and hills on the various trails around the restored Dana village. Spring is a particularly lovely time to visit with the terrain surprisingly green and full of flowers. We'll stop for an included picnic lunch and take a walk before continuing on to the Red Sea city of Aqaba where you'll have a free evening (and morning tomorrow).

Day 11 : Free Morning In Aqaba And Overnight Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp

Location: Aqaba, Wadi Rum

Accommodation: Camp

Accommodation Name: Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning is free for you to relax beside the red sea, explore Aqaba or enjoy the many water sports which Aqaba has to offer. The crystal blue waters and colourful reefs around Aqaba offer some of the Red Seas best diving. Morning boat trips to go snorkelling on the nearby reefs are available too. After joining our arrivals from Egypt this afternoon, we leave Aqaba and drive into the spectacular desert scenery of Wadi Rum where friendly Bedouin hosts are ready to greet us at a comfortable camp beneath the towering rocks and cliffs. We spend the evening and night relaxing at the camp and enjoying a delicious traditional Jordanian meal which normally includes the option of 'Zarb' a Jordanish dish normally comprising of Lamb and Chicken that is cooked underground in Bedouin style. Options this evening include a sunset camel ride or star gazing with telescopes.

Day 12 : A Jeep Safari And Bedouin Experience In Wadi Rum, Travel To Petra

Location: Wadi Rum, Petra

Accommodation Name: Petra hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast in the camp, we take a jeep safari through the sands and beneath the towering 'jebels' of Wadi Rum, stopping to climb sand dunes and to see some of the strange rock formations, including a spectacular rock bridge.We'll also do some local activities inspired from the Bedouin traditions, walking with a local shepherd with his sheep and goats to a Bedouin tent.We can also join in and learn about other traditional Bedouin activities such as shearing the sheep & goats' hair, milking, grinding grains, making bread and roasting coffee until our lunch is ready. Finally, after really getting a feel for nomadic Bedouin life, we return by jeep to our camp and then drive to Petra.You have the option for a spectacular and atmospheric introduction to Petra tonight, with the Petra by Night tour. Here you walk through the Siq to the Treasury, the whole way being atmospherically lit up by hundreds of candles.

Day 13 : Reverse-Route Mountain Hike To Petra Via Little Petra

Location: Petra, Little Petra

Accommodation Name: Petra hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is all about exploring the Nabatean site of Petra. It was once the ancient capital of the Nabataean commercial empire until the Romans finally took over in 106AD. For a long period of time, Petra was forgotten - except by the local Bedouins - before it was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Petra can be found at the edge of the Wadi Aruba desert, where canyon walls and towering hills make it virtually impossible to reach, except via a narrow cleft in the rock, known as the Siq. There are very few free-standing buildings in Petra, as the Nabateans chose to carve their dwellings into the multi coloured sandstone cliffs. Petra has become one of Jordan's main tourist attractions and the Jordanian Government is well aware of this. The tourism infrastructure in the adjoining village of Wadi Musa is booming, though, thankfully, once you enter through the Siq, the site is protected, there aren't that many touts or souvenir sellers, and all the building feels miles away.We have most of the day available today to explore this ancient city, though as an added bonus, we'll be exploring Petra via the back-route which starts at Little Petra. Before embarking on our hike into Petra, we'll explore the small but equally interesting site of Little Petra, or Siq al-Barid. From here we'll take a short jeep ride to the start of the mountail trail which links Little Petra to the Monastery and main site of Petra.The back-route into Petra makes for an interesting and much less crowded way of visiting, and what's more, you'll be rewarded with incredible mountain views towards the Holy Land. Whilst hiking the back-route you'll still have the opportunity to see all of the same monuments visited on the normal route, with the addition of Little Petra and the Monastery. The route starts with the ascent of a number of rock hewn steps and paths which straddle the mountain edge. After reaching a plateau, there is an opportunity to stop for refreshments at a small cafe from where you'll have some fantastic photo opportunities. From here the path continues until you'll have a glimpse of 'Ad-Deir' (or the Monastery) where you can have a well deserved rest before descending down into the main site of Petra.Once in Petra the valley opens out, and you'll see tombs carved into the rock on both sides. You'll get a glimpse of the ruined Roman amphitheatre and colonnaded streets. As we continue through the ancient city of Petra, we'll eventually reach The Khazneh (Treasury) which is probably the most familiar monument of Petra.Whilst the back-route hike into Petra isn't particularly difficult, as a number of ascents/descents and a significant number of steps are required, this route is only suitable for those who have no issue in hiking in this type of terrain for a minimum of 2-3 hours as far as the Monastery and then a further few hours walking on sandy terrain, whilst exploring the main site of Petra.For those with less mobility or who are worried about the distance, horse carriages are available for around 20JD (USD 28) for an agreed period of time (only available within the main site of Petra, not on the hiking route). We do not recommend riding the horses that are available.

Day 14 : Dead Sea Road To Wadi Mujib - Siq Trail Hike. Dead Sea 'Swim'

Location: Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib

Accommodation Name: Dead Sea hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After enjoying breakfast in Petra, we'll head north along the Dead Sea road to Wadi Mujib, where we'll hike along the exciting Siq Trail. Along the way we'll be rewarded with great views of the Salt Flats at the southern end of the Dead Sea. As we continue along the shores of the Dead Sea we eventually reach the visitor centre of Wadi Mujib. You'll have time to have lunch here (not included) before entering the water and embarking on the hike.Descending down into the gorge we enter the Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve where between months of April and October (see note below for periods outside of this) it's possible to take an exciting hike through the shallow waters that fill the gorge. Along the way you'll climb up small waterfalls where steps have being installed to make it easier, until eventually you'll reach the end of the gorge where you can relax beneath a large waterfall. The entire hike generally takes 2 to 3 hours roundtrip.We highly recommend bringing along a dry-bag (so your camera or mobile phone don't get wet) and water shoes. It is possible to hire a dry bag at the visitors centre for around US$7.00 and purchase water shoes for US$7.00).Note: In the months from November to March, when it isn't possible to hike along the Siq Trail, we'll include a visit to the Baptism site in Bethany. This is a relatively recently excavated site believed to be the biblical 'Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan' where John baptised Jesus Christ. Several churches, caves and pools dating from Roman and Byzantine periods have been discovered here. Both Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI have visited. An electric minibus takes you from the visitor centre to the three sites: Tell Mar Elias, the Baptism Pools and John the Baptist's Church.After a day of activities, we'll make our way down to our resort right on the banks of the Dead Sea, where you have some free time to swim - or rather float - in its incredibly salty waters and to relax by the hotel pool. Don't forget a newspaper or magazine for your iconic Dead Sea photo!

Day 15 : Madaba, Mount Nebo And Roman Jerash

Location: Madaba, Mount Nebo, Jerash

Accommodation Name: Amman hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a restful night we head to nearby Madaba, where we'll marvel at the Byzantine mosaics and the 'Madaba Map' - which is the oldest preserved map of the Holy Land. From Madaba, we'll make our way to Mount Nebo, the place where the prophet Moses looked across the Promised Land and is also his burial place. On a clear day, which is most of the time, you get great views towards Jericho and beyond from here.Our final visit of the day is to the ancient city of Jerash - known for being one of the largest and well-preserved Greco-Roman cities outside of Europe. Once we arrive in Jerash, we'll visit the Forum, explore its Roman colonnaded streets, the Nymphaeum and the Temple of Artemis - built on one of the highest points in the city.We end our day with a return drive to Amman, where we'll spend our final night in Jordan.

Day 16 : Free Time In Amman, Hotel To Airport Transfer Included

Location: Amman

Accommodation Name: N/A

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your time is free in Amman today until we pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure. Further sightseeing tours are available today if you have a late afternoon or evening flight, including a trip to the Baptism Site at Bethany on the Jordan River. This tour also connects well with several of our Egypt and Israel tours; please contact us for ideas and help with connections.

What's Included

What's Not Included

  • International flights (available on request)
  • International flight between Beirut and Amman (available on request)
  • Visa fees (Lebanon - free on arrival for most nationalities, Jordan - available free as part of the Jordan Pass)

More Info

Spend the first 7 days of this tour exploring Lebanon, located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Though small, Lebanon is rich with history, culture and was the site of some of the world's oldest human settlements. On this tour, you will visit the great Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. You will see Byblos, the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, and the City of the Sun, the most well-preserved temple complex in the Middle East. This Lebanon tour is also perfect for lovers of nature and scenery. You will see several natural phenomena, including the Ksara Caves, Rock of Raouche, the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, and the Jeita Grotto. You will visit the birthplace of the renowned poet Khalil Gibran and see the famous Lebanon cedar trees, mentioned in the Old Testament. In Jordan we start by heading out of Amman to discover some of Jordan's famous Umayyad 'Desert Castles', situated amidst the sands on ancient trading routes. We'll also explore Downtown Amman on foot, enjoying a tasty lunch of falafel and hummus in a local restaurant and picking up some Arabic tips from our guide. Next we head north to the amazing Roman site of Jerash, one of the very best preserved in the whole of the Middle East. An afternoon hike through the forests near Ajloun Castle to see some Bronze Age Dolmens follows, before we spend the night in a simple but comfortable local homestay, eating and chatting with the family. The Roman mosaics at Madaba are next, and the amazing views towards Jericho and Israel from Mt. Nebo follow, as we descend towards the Dead Sea for a night in a 4-star resort and a swim, or float in the amazing salty waters. From the Dead Sea our next short hike takes us around the restored Dana Village in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan's largest nature reserve. A visit to the Crusader Castle at Shobak then follows before we explore Jordan's main highlight, the amazing lost city of Petra. We have time for a guided tour here, as well as free time to hike up to the Monastery and High Place of Sacrifice for some amazing views. Finally we head to the beautiful desert scenery of Wadi Rum where we'll spend the night in a comfortable Bedouin camp against the towering cliffs. The next morning we take a jeep safari through the sand dunes and past amazing rock bridges before spending some time with a local Bedouin shepherd, learning about their nomadic way of life and how they look after their animals in the desert. After a tasty lunch in the desert, we head back north to Amman for a final evening in a coffee shop, perhaps enjoying a sheesha and game of backgammon while looking back over our time in this amazing country.

Mode of Transport

A/C car/minibus/coach

Accommodation

3 to 4-star hotels

Guesthouse

Monastery

Bedouin camp

Check out our Q&As

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.

    To promote tourism to the country, the Jordanian government has designed the Jordan Pass. This provides adults of most nationalities with a free single entry Jordan visa (for stays of 3 nights or more), a discounted package of entrance fees, and free digital brochures for the various sites in Jordan. Please check the Jordan Pass tour note for more information.

    Double or multi entry visas for Jordan are no longer available and you will need to arrange two visas if you are doing a combination tour (eg. with Egypt and/or Israel) that visits Jordan more than once. Exceptions may occur if you are crossing to and from Israel via the King Hussein Bridge - please contact us for details.

    If you wish to arrange your visa separately in advance, or if your stay will be shorter than four days/3 nights, then a visa fee of 40JD (approx. USD 57) will be due.

    Families with children under 12 are recommended not to purchase the Jordan Pass for the children as entrance fees are not charged in Jordan for children under 12. Instead, the adults should purchase a Jordan Pass and we will arrange a free visa for the children which you will receive when we meet you on arrival into Amman airport.

    Other nationalities may require a visa prior to arrival and to obtain this in advance, please contact your local Jordanian embassy or consulate or a visa agency for details. In addition, if you plan to enter Jordan via the southern Wadi Araba crossing (Eilat-Aqaba) or the Allenby Bridge/King Hussein border with Israel in the north, you will need to obtain your Jordan visa in advance as these are not available on arrival at the border.

  • Is travel insurance compulsory?

    Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.

  • When is my balance payment due?

    60 days prior to departure

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s

  • Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

    Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Pauline M  

Dream come true!

October 2023

This was a solo trip for me and it started in Jordan with my guide, Omar Almansi. Omar had such an amazing presence and spirit and I knew it was going to be as amazing as I was dreaming. Little Petra, Petra, camping in Wadi Rum… it was all incredible. Omar knew the significance of people seeing such incredible sites and his guiding did not disappoint! My trip then went in to Egypt. WOW. It’s hard to find the words. The pyramids, tombs, temples, Abu Simbel, all of it was unreal. My guide there, Ayman Kenawy, was unbelievable. His vast knowledge was inspiring but his way of navigating and making the trip memorable for everyone he guided was his true gift! As a solo female traveler people worry about me but I never felt worried at all. Both Omar and Ayman looked out for me and made me feel so welcome. They never steered me wrong. Cairo was much busier than Amman so I was grateful for all the extra effort that made my trip so easy I could focus on the magic all around me. This was a very deep and profound journey for me and it exceeded my expectations.

Cristina Diniz  

Recommended Trip

October 2017

Love them! Very professional and caring service.

Katherine S  

Jordan and Egypt Adventure

August 2017

Couldn’t recommend Enocunters Travel any more highly. We traveled all over Jordan and Egypt and it was seamless. From booking through departure it was a wonderful experience. Our tours guides Yassar and Ayman were professional, knowledgeable and beyond helpful. Our drivers, especially Mohannad in Jordan, but honestly all of them, were safe, considerate and enthusiastic. We saw so many things and made memories to last a life time. Everyone was so tolerant of our crazy amounts of luggage (wasn’t our only trip) and even though we took trains and boats, it wasn’t too much of an issue. I feel like we learned so much that I could teach a class of Egyptian history at this point!

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Enquire for huge savings

Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.

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