Compare Petra & Dubai by Encounters Travel vs Dubai 4 Days TAJ Dubai (5 star) by SITA World Tours

Day 1: Arrive in Amman. Hotel transfers included Once you arrive in Amman, you will be welcomed by our staff before we transfer to your hotel. We'll help you check in and show you where the local shops, cafés and restaurants are before we give you some free time to explore the city before we officially start the tour tomorrow. | OVERNIGHT: Amman hotel | MEALS: None | EXTRAS: Superior hotel upgrade, Single room supplement (required if no same-sex room share available), Extra day in Amman - pre-tour, As-Salt and Bethany tour Day 2: A city tour of Amman and exploring Jerash We start the day by heading to the nearby ruined city of Jerash. It's hard not to be in awe of this masterpiece of Roman architecture which was once hidden under sand. You'll explore some of the city's ruined highlights, which includes theatres, baths, fountains, winding paved streets and striking hilltop temples. In the afternoon we take a city tour back in Amman, which is known as the 'white city' due to its vast collection of white limestone buildings. Your guide will give you a glimpse into Amman's rich history, pointing out the excavations and renovations made during from the Neolithic period, the Hellenistic period and the late Roman to Arab Islamic Ages. The Citadel is another highlight and you can see the ancient temple of Hercules, the 8th century Umayyad Palace, the Byzantine Church and the 6,000 seat Roman theatre. This intricate 2nd century theatre is still used today for cultural events. | OVERNIGHT: Amman hotel | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: Amman evening food tasting tour Day 3: King's Highway to Petra with stops at Madaba & Kerak Castle King's Highway to Petra via Madaba and Kerak Another day of exploration awaits, starting with a drive along the picturesque King's Highway to Petra. Although this route takes a bit longer, its alluring views makes it worth going the extra mile. As we drive, we'll pass numerous wadis, olive groves and rural villages. We'll stop in Madaba to visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. Your guide will also show you the famous 6th century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land along with other biblical sites. Next, we'll make our way up Mount Nebo, which offers breath-taking views of the Holy Land. Back on the road, we'll cross more wadis, including the impressive Wadi al-Mujib before we reach Kerak Castle - which is one in a chain of Crusader fortresses lined across Jordan on the ancient Egypt-Syrian caravan route. This mammoth fortress was built in 1132 AD by the Crusader King Baldwin and then fell to Saladin in 1188AD. We won't make any more stops until we reach Petra, where we'll help you check into your hotel for the evening. You have some free time to do as you please, but we do suggest going on the Petra by Candlelight tour through the Siq to the Treasury. | OVERNIGHT: Petra hotel | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: Petra by Candlelight (arranged locally) Day 4: Full day exploration of Petra, camping underneath the stars in Wadi Rum Today is all about venturing around the prominent Nabatean site of Petra. Until the Romans took over in 106AD, the historic city was the ancient capital of the Nabatean commercial empire. For a while Petra was forgotten and then rediscovered by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. Perched on the edge of Wadi Aruba and protected by canyon walls and hills, this city is hard to reach. To enter, you must walk through a small cleft in the rock called the Siq. You will notice that there are very few freestanding structures in the city, as the Nabateans decided to fashion their homes and buildings into the colourful sandstone cliffs. After a 2-3 hour guided tour of this remarkable ancient city, you have plenty of time to amble around and do some discovering. During the guided tour, you will be taken through the Siq, rising 200m above and just 2m wide. There are still the remains of the terracotta pipes that brought water into the city along this wall as well as the ancient Nabatean water channel. When you leave the Siq, one of Petra's most impressive landmarks will blow you away - the Khazneh, also known as the Treasury. You'll get a glimpse of the ruined Roman amphitheater and Petra's colonnaded streets. We also suggest walking along the narrow gorge past the multi-colored sandstone cliffs to the Monastery. This is Petra's biggest carved monument at 50 metres high and 45 metres wide. From this point, the views of the Wadi Aruba and the Jordan Valley are breathtaking. This afternoon, we leave Petra and drive into the beautiful 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, watching the stars and enjoying a delicious traditional Jordanian meal. | OVERNIGHT: Wadi Rum Bedouin camp | MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner | EXTRAS: None Day 5: A Jeep safari in Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Swim Wadi Rum jeep safari, Dead Sea swim We spend more time amidst the desert scenery of Wadi Rum today on a jeep safari that passes by more sharp cliffs and intriguing rock formations. This area and its huge rust coloured rocky 'jebels' was made famous by the film Lawrence of Arabia, that celebrated TE Lawrence's time here during the Arab revolt of 1917-18. From Wadi Rum, we drive up north to the banks of the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth, at over 400 metres below sea level. The sea receives a variety of incoming rivers including the Jordan River. When the rivers reach the sea, they merge together before evaporating and leaving behind a unique blend of salts and minerals, supplying local industries with high quality products. West of the Dead Sea, you can view the hills of Jerusalem. This area is believed to have been the home of 5 biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar (Bela). The tour will come to a stop and allow you to splash around in these salty waters. Normal swimming is not possible, so we suggest floating instead. As the water is so salty, avoid getting it in your eyes. Later today, we make our way back to Amman. | OVERNIGHT: Amman hotel | MEALS: Breakfast | EXTRAS: None

Day 6: Fly from Amman to Dubai - Transfers included, but flight not included
You will be transferred to Amman's Queen Alia International Airport today to board your flight to the United Arab Emirates. Upon arrival in Dubai, one of our staff members will be there to meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of the city - which is known for luxury shopping centres, ultramodern architecture and busy nightlife scene. You have the rest of the day free to explore independently, or rest after your journey to the United Arab Emirates. Note: The international flight from Amman to Dubai is not included in the price of the tour. It is normally most cost effective to purchase this flight as part of your main international flight ticket. However if you would like us to arrange a single ticket for you, we will be happy to book this for you. Please contact us for current prices.
| OVERNIGHT:
Dubai hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast

Day 7: A city tour of Dubai and an optional desert safari
Today is all about exploring the beautiful city of Dubai - as we head out on a shared half-day guided city tour starting at Jumeirah Public Beach and Burj Al Arab, whose sail-shaped design and 321 metre height has made it one of the signature sights in Dubai. We'll also drive through the plush district of Jumeirah full of hotels and villas, before heading into the old Al Bastakiya quarter to discover Dubai's past. Here we'll navigate mudbrick courtyards and houses with wind towers to catch the cooling breeze. The tour also visits the 18th century Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest building in Dubai and home to the Dubai Museum. A boat trip on an abra follows as we cross Dubai Creek to Deira and the bustling and vibrant Spice Souk, full of colourful stalls of herbs, spices and sweets. Finally there is time to explore the nearby Gold Souk before you are dropped back at your hotel. An optional desert safari tour is then available in the afternoon. You'll be collected from your hotel in a 4x4 and make your way to the desert along the Al Awir Road for some fun on the dunes, including dune riding, sunset photography, belly dancing, a fire and Tanura dancing show and lots more before you enjoy a barbecue dinner underneath the starry sky. The tour lasts around 6 hours in total before you are dropped back at your hotel in the evening.
| OVERNIGHT:
Dubai hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast

Day 8: Free time in Dubai. Evening Dhow Dinner Cruise
You have the morning free to sleep in a little later, relax by the pool or explore Dubai independently, perhaps purchasing some gifts from one of the many malls. Later in the afternoon, you'll be picked up from your hotel and make your way to the Dubai Creek for a dhow cruise, where you enjoy dinner and enjoy entertainment such as live music and a Tanura dance show.
| OVERNIGHT:
Dubai hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Free day in Dubai.
Your day is completely free today to relax or explore Dubai further. There are great beaches to enjoy the sun and swim from, and a wealth of great shopping opportunities available. Alternatively for the more adventurous, there are fascinating day trips available to nearby Abu Dhabi.
| OVERNIGHT:
Dubai hotel
| MEALS:
Breakfast Day 10: Free time in Dubai. Hotel to airport transfers included
You have some free time to do some last minute sightseeing or shopping before we collect you and transfer you to the airport to board your flight back home.
| OVERNIGHT:
N/A
| MEALS:
Breakfast
| EXTRAS:
Extra day in Dubai - post-tour

Day 1: United Arab Emirates

Arrive in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where you are met and escorted to your hotel. This evening enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard an Arabian dhow and enjoy a sumptuous feast of Arabic and Western cuisine. (D)

Day 2: United Arab Emirates

Spend the morning at leisure. This afternoon, sample the historic sites and vibrant cosmopolitan life of Dubai on a comprehensive city tour. Cross the Creek to the spice souk aboard the Abra (water taxi). (B)

Day 3: United Arab Emirates

Spend the morning at leisure. Your afternoon desert safari takes you across the desert with photo-stops during an exciting 4WD dune drive and visit to the camel farm. Reach our campsite for a beautiful sunset in the desert. You have the opportunity to ride a camel or sand board (additional cost). Enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner, and a belly dancer performance around the campfire. Late evening return to Dubai. (BD)

Day 4: United Arab Emirates

Transfer to the airport for your flight. (B)