Explore magnificent Petra, the ancient Nabataean caravan-city ideally situated between the Red and Dead Seas. Inhabited since prehistoric times, this area was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. The Nabataeans transformed the forbidding desert into a bustling metropolis with magnificent buildings carved directly into the rose-hued sandstone hills and a complex system of water channels and reservoirs.

Camel caravans passed through, loaded with spices, textiles and incense from distant regions and the city of Petra flourished, until a massive earthquake left the freestanding structures in ruins. Travel deep within the deserts of Jordan for approximately two hours, to Wadi Musa, the gateway to Petra. Upon arrival, walk to the impressive entrance of Petra, a stunning narrow gorge formed from a deep split in the sandstone rocks.

Your first view of this amazing city is its most elaborate ruin and fabled achievement, the Treasury, hewn directly out of the red sandstone cliff. Used as a backdrop in the movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, enjoy time to explore the Treasury and the Outer Siq, leading to immense tombs, facades and doorways cut in the steep passage walls. Enjoy a late buffet style lunch at a local hotel before returning to Aqaba and your ship.

On this full-day excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to explore both Petra, the ancient Nabataean caravan-city ideally situated between the Red and Dead Seas, and Wadi Rum, a nature lover's paradise.

Inhabited since prehistoric times, this area was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. The Nabataeans transformed the forbidding desert into a bustling metropolis with magnificent buildings carved directly into the rose-hued sandstone hills. Camel caravans passed through, loaded with spices, textiles and incense from distant regions, and the city of Petra flourished, until a massive earthquake left the structures of Petra in ruins.

You’ll travel deep within the desert for approximately two hours, to Wadi Musa, the gateway to Petra. Upon arrival, walk to the impressive entrance to Petra, a narrow gorge formed from a deep split in the sandstone rocks. Your first view is of its most elaborate ruin and achievement, the Treasury. Used as a backdrop in the movie, Indian Jones and the Last Crusade, enjoy time to explore the Treasury and the Outer Siq, leading to immense tombs, facades and doorways.

Enjoy a late buffet style lunch at a local hotel. Transfer to yorur off-road vehicles and begin a journey through the starkly beautiful Wadi Rum, with its sheer granite and sandstone cliffs, and uniquely shaped mountains. The stunning scenery, of the towering cliffs, ancient riverbeds and mauve-colored stretches of sand will amaze you, as you drive through the desert, en route to a Bedouin camp. Upon arrival, indulge in a buffet dinner served under Bedouin tents before your return to Aqaba and your ship.

Described by novelist T. E. Lawrence as "vast, echoing and God-like," and acclaimed by many as one of the most stunning desert landscapes in the world, Wadi Rum is spectacular in its natural beauty. Explore this nature lover's paradise, using off-road vehicles that will take you deep into the heart of the desert, where fabled British officer, Lawrence of Arabia fought during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917-1918.

Drive by motorcoach to the village of Rum, approximately 50 miles north of Aqaba. Here, you will transfer to your off-road vehicles to begin a journey through the starkly beautiful Wadi Rum, with its sheer granite and sandstone cliffs, and uniquely shaped mountains rising dramatically out of the sand. The magnificent scenery, including the towering cliffs of weathered stone, ancient riverbeds and mauve-colored stretches of sand will amaze you, as you drive through the desert.

Wadi Rum is also home to several Bedouin tribes who live in scattered camps throughout the area. At the conclusion of your drive, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a cup of mint tea or cardamom coffee at a Bedouin camp.

This enlightening drive through Aqaba offers an excellent overview of one of Jordan's most strategically located historical cities, followed by free time for further exploration. You'll drive to Aqaba's resort-dotted southern beach, where you are likely to see water-skiers, snorkelers and sunbathers enjoying this lovely stretch of sand. As Jordan's only outlet to the Red Sea, Aqaba attracts water-sports enthusiasts from around the world, as the waters are crystal-clear and nearby Aqaba Marine Park teems with life.

Returning to Aqaba's vibrant city center, you will soon get a view of Aqaba fort, which the Crusaders originally constructed in the 12th century. It has been rebuilt numerous times, usually following the style of the newest conquerors. Your route will also pass the remains of what archaeologists believe to be the world's oldest church, a structure that dates from the late third century B.C. The city itself is even more ancient, having been settled around 4,000 B.C.

Following your panoramic drive, you'll have free time to stroll about and shop in the city center. Aqaba is known for good buys on traditional jewelry, detailed embroidery and fine baskets. Flat-woven Kilim rugs are also highly regarded.

OVERVIEW

Participate in a hands-on cooking class during which you will prepare a traditional Middle Eastern fish dish. The venue for this culinary immersion will be the Aqabawi Kitchen, where you will learn step by step how to make sayadieh, a spicy seafood dish that is often reserved for holidays and special occasions. Under the watchful eye of a local chef, you will create this signature meal using locally sourced ingredients such as basmati rice, lemon juice and caramelized onions. The type of fish will depend on the day’s catch. It may be grouper, sea bream, cod or some other firm white fish. The variety of spices gives sayadieh its rich, layered flavor as it is typically made with turmeric, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon and white pepper. The chef may add a personal touch to the dish with other ingredients. Afterwards, you will enjoy the freshly prepared sayadieh for lunch.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn to prepare the traditional fish dish sayadieh in a hands-on cooking class.
• Follow the chef’s direction step by step so the dish will be as authentic as possible.
• Ask questions about the preparation so you can replicate the dish at home, if you wish.
• Dine on the freshly prepared sayadieh for lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic drive through Aqaba before heading into the Wadi Rum desert for an off-road adventure and lunch in a Bedouin tent. As Jordan’s only outlet to the Red Sea, Aqaba is a popular destination for those who love watersports, but it is also quite historical. Although the existing Aqaba Fort dates to the 16th century, the Crusaders supposedly built the original version about 400 years earlier. Even so, Aqaba is a modern city. The lunar-like landscape of Wadi Rum is dramatically different and so historically and culturally important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. It may look inhospitable due to its stark mountains and towering sand dunes, but archaeological remains show that humans lived there at least 12,000 ago. You will ride through Wadi Rum in a 4x4 vehicle that can easily negotiate the rugged terrain. Upon reaching a Bedouin camp, you will dine in a surprisingly well-appointed tent.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the historical and modern landmarks in Aqaba, the only coastal city in Jordan.
• Ride into the stark, but hauntingly beautiful Wadi Rum desert in a 4x4 vehicle.
• Dine in comfort in a Bedouin tent in the heart of Wadi Rum.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Drive through the vibrant urban landscape of Aqaba and the lunar-like Wadi Rum desert, two extraordinarily different experiences that you will toast with a glass of champagne at sunset. Aqaba is the only coastal city in all of Jordan, and while it is ostensibly modern, it has been inhabited since 4000 B.C. You will get an authentic feel for the city as you travel past the high-rises, resorts and beaches that Aqaba is best known for. Wadi Rum is like night and day. This harsh desert landscape is marked by towering cliffs, steep gorges and rock arches that erosion has shaped over millennia. UNESCO declared Wadi Rum a World Heritage site for multiple reasons, one being that its ancient rock carvings and inscriptions trace the evolution of human thought over thousands of years. There is truly no other place like it, especially as the sun goes down behind the mountains.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic driving tour through Aqaba, the only coastal city in Jordan.
• Ride into the stark, but hauntingly beautiful Wadi Rum desert in a 4x4 vehicle.
• Toast the occasion with a glass of champagne as the sun sets on the desert.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.