HIGHLIGHTS

Travel with PhotoQuest as we take an in-depth tour back in time to the ancient world of Jordan. Jordan is a photographer’s delight, rich in spectacular landscapes and historic sites. This Quest will emphasize on night photography techniques in the evenings.

Starting in Amman, explore the city highlights and photograph the Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash. Moving on to Petra, you'll have time to thoroughly explore the ancient city both by daylight and lit by candle light. Shoot the magical stars, ride a camel with local Bedouins, capture the stunning mystic landscapes of Wadi Rum from a hot air balloon, while sleeping in 5 star luxury tents.

All throughout our journey, you will enjoy top-level photographic instruction. From an abundance of opportunities for travel and landscape images,  to long exposure and night photography that will captivate your mind and entice your senses to create once-in-a lifetime memories and images!

November 6 - Depart USA

Depart on your flight from the USA to Amman, Jordan

November 7 - Arrive Amman, Jordan

Transfer directly to your hotel in Amman. You will have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant where you will enjoy the delicious traditional Jordanian dinner. Overnight in Amman. (D)

November 8 - Amman-Jerash-Ajloun -Um Qais

After breakfast head north to photograph Jerash, one of the most important and best preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. We will spend time exploring and photographing this stunning location. Then on to Ajloun and visit the castle, dominating the Ajloun skyline and built to ward off the Crusader armies at the key trade and pilgrimage intersection between Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus and Mecca.
Drive to the northern tip of Jordan and savor the beauty of Umm Qais, the Greek and Roman city overlooking the Jordan valley and the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in Amman. (B,L)

November 9 - Amman -Petra

Early morning, head out to the old city of Amman to photograph the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, the Umayyad Palace and the Roman Theatre, two of the most popular archaeological sites in the city.

Afterwards drive to the Nabatean Red Rose city of Petra, one of the 7 world wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enter the city through the long narrow gorge called the Siq, which is flanked either side by 80m high cliffs! Photograph the dazzling colors and rock formations. The site is massive, and contains hundreds of elaborated rock-cut tombs, a treasury, Roman-style theatres, temples, sacrificial altars and colonnaded streets.  Dinner and overnight at Petra Marriott Hotel. (B,D)

November 10 - Petra by Night

Full day to discover Petra's canyons and the grand library and the archaeological sites. Great photo opportunities of Bedouins, camels and horse driven carriages racing through the canyons to the hidden treasure of the magnificent rock-cut architecture of the library. Take a stroll down the Street of Facades, a row of forty houses and easily accessible tombs with ornately carved exteriors, or hike up to the High Place of Sacrifice, where you can get an up-close look at its famous obelisks and sacrificial platform - all while surrounded by panoramic views of the rocky desert below.

You might also trek (or take a donkey ride!) up the 800 steps to The Monastery, a gigantic mountaintop temple. On the way, you’ll pass Qattar ad-Dayr, a pleasant, oasis-like grotto where water always flows, and the Hermitage, a pinnacle carved with decorative crosses. The Monastery itself is the largest monument in Petra. Tonight we will photograph Petra by night. Overnight at Petra Marriott Hotel. (B,D) 

November 11 - Petra-Wadi Rum

After your visit to Petra you will drive to Wadi Rum & enjoy the wilderness adventure of a 4×4 3-hour Jeep tour. In Wadi Rum you will marvel at the sunset and gaze at the stars in the night sky, while enjoying the legendary hospitality of the Bedouin.  You will have the chance to work on photographing the sunset, sunrise amazing night photography and landscape images. Overnight in a luxury tented camp in Wadi Rum. (B,L,D)

November 12 - Wadi Rum-Dead Sea

Early morning hot air balloon ride( weather permitting) in Wadi Rum, nicknamed the Valley of the Moon, which is made up of sandstone and granite rock surrounded by endless desert. Our balloon ride is not only adventurous, but allows for magnificent landscape photo opportunities. We will end the evening with more long exposure photography by learning how to photograph star trails.  Overnight Deadsea. (B,L,D)

November 13 - Wadi Rum-Dead Sea, Jordan

After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to our relaxing 5 star Dead Sea resort. (B, L)

November 14 - Amman, Jordan back to the USA

Transfer to the airport for your departure back to the USA. The transfer is included from the  Dead Sea to the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for international flight check-in.

Itinerary is subject to change*

Amman

Kempinski Hotel Amman

Sweimeh

Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa

Petra

Petra Marriott

Wadi Rum

Sun City Camp

Language

Arabic is the official language of Jordan. English is widely spoken throughout the country; it functions as the de facto language of commerce and banking, and is also used for education purposes.

Weather

The best season is from October through May when the temperature is comfortable in the daytime, and cool or even cold at night. 

CLOTHING 

·Bring materials that breathe; wear layers that can be taken off during the heat of the day and put back on for cool evenings.  Conservative clothing such as lightweight pants, loose shorts, long skirts or trousers and at least short-sleeved shirts are recommended for both sexes when sightseeing in towns. Long, loose Bermuda-style shorts are acceptable for both sexes, but women may feel more comfortable in a skirt or long trousers. Formal clothing is not necessary.Women should pack a scarf large enough to cover bare neck and shoulders. Pack a swimming suit.

Currency

Jordan’s unit of currency is the Jordanian Dinar. Israel’s unit of currency is the Shekel. Exchange money only at authorized outlets such as currency exchange kiosks, banks and hotels. Only exchange what you feel you will need while visiting.

Tipping

Tips are not included in your bill and the normal rate for tipping is 10% of the total bill.

PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS

In order to enter Jordan as a citizen of the United States, you will need:
A signed, valid passport. Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion of your trip. It is also imperative that your passport has enough blank visa pages available for entry and exit stamps. Visa fees are (approximately USD $$60) and are due upon arrival in Jordan.

Health

No vaccinations are currently needed for visitors. During your stay, it is preferable to drink only bottled water and to avoid eating from street stalls.

Be careful of  the sun, which can often feel cooler than it really is due to the cool breezes and lack of humidity. Drink plenty of water when staying outside during the day.

Time Zone

 Jordan is 7 hours ahead of New York (EST).

Electricity

All appliances require a double round pin type plug for 220 volts AC, 50- hertz.