Petra Extension
Monday, Nov. 6 JORDAN: KERAK, MADABA, MT. NEBO, PETRA
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Morning:
After breakfast and check-out of our Galilee hotel, we travel to The Kingdom of Jordan, crossing the border on the Allenby Bridge and proceeding first to Kerak Castle or Perak-In-Moab. One of the largest Crusader Castles in the eastern Mediterranean, it was built about 1140. Perak continued to play a key role, controlling the trade between Arabia, Egypt, and Syria-Palestine until well into the 19th C. We then drive to Madaba (Best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad period mosaics.) and enjoy lunch. We visit several sites in Madaba (details being worked out.) Likely visits include: Mimar the Institute of Mosaic Art and Restoration, a walking tour at Artisan Street, Archeological Park (encompasing several Byzantine Churches, remains of the Roman road that stretched through the city in ancient times) and The Martyr’s Church. Saint George Church has the famous 6th century Madaba Mosaic Map of the Holy Land. Madaba Museum – this quaint little museum is set in a series of heritage houses linked by a courtyard space. John the Baptist Church a 19th century Catholic Church sits stop of series of subterranean rooms and caves which are still being excavated. Afternoon: After we have our lunch in Madaba we visit Mount Nebo and the mountaintop memorial of Moses with captivating views of the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and The River Jordan. From this place Moses was permitted to see into the Promised Land which he would not enter.. We then proceed to Wadi Musa and Petra Guest House Hotel (4Star) for check-in, dinner and overnight. Our hotel is perfectly located, only steps from the entrance to the Siq or passage to Petra itself. |
Tuesday, Nov. 7 THE ROSE-RED CITY HALF AS OLD AS TIME
After breakfast in the hotel we will spend our day visiting Petra: a historical and archaeological city famous for its rock-cut architecture and water distribution system. Sometimes called the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved, Petra (Ramqu) was the capital city of the Nabateans. It is the primary tourist destination in Jordan. Lost from western eyes from about 1400, Petra was visited in 1812 by Swiss adventurer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate Prize-winning poem by The Very Rev. John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage.” The impressive eastern entrance leads steeply down through a dark, narrow gorge called the Siq ("the shaft"), a natural geological feature formed from a deep split in the sandstone rocks and serving as a waterway flowing into Wadi Musa. At the end of the narrow gorge stands Petra's most elaborate ruin, Al Khazneh (popularly known as “the Treasury”). We will spend the day exploring this incredible historic heritage site. We have lunch in Petra. Return to the Petra Guest House for dinner and overnight.
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Wed. Nov. 8 HOMEWARD BOUND – OR – JERUSALEM EXT.
After breakfast at the Petra Guest House, we check-out and transfer to Allenby Border entry point to Israel and Palestine. Those of us who are returning are then transferred to Ben Gurion Airport. Those of us continuing for the optional Jerusalem-at-Leisure Extension are dropped at the Golden Walls Hotel for check in. Some will spend the extra 2 days shopping in the souks and exploring at their own pace. Others will want follow Canon Hodge as he continues his visits to a number of less well know sites in the Holy City. Click here for info on the Jerusalem Extension. |
Petra Extension Cost & Details:
The fee for the Petra Extension depends upon group size:
Group Size Cost US Dollars Single Supplement
12 - 16 $900.00 $80
17 + $800.00 $80
Note: We are hoping that most of the folk who come for the pilgrimage also participate in the Petra Extension. If so the above pricing will apply. However, if the Petra Extension group is below 12 but between 7 and 11 we are still able to proceed, but at somewhat higher cost. In that case I will consult all who are booked to see what the consensus is. The fee for a smaller group of 7-11 is likely about US$ 1,160)
What is included:
Transfers at Allenby Bridge, border assistance, Hotel (2 nights) with Porterage. Transfers and tours by modern A/C Motor Coach. Breakfast and Dinner at Petra, 2 lunches on tour, Entrance fees, Tips, English speaking private guide, Jordanian Visa (collective), Israel Departure Tax Value US$55. One short horse ride in Petra from main entrance to the beginning of the Siq.
What is not included:
Beverages. Personal expenses. Porterage at the Border. Carriage ride in Petra (optional.) Travel Insurance. Lunch on Wednesday. Anything not mentioned in the itinerary.
The fee for the Petra Extension depends upon group size:
Group Size Cost US Dollars Single Supplement
12 - 16 $900.00 $80
17 + $800.00 $80
Note: We are hoping that most of the folk who come for the pilgrimage also participate in the Petra Extension. If so the above pricing will apply. However, if the Petra Extension group is below 12 but between 7 and 11 we are still able to proceed, but at somewhat higher cost. In that case I will consult all who are booked to see what the consensus is. The fee for a smaller group of 7-11 is likely about US$ 1,160)
What is included:
Transfers at Allenby Bridge, border assistance, Hotel (2 nights) with Porterage. Transfers and tours by modern A/C Motor Coach. Breakfast and Dinner at Petra, 2 lunches on tour, Entrance fees, Tips, English speaking private guide, Jordanian Visa (collective), Israel Departure Tax Value US$55. One short horse ride in Petra from main entrance to the beginning of the Siq.
What is not included:
Beverages. Personal expenses. Porterage at the Border. Carriage ride in Petra (optional.) Travel Insurance. Lunch on Wednesday. Anything not mentioned in the itinerary.