The Red Sea has a legendary reputation among underwater enthusiasts, and deserves its status as one of the world’s premier marine destinations. For such a journey we’ve chosen to explore Jordan, a country known for its rich natural beauty, cultural history and warm hospitality. At Aqaba, Jordan’s relatively short coastline unfolds, featuring clear water and some of the healthiest reef in the Red Sea, including shallow patch reef located in calm water easily accessible from shore. Waters along this stretch of coastline are home to the majority of flora and fauna that inhabit Egyptian waters, but the relatively small number of visitors Jordan receives each year ensures that the pristine nature of its reef is preserved. This affable, compact country also boasts some of the greatest archeology of the Middle East, including the magnificent site at Petra.
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The Red Sea has a legendary reputation among underwater enthusiasts, and deserves its status as one of the world’s premier marine destinations. For such a journey, we explore Jordan, a country known for its rich natural and cultural history as well as its warm hospitality. At Aqaba, Jordan’s relatively short coastline unfolds, featuring clear water and some of the healthiest reef in the Red Sea. The relatively small number of visitors Jordan receives each year ensures that the pristine nature of its reef is preserved.
This affable, compact country also boasts some of the greatest archeology of the Middle East. Jordan is the home to Jerash and the hidden city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Add to this archeological wealth the novelty of floating in the Dead Sea where you can legally say that you went snorkeling from the lowest land elevation on earth (over 1200 feet below sea level) and you have a rich combination of world class snorkeling and cultural treasure.
Species great and small
You can literally walk into the water, put on your fins, and swim amongst small schools of brightly-colored anthias, Moorish idols, endemic butterfly fish, angelfish, lion fish, clownfish and a host of invertebrates. You will also find easily accessible patch reef with coral heads just inches below the surface and beautiful small bommies in shallow water interspersed with sandy canyons.
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Day 1-2
Upon arrival in Amman, we transfer to the Al Qasr Metropole. We will have an evening program orientation, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Day 3
Following breakfast, we journey to three Desert Castles in the great Eastern Desert, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qusayr Amra, Qasr al Azraq, and Qasr Kharraneh. After lunch, we take a city tour of Amman, a modern city with a multi-faceted heritage. Afterwards, we return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 4
After breakfast, we visit Umm Qais (Gadara) famous for its sweeping views of Murtafa-at al Jawlan (Golan Heights) and the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) and ruined Roman city juxtaposed against an abandoned Ottoman village. We then proceed to Jerash, one of the world’s best examples of a provincial Roman city. We return to Amman for dinner at the hotel.
Day 5
After breakfast we depart Amman, taking to the King’s Highway, for visits to the mosaic city of Madaba, Mt Nebo and Bethany. In the late afternoon, we arrive at the Dead Sea in the Jordan Rift Valley, which at 1312 feet below sea level is the lowest point on earth. Dinner and overnight will be at the Holiday Inn Dead Sea.
Day 6
Following breakfast we will have an opportunity to float in water that is ten times saltier than ocean water. Afterwards, we will have lunch at hotel before driving to Aqaba for dinner an orientation to the Red Sea, and overnight at Marina Plaza Hotel, our home for the next three nights.
Day 7-8
On these two days after breakfast, our van will take us to Aqaba’s best shore snorkeling sites. After lunch, we will head out again to enjoy more snorkeling opportunities. In the evenings there will be an interpretative sessions followed by dinner at the hotel.
Day 9
After breakfast, our van transfers us to Wadi Rum where we will take a three hour jeep tour of the protected area. Here sandstone and granite mountains rise up from the desert wilderness seemingly untouched by time. After lunch at a Bedouin camp, we continue on to Petra where we will stay for two nights.
Day 10
After breakfast, we take a full day tour of the hidden city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our visit to this ancient caravan trading center, renowned for its pink rock-cut architecture, will begin with a horse drawn carriage ride to the beginning of the Siq. After lunch inside Petra site, we will continue our explorations, returning to our hotel for dinner.
Day 11-12
In the morning, continue our exploration of Petra independently on an admission ticket provided by Sea for Yourself. Lunch will be on your own. In the afternoon, we return to Amman for a farewell dinner before departing for the airport.
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Program Costs
Cost TBD
For those requesting a single room an additional supplement of $TBD will be added to the tour cost. Please be advised that single space is limited and subject to availability.
If you wish to share a room we will do our best to find a roommate for you. If, by the time of departure, a share cannot be found and space is available, you will be charged a single supplement.The tour fee includes…
All transfers within Jordan, meals as indicated in the itinerary, accommodations in hotels as specified, all snorkeling activities, guided cultural excursions, local taxes, group gratuities to hotel/resort staff, services of the trip leader including any needed snorkeling lessons, marine biology lectures, and explanations of Jordan’s cultural and natural history.
The Land Package does not include airfare, air upgrades, increases in international airfare rates, departure taxes, SCUBA activities, rental gear, medical immunizations, passport fees, accident/ baggage/ cancellation insurance, individual transfers, excess baggage charges, medical expenses, meals not specified in the itinerary, dishes and beverages not part of included meals, alcoholic beverages, laundry, telephone, or fax charges, room service, and other items of a purely personal nature.
Other terms and conditions exist, please see all the information listed in the download section.
International Airfare
Sea for Yourself does not issue airline tickets. Group international ticketing is done through an international carrier.
An air request form with more information on international and domestic air ticketing will be sent to program participants. Airfares are subject to change without notice.
Accommodation
During our trip to Jordan we will most likely stay at the following hotels/ resorts or hotels of comparable standard:
Al Qasr Metropole in Amman (http://alqasrmetropole.com/)
Holiday Inn Dead Sea (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/holidayinnresorts/hotels/us/en/dead-sea/ddljo/hoteldetail)
Marina Plaza Hotel in Aqaba (http://www.marinaplazahotel.com/hotel_aqaba_talabay_photo_gallery.php)Deposits & Payments
A deposit of $850, plus a signed, completed reservation form confirms your registration for this trip. You will be notified when your space on the program is confirmed. Final payment of, plus single supplement, if applicable for this trip are due 4 months prior to departure.
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Skill Level
All snorkelers, from novice to expert, will enjoy this program. Your staff will gladly provide any needed snorkeling instruction, from floating to freediving. Whenever possible we will seek out protected water for our snorkeling excursions, but at times the surface may be choppy due to wind
Climate
The climate in Jordan is largely desert, arid and dry, with influences of Mediterranean climate in western areas close to the coast. Average temperatures during October range from evening lows of 57°F to 81°F during the day. We have selected October when the temperatures are most comfortable on both land and sea. Water temperature in the Red Sea during this period ranges between 78-81°F.
Thermal tolerance obviously varies with each individual. As a guideline, many people wear a thin wetsuit when in the water longer than 30-40 minutes. Please remember that some kind of covering (such as a Lycra suit or even a t-shirt) when in the water is highly recommended as protection from sun, occasional stinging zooplankton, or to prevent coral abrasions.
Insurance
We highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance; information will be sent to registrants. Exclusions for pre-existing conditions may be waived with the prompt purchase of travel insurance.