FROM PETRA TO BAALBECK
A cultural tour of Jordan, Syria & Lebanon

The Middle East is a region with a history that goes back to the dawn of civilization. In this thoughtful tour we visit three of the most interesting and diverse of the Middle Eastern countries. We experience both the traditional and intricate past in sites like Baalbeck, Palmyra and Petra, and we also experience the glittering modern present and future in the cities of Damascus and Beirut. This tour covers 10 World Heritage Sites all a living testimony to this extraordinary area.

Day 01: Arrive Amman
Arrival at Amman airport. Meet and assist and transfer to hotel.   Check in starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Ramada Hotel, Amman (1 night)

Day 2: Amman / Umm ar Rassas / Madaba / Mt. Nebo / Kerak / Aqaba (Drive 263 kms / 164 miles)
Before heading southwards along the Kings’ Highway to Aqaba, a stop will be made at Umm ar Rassas to see some of the finest Byzantine church mosaics.  Next stop is Madaba, where lies the oldest map of the Holy Land, and its Mosaic School, Mt. Nebo and the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley; then drive through the magnificent scenery of Wadi Mujib to Kerak to visit the Crusader Castle of (stop for optional lunch).
Overnight: Aqaba Gulf Hotel, Aqaba (1night) (B, D)

Day 3: Aqaba / Wadi Rum (Drive 42 kms / 26 miles)
A brief tour of Aqaba before we head for Wadi Rum, the land of Lawrence of Arabia to embark on a two hours 4x4 jeep safari.   This evening enjoy a BBQ dinner while star gazing.
Overnight: Jabal Rum Camp, Wadi Rum (1 night) (B, D)

Day 4: Wadi Rum / Petra / Amman (Drive 240 kms / 149 miles)
A magnificent days ahead as we continue to the pink city of Petra to visit its many sites.  This city was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans and lost to Civilization until re-discovered by the Swiss Burkhardt. Walk through the Siq, a narrow and winding fissure between the cliffs, to reach the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments. A break for optional lunch, or you may wish to climb up to the Monastery.   Return to Amman.
Overnight: Ramada Hotel, Amman (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05: Amman
Morning tour of Amman city, which is also known as Philadelphia.  Then drive to visit Jerash, the Greco-Roman city, where we also cover the Triumphal Arch, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Zeus, the Forum, a mile long street of Columns, the Nymphaeum, the Temple of Airtimes and the Viaduct Church. (B, D)

Day 06: Amman / Bosra / Damascus (Drive 215 kms / 134 miles)
Proceed towards the northern border with Syria. Meet & assist and proceed to Bosra to visit its Roman amphitheater, which dated back to the 2nd century AD, together with an ancient Islamic minaret.  Continue to our hotel.
Overnight: Talisman Hotel, Damascus (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07: Damascus
Visit one of the world’s oldest cities where many civilizations have left their marks over the centuries: Armenians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs. Some of the most popular sites to visit: The Omayyad Mosque, Al-Azem Palace, the Chapel of St. Ananias, St. Paul’s Window, the National Museum, Hamidiye Bazaar, Saladin Mausoleum and the legendary Straight Street of Damascus. (B, D)

Day 08: Damascus / Maaloula / Palmyra (Drive 217 kms / 135 miles)
Drive to Maaloula, one of the most beautiful and picturesque villages in the region (60km from Damascus) and 1300 meters above sea level. It is said to be the first monastery in Christianity, and the unique thing is that the inhabitants still speak Aramaic (the language in which Christ preached and addressed his pupils). Proceed to Palmyra.
Overnight:  Semiramis Hotel, Palmyra (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Palmyra
Palmyra was the capital of the Arab Emirate of Tadmor, which stretched to Egypt and the Bosphorus strait in the third century A.D.  During the rule of its queen Zenobia who challenged the Emperors of Rome. Visit its highlights: Bel Temple, Bel Shamin Temple, Nebo Temple, the Street of Colonnade’s, the Theater, the Forum, the tombs, and the Museum. (B, D)

Day 10: Palmyra / Krak des Chevaliers / Hama / Aleppo (Drive 211 kms / 131 miles)
This morning depart for Krak des Chevaliers, the castle that played a vital role during the crusaders war.  Visiting this strategically built castle, we then continue onto Hama, a historical city located on the Orontes River, to visit the ancient water wheels (the norias).  Arrive Aleppo, the second Capital of Syria.
Overnight: Dar Zamaria, Aleppo (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: Aleppo
Today’s tour starts out with a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Aleppo.  Then onto visit the most dominating site of Aleppo, the Citadel, which was dates back to the Fatimid  & Ayyubid eras - 11th  & 12th  centuries AD.  Next stop is the Grand Mosque and Al Wazir Caravanserai with all kinds of goods.  We then continue for St. Simeon - a striking example of the architecture during the times of the Dead Cities that flourished for more than 400 years. (B, D)

Day 12: Aleppo / Baalbeck / Beirut (Drive 300 kms / 187 miles)
Drive early morning towards the border, cross into Lebanon, meet & assist with entry formalities and proceed to visit Lebanon’s greatest Roman treasure,Baalbeck, counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The site includes the temples of Jupiter, Bacchus & Venus, with the remarkable Great Court and the Hexagonal Forecourt.   Continue onto Beirut.
Overnight: Cada D’Or Hotel, Beirut (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 13: Beirut / the Dog River / Byblos
This morning tour starts with a visit to the National Museum and drive to the downtown district to see the huge reconstruction project to create a new commercial and residential district of the 21st century.  Next stop will be the Dog River, where we will be seeing its commemorative inscriptions that have been left behind by conquering armies between 2nd millennium BC and 1949 AD.  Proceed north to discover a town that goes back 7000 years and the world oldest continuously inhabited.  Byblos is a charming, small town of great history.  Visit its ancient sites and then explore the old part of the town on foot, starting from fishermen’s harbor, leading uphill towards the Church of St. John the Baptist and souks. (B, D)

Day 14: Depart Beirut
After a journey into history, we bid farewell with a transfer for our flight home. (B)

Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Daily
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels as mentioned (or similar) Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner) All sightseeing and transfers by private transportation Services of local English speaking driver/guide Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary International airfares Any departure taxes Tips / gratuities Visa fees / Insurance
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 4660 US $ 895
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1100 Canada - East Coast US $ 1100 USA - East Coast US $ 900
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 10 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.