Pictures from Jordan

Biblical and Historic Treasures in the Kingdom of Jordan

Led by:

The Rev. Steve Wilson
Grace Episcopal Church
Carthage, MO

March 12 – 20, 2010

Trip map

Day 1, Friday, March 12, 2010 - Depart the U.S. from Springfield with a connection in Chicago for our trans-Atlantic flight.  Meals on Aircraft. D

Day 2, Saturday, March 13, 2010 - Arrive in Amman, Jordan, and meet our driver and guide for the drive south along the Desert Highway to the ancient rose Red City of Petra.  Dinner and overnight in Petra. D

Day 3, Sunday, March 14, 2010 - A day to explore the ruins of Petra which many historians equate with Sela, a town where the Israelites won a famous victory over the Edomites.  We will take a horse to the entrance, then walk approximately one mile through the dramatic Siq, or entrance canyon.  We will see the pink stone Treasury made famous in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, then continue to the High Place of Sacrifice, where the local rocks are carved out to hold the blood of the sacrificial victims, which apparently included captives as well as sheep.  We celebrate Eucharist here overlooking the canyons of Petra, with the white tomb of Moses’ brother Aaron in the distance.  Walking down to the Museum complex, we pass numerous tombs and carvings, and cross a pile of broken pottery from the ancient city—take anything you see as long as you don’t have to dig for it!  We then head up the cliffs again for the amazing Monastery, the largest building in the city, before returning to walk out past the major tombs and Roman theater.  A HARD DAY of walking — bring shoes with sturdy soles, hats, and water! BLD

Day 4, Monday, March 15, 2010 - Today we visit Wadi Rum, a spectacular network of buttes and sandy valleys with ancient carvings and hidden oasises in which the Israelites once camped.  Some of you will recognize the scenery from Lawrence of Arabia.  Our 4 wheel drive safari will take us to an evening camp out in the desert. BLD

Day 5, Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - We travel north today along the ancient King’s Highway mentioned in the Bible as the route of the Exodus.  We visit the impressive Crusader fortress at Karak, the home of the villain from the film Kingdom of Heaven . Driving further, we come to Mukawir, the castle in which Herod II had John the Baptist beheaded after the seductive dance of the wicked Salome.  From here, we head to our hotel base city in the north of Jordan, the small Christian city of Madaba. BLD

Day 6, Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - We explore Madaba and the surrounding area, beginning with the famous mosaic map on the floor of the local Greek Orthodox Church.  Discovered in 897, this map shows the entire Holy Land as it appeared in the early 6th century, including individual buildings in Jerusalem and some very startled looking fish being swept into the Dead Sea.  The local Madaba Museum has several other mosaic floors from Byzantine chapels and houses.  Driving down the mountain, we come to Hammamat Ma’in, the ancient hot springs favored by Herod the Great, where we have a chance to bathe in the volcanic waterfall.  On our way back to Madaba, we visit Mt. Nebo, the burial site of Moses and supposedly a resting site of the lost Ark of the Covenant.  From the top of the mountain, on a clear day, we may be able to see Jerusalem in the distance. BLD

Day 7, Thursday, March 18, 2010 - Today we drive north to visit Jerash, the ancient city where Jesus drove the demon Legion into the swine.  The hippodrome is so well preserved here that the government is actually able to stage mock chariot races for tourists!  A huge complex of theaters, temples, churches and fountains make Jerash one of the best examples of a Roman city still standing.  On the way there, we stop in Salt, a small city in which is located the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf, our Anglican school for the deaf and blind children of the Middle East. BLD

Day 8, Friday, March 19, 2010 - Today we begin with a visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Wadi al-Kharrer, where most archaeologists agree Jesus was baptized by John.  We will have the opportunity to be dipped in water from the River Jordan (dependent on security and flood stage, it may need to be in a pool of water from the river or in the river Jordan itself).  We will renew our baptismal covenant and be able to look across the narrow River Jordan to the Promised Land, where the Israeli flag flies.  After this thrilling morning, we head south to the Dead Sea, where we have the opportunity to end the trip with a dip in the waters (you can’t drown, but you can poison yourself!  Keep your head above water!) and to swim in the pool of the hotel complex before heading home to Madaba for our dinner and overnight. BLD

Day 9, Saturday, March 20, 2010 - We will board our trans-Atlantic flight back to the U.S. making a connection in Chicago and arriving at Springfield this afternoon.  Meals on aircraft. B

Price: $2,799.00.  Price is based on double occupancy with airline taxes and fuel surcharges included.  Pricing includes current international airline taxes and fuel surcharges of $350.00 per person.  If these taxes change, pricing may change to reflect increase in taxes.  Priced with air from Springfield, MO.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single supplement $399.00.

Final Payment due December 1, 2009

Deposit of $200.00 per person due with application.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Before Until December 1, 2009 - $100.00 per person plus any unrecoverable expenses
◊ After After December 2, 2009: NO REFUND

An application for travel insurance will be included with the receipt for your deposit.  We strongly recommend that you seriously consider this coverage.

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, S Snack

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.

Note that Jordan is a physically demanding destination.  Good shoes and some preparing for the trip on the stair master are invaluable aids to a healthy and happy pilgrimage.