One of the great attractions of Jordan are the excursions & tours that are on offer here making it a superb destination for divers and non-divers alike.

CLASSICAL TOUR

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With so much to see in Jordan it is often difficult to know where to start. Planet have put together a 12 day tour that combines the best of the sight seeing with the diving in our 'classical tour' of Jordan. Please note that all element of the tour are flexible and each tour is tailored for the specific requirements with private transfers and guides throughout

The ancient city of Petra is about two hours North of Aqaba. 2000 years ago Petra was a refuge for nomadic Nabateans who travelled North from Arabia. From a few caves in a rocky outcrop they created Petra as a concealed fortress city. To reach the city you will travel through the awesome 'siq', a winding, kilometre long fissure between overhanging cliffs.

At the end of the Siq, towering in the brightness appears Petra's most impressive monument El Khazneh,'The Treasury'. This massive royal tomb was carved into the side of the mountain out of the solid rock. Beyond El Khazneh there is a complete city carved from the rock. Soaring temples, elaborate tombs,a Roman theatre and paved streets are there for you to explore.

But Petra, with its multi-hued pink rock, is not only about the Nabateans. There are Roman settlements on the same site and, within 15 minutes drive of Petra, there are 8,000 year old excavated stone age villages at Beidha and Basta.

The vast area is truly awe-inspiring, with island jebels (hills) rising 800m or more from the desert floor. There are deep hidden ravines and soft sandstone hills carved by nature into spectacular and often weird formations. Much of the Eastern desert is virgin and untouched by tourism. In earlier times this was a major route for the Nabatean civilisation, whose amazing rock carvings and drawings can still be seen. In recent history, Wadi Rum has become famous as the starting point for T.E. Lawrence's attack on the coastal town of Aqaba. Many scenes from the film were shot in Wadi Rum with local Bedouin families taking part. A journey through Wadi Rum will take you away from the hectic bustle of modern living and back to the basics of life. In his book 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' Lawrence declares; "Rum the magnificent - vast, echoing, godlike- a processional way greater than imagination."

If your time is limited, a half day 4-wheel drive excursion is all you need to capture the beauty of Wadi Rum. If you linger for a full day you can explore a Bedouin village and go into the desert by camel. If you stay overnight you can experience true tranquillity - sleep in a Bedouin tent under a blanket of stars.