The Kings Way

Overview

Explore Jordan Holy Sights, Madaba, the City of Mosaics, Mount Nebo where Moses is thought to be buried and float on the surface of the Dead Sea    

Itinerary

• 1

  Madaba

  Pick-up from your hotel. Enjoy a breathtaking day trip from Amman to Madaba, Nebo, and the Dead Sea. Drive to the town Madaba, Just 30 kilometers from Amman, by the historic Route des Rois (5000 years old) is one of the most famous places in the Holy Land. After crossing a chain of ancient sites, the first city that one reaches is Madaba, also called "City of mosaics" Known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, Madaba is home to the famous mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the 6th century. With its two million pieces cut from very colorful local stones, this map represents the hills, valleys, cities and villages of the region up to the Nile Delta At the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George of Madaba (located northwest of the city center), an Important map covers the floor of the church. This church was built in 1896 AD. AD, on the ruins of a much older Byzantine church, dating from the 6th century. The mosaic panel comprising the map at the time measured approximately 15.6 x 6 m, covering an area of 94 m², of which only a quarter remains today Other mosaic masterpieces have been found in the Church of the Virgin and Apostles and in the archaeological Park and Museum, representing a whole profusion of flowers and plants, birds and fish, d exotic animals and beasts, as well as scenes inspired by mythology or daily activities related to hunting, fishing and agriculture. There are hundreds of other mosaics dated between the 5th and 7th centuries, scattered in the churches and homes of Madaba. In keeping with Jordan's desire to restore and preserve its mosaic masterpieces, the archaeological Park and Museum are home to the remains of various Byzantine churches, including the exceptional mosaics of the Church of the Virgin and the Hall of 'Hippolyte, located in a 6th century mansion

• 2

  Mount Nebo

  After that continue to Mount Nebo, From the promontory of Mount Nebo beaten by the winds, Moses saw the Holy Land of Canaan which he would never reach, beyond the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the distant hills of Jerusalem. He died and was buried "in the valley, in the land of Moab, on the other side of Beth-Peor". His grave has never been found. After consulting the oracle, Jérémie hid the Ark of the Covenant, the tent and the Altar of Perfumes on Mount Nebo. Mount Nebo quickly became a place of pilgrimage for the first Christians in Jerusalem and a small church was built there in the 4th century to commemorate the death of Moses. You can still see some of the stones used for the construction of this church in the wall that surrounds the apse. The church was enlarged in the 5th and 6th centuries to be transformed into a large basilica. Even today, you can admire this basilica and its magnificent collection of Byzantine mosaics. The surmounted by a serpent erected outside the sanctuary symbolizes the bronze (or copper) serpent brought by Moses in the desert and the cross on which Jesus was crucified

• 3

  Dead Sea

  The Jordan rift, undoubtedly the most spectacular place on earth, offers a beautiful landscape, some points, the Dead Sea in particular, being more than 400 meters below sea level. Several rivers including the Jordan come to throw themselves into this vast band of water located on the most deep-seated site on the globe. When these waters reach the Dead Sea, they are trapped and evaporate leaving a rich cocktail of salts and minerals used by industry, agriculture and medicine to create high quality products. The Dead Sea is overlooked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, which gives it an almost unreal beauty. It is believed that this sparsely populated and peaceful region today would have housed five biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adma, Tseboim and Tsoar. Have leisure time at the beach and the chance to float on water. Back to Amman hotel

Price Per Person