Climbing Kilimanjaro
Routes

You will be met at Juliaca Airport and transferred to your hotel in Puno. The rest of the day will be free time in Puno.

Please be aware that Puno sits at 3,800m above sea level, so we recommend taking measures to combat altitude related symptoms today, especially if this is your first time at altitude; drink plenty, take the day slowly and if you plan to use Diamox then take some prior to your arrival into Puno. We deliberately start your trip nice and steady to allow you to acclimatise to the altitude.

This morning we have an early breakfast before meeting the rest of the group in the hotel reception at 8am for our pre-trek briefing. We then leave Amman for the Greco-Roman city of Jerash, a marvellously well-preserved city steeped in history with an incredible amphitheatre in it's centre. We explore the ancient ruins then continue on to the Arabian fortress of Ajlun. Built stoically on a hill overlooking the Jordan Valley, we explore the maze of tunnels scorn into it's underground architecture. We then return to Amman in the late afternoon to sample more of the delectable local cuisine.

We head east this morning to discover the Azrak region and it's famous "desert castles": Azraq, Amra and Harana. Historically used to connect the trading routes between Medina and Damascus, these castles stand proud in the surrounding semi-arid landscape. After indulging in the grandeur of these ancient structures, we return to Amman and take time to explore the city; discover the ruins of the citadel, with the magnificent temple of Hercules towering over it. Then on to the theatre which again reflects the incredible architecture of Jordan's Roman ancestry. We continue on to reach Madaba, 'the mosaic city' where we spend the night.

A day of cultural intensity, today we visit five incredible locations. Beginning with the Byzantine mosaics of Madaba, these artworks tell the story of the city in beautifully intricate designs. We then climb to Mount Nebo, a spiritual setting where it is told Moses contemplated the Promised Land before he died. From here, we continue and reach the gentle waters of the Dead Sea to enjoy a memorable swim before visiting the majestic stronghold of Kerak. This formidable fortress dates back to the time of the Crusades. We explore it's impenetrable walls before finally heading to Dana Nature Reserve at the end of the day for an unforgettable night in camp with a view of the entire valley under a blanket of stars.

A beautiful day awaits us in the heart of the Dana Nature Reserve, with its impressive sandstone monoliths and Mediterranean vegetation, that contrasts with the surrounding deserts. We will witness the spectacle of the Dana Mountains stretching from the Jordanian Rift Valley to the desert plains of Wadi Araba and let ourselves be fascinated by the plains of gravel mixed with amber sand dunes. Whilst we discover a very diverse fauna including a whole series of rare plants and animals. We have a traditional dinner in camp and again spend a night under the stars.

This morning we take a short drive to Shawback Castle; an impressive, solitary castle dating from the glory of the Crusaders. It was built on top of a mountain and crowns a cone of rocks that rises regally above a wild, rugged landscape. Marvel at it's presence before continuing on to Little Petra, part of the Nabataean necropolis enclosed in the Beidha Mountains. Here we have time to appreciate the spectacular view of the mountains of Beidha and get a taste of what remains to be discovered in Petra.

Petra, the triumph of the Nabataean culture. This rich, caravan city which transited myrrh, frankincense, cinnamon and diamonds, shelters more than 800 monuments cut into the chiselled sandstone. More than its architecture, it's the colour that fulfils Petra, between purple and gold, each sandstone has its own nuance. We begin the discovery of Petra by its forgotten paths, entering through the small door from the Neolithic village of Beidha and "Little Petra", we follow the mountain by a magnificent aerial path. Arriving at Deir - "the Monastery", a former place of pilgrimage for the Nabataeans, there is a great sense of importance. We then descend the 800 steps that connect the plateau to Petra site.

We start early in the morning with the "official" entrance to the Siq. The crossing of this narrow gorge is awe inspiring and crescendos at the discovery of the Khazneh - "the Treasury", undoubtedly the iconic masterpeice of Petra. After visiting the Royal Tombs, we then gain height, going from discovery to discovery along Wadi Farasa, to the High Place of Sacrifice. From here the view is extraordinary. We revel in it before returning via the forgotten paths.

We begin the morning with a short transfer to the outcrops of the Wadi Rum, also called "Valley of the Moon". Of the Wadi Rum, Lawrence of Arabia famously said: "Rum, the marvel...vast and resonant...a processional way beyond imagination". Here we meet our local camel drivers and depart on our trek into the remote desert wilderness.