Program

Day 0 - Arrive in Jordan by airplane

Arrive Amman the capital of Jordan, stay in a hotel, meet Raja your guide for a briefing, kit check

JORDAN

Day 1 -Dead Sea

Cycle to the Dead Sea a descent of around 60km, swim or take a mud bath in this sea reputed to cleanse the body of impurities. Stay in a luxury hotel, jacuzzi and massage are available to ease you into this incredible ExplorAider program.

Day 2 - Mount Nebo

Continue on the bikes to Mount Nebo, a 40-50 km challenging ascent of around 600m with a stunning view of the Negev desert in neighbouring Israel, anyone who prefers can hitch a ride in the support vehicle. Night in a hotel.

Day 3 - Dana Nature Reserve

We continue by vehicle taking the Road of the King to the Dana nature reserve, which harbours many types of animals from hyenas to birds and an array of vegetation. We explore this reserve on foot, the reserve goes from 60m below sea level to 1200m. We sleep and dine in the ancient and authentic village of Dana with local people.

Day 4 - Petra

To conserve our energy for a challenging hike, we take the vehicle (40km) to Petra where we explore the ancient ruins situated in a spectacular gorge. To explore Petra properly one needs a full day, but there is the possibility to spend half the day exploring Petra and taking a tandem paraglide flight with Raja in the afternoon to see Petra from the air. Night in a luxury hotel.

Day 5 - Wadi Ram Desert

We head on to the desert of Wadi Ram (70km), where we explore the unusual desert rock formations vertically, that is to say by climbing them. We spend the evening and sleep in a Bedouin tent with Ali, one of the locals and you appreciate the silence and tranquility of the desert.

SYRIA

Day 6 - Damascus

A transfer, including stops, by vehicle to Damascus. In the afternoon we explore a Mosques, converted in the 12th century by the Saladins from an ancient church into the Mosque. We spend the night in a hotel.

Day 7 - Damascus and Palmyres

We visit an authentic Souk, where we will meet many of the local artisans and tradesmen. In the afternoon we take the vehicle to within 40km of Palmyre (the Zanobia Kingdom) where we transfer onto the bikes to complete the journey to be sure to arrive before sunset when the desert is plunged into an array of extraordinary colours. We spend the night in a hotel which is in the middle of the ruins.

Day 8 - Palmyre / Euphrate River

We visit the ruins and the valley of the tombs before heading off to the Euphrate river. We commence on bikes until we reach the Palmyre lake, where we transfer back into the vehicle to reach the river in the evening. We sleep in wooden houses built by local fishermen on the banks of the river.

Day 9 - Aleppo

We head towards the old city of Aleppo (around 3 hours by vehicle), where one can still see the signs of occupation by Romans, the crusaders, the Ottomans and other cultures. We sleep in a hotel.

Day 10 Krac des Chevaliers

We transfer by vehicle to the Krac des Chevaliers (an ancient citadel used in the Crusades still in remarkable condition). We explore the Citadel on foot before leaving Syria and entering Lebanon by its northern border (2 hours in the vehicle).

LEBANON

The program for Lebanon depends on the snow conditions, suitable alternatives will be proposed when there is insufficient or too much snow

Day 10 continued - Cedars

We arrive at the Cedars Mountain in Lebanon where you can see some of the remaining Cedar trees which date from over 3000 years ago. We sleep in a authentic mountain lodge at 2000m altitude, which is warm and comfortable.

Day 11 - Cedars or Kannoubine Valley

We have two choices, if the weather is good we can paraglide over the Cedar's forest (30 minutes flight) or we can trek the Kannoubine Valley, where the marronites lived in the rocks to escape persecution and built a monastery. We transfer to the ski-resort of Faraya where we will stay in a luxury hotel at the foot of the ski slopes, with the possibility to be pampered and massaged in the well being suite.

Day 12 - Faraya

Depending on the snow conditions there is the opportunity to ski and climb in Faraya. If the ski-lifts are open, skiers can try the slopes or try a ski tour of the back of the mountain to descend the Grande Coulee. For those that would like to learn to ski, lessons are available. Climbing on the natural bridge of Fakra is also available. Where we stay depends on the chosen option for Day 13, either a transfer to a traditional Druzes village where we stay with a local family for those wishing to do a ski-ascent of Mount Hermon (a rare treat with severely restricted access) or a transfer to a hotel in Byblos, where the alphabet was invented.

Day 13 - Mont Herman or Byblos and a Night in Beirut

Depending on the snow levels, either a foot ascent or a ski-ascent of Mount Herman, a tough 1200m to 1600m climb. From the top you can look into Syria and Israel and on a clear day you can also see the Island of Cyprus.

If you choose the Byblos option you have the opportunity to try some windsurfing as well as exploring this amazing town where you will be sorely tempted to buy one of the 100 milllion year + stone fossil tablets.

In both cases we transfer to Beirut for a leaving party. In this lively and cosmopolitian city you will encounter luxury hotels, mosques, churches, souks, stylish restaurants, bars, and thousands of years of history. Sleep the night in a hotel.

Day 14 - Beirut

Explore Beirut by daylight before going back to the airport.

Activities Available

Cham Palace, Damascus

A luxury hotel, with full international facilities.

Palmyra Hotel, Syria

A 4 star international hotel with full facilities.

Wooden Cabins, Euphrates River, Syria

We stay with local fishermen in cabins that they have built on the banks of the Euphrates River, where Jesus was baptised.

Cham Palace, Aleppo, Syria

A luxury hotel, with full international facilities.

Ecoclub Lodge, Cedars, Lebanon

A cosy refuge, tucked away at 2000m altitude in the Cedars region of Lebanon.

Mzaar Intercom, Faraya

A luxury hotel at the foot of the ski slopes in Faraya Lebanon, with amazing facilities including a superb well-being suite for sauna's and massage treatments.

Village Dwelling, Lebanon

For those who chose a ski ascent or to climb Mount Herman, you will stay in an authentic village dwelling with a local family and sleep on comfortable matresses around the centrepiece stove.

Byblos Hotel

A luxury hotel in the incredible historic walled town of Byblos.

Authentic or Intl Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon

A choice of an authentic hotel in Beirut or an international 5 star hotel.

Pricing Policy

We price the experiences based on what they cost us to provide plus a fixed mark up. We do not try to profit from putting more people onto your experiences, these are exclusive trips where you manage who you go with.

One Price for the Group

Our prices are the price for the whole Group, based on the different possible group sizes up to the maximum group size, which is set by reference to an acceptable guide to client ratio and to ensure exclusivity and safety.

As the cost of the guiding does not vary with the group size the larger the group the cheaper per person. This means that you get the benefit of bringing more people and not us. For your reference only we will show a cost per person, but we do not accept individual bookings

Price Includes

• All accommodation
• Breakfast and picnic lunch
• All transfers within adventure presentations
• A Specialist Guide / Driver
• Provision of all equipment, hydration packs.
• All transport

Pricing Excludes

• Flights
• Evening meals (average cost £8 / Eur 12) / optional restaurants / supplementary drinks
• personal expenditure on route