9. From Amman: Half-Day Tour to Madaba and Mount Nebo
Start your tour with a pick up from your centrally located Amman hotel. Relax in your private, air-conditioned vehicle with your knowledgeable driver, and travel south to Madaba, known for its exquisite Byzantine mosaics. After an approximate 1-hour drive, arrive in Madaba and head inside Saint George’s Church with a local guide. This 19th-century Greek Orthodox basilica is home to the famous Madaba Mosaic Map, a 6th-century A.D. floor mosaic that depicts the ancient Holy Land and Jordan. Gaze at this masterpiece and its richly detailed renderings of Jerusalem, Jericho, the Dead Sea, and other biblical sites as your guide explains how it was unearthed in 1897.
Having admired the mosaic, drive to Mount Nebo, the hill where, according to the bible, Moses was not only granted a view of the Promised Land but also died. Take in the stunning views from the summit that extend over the Jordan Valley, and on a clear day, can stretch as far as Jericho and Jerusalem. Meet up with a local guide and go inside the excavated remains of the Byzantine church that once graced the hilltop. Here, archaeologists have uncovered a series of floor mosaics dating from between the 4th and 6th century A.D. Marvel at these intricate artworks with their still-vivid illustrations of peacocks, soldiers, horses, and hunters, as your guide shares facts about their creation and discovery. After your visit to this marvelous Franciscan Monastery of Mount Nebo, return to your vehicle and make the drive back to Amman. Your tour ends with a drop off at your Amman hotel.
Upgrade: Make this day a full day tour and add the visits of Madaba Archeological Park and Mount Nebo La Storia Museum. You will take an exciting journey through history to experience Jordan’s religious, historical and cultural heritage. Visit the museum, the largest mosaic portrait, as well as the handicraft center.