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| Petra, Jordan |
| “Birds & Archaeology” |
| March 25 - 31 |
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£1395 |
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A repeat of last year’s
highly successful Tour.
Located on the junction of the Mediterranean
and Arabian faunal regions and lying
on one of the major migration routes,
that from Africa to Asia, Jordan is
a land of stark contrasts - desert,
valleys, mountains, sea and antiquities!
This Tour aims to combine superb birding
including raptor & passerine migration
in these diverse habitats along with
Petra, one of the new Top 20 “Wonders
of the World”.Visiting Azraq Oasis,Wadi
Rum & Dana Nature Reserves looking
for Sinai Rosefinches,Trumpeter Finches
and Orange-tufted Sunbirds we shall
also tour Jerash, the best-preserved
Roman city. Along with Petra Moon Tourism
Services and the excellent RSCN [Royal
Society Conservation For Nature], the
outline itinerary will be as follows: |
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Mar. 25:
Late afternoon flight from London to Amman
via Royal Jordanian Airlines and transfer
to Amman International Hotel for overnight
stay. |
Mar. 26:
After breakfast visit the RSCN’s “Wild
Jordan” Centre for an introduction to
the conservation work by the organization
that manages Jordan’s wildlife and nature
reserves. Afternoon tour of the city of Jerash,
the best-preserved Roman provincial city.
Drive to Azraq Oasis, stopping en route at
Qasr Amra, a world heritage site, with overnight
stay at the new Azraq RSCN Lodge. |
Mar. 27:
Birdwatching at Azraq Oasis, a unique wetland
oasis located in the semi-arid Jordanian Eastern
Desert. With its natural pools the area acts
as a magnet for migrating birds, including
raptors & passerines, whilst water levels
at the qa’, the surrounding flat basin,
will determine the amount of shorebirds present.
Long-legged Buzzard, Squacco Heron, Little
Crake, Spur-winged Plover, Graceful Prinia
& Wryneck all occur around the pools,
with various terns & shorebirds at the
qa’. Nearby lies the Shumari Nature
Reserve, famous for its captive breeding population
of Arabian Oryx and also superb for migrants
and resident larks including Lesser Kestrel,
Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Stone-curlew,Temminct’s
Horned Lark, Hoopoe Lark & Desert Finch.
Afternoon drive along the spectacular desert
road to Petra for 3-night stay at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel. |
Mar. 28:
Full day Tour of Petra, the legendary capital
of the Nabatean trading empire, with the opportunity
of horseback entry to the beginning of the
mysterious mile-long Siq. Photo opportunities
are endless amidst the spectacular archaeological
sites, whilst the surrounding hills and scrub
hold typical desert species including the
superb Sinai Rosefinch along with Brown-necked
Raven, Desert Wheatear, Desert Lark and Yellow-vented
Bulbul. O/night Crowne Plaza Hotel. |
Mar. 29:
Early morning departure for birdwatching the
moonscape terrain of Wadi Rum. This breathtaking
beauty, rightly acclaimed as one of the most
stunning desertscapes in the world was described
by T. E. Lawrence as “vast, echoing
and God-like”! Amongst its sandstone
mesas and vast dune systems may be found Fan-tailed
Raven,Tristram’s Grackle, Sand Partridge,Trumpeter
Finch & White-crowned Black Wheatear,
whilst migrant passerines occur around the
Visitor’s Centre and Lawrence’s
“Well” including Woodchat Shrike,
Rufous Bush Robin, Eastern Black Redstart,
Red-throated Pipit & Lesser Whitethroat.
As part of the tradition a Bedouin “mensaf”
lunch will be taken in the heart of the desert,
a truly memorable experience. O/night Crowne
Plaza Hotel. |
Mar. 30:
Another early morning departure to visit the
nearby Dana Nature Reserve. Set in Wadi Dana,
a region composed of a chain of valleys and
mountains in the Southern Rift Margins, the
scenery is again extremely dramatic. Around
the Campsite Orange-tufted Sunbirds occur
along with Short-toed & Bonelli’s
Eagles, Chukar, Sinai Rosefinch & Rock
Martin, flocks of migrating Steppe Buzzards
overhead often feature, and Tristram’s
Serins occur in the gardens around Dana village.
After lunch drive down the scenic Ghor Fifa
road to Wadi Araba, route of the ancient spice
caravans to the shores of the Dead Sea the
lowest point on the earth’s surface
and where the rare Dead Sea Sparrow may be
found. Return to Amman and Amman International
Hotel for final overnight stay. |
Mar 31:
After leisurely breakfast drive to Amman Airport
for midday flight back to London. |
| Tour Cost:
£1395 [£ 135 s/s] Deposit:
£250 B/L due: Jan.
11 ‘08 |
| Included in the
cost: Return scheduled flights from
London to Amman, dinner, bed & breakfast
throughout [except dinner on first night in
Amman], full transportation throughout, airport
transfers, all entry fees to Reserves &
archaeological sites, local archaeological
& RSCN guide. |
| Not included in
the cost: Jordanian visa, local airport
taxes, travel insurance, lunches, drinks,
laundry and items of a personal nature. |
| Please note:
Costs are based upon a minimum of 8 participants.
All bookings on a WildWings booking form and
all monies paid directly to WildWings [ATOL
5429]. |
| To download full
colour information sheet on this tour click
HERE |
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