Highlights
- Sample traditional Jordanian cuisine in Amman
- Float in the calming waters of the Dead Sea
- Marvel at Petra's intricately carved tombs & temples
- Camp under the stars in the desert of Wadi Rum
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Amman, Traditional Jordanian Dinner | Amman |
| Day 2 | Tour the Ruins of Jerash, Transfer to the Dead Sea via Aljoun | The Dead Sea |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo & Kerak | Petra |
| Day 4 | Explore Petra, Transfer to Wadi Rum | Wadi Rum |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Amman, Afternoon City Tour | Amman |
| Day 6 | Depart Amman |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Amman, Traditional Jordanian Dinner
Depending on your arrival time, feel free to explore Amman at your own pace. In the evening, your driver will transfer you to a local restaurant, where you can enjoy a welcoming meal of Jordanian specialties like mansaf (rice topped with lamb and pine nuts), Arabic sweets, and mint tea.
Day 2: Tour the Ruins of Jerash, Transfer to the Dead Sea via Aljoun
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In the afternoon, your driver will take you deep in the Jordan Valley, through a landscape of otherworldly, arid hills, to reach the Dead Sea. One of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world, this great inland lake is the lowest body of water on earth, the lowest point on earth, and the world's richest source of natural salts, hiding wonderful treasures that accumulated throughout thousands of years.
Get settled into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure—floating in the salty waters, enjoying a full-body mud treatment, or relaxing on the beach.
Day 3: Transfer to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo & Kerak
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll check out and start today's journey south. Stop in Madaba to check out its intricate Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, including the spectacular Madaba Map, the oldest preserved mosaic map of the Holy Land. Nearby, the Madaba Archaeological Park preserves the mosaic-rich Church of the Virgin Mary and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras.
Continue your journey to Mount Nebo, an elevated ridge of the Abarim range said to be where Moses took in the view of the Promised Land. Follow in his footsteps and look out at the Dead Sea and beyond, before eventually making your way to the Memorial Church of Moses, a modern structure that now houses excavated relics from the region.
Carry on south along the King's Highway to Kerak to visit the impressive Crusader castle of the same name. Exploring the fortress-like structure provides an opportunity to experience the vaulted halls and passageways typical of the era, a remarkable insight into the architectural and military prowess of the Crusaders. When you're ready, continue to Petra where you'll check in to your hotel for the night.
Day 4: Explore Petra, Transfer to Wadi Rum
Today you'll explore Jordan's beloved archeological treasure: the lost city of Petra. Known as the "Rose City" for the area's distinctive red sandstone, it's easy to see why Petra was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Its intricate architectural design is hundreds of years old, and remarkably well maintained.
Enter through the Siq, a dramatically narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs, and spend your day wandering at your leisure through Petra's seemingly endless temples, tombs, and colonnaded streets. Navigate the impressive water conduit system of the historic Nabatean city, paying a visit to Qasr al-Bint, a grand temple that was once the population's primary place of worship. After a two-hour guided tour, you'll have free time to explore the canyons and temples at your own pace.
After getting your fill of Petra, your driver will take you south into the wilderness of the Wadi Rum, an expanse of desert dubbed the "Valley of the Moon" by Lawrence of Arabia. Along the two-hour drive, you'll pass through red valleys, rock canyons, and dunes to reach a Bedouin-style camp, where you'll enjoy a traditional meal and spend the night sleeping under the stars.
Day 5: Transfer to Amman, Afternoon City Tour
Day 6: Depart Amman
After breakfast, it's time to bid Amman farewell and transfer to the Queen Alia International Airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!
More Jordan Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Jordan? Check out these other Jordan itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.
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