11 Days in Jordan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Jordan's Natural Wonders: Amman, Dana, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba & Dead Sea

Experience Jordan's diverse landscapes on this classic natural wonders tour. Perfect for active, outdoorsy travelers, this itinerary includes a hike through the woodlands of the Ajloun Forest Reserve, a cliffside trek in Dana Biosphere Reserve, a camel ride across the dunes of Wadi Rum, the chance to float in the salty Dead Sea, and a refreshing excursion through the river canyon of Wadi Mujib. Along the way, you'll also visit some famous historic sites, such as the Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash and the rock-cut Treasury facade in Petra.

Ease into your journey with a free evening in Amman to catch the sunset amid Roman and Umayyad ruins atop Citadel Hill or go café-hopping and boutique shopping along Rainbow Street. Rise early for your transfer north to Ajloun, where you'll hike trails flanked by oak and wild pistachio trees (as well as wildflowers if you're here in the spring!). Afterward, your driver will take you to Azraq for a bird-watching walk in the wetland reserve. The following day, you'll step back in time as you tour Greco-Roman ruins in northern Jordan, including column-flanked streets in Umm Qais and the Hippodrome in Jerash. 

Next, you're off to Dana Biosphere Reserve for a hike along the cliffs with a birdseye view of the canyons. Following that, you'll continue to Petra, where you'll have a full day to explore the trails and tombs of this ancient Nabataean city. Then, you'll head to Wadi Rum on Day 7 for a camel ride and trek across the rust-colored desert dunes before moving on to Aqaba, a resort city on the Red Sea. You'll have free time to swim, snorkel, and feast on seafood. On your final days in Jordan, you'll soak in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, then splash and scramble your way through the Mujib river canyon. Learn more

Itinerary #2: History & Heritage Tour of Jordan: From Amman to the Dead Sea

This Jordan heritage tour is ideal for travelers interested in learning about the country's history and the multicultural influences that have shaped it. Highlights include a tour of ancient ruins and religious landmarks in Amman, lunch with a Druze family in Azraq, castle-hopping in the eastern desert, and a day of weaving or cooking with Bedouins in Dana. You'll also spend a night in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum and soak in the Ma'in Hot Springs.

You'll waste no time delving into Jordanian culture with a meal of mansaf (the national dish made with lamb and rice) and a tour of Amman's top sites, such as the blue-domed King Abdullah I Mosque, on arrival. In the morning, you'll head to Azraq for a bike ride through the wetland reserve, followed by lunch with a Druze family who'll tell you about their traditions. Afterward, you'll check out Quseir 'Amra's frescoes depicting eighth-century life on a tour along the Desert Castles Loop. Then, your driver will take you to see the ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land in Madaba as you journey south toward Dana. 

In Dana, you'll marvel at sandstone formations and Nabataean ruins along the Nawatef Trail, then spend a day weaving or cooking with Bedouins at the Dana Cooperative. From there, you'll move on to Petra, where you can walk The Siq trail to the iconic Treasury facade before continuing to the Royal Tombs and other cliff-carved structures inside the archaeological site. Your next stop is Wadi Rum for a sunset camel ride and a Bedouin barbecue followed by stargazing and a peaceful sleep in a desert camp. Cap off your trip with a rejuvenating float in the Dead Sea and a soak in the Ma'in Hot Springs ahead of catching your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan

Foodies, culture enthusiasts, and those eager to get off the beaten path and connect with the locals will appreciate the immersive activities on this cultural Jordan tour. You'll take a street art tour in Amman, forage for edible plants with a local guide in Umm Qais, create a keepsake in an Arabic calligraphy class in Ajloun, join a tasting tour at Jordan's first vineyard, and hike shepherd trails and make Arabic coffee with a Bedouin guide at Feynan Ecolodge. You'll also sightsee in Petra and traverse the Wadi Rum desert in a Jeep. 

On arrival in Amman, you'll learn about the city's murals and hip-hop scene on a street art tour. The following morning, your driver will take you to Pella to see remnants of Roman baths and Byzantine temples. Then, you'll venture to Umm Qais to forage for almonds or other edible plants before heading to Ajloun for an Arabic calligraphy class. After this, your driver will chauffeur you to a farm near As-Salt so you can learn how to prepare jam and jameed (a dried yogurt). Your cultural immersion continues with a visit to Iraq al-Amir Women's Cooperative, where you'll observe artisans weaving or making pottery. 

Spend a day learning about (and tasting!) JR Wines on a tour of the vineyard in the Mafraq Plateau. Next, your driver will take you on the winding Kings Highway to see a crusader castle in Kerak en route to Dana. You'll hike from Dana to the remote Feynan Ecolodge for rooftop stargazing. On the morning of Day 9, you'll follow your Bedouin guide along shepherd trails for a sunrise hike before sitting down to brew Arabic coffee over a campfire. Your journey comes to a close with two memorable experiences: a free day to explore the Petra archaeological site and a Jeep tour to some of Wadi Rum's unique rock formations. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Hike Jordan's Valleys & Canyons: Amman, Dana, Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea

This outdoor adventure itinerary is best suited for active travelers and nature lovers who are ready to move at a fast pace. You'll hike and picnic in Ajloun, abseil down waterfalls in Wadi Numeira, trek rocky terrain from Dana to Feynan, climb the Nabataean stairs to the backdoor entrance of Petra, explore hidden canyons on a Bedouin-led desert walk in Wadi Rum, and hike to the Lower Mujib Waterfall for a swim. 

Before you hit the trails, you'll have a free evening in Amman to do some shopping and get your fill of falafel on Rainbow Street or in the nearby Weibdeh neighborhood. The next morning, your driver will whisk you north to Ajloun for a hike along the Prophet's Trail, where you'll pass fig orchards and old-growth forests before sitting down to a picnic. In the afternoon, you'll walk the Colonnaded Street on a tour of Jerash's ancient ruins. Your next adventure awaits in Wadi Numeira. Before hitting the road to Dana, you'll wade through water, scramble over boulders, and abseil down waterfalls and cliffs.

From there, you'll descend into the valley and pass Bedouin tents as you hike the rocky trail to Feynan. Afterward, you're off to Petra via private transfer so you can trek the back entrance route, climbing ancient Nabataean steps to reach the Monastery carved into a cliff face. The journey continues to Wadi Rum on Day 6 for a hike through the desert to check out rock art and hidden canyons with your Bedouin guide. After a barbecue under the stars and a good night's rest, you'll make the trip back to Amman, stopping for a mud scrub at the Dead Sea and a hike to the Lower Mujib Waterfall for a refreshing swim. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Highlights of Jordan & Egypt: Amman to Cairo

History enthusiasts keen on covering a lot of ground will enjoy this Jordan and Egypt highlights trip. You'll learn about ancient civilizations at some of the region's top archaeological sites as you wander the ruins of Jerash, admire mosaics in Madaba, visit the Great Pyramid of Giza, cruise the Nile with stops at the Temple of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Edfu, tour the Valley of the Kings, and check out ancient hieroglyphics at Karnak Temple. You'll also have the chance to float in the Dead Sea, spend a night in Wadi Rum, and take a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over Luxor. 

A visit to the Jordan Museum, where you can browse artifacts from prehistoric and ancient civilizations, provides an introduction to Jordanian history before you tour a Crusader castle in Ajloun and the Temple of Artemis and ruins in Jerash. Next, you'll enjoy a soak in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, en route to the Madaba Archaeological Park, where you'll view mosaics and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras. Afterward, your driver will take you to Petra to meet a local guide who'll share Nabataean history as you marvel at the rock-cut water system, temples, and tombs. 

Spend a night at a Bedouin camp on Day 4 in the Mars-like Wadi Rum desert before flying to Cairo, Egypt. Here, you'll visit the Great Pyramid of Giza, the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Then, you'll fly to Aswan and board a Nile cruise ship that will take you to Luxor. En route, you'll stop to see mummified crocodiles at the Temple of Kom Ombo and carved reliefs depicting ancient rituals at the Temple of Edfu. Disembark in Luxor and soar over the city in a hot-air balloon, then travel to Karnak to walk the Avenue of Sphinxes and admire hieroglyphic-adorned columns before departure. Learn more

More Great 11-Day Jordan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Jordan? Check out these other 11-day Jordan itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.