13 Days in Jordan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Jordan Grand Tour: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba & the Dead Sea

With a mix of history, culture, adventure, and relaxation, this Jordan highlights tour is ideal for first-time visitors. You'll taste the national dish and enjoy a spa treatment at a Turkish bath in Amman, tour the Greco-Roman ruins in Jerash, spend a full day sightseeing in the UNESCO-listed Petra archaeological site, walk the desert dunes of Wadi Rum with your Bedouin guide, go snorkeling in Aqaba, float in the Dead Sea, and learn about "the City of Tolerance" with a guided walk along the Harmony Trail in As-Salt. 

Your journey begins in Amman with a meal of mansaf (the national dish made with lamb and rice) and a city tour, including the second-century Roman Theatre and some souvenir shopping in the downtown markets. Then, you'll head north to see the Temple of Artemis and other well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins in Jerash and a Crusader castle in Ajloun. Following this, you'll delve into some of Jordan's Christian heritage and marvel at the Mosaic Map of the Holy Land in Madaba en route to Petra. You'll have a full day in Petra to visit the ancient tombs and temples and climb the steps to the cliff-carved Monastery. 

A Jeep tour to see the petroglyphs at Khazali Canyon and an overnight at a Bedouin camp awaits in the Wadi Rum desert on Day 6. Then, you'll move on to the coastal city of Aqaba, where you can snorkel, scuba dive, or simply relax on the beach. As you make your way back toward Amman, you'll have a chance to float in the mineral-rich Dead Sea and then visit Al-Maghtas, where it's believed Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. You'll also take a guided walk along the Harmony Trail in As-Salt, stopping by Muslim and Christian sites. Lastly, enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment at a Turkish bathhouse in Amman. Learn more

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

Delve into the history and culture of Jordan on this fast-paced heritage tour. You'll visit cultural landmarks in the capital city, tour Greco-Roman ruins in Umm Qais, go bird-watching and learn about Druze traditions in Azraq, castle-hop in the Eastern Desert, hike to Nabataean ruins and engage in weaving with Bedouins in Dana, take a camel ride and cook dinner around the fire at a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum, and visit Biblical sites such as Lot's Cave. Additionally, you'll have time to relax and refresh with optional spa treatments at the Dead Sea and a soak at the Ma'in Hot Springs.

Kick off your journey in Jordan's capital, Amman, with a tour of significant cultural landmarks, such as the blue-domed King Abdullah I Mosque. Then, your driver will take you north to Umm Qais to see the black basalt West Theatre and other Greco-Roman ruins before you travel east to Azraq. Here, you'll watch for raptors and other wildlife on a walk through the wetland reserve, then learn about Druze culture over lunch with a local family. You'll also check out the eighth-century frescoes inside Quseir 'Amra on your journey along the Eastern Desert Castles Loop before you venture south toward Dana. 

Follow your guide on a hike in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, pausing to snap photos of the otherworldly sandstone formations. Afterward, spend time weaving or cooking with Bedouins at Dana Cooperative before continuing to Petra. Walk the Siq Trail to the Treasury facade (as seen in the "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" film!), then use the rest of the day to explore other monuments in Petra at your own pace. From here, your driver will transfer you to Wadi Rum for a camel ride across the dunes before capping off your trip with a soak at the Ma'in Hot Springs en route back to Amman. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan

Engage with local people and sample Jordanian flavors on this culture and culinary tour. Perfect for foodies and culture enthusiasts, this itinerary includes an Amman street art tour, a foraging activity in Umm Qais, a visit to the ruins in Pella and Jerash, a calligraphy class in Ajloun, a jam-making workshop near As-Salt, wine-tasting at Jordan's first vineyard, the chance to meet artisans in Iraq al-Amir, and a Bedouin-led lesson in making Arabic coffee over a campfire. Nature lovers will also enjoy hikes in Ajloun and Dana, a full day of trekking in Petra, and a night under the stars in Wadi Rum.

Get an introduction to Amman's arts, hip-hop culture, and history with a street art tour on arrival. Then, you'll visit the ruins of Byzantine temples and Roman baths in Pella before embarking on a foraging excursion in Umm Qais. Following this, you'll learn about ancient civilizations that made their mark in Jerash as you tour the amphitheaters and colonnaded streets of one of the world's best-preserved Greco-Roman cities. In nearby Ajloun, a hike along the Soap House Trail leads you through forests of strawberry and pistachio trees, and an Arabic calligraphy class offers the opportunity to craft your own keepsake. 

The cultural immersion continues with jam-making at a farm near As-Salt, followed by a visit to the Iraq al-Amir Women's Cooperative, where you can observe artisans. Next, you'll toast your adventure with beer and wine tastings at Carakale Brewery and the JR Vineyard, then sample makdous (stuffed eggplant) and manaqish (Jordanian flatbread) in Madaba. Moving on to Dana, you'll hike the rocky trail to Feynan Ecolodge, where your Bedouin guides will teach you to make Arabic coffee over a fire. End on a high note with a day of sightseeing in UNESCO-listed Petra and a night under the stars in Wadi Rum. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Hike the Jordan Trail From Dana to Petra

This Jordan Trail adventure is a fit for active travelers who enjoy hiking and camping. After a quick tour of Amman, you'll trek from Dana to Petra along changing terrain, which includes valley views as you descend from Dana, the rugged and remote trail to Ras al-Feid, and orange-red sandstone on your way to Ghbour Whedat. You'll encounter rock art, ancient Nabataean ruins, Bedouin communities, and possibly wildlife en route. The hike ends at Petra, where you'll have time to explore the site, then round out your trip with stargazing in Wadi Rum, a bike ride from Mount Nebo to Mukawir, and a hot springs soak at Ma'in.

Before starting your hike, you'll browse artifacts at the Jordan Archaeological Museum and visit the Roman, Byzantine, and Ummayad ruins atop Citadel Hill in Amman (this is a great spot for city views and photos!). After a three-hour transfer to Dana, you'll fuel up for your adventures and learn about local traditions while dining with a Bedouin family. Then, you'll set off on the trail, descending through a wadi (valley or dry riverbed) from verdant Dana to the remote Feynan Ecolodge. In the morning, you'll traverse rocky terrain, passing ancient copper mines on your way to your campsite in Ras al-Feid.

Continue along shepherd trails to Ghbour Whedat, keeping an eye out for ancient rock art etched into the orange-red sandstone. The following day, you'll hike amid lunar-like rocky outcrops as you approach Little Petra, where you'll overnight at a Bedouin camp. On the final leg of your trek, climb the stone stairs to Petra's "backdoor" entrance that brings you to the Monastery. Then, you'll transfer to Wadi Rum and rest your legs on a Jeep tour through the desert. Squeeze in one more adventure—a bike ride from Mount Nebo to the Mukawir fortress—before a relaxing afternoon at Ma'in Hot Springs. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Highlights of Egypt & Jordan: Cairo, Nile Cruise, Wadi Rum, Petra, Amman & the Dead Sea

Travelers eager to move at a quick pace and cover a lot of ground will enjoy this Egypt and Jordan itinerary. While in Egypt, you'll attend a traditional dance performance, admire Christian and Islamic architecture in Old Cairo, and visit ancient temples and tombs on a cruise along the Nile River. Then, in Jordan, you'll spend a day trekking around Petra, climb rust-red dunes in Wadi Rum, take a road trip along the King's Highway, tour the ruins of Jerash, and enjoy a sunset float in the Dead Sea.

On arrival in Cairo, Egypt, you'll experience traditional music and dance at Wekalet el-Ghoury, a 16th-century caravanserai (roadside inn along major trade routes). The next day, you'll tour historic mosques and churches in Old Cairo and visit the Egyptian Museum, home to over 120,000 artifacts, including the mask of the pharaoh Tutankhamun. A quick 1.5-hour flight brings you to Aswan, where you'll board a Nile cruise to Luxor. Along the river, you'll stop at temples and tombs, including the Temple of Kom Ombo, where you'll admire hieroglyphs and learn about ancient Egyptian rituals.

Disembark in Luxor and stroll the Avenue of Sphinxes to Karnak Temple to see the obelisks and reliefs depicting tales of pharaohs and gods. Following this, fly to Amman, Jordan, where your driver will whisk you to Wadi Rum for a climb up Al-Ramal Red Sand Dune and a night around the campfire with your Bedouin hosts. Next, you'll trek amid Petra's rock-cut Nabataean structures before returning to Amman via the winding King's Highway. On a day trip to Northern Jordan, you'll visit the Roman theater in Jerash and a Crusader castle in Ajloun. Finally, take a sunset float in the Dead Sea before departure. Learn more

More Great 13-Day Jordan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Jordan? Check out these other 13-day Jordan itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.