15 Days in Jordan - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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

This Jordan highlights tour provides a mix of history, culture, adventure, and relaxation—perfect for first-time visitors. You'll tour historic sites and shop the markets of Amman, visit Greco-Roman ruins in Jerash, trek to ancient tombs and temples in Petra, tour Wadi Rum by Jeep, snorkel and swim in Aqaba, float in the Dead Sea, and walk the Harmony Trail in As-Salt.

On arrival in Amman, you'll have time to explore Jordan's capital city, perhaps visiting Grand Husseini Mosque to see the mosaic tiles before tasting the national dish, mansaf (made with lamb and rice in a yogurt sauce) at a local restaurant. Take a deeper dive on Day 2 as you follow a local guide to historic sites, such as the second-century Roman Theatre, and through the spice and produce markets. A day trip to Northern Jordan includes a tour of the Greco-Roman ruins in Jerash and a Crusader castle in Ajloun. Next, you'll head south to Petra, where you'll have a full day to visit its cliff-carved tombs and temples. 

A Jeep tour across the dunes and an overnight at a Bedouin camp await in the Wadi Rum desert. Following this, you'll spend a couple of days in Aqaba, snorkeling and swimming in the Red Sea. After two nights and en route back to Amman, you'll float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea and visit Al-Maghtas, believed to be the site where Jesus Christ was baptized. You'll also have the chance to walk the Harmony Trail in As-Salt, stopping by churches and mosques to learn the history of this "city of tolerance." Lastly, you'll enjoy a rejuvenating body scrub and massage at Alf Layla Wa Layla Turkish Bath before departure. Learn more

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

History and nature enthusiasts will appreciate the archaeological sites and outdoor adventures on this history and heritage itinerary. On top of classic experiences like visiting the ancient Nabataean city of Petra and riding a camel in Wadi Rum, you'll make jam on a farm near As-Salt, visit the Greco-Roman ruins of Umm Qais, search for migratory birds in the Azraq Wetlands Reserve, dine with a Druze family, go castle-hopping in the Eastern Desert, admire mosaics in Madaba, cook with Bedouins at Dana Cooperative, and take a dip in the Ma'in Hot Springs. 

Kick off your journey in Amman with a visit to Citadel Hill, where you'll find Byzantine, Roman, and Umayyad ruins and enjoy panoramic city views. Then, your driver will take you to a farm near As-Salt for a jam and jameed (dried yogurt) workshop en route to Umm Qais. Here, you'll visit the black basalt theater and other Greco-Roman ruins, then continue to Ajloun Forst Reserve for a hike through the strawberry and pistachio trees. Afterward, you'll travel to Azraq and search for migratory birds on a walk through the wetlands reserve. You'll also dine with a Druze family and see eighth-century frescoes at Quseir 'Amra.

Next, you'll stop in Madaba to admire the Mosaic Map before venturing south to Kerak for a tour of the Crusader castle. Continue to Dana for a hike amid sandstone formations along the Nawatef Trail and the chance to engage in cooking or weaving with Bedouins at Dana Cooperative. Following this, your driver will take you to Petra, where you'll walk the winding Siq trail to the famous Treasury facade. Then you'll have free time to visit other rock-cut monuments in the ancient Nabataean city. Your adventures conclude with a sunset camel ride in Wadi Rum and a relaxing soak in the Ma'in Hot Springs. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan

Engage with local artisans, chefs, and experts on this culinary and cultural trip. Highlights include a street art tour in Amman, a foraging excursion in Umm Qais, an Arabic calligraphy workshop in Ajloun, tours and tastings at Carakale Brewery and JR Vineyards, an Arabic coffee-making lesson at Feynan Ecolodge, and a Bedouin barbecue in Wadi Rum. Along the way, you'll also hike in Dana and hit some of the most popular historical sites, such as Jerash and Petra.

Shake off your jet lag with a spa treatment at a Turkish bath in Amman before hitting the streets for an artist-led walking tour of the city's murals. Following this, your driver will take you to Pella to see Roman baths and Byzantine temples, then continue to Umm Qais. Here, you'll search for almonds or other edible plants on a foraging excursion with a local guide. Next up is Jerash for a walk along the colonnaded streets in one of the world's best-preserved Greco-Roman cities. On your way back to Amman on Day 5, you can buy olive oil soap at Ajloun Soap House and create a keepsake at Calligraphy House.

Meet textile and ceramic artisans at the Iraq al-Amir Women's Cooperative, then sample local beer on a tour of Carakale, Jordan's first craft brewery. The culinary adventures continue at JR Vineyards, where the volcanic landscape lends a unique minerality to the wine. Then, your driver will take you to Madaba to eat makdous (stuffed eggplant) and manaqish (flatbread) at Hikayet Sitti and learn about the city's Christian heritage. Wrap up your adventures with an Arabic coffee-making lesson at Feynan Ecolodge, followed by a self-guided tour of Petra and a Bedouin barbecue in Wadi Rum. Learn more

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

Outdoorsy travelers will enjoy this Jordan Trail hike-forward adventure. After sightseeing in Amman, you'll trek across diverse terrain from Dana to Petra—passing through a valley to Feynan, along rocky trails to Ras al-Feid, amid orange-red rocks scrawled with petroglyphs to Ghbour Whedat, and along the lunar-like outcrops near Little Petra. You'll have free time to trek around Petra, partake in stargazing in Wadi Rum, bike from Mount Nebo to Mukawir fortress, soak your muscles at Ma'in Hot Springs, and rejuvenate your skin with a mud bath and float in the Dead Sea. 

Before starting your hiking adventures, you'll climb the steps of the Roman Theatre on a tour of Amman and then admire the Oval Plaza and other Greco-Roman ruins in the ancient city of Jerash. On Day 2, you'll pass olive groves and carob trees on a nature walk in Ajloun. Afterward, your driver will transfer you to Dana, where your trek on the Jordan Trail begins. The first 8.5-mile (13 km) section takes you through a valley dotted with Bedouin camps to Feynan Ecolodge, the perfect spot to refuel with a vegetarian meal and rest up. In the morning, the next section leads you across rocky terrain to your remote campsite at Ras al-Feid. 

You'll follow old shepherd paths amid sandstone cliffs to Ghbour Whedat, keeping an eye out for petroglyphs etched onto the stones. Continue to Little Petra, passing Nabataean olive presses and aqueducts, then overnight at a Bedouin camp. The final 5 miles (8 km) brings you across rocky outcrops and up stone stairs to Petra's cliff-carved Monastery. Following this, you'll have time to wander the "Rose City" on your own before giving your legs a rest on a Jeep tour of Wadi Rum. Round out your trip with a bike ride from Mount Nebo to Mukawir fortress, followed by a soak at Ma'in Hot Springs. Learn more

More Great 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.