5 Days in Jordan - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Jordan - Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash

On this five-day highlights itinerary, experience the best of Jordan. Head to the Dead Sea first, then visit Petra and the sand dunes of Wadi Rum. Finish with Amman sightseeing and a walking tour of the Jerash ruins.

After your flight to Amman, a driver will pick you up and take you straight to one of Jordan's most famous destinations: the Dead Sea. En route, make a stop in Madaba to check out the famous mosaics that color the town—including the oldest map of the holy land in existence. Enjoy a soak or a mud bath upon arrival at the Dead Sea, and decamp to your resort hotel for the evening.

The next day, you'll head down the Dead Sea Highway and up into the mountains to the Crusader-era Karak Castle for a guided tour and some lunch. Then, continue along the ancient trade route of Kings Highway with a scenery stop at the Dana Biosphere Reserve. End your day in a Bedouin camp at Little Petra.

Day three is yours to explore Petra. Visit the Royal Tombs, hike to the iconic Treasury viewpoint, and/or climb up the mountain opposite to the High Place of Sacrifice. In the evening, you can experience Petra By Night, a unique way to see the rock city by candlelight, or attend a cooking workshop at Petra Kitchen.

After breakfast, head south to the desert of Wadi Rum. Here, a 4x4 Jeep will take you on a two-hour tour of the highlights: visit the Nabatean inscriptions, canyons, dunes, and the house of Lawrence of Arabia. You can also take a 2.5-hour hike with a local guide, ride a camel, or enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon ride.

Head back to Amman to tour the capital city's top sites like the Citadel and Roman Theatre, and shop in downtown souks. On your last morning, visit the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash. After lunch, head to the airport for your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Explore Southern Jordan - Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Dead Sea

Make your way around Jordan's famous southern sites with this five-day trip. From the red city of Petra to the Red Sea shores in Aqaba, this tour offers a taste of everything the south has to offer.

Fly to Amman and head straight to the ancient, rose-red city of Petra. If you arrive early enough, spend some time exploring the Petra Museum, grabbing a drink at Cave Bar, or exploring Petra by Night, a candle-lit display in front of the iconic Treasury.

Spend the next morning in Petra. Wander through the Siq gate to the Treasury, and explore the rock-carved city's amphitheater, caves, and tombs. In the afternoon, you'll make your way to the desert wilderness of Wadi Rum, and sleep under the stars in a Bedouin camp. The next day, enjoy a four-by-four Jeep tour, following the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, climbing sand dunes and rock bridges along the way. 

Spend your fourth day in Jordan exploring Aqaba — a beachy port town on the Red Sea. Take a ride in a glass-bottomed boat, enjoying views of the coral below and Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia above. Jump in to swim and snorkel, before returning to shore, eventually making your way north to a resort on the Dead Sea.

After breakfast at your hotel, take one last float in the salty Dead Sea waters, relax by the pool, or unwind at the spa. Head back to Amman in the afternoon for your evening flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Jordan & the Holy Land - Petra, Jerusalem, West Bank

Consider a border-crossing itinerary that combines a Petra tour with the Old City of Jerusalem. You'll also visit the West Bank to see Bethlehem and other Holy Land sites.

Begin with an afternoon tour of vibrant downtown Amman where Roman ruins, world-class museums, mosques, and lively cafés vie for attention. The next morning, you'll get up early for an epic day trip south to the famed Nabatean city of Petra. Here you can see the beauty of the "Lost City" firsthand as you explore its many caves, tombs, and clifftop vantage points. 

On day three, it's time to cross the border into the West Bank and Israel. Your first stop is the Mount of Olives for amazing views of the city. Follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the foot of the hill, where the Garden of Gethsemane is rich with ancient olive trees. Make your way to the Old City of Jerusalem, entering through Dung Gate to visit the Western Wall and see Haram Al-Sharif in all its golden-domed glory. Make your way through the lively bazaars around the Old City's Jaffa Gate before having dinner in the city. 

Take a morning trip to Bethlehem on day four, and spend the rest of the day exploring the modern parts of Jerusalem. Stroll through Mahane Yehuda Market to purchase all the halva and hummus you can carry. There's also Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum) and the Israel Museum, where you can view parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Travel back to Amman in Jordan for a drink and a bite before turning in for the night. 

After an amazing trip to the Holy Land and Jordan, it's time to leave via Queen Alia International Airport just outside of Amman—or extend your trip to see more of what the Middle East has to offer. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Active Adventure in Jordan

With this outdoor-focused trip, you'll see Jordan through the lens of adventure. Go canyoning in beautiful Wadi Mujib, spend the night in a Bedouin Camp, snorkel or dive in the Red Sea, and of course, hike in the ancient city of Petra. 

After arriving in Amman, spend half a day touring the city. In the morning, your driver will take you to Wadi Mujib, where you'll hike the Siq Trail, swim, and even climb waterfalls with the help of a guide. From there, head south to Little Petra, where you'll enjoy dinner and accommodations the Bedouin way. 

On the morning of day three, you will enter Petra via the "back door." A local guide will pick you up and drive you to the trailhead. The scenic, moderately challenging hike ends with a unique view of the best-preserved monument of Petra: The Monastery. After enjoying mint tea and other refreshments on cushions in the shade, descend 800 steps to explore the rest of Petra on your own.

In the afternoon, you'll travel onward to Wadi Rum. Enjoy a sunset jeep tour of red sand dunes, rock bridges, Nabatean inscriptions, and the Lawrence of Arabia house. Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin "glampsite." The next morning, you'll hop on a camel for a two-hour ride. Spend your final evening in lovely Aqaba on the shores of the Red Sea, where you'll snorkel and swim til your heart's content. Learn more

More Great 5-Day Jordan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Jordan trip? Check out these other five-day Jordan itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.