Highlights
- Explore Amman's souks, mosques, and traditional coffeehouses
- Float easily in the Dead Sea—the lowest altitude point on the planet
- Wander through the Roman ruins of Jerash including the Hippodrome
- Spend a relaxing day at the Red Sea with snorkeling and scuba diving
- Check out Petra's best monuments at sunrise before the crowds arrive
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Amman | Amman |
| Day 2 | Day-Trip to Jerash & Ajloun | Amman |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Petra | Petra |
| Day 4 | Explore Petra - Transfer to Wadi Rum | Wadi Rum |
| Day 5 | Explore Wadi Rum - Transfer to Aqaba | Aqaba |
| Day 6 | Transfer to the Dead Sea | The Dead Sea |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Amman - Depart Jordan |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Amman
Welcome to Jordan! Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, a private driver will pick you up and transport you to your hotel in Amman.
From here, you'll have the rest of the day to experience Jordan's capital. If you arrive earlier in the day, consider a guided city tour in downtown Amman where you'll visit the Citadel, a hilltop area featuring spectacular Roman ruins including a stone amphitheater and 8th-century palace complex—as well as souks, mosques, and traditional coffeehouses for a slice of Jordanian life.
Alternatively, head to the area of western Amman to experience a modern residential area with pretty streets, cafés, restaurants, and art galleries.
Day 2: Day-Trip to Jerash & Ajloun
After breakfast at your hotel in Amman, you'll take a day-trip to the wonderful ancient Roman city of Jerash in northwest Jordan. While here, there will be opportunities to walk along the colonnaded way, visit the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, and sit in the enormous Hippodrome where chariot races used to take place. You can also have lunch at one of the local barbeque restaurants.
In the afternoon, you'll continue a little further north by road to Ajloun where you'll visit a 12th-century castle that was originally built to defend against the Crusaders. Inside, you can explore the Ajloun Archaeological Museum’s displays, which include ancient Neolithic artifacts before returning to Amman for the rest of the evening.
Day 3: Transfer to Petra
This morning, you'll make the journey south to Petra along an ancient trade route called Kings Highway. You'll have the opportunity to make a number of key stops along the way starting with the mosaics and churches in Madaba Archaeological Park, which includes the Church of the Virgin Mary as well as artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic eras.
You can also stop at Mount Nebo for some great views over the Dead Sea before continuing to the crusader castle in Karak. Then head to Dana Nature Reserve—an area of varied geology including granite and sandstone cliffs, as well as hundreds of plant and bird species, before ending in Petra where you'll have dinner and stay the night.
Day 4: Explore Petra - Transfer to Wadi Rum
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Rise and shine! Today, you'll have the entire day to explore the fantastic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra. There are plenty of options on how you can absorb this historical and archaeological city. Many choose to visit The Royal Tombs and make the climb to the viewpoint looking down onto the Treasury as the morning sun hits. You can also climb up the mountain opposite the High Place of Sacrifice and take the trail down to the Garden Temple Complex. If you have enough energy, make the climb up to the largest of Petra’s monuments: The Monastery.
At the end of the day, your driver will be waiting to take you south to the beautiful desert of Wadi Rum. Here you’ll spend the night under the stars at a luxury Bedouin Camp (dinner included).
Day 5: Explore Wadi Rum - Transfer to Aqaba
Today you will wake up in the great outdoors for the most adventurous day of the trip yet! The day starts with a 4x4 jeep tour of the Wadi Rum wilderness, traversing the expanse of orange dunes and canyons in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia. You also have the option of taking a hike through a canyon or to one of the area's mountaintops!
Following the excursions in Wadi Rum, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to Aqaba where you'll you have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the Red Sea, a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia. Here you can go swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving (highly recommended)—or simply explore Aqaba's quirky city center.
Day 6: Transfer to the Dead Sea
After breakfast in Aqaba, your driver will transfer you north to Earth's lowest elevation on land: The Dead Sea! Once you arrive, you can spend the rest of the day sunbathing at the beach or floating easily in the sea's famously salty water. Many visitors opt to schedule a full-body mud treatment, while others simply hang out at the hotel pool with a good book.
Day 7: Transfer to Amman - Depart Jordan
It's time to say goodbye to Jordan! Depending on the time of your flight, you can enjoy the beaches of the Dead Sea a bit longer. At the designated time, your driver will transfer you back to Amman where you'll be dropped off at the airport for your departure onward. Safe travels!
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