Relaxed Jordan: Amman, the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum & Aqaba - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Amman 

Welcome to Jordan! Upon your arrival, you'll meet your driver, who will transfer to Amman, where you'll spend the night. If you arrive early in the day, you can embark on a guided tour of the city, seeing highlights like the Roman theater, the Citadel and its archaeological museum, which contains the famous Deir Alla inscription referencing Balaam (from the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament). You can also visit the Jordan Museum and its famed Copper Scrolls. 

Unwind after your travels with a relaxing dinner in town and rest up for the adventures ahead!

Day 2: Jerash & the Dead Sea

After you enjoy a traditional Jordanian breakfast, you'll meet your driver and head to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. Wander along the Colonnaded Way, climb up the steps of the Temple of Artemis or listen to the traditional bagpipers in the Theatre. You can also choose to explore the site with the help of an expert guide. And if you're feeling peckish, you can enjoy a delicious lunch at the restaurant on the grounds. 

In the afternoon, you'll travel to the lowest point on Earth: the Dead Sea! Head for the mineral-rich waters for an afternoon float as the sun lowers over the sky and take in the sights from the shore after you apply some of the sea's mud for a soothing face mask. Then enjoy dinner by the sea and fall asleep, utterly relaxed and replenished. 

Day 3: Mount Nebo, Karak, Dana, Shobak, and Petra

Today you'll travel down the King's Highway, an ancient trade route that goes through mountains and around rural villages. On the way, you'll make a stop at a number of points of interest. Your first is Mount Nebo, where Moses allegedly lived out his final days and saw the Promised Land. Wander the hilltop solo, taking in the desert landscape below, or opt for a more detailed experience with the help of an expert guide. 

In Karak, visit one of the largest crusader castles in the Middle East; the fortress dates back to the 12th century and features a blend of architectural styles that show the influence of different empires over the ages. You can choose to enjoy lunch here and, if you're interested in learning about this site from a deeper perspective, can tour the grounds with a guide. 

You'll also stop at the Dana Biosphere Reserve, the largest nature reserve in Jordan. The reserve covers four different bio-geographical zones: Mediterranean, Sudanian penetration, Irano-Turanian, and Saharo-Arabian. Take in the area's incredible vegetation and biodiversity, including acacia, Phoenician juniper, and evergreen oak. You'll also visit the ruins of Shobak Castle; built by 12th-century crusaders, this fortress withstood attacks by Saladin until he finally overtook it. You can even see what is purported to be Saladin's simple throne in the catacombs, along with Islamic tablets and Christian carvings. 

Finally, you'll arrive in Petra for the night. Make it an early evening and relax before a big day tomorrow, or head out to see Petra by Night, depending on the timing of your stay. You can dine in town, learn the secrets of Jordanian cuisine at a Petra Kitchen cooking workshop, or enjoy a meal in the home of a local family. 

Day 4: Petra

You have the day to explore the fantastic UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra, regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Navigate this 2,000-year-old sandstone complex on your own or choose to learn about the site with an expert guide. 

Visit the Royal Tombs and make the climb to the viewpoint to look down onto the Treasury as the morning sun hits it, or perhaps climb up the mountain opposite to 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.

If you took it easy last night, consider an optional activity for the evening. If it's a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you can see Petra by Night. And if local food traditions are intriguing, learn more about them at a dinner served in the home of some locals, or learn to cook the classics yourself in the Petra Kitchen cooking workshop. 

Day 5: Petra & Wadi Rum

Today you will return to Petra, this time via the back-road. In the early morning, you'll be greeted by a local guide who will pick you up and take you towards the starting point of an epic hike. This scenic trail will take you to the biggest and best-preserved monument of Petra — the Monastery — where you can admire the morning views or explore any number of the myriad hikes around the area. 

In the afternoon your driver will take you towards Wadi Rum, one of the areas in the desert where Israelites encamped during the forty years that followed their Exodus from ancient Egypt. Explore the mars-like landscape as the afternoon settles on a sunset jeep-tour before settling down for the evening here in Wadi Rum.

Day 6: Wadi Rum & Aqaba

After breakfast, you'll head off on a 2-hour jeep tour through the desert of Wadi Rum, where you'll see canyons, Nabatean inscriptions, red sand dunes, and rock bridges.

Later, your driver will take you south to Aqaba on the Red Sea. Inhabited since 4,000 BCE, Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city and is home to colorful market stalls, delicious food, and, of course, access to the water. End the afternoon diving into the water or enjoy platters of delicious local fish and expertly prepared meats in town before turning in for the night. 

Day 7: Aqaba and Depart

Depending on your departure time, you can spend the morning — or even the afternoon — relaxing in Aqaba. Pick up some aromatic spices near Zahran Street, take another dip in the sea, and relish one last knafeh, a local delicacy of semolina flour and cheese that is drenched in syrup and sprinkled with pistachios.

When it's time to check-in for your flight, your driver will usher you to the airport and onto home.