Highlights
- Sample traditional Jordanian dishes like "mansaf" in Amman
- Float in the calming, mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea
- Marvel at Petra's intricately carved tombs and temples with a private guide
- Camp under the stars with Bedouin in the arid deserts of Wadi Rum
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Amman, Traditional Jordanian Dinner | Amman |
| Day 2 | Tour the Ruins of Jerash, Transfer to the Dead Sea via Aljoun | The Dead Sea |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo & Kerak | Petra |
| Day 4 | Tour the Rose City of Petra, Transfer to Wadi Rum | Wadi Rum |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Amman, Afternoon City Tour | Amman |
| Day 6 | Depart Amman |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Amman, Traditional Jordanian Dinner
Welcome to Jordan! Upon arrival at the Queen Alia International Airport, you'll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the capital of Amman. The nation's largest city, Amman has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and is full of cultural and historic highlights.
Depending on your arrival time, feel free to explore Amman at your own pace. In the evening, your driver will transfer you to a local restaurant, where you can enjoy a welcoming meal of Jordanian specialties like mansaf (rice topped with lamb and pine nuts), makmoura (layered chicken and onion pie), Arabic sweets, and mint tea.
Day 2: Tour the Ruins of Jerash, Transfer to the Dead Sea via Aljoun
Start today's tour with a private transfer north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East. Spend time exploring the extensive site with a private guide, and be sure to check out the well-preserved remains of two amphitheaters, the north-south Colonnaded Street and the Hippodrome (the site of ancient chariot races).
Continue to Ajloun, in the highlands, where you can explore the 12th-century Ajloun Castle, a fortress built to ward off the Crusader armies at the vital trade and pilgrimage intersection between Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, and Mecca. Roam the ramparts and enjoy the sweeping views over the Levant.
In the afternoon, your driver will take you deep into the Jordan Valley and through a landscape of otherworldly, arid hills to reach the Dead Sea. One of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world, this great inland lake is the lowest point on Earth and the world's richest source of natural salts, hiding treasures that have accumulated over thousands of years. Get settled into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure—floating in the salty waters, enjoying a full-body mud treatment, or relaxing on the beach.
Day 3: Transfer to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo & Kerak
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll check out and start today's journey south. Stop in Madaba to check out its intricate Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, including the spectacular Madaba Map, the oldest preserved mosaic map of the Holy Land. Nearby, the Madaba Archaeological Park preserves the mosaic-rich Church of the Virgin Mary and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras.
Continue your journey to Mount Nebo, an elevated ridge of the Abarim range said to be where Moses took in the view of the Promised Land. Follow in his footsteps and look out at the Dead Sea and beyond before eventually making your way to the Memorial Church of Moses. This modern structure now houses excavated relics from the region.
Carry on south along the King's Highway to Kerak to visit the impressive Crusader castle of the same name. Exploring the fortress-like structure provides an opportunity to experience the vaulted halls and passageways typical of the era, a remarkable insight into the architectural and military prowess of the Crusaders. When you're ready, your driver will continue to Petra where you'll check in to your hotel for the night.
Day 4: Tour the Rose City of Petra, Transfer to Wadi Rum
Today you'll explore Jordan's beloved archaeological treasure with a private guide. Known as the "Rose City" for the area's distinctive red sandstone, it's easy to see why UNESCO-listed Petra was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Its intricate architectural design is hundreds of years old and remarkably well-maintained.
Enter through the Siq, a dramatic narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs, and follow your knowledgeable guide through Petra's seemingly endless temples, tombs, and colonnaded streets. Navigate the impressive water conduit system of the historic Nabataean city, paying a visit to Qasr al-Bint, a grand temple that was once the population's primary place of worship. At the end of the two-hour tour, you'll have free time to explore the canyons and temples at your own pace.
After getting your fill of Petra, your driver will take you south this afternoon and into the wilderness of the Wadi Rum, an expanse of desert dubbed the "Valley of the Moon" by Lawrence of Arabia. Along the two-hour drive, you'll pass through red valleys, rock canyons, and dunes to reach a Bedouin-style camp, where you'll enjoy a traditional meal and spend the night sleeping under the stars.
Day 5: Transfer to Amman, Afternoon City Tour
Enjoy a spectacular desert sunrise this morning as you rise early and enjoy breakfast with views over the red sands of Wadi Rum. After saying your goodbyes to your desert hosts, you'll be picked up by your driver and transferred back to Amman.
Day 6: Depart Amman
After breakfast, it's time to bid Amman farewell and transfer to the Queen Alia International Airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!
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