Highlights of Jordan: Amman, The Dead Sea, Petra, & Aqaba - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Amman

After arriving at the Queen Alia International Airport, your driver will meet you and take you straight to Amman, Jordan's capital. 

Depending on your time of arrival, you may have some time to explore this bustling capital city.

Suggested activities include:

• Walk around in Jabal Weibdeh, which is the oldest neighborhood in Amman. There are lots of small side streets, shops offering local goods and produce to be explored, as well as many cafés and restaurants.
• Close to Jabal Weibdeh is also the King Abdullah II Mosque which welcomes visitors. 
• Explore the Citadel with the Temple of Hercules which offers a 360-degree view over Amman. It's best to be there during prayer time, as you'll hear the calls to prayers from the various mosques, creating a surreal echo. 
• Continue to the Roman Theater, and then head through the bustling downtown souks.
• Head to Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and shisha cafés. You can explore the side roads, and you'll have great views over the surrounding "white hills".
• Visit the Jordan Museum, where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display.

In the evening, you'll be welcomed in the home of a local family, where you will learn how to cook a traditional Jordanian dish. 

Day 2: Amman City Tour - Seven Sleepers Cave

You'll start your day with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before your driver picks you up for a three-hour city tour through Amman. You'll visit the Citadel with the Temple of Hercules, where you can also enjoy a 360-degree view over Amman. Then continue to the Roman Theater, which is located in downtown Amman. As you walk up the stairs, you'll notice that it is much steeper than it looks from afar. 

Together with your driver, continue to downtown Amman, to stroll through the bustling markets. Here, everything from fruits and vegetables, to clothing and animals, are offered. If you are hungry, you can ask your driver to take you to one of Amman's best falafel places.

You will then continue to the Cave of the Seven Sleepers which is a little outside Amman. Here, according to Christian and Islamic tradition, seven young men hid in the cave to escape religious persecution at around 250 CE and slept for 300 years. 

Your driver will then transport you back to your hotel in Amman.

Day 3: Eastern Desert Tour - Azraq

Today, you'll travel into Jordan's Eastern Desert, a destination that hasn't been discovered by most tourists.

On the way to Azraq, you'll visit Qasr Kharaneh and Qasr Amra, where you'll be able to find early Islamic Art. You'll then continue your way to Azraq, to visit Qasr Azraq, before making a short visit to the Wetlands. Here, you can take a 30-minute unguided walk to explore the former oasis. 

If you want, you can order lunch in Azraq and continue towards the Blessed Tree, where Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) took shelter on his way from Mecca to Damascus. At the end of the day, you'll return to Amman for your overnight stay.

Day 4: Sahabbab Shrines - Dead Sea

Today you start with a visit to the As-Salt Area. Here you will visit the Sahabab shrines where you can find the final resting place of Prophet Shoaib which is located in a mosque (remember to dress accordingly). You'll then continue to the Shrine of Yusha who accompanied Moses on one of his journeys. If you want, you can spend some more time in the village of Salt, where you'll explore the small alleys, the main square, and the various shops. 

In the afternoon, you'll head the lowest point on earth: the Dead Sea. Here, you have a free afternoon to float in the salty waters, go for a full-body mud treatment or relax in the sun. In the evening, you can enjoy the sun going down over the mountains on the other side.

You'll spend the night at a hotel at the Dead Sea.

Day 5: Travel to Petra - Lot's Cave

From the Dead Sea, you'll travel down the Dead Sea Highway.

You'll pass by Lot's Wife. The Book of Genesis describes how Lot's wife turned into a pillar of Salt after turning to look back onto Sodom and Gomorrah. You'll then continue to Lot's Cave, where Lot was hiding with his daughters after fleeing the city of sin. Then you'll hit the road towards Karak, where you find the shrine of Prophet Solomon and Nuh. 

On the way down south, you'll make a stop at the Mou'ta Battle site, before continuing to Tafileh. Here you'll find the shrine of Prophet Adam's son Seeth.

The last stop of the day is at the Musa Spring, in the town of Wadi Musa in Petra.

Day 6: Full Day in Petra

You'll have a full day to visit the famous UNESCO world heritage site of Petra, also called the Red Rose City because of its famous red-colored rocks. 

You can walk through the mystic Siq until you reach the famous Treasury. There is also a viewpoint opposite it which you can climb up for a view from above. Then, you can visit the Street of Facades and walk through the Roman area, where you can climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice and follow the path to the Garden Temple Complex.

If you have the energy then climb the 800 steps up to the Monastery, Petra’s largest Temple. 

Day 7: Wadi Rum Desert Tour - Aqaba

In the morning, you'll travel from Petra into the magnificent desert of Wadi Rum. Starting from Rum Village, you'll go on a four-hour jeep tour to visit the best places of the Wadi Rum Protected Area including red sand dunes, canyons, Nabatean inscriptions, bizarre rock formations, and huge rock bridges. After the tour, you can enjoy a locally prepared lunch in the desert as you soak up the unique atmosphere. 

You'll then continue further south to the city of Aqaba which is situated near the Red Sea. Here, you can relax for the rest of the afternoon and head to the beach to go swimming or snorkeling. You can also explore the quirky little city center on foot.

If you want to visit some more sight of religious importance, you can head to the following places:

• Visit the Sharif Hussein Bin Ali Mosque or the Sheikh Zayed Mosque which non-Muslims are also allowed to enter.
• Explore the ruins of the ancient Islamic city of Ayla, which was the first Islamic city outside the Arabian Peninsula, and is referred to as the Door to Palestine. The city served as a station for pilgrims heading towards the Holy cities and Mecca.
• Head to the Great Arab Revolt Plaza and soak up the bustling atmosphere at sunset by the big flag pole. This is a great place to get a cup of tea, and maybe even smoke a shisha. 

Day 8: Aqaba - Departure

Today it's time to say goodbye to Jordan. Your driver will transfer you to Amman airport for your departure.

Since the drive takes approximately four hours, it's best to book an evening flight. There is also an airport in Aqaba and you may find a suitable connection from there.