Islamic Jordan: Amman, Petra & Wadi Rum - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Amman

Welcome to Jordan! Upon arrival at the Queen Alia International Airport, you will 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. 

Day 2: Amman Islamic City Tour

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up for a half-day tour of Amman's most important Islamic sites. Start on the outskirts of the city with a visit to the Cave of the Seven Sleepers (Ahlul Kahf). Here, according to tradition, seven young men hid in the cave to escape religious persecution around 250 CE and slept for 300 years.

Back in the capital, you'll see the distinctive striped hilltop mosque of Abu Darwish, then head through the vivid heart of central Amman and its scattered flea markets to reach the Al-Hosseini Mosque. Rebuilt by King Abdullah I in 1932, the original mosque was erected around 640 CE during the reign of the second caliph, Omar Bin al-Khattab. 

 

Continue to one of the city's greatest examples of modern Islamic architecture at the King Abdullah Mosque. Built in the 1980s by the late King Hussein as a memorial to his grandfather, it's more commonly known as the "Blue Mosque" for its spectacular azure dome. Alongside the vast inner courtyard, you'll also find a small Islamic museum and library, and you'll have the chance to pray during the tour. 

 

After a final stop at the King Hussain Mosque, whose towers and domes watch over the city from the western hills, your driver will take you back to your hotel where the rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

Day 3: Day Trip to the Al-Sahaba Tombs & Shoaib Shrine

Tour more important Islamic sites today, with a day trip into the beautiful Jordan Valley. After a scenic, 1.5-hour drive, you'll reach the Tombs of Al-Sahaba, which honor many of the Prophet's most venerable companions. Among the tombs, you'll find Abu Obaydah Amr Ibn Al-Jarrah, one of the blessed ten to whom the Prophet promised paradise, and Muath Bin Jabal, who compiled the holy Quran during the life of the Prophet. 

Back on the road, a 40-minute drive takes you to the hillside town of Al-Salt to discover the shrine of Prophet Shoaib.  Spend some time in the peaceful mountain setting, then transfer back to Amman for the afternoon.

Day 4: Amman Old City Tour, Day Trip to Lot's Cave & the Dead Sea 

Start today with a tour of Amman's historic Old City. Discover the magnificent Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) and the 2nd-century Roman Theater, two of the most famous archaeological sites in the capital, and stroll amid colorful wares and aromatic spices in Amman's old souks (markets). 

In the afternoon, you'll head out to the shores of the Dead Sea to visit the fascinating archaeological remains of Lot's Cave. Perched dramatically on a hillside overlooking the sea, remains excavated from the cave show it was first used over 5,000 years ago, and it's said to be the place where the Biblical figure of Lot and his daughters sheltered after fleeing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Fascinating remains of a large Byzantine basilica also surround the site, where mosaics, tombs, and Bronze Age pottery have been unearthed. 

Spend some time exploring the site and enjoying the panoramic views, then transfer back to Amman for the evening.

Day 5: Transfer to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo, Kerak & Mu'ta

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll check out and meet your driver for 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, a modern structure that now houses excavated relics from the region.

Carry on south along the ancient 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. Nearby, you'll find the site of the famous battle of Mu'tah, fought between Muslim and Byzantine forces in 629 CE. You can also visit the tombs of the Prophet's venerable companions who commanded the army and fell in battle.

When you're ready, continue to Petra where you'll check into your hotel for the night. 

Day 6: Explore Petra, Transfer to Wadi Rum

Today you'll explore Jordan's beloved archeological treasure: the lost city of Petra. Known as the "Rose City" for the area's distinctive red sandstone, it's easy to see why 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. You can choose to hire a guide for a two-hour tour of the site or spend the day exploring at your own pace.

Enter through the Siq, a dramatically narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs, and spend your day wandering at your leisure 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. 

If you're feeling adventurous, climb your way up the 800 steps to the Monastery, Petra's largest and lesser-visited monument. For a stunning view overlooking the Treasury and jagged mountains beyond, hike the steep stone-carved staircase to the top of Jabal al-Khubtha.

After getting your fill of Petra, your driver will take you south 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 7: Wadi Rum Jeep Excursion, Transfer to Amman

Rise early this morning to experience an unforgettable desert sunrise. After breakfast, you'll set out by Jeep for an off-road excursion that takes you deeper into the UNESCO-protected Wadi Rum. Travel through valleys, rock canyons, dunes, and deserts, stopping to check out rock inscriptions and petroglyphs as well as majestic views. Spend a little time at each stop to hike and scramble and explore at your own pace. Along the way, you'll visit desert oases, see 2,000-year-old Kufic rock art, and learn about the history of the area and the local Bedouin culture. 

 

Back at the camp, your driver will be waiting to pick you up for the 4.5-hour journey back to Amman.

Day 8: Depart Amman

Spend a relaxed morning in Amman exploring any city highlights you may have missed or picking up some last-minute souvenirs. When the time comes, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the Queen Alia International Airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!

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