Jordan Adventure: Amman, Wadi Rum, Petra, & The Dead Sea - 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: Jerash - Zubia Forest

After breakfast, your driver will take you north to the ancient Decapolis city of Jerash, which is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy.

You'll then have some time to explore Amman. Wander along the Colonnaded Street, climb up the steps of the Temple of Artemis or listen to the traditional bagpipers in the Roman Theater. If you are a meat lover, it's a great idea to head to one of the traditional mashawi (barbecue) restaurants for lunch.

You'll then continue to the lush Zubia forest in the Northern Jordanian Highlands, where you'll go on a hike with a local guide. On your way, you'll encounter Roman ruins and walk through dense forests, until you reach the small village of Zubia with views of the valley below. This hike takes four hours. 

After the hike, you'll return to Amman.

Optional: Overnight stay in Ajoun or with a family in the village of Orjan.

Day 3: Dana & Shobak - Wadi Rum

After breakfast, you'll travel south on the famous Kings Highway.

Your first stop is the Dana Nature Reserve, where you can explore the ancient Ottoman Village that goes back to the 16th century, and enjoy the view over the Great Rift Valley. You'll then embark on a two-hour trek with a local guide to explore the unique landscapes in this nature reserve. Continue to Shobak, where you can explore the crusader castles, which is situated on a vast mountain plateau with extensive empty land surrounding it. Travelers who don't mind dark spaces can grab a good torch and explore the tunnel.

To end off the day, you'll travel to the beautiful desert of Wadi Rum. Here, your driver will leave you in the hands of the Bedouins, who are known for their excellent hospitality. In a large Jeep, you will be taken from the Wadi Rum village to your camp in the protected area of the desert. In the evening, a traditional dinner will be cooked.

Day 4: Desert Hike in Wadi Rum

After breakfast, you'll hike up Jebel Hash with a local Beduin guide.

This is a full day hiking tour that starts in the morning and ends at sunset. The hike also includes a lunch stop, with lovely views, and a meal that's been prepared with local ingredients. Jabal Hash is one of the highest mountains in Wadi Rum, from where you will have a splendid view over the mars-like desert landscape of Wadi Rum.

In the evening, you'll return to your camp, for some well-deserved rest and another Bedouin dinner.

Day 5: Desert Tour - Petra

After breakfast, you'll embark on a three-hour Jeep tour, to discover unique corners in the desert. You'll explore canyons with Nabatean inscriptions, get up close to bizarre rock formations and rock bridges, and climb up red sand dunes. You'll then travel back to the Wadi Rum village, where you'll transfer vehicles for the drive to Little Petra.

Little Petra is one of the first settlements in human history. Little Petra, which is believed to have been an important suburb of Petra, has a narrow opening for people to enter through. Here, you'll have late lunch at one of the local camps.

You'll then continue to Petra for your overnight stay. Depending on the time of the year and your arrival time, you can either check out the village of Wadi Musa or visit Petra first. 

Optional:

• Al Yakhour Turkish Bath
• Petra by Night (takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays)

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 Mujib - The Dead Sea

After breakfast, you'll travel to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea.

On the way, while traveling along a scenic road, you will make a stop at the Mujib Canyon, where you can hike the Siq trail. Unguided hikes are open from April to October but if you'd prefer a guide, this can be arranged at the visitor's center. During this hike, you can expect to climb at waterfalls and find picturesque swimming spots.

After arriving at the Dead Sea, 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.

Day 8: Departure

It's time to say goodbye! Your driver will take you to the airport in Amman in time for your international departure.

Optional:

• If your flight is later in the day, you can visit Mount Nebo, and go for a biking tour around Madaba, before having a home-cooked lunch/ dinner at Hikayet Sitti.