Jordan's Golden Triangle: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea - 6 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Amman, Afternoon City Tour

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. 

 

After settling in, head out on an afternoon city tour to explore the 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 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), Arabic sweets, and mint tea. 

Day 2: Transfer to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo & Kerak

 After breakfast at your hotel, you'll check out and meet your driver for today's journey south. Along the way, you'll 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 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 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, continue to Petra where you'll check in to your hotel for the night.  

Day 3: Explore the Lost City of Petra

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. 

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. After a two-hour guided tour, you'll have free time to explore the canyons and temples at your own pace. 

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 your way up the steep stone-carved staircase to the top of Jabal al-Khubtha.

In the afternoon you'll return to your hotel to rest up and cool down. Depending on the date of your visit, venture out again after dark for an unforgettable Petra by Night candlelit tour of the Siq and Treasury.

Day 4: Transfer to Wadi Rum: Desert Jeep Excursion & Bedouin Camp

This morning 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 your base for the night: a beautiful Bedouin-style camp.

 

Upon arrival, you'll switch into a sturdy Jeep for an off-road excursion that takes you deeper into this UNESCO-protected site. 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. 
 

In the afternoon you'll return to camp to enjoy a traditional meal and spend a peaceful night sleeping under the stars.

Day 5: Transfer to the Dead Sea via Aqaba

Enjoy a desert sunrise this morning and see more of the Wadi Rum with another Jeep ride through the dunes. Afterward, your driver will pick you up from camp and transfer you to nearby 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. Here you can spend some time exploring the port, or embark on one of the many watersport excursions on offer. Hop aboard a glass-bottom boat to enjoy views of abundant marine life, try your hand at parasailing or diving, or go for a leisurely snorkel through the clear waters. 

In the afternoon, your driver will take you north to the lowest point on earth: the Dead Sea. Get settled into your hotel, then spend the rest of your final day in Jordan at your leisure—floating in the salty waters, enjoying a full-body mud treatment, or relaxing in the sun.

Day 6: Transfer to Amman & Departure 

Take advantage of your last morning in Jordan with one more dip in the Dead Sea. When the time comes, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the Queen Alia International Airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!

More Jordan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Jordan? Check out these other Jordan itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

Or, describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.