6-Day Wonders of Jordan and Petra Tour
Detailed Itinerary:
Come as a traveler, leave as a local
Known for the iconic ancient wonder of Petra and the natural beauty of the Wadi Rum desert, Jordan is an exciting destination with much to offer travelers. Friendly people, fascinating ancient history, the magnificent wonder of the ancient world Petra, beautiful landscape and unparalleled adventure – exploring Jordan is a trip of a lifetime. Ride a camel through the majestic, red desert of Wadi Rum with its towering sandstone monoliths, deep red rock, and nights of endless stars. Sip tea with local Bedouins and learn about their unique lives and traditions. Marvel at the architectural feats and stunningly preserved iconic city of Petra – once the capital of the great Nabatean empire. Spend time with local Bedouin who formerly lived in the ruins of Petra to learn their history and traditions. Relax at the Dead Sea – float and swim in the lowest point on dry land.
Join us on an adventure exploring the rich culture, history, cuisine and stunning landscape of Jordan.
Highlights:
- Discover Jordan’s thriving, modern capital city Amman.
- Explore the ancient wonders of Petra, the important Nabataean capital (made famous in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and one of the wonders of the ancient world.
- Marvel at the beauty of the Petra light by candles under a night sky awash with thousands of stars at Petra By Night.
- Enjoy the spectacular desert landscape of Wadi Rum, a UNESCO world heritage site. Overnight under the stars at a luxury camp run by local Bedouin and explore the locations from TE Lawrence’s travels.
- Spend time with a local Bedouin family in Wadi Rum learning about their traditions, history and culture. Named by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
- Relax while floating in the Dead Sea, the lowest land place on Earth. With 9 times more salt than in the ocean gives incredible buoyancy (and fun photo opportunities).
- Explore Jordan with a small-group tour of like-minded bold travelers. Limited to 12 adventurous travelers.
- Optional North of Jordan Extension: Discover Jerash and the North of Jordan on a 2 day extension. Explore Jordan’s Roman heritage at the ancient site of Jerash, also called the Antioch on the Golden River. Walk through the wonders of Ajloun Nature Reserve and Forest in the north of Jordan. Marvel at the lush forests and fertile land – a far cry from Jordan’s reputation as a desert. Spend time with local artisan who still produce crafts and olive oil the same methods their families have for hundreds of years. Stay in a comfortable Jordanian guesthouse and enjoy a homecooked traditional meal.
Day 1: Arrive in Amman
Arrive in Amman, Jordan’s capital city. You will be met at the airport by a member of our local team and driven to the hotel. Rest after your flight. Evening meeting at the hotel for a quick tour orientation and then the group will head to a welcome dinner to get to know each other and enjoy exploring traditional Jordanian cuisine.
Your complimentary Jordan Pass (entry into historic sites and nature reserves) and Jordan Visa are included in this tour.
Note: The tour orientation meeting is at 5pm. If you are flying into Jordan on this day, make sure your flight is scheduled to land no later than 1pm Jordanian time to ensure you have enough time to clear customs and be transferred to the hotel for the evening meeting and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Modern, comfortable hotel in a central location.
Day 2: The Dead Sea, Numeira community and Petra
We depart Amman early in the morning for our journey south toward the legendary site of Petra. Drive through the King’s Road, taking in some of Jordan’s spectacular scene. We stop at the famous Dead Sea. Relax while floating in the Dead Sea, the lowest land place on Earth. With 9 times more salt than in the ocean it has incredible buoyancy (and fun photo opportunities).
Note: We will be using the facilities at one of the hotel properties on the Dead Sea. There will be changing and showering facilities.
After our time at the Dead Sea, we travel to the Numeira valley. Meet local farmers who have been using the same techniques for hundreds of years. Here we have a chance to walk through the farms and the beautiful countryside lining the Dead Sea. While most travelers only experience the Dead Sea at one of the resorts, you will have the chance to meet the local people how live and work literally on the banks of the Dead Sea. We will also enjoy our lunch with this local community. They have develop styles of cooking which use over 60 spices!
In the afternoon we make the 3 hour drive to Petra and check into our hotel at Wadi Musa, near the entrance to Petra. You will have free-time to rest and have dinner either in the hotel or at a nearby restaurant.
Our first view of the famed Nabataean city is at Petra By Night – witness the ancient ruins lit by hundreds of candles under the illuminating moonlight. Walk through the narrow Siq illuminated by a path of candles. Sit under the Treasury with a cup of tea marveling at this ancient wonder watching the glow of candle light flicker across the sandstone façade. We listen to a story about the site, whilst being serenaded by the soothing sounds of old Bedouin instruments and music before making our back.
Activity Level: Easy walking through the fields around the Dead Sea and a 20 minute walk through the Siq to the Treasury (the return trip is uphill).
Meals: B/L
Hotel: Centrally located hotel in the heart of Wadi Musa at the entrance to Petra
Day 3: The Treasury, the Monastery, Little Petra and the hidden Bedouin trails of Petra
We have an early morning start to hike the ancient trails of Petra – UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the ancient wonders of the world. We will hike through the historical site of Petra along the back route starting at Little Petra. This is a moderate hike and one of the best ways to explore the ancient site (plus it helps dodge the crowds and lets you photograph the site under some of the best light). Discover Petra’s rich history and culture in a truly authentic way keeping us away from the crowds. The hike starts from an area called Little Petra and follows the ancient Nabatean path; we pass through narrow goat trails, stony paths and make our way to the Ad Deir or ‘Monastery’ admiring the beauty of the carved sandstones, and then proceed our way down approximately 900 steps and a short walk to reach the world-famous Treasury.
We will enjoy a picnic lunch along our hike.
In the evening, enjoy free time to relax and explore the modern-day town of Wadi Musa.
Activity Level: ~ 6 hours of easy to moderate hiking through Petra. We stop frequently along the way for dramatic views, to take photos, to rest, and to explore the historical sites. The hiking level is moderate activity and can be done in sturdy running shoes (does not require official hiking boots). There are some stairs so trekking poles can be helpful. If you can walk around your home town for a couple of hours with a few steady hills you will do great on this moderate-hiking day.
Meals: B/L
Hotel: Centrally located hotel in the heart of Wadi Musa at the entrance to Petra. (Same hotel as previous evening.)
Day 4: Explore Wadi Rum, spend time with a local Bedouin family, and discover the Valley of the Moon
After breakfast, we continue south to the magnificent red desert of Wadi Rum. Today we will enjoy an authentic Bedouin immersion with a local family; we will dine with a Bedouin family (the nomads of Wadi Rum), experience some of their traditions carried out in the desert, and learn about their culture which UNESCO has declared is a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. We will make fresh bread, cook our own BBQ lunch, and herd goats as a part of our desert learning experience.
In the later afternoon, we take a short walk to the top of a beautiful mountain in Wadi Rum to enjoy sunset tea.
From our lookout we can witness the magnificent sunset in the Valley of the Moon, which served as the setting for both Lawrence of Arabia’s real-life adventures and the backdrop for the movie The Martian.
For dinner we enjoy a Bedouin-style Zarab dinner at our desert camp, which is cooked in the ground. Our home tonight will be a very comfortable luxury camp with modern beds, private tented rooms, hot showers and electricity.
Activity Level: 1 hour of moderate walking.
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: Luxury camp with cozy beds, hot showers and electricity.
Day 5: Sunrise Camel Trek and Discover Wadi Rum by 4×4 jeep
We begin our day early for a sunrise camel trek. Camels are the traditional mode of transport for the Wadi Rum Bedouins and they still are highly valued today. Enjoying sunrise on a camel trek through Wadi Rum is a magical experience. After our 1 hour camel trek we will head back to camp for breakfast and then spend the morning exploring Wadi Rum by 4×4 jeep. See many of the famous locations where T.E. Lawrence’s adventures took place. Marvel at the incredible sandstone cliffs, archways and geological features of Wadi Rum. Explore this martian-like landscape that was the actual setting for the Martian because the topography so closely resembles the surface of Mars. Wadi Rum is one of the truly unique and fantastical deserts on Earth.
For lunch, we will again dine with a local family, this time at the small village of Wadi Rum, which is at the entrance to the nature reserve. This local family is a Bedouin, though they do not live nomadically any more. Our hosts will discuss what it’s been like to transition from a nomadic lifestyle to living in this small village.
After lunch, we drive back to Amman. In the evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner – reminisce over the adventures we’ve had in Jordan, the new friends we made, and the memories we will be taking home with us.
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: Comfortable, centrally located hotel in Amman.
Day 6: Depart Jordan, or stay and enjoy the exciting North of Jordan Extension
If you are departing Jordan this day, we will transfer you to the Amman airport for your international flight home.
Meals: B
2 Day Extension: Jersah, Aljoon Forest and the North of Jordan
Day 1: Jerash, Ajloon Nature Reserve and Forest, Northern Jordan
After breakfast, we begin our Jordan adventure heading north to the magnificent Roman city of Jerash. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, it’s known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman settlement of Jerash, also called the Antioch on the Golden River. The site includes the 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch, the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis and the Forum’s colossal oval colonnade. A local Jerash expert guide will walk us through the complex and fascinating history of this important ancient city.
From Jerash, we head north to Ajloon, where we will have lunch with a local family. You will even have a chance to try your hand at cooking traditional dishes.
In the afternoon, we will visit local artisans and see how they make traditional olive oil and traditional crafts. Then take a leisurely walk through the beautiful Ajloon national forest – explore these undiscovered wonders of Northern Jordan. We wrap up the day with a spectacular sunset from a panorama view in Ajloon. In the evening, enjoy dinner in a traditional Jordanian family house. We will spend the night at a comfortable guesthouse run by a local family.
Activity Level: 2 hours walking in Jerash, ~ 2 hour leisurely walk in Ajloon forest.
Meals: B/L/D
Hotel: Home stay in a comfortable local guesthouse.
Day 2: Return to Amman
After breakfast, we return to Amman. We can transfer you to a hotel if you plan to stay longer in Jordan or to the airport if you are taking an evening flight home.
Note: We will be back in Amman around noon. If you are planning to fly out this day your flights should be scheduled for 5pm or later to ensure there is enjoy time to transfer you to the airport with traffic.
Meals: Breakfast
Disclaimer: We do our best to follow the laidout itinerary, but sometimes unforeseeable situations arise. The itinerary is subject to change. Itineraries, transportation and hotels re subject to change due to weather, road conditions, operating conditions, government decisions or numerous other reasons beyond our control. The Tour Leader retains the right to change the itinerary for safety and convenience of the travelers.
What’s Included in the Tour:
- Small group of 6-12 like-minded travelers. (Minimum of 6 travelers for this trip and a maximum of 12 travelers). A quarter of the size of most tour groups. This small-group tour provides an intimate and personal experience in Jordan.
- Full-time knowledgeable, engaging professional local expert ArchaeoAdventures Tour Leader and expert history and culture guides who will bring to life Jordan’s rich, complex and important history, as well as, help you understand the Jordan and its culture. We will explore Jordan with both our main Tour Leader and also local history and culture guides who are experts in specific locations such as Petra. We will also have a local guide from the Bedouin community in Wadi Rum. These additional local guides we work with are often members of the local community and can help us experience Jordan like a local.
Note: We work with local women guides wherever we can. Jordan currently has very few women working Tour Leaders, who can guide the entire country. Due to cultural reasons women do not guide on trips that visit local Bedouin communities. We are working with our incountry team to help develop women guides across Jordan, but at the moment this tour works with a mix both excellent male and female guides. Your Tour Leader will be an excellent male guide. In the local communities, we will meet local women and learn about how they are leading their communities. Jordan is a country that is rapidly changing and over the coming years you will see more women in guiding leadership roles. It’s an exciting place to visit, experience this growth.
- All site entrance fees, tours and admissions – at no extra cost. This includes the Jordan Pass, and admission Petra by Night, Petra, Wadi Rum historic reserve, 4×4 jeep excursion through Wadi Rum, camel trek, floating the Dead Sea.
- Jordan Pass and Visa for Jordan.
- Camel trek in Wadi Rum.
- 4×4 Jeep excursion in Wadi Rum.
- Meeting local Bedouin families in Wadi Rum and local families in Numeira.
- Overnight in a luxury camp in Wadi Rum.
- All breakfasts, and select lunches and dinners – See itinerary for which lunches and dinners are included in the tour. A few lunches and dinners are not included to give travelers more freedom to try a wider range of Jordan’s wonderful cuisine and have free time to explore.
- All tour in-country transportation in Jordan.
- Comfortable, centrally located hotels and memorable luxury desert camps.
- No in-country cash payment. Many tour companies require in-country cash payments. This is a way to keep the initial tour price appearing low, while you actually pay a much higher price for the tour. We believe in the costs being upfront and no hidden fees. We include all tour costs in the listed price.
- Optional single supplement. Looking to bunk by yourself in your own room? We’ve included a number of single rooms for an additional fee.
- Free time. We know how important it can be to have a little time built in for you to explore on your own or simply take a moment to relax. We’ve carefully planned our tours to provide you a balance between structured travel and free time.
- North of Jordan Extension includes: the archaeological site of Jerash, Aljoon National Forest, meeting local artisans, staying with a local family who has converted their home to a comfortable guesthouse.
Travelers are responsible for:
- Flights to and from Jordan. Note: This tour begins and ends in Amman, Jordan.
- Beverage purchases at meals. Water will be provided at meals. Travelers are responsible for additional beverages.
- Any alcoholic beverage purchases.
- Bottled water (outside of meals) and snacks. We recommended budgeting $5 per day for bottled water and snacks.
- Meals on arrival day. Lunch and dinner on departure day. We recommended budgeting $15-$20 for lunches and $20-25 for dinners.
- Tips for day guides, main guide, and driver. Please see tipping guidelines for recommended amounts.
- Optional activities.
- Traveler’s Insurance. All travelers are required to have traveler’s insurance for this trip. Plans usually start at $80 and can cost as much as $500 depending on the extent of the coverage you wish to have. Check with your health insurance company regarding if they cover illness overseas and how to file a claim if you are sick overseas. Not all insurance companies cover overseas illness. We require all travelers to be fully covered for medical coverage and trip cancellation.
