Take a 4×4 ride across the Wadi Rum Desert.
Admire the striking exterior of Petra, the vanished city of Bask,
while taking in the breathtaking views of the Shobak Castle.
Visit Madaba’s renowned Byzantine mosaics.
Ahlan wa sahlan, Greetings from the Middle East. Amman, the capital of Jordan, is where your journey starts. You are free to roam the streets until your welcome gathering at 6 p.m. tonight. The natives go straight to Rainbow Street for a shisha and falafel, so why not do the same? In search of something more substantial? Perhaps visit the Roman Amphitheatre in Old Town, spend a sophisticated afternoon at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, take in city views from the Temple of Hercules on the hills, or work out in a hammam. Your trip leader will know all the best small pubs and restaurants, so why not gather a group and go out for the evening after your meeting?
Take a walking tour of Amman this morning with your guide. Start at the Citadel on the mountaintop and proceed down the wall’s edge into the city, passing the Roman Theatre, the remnants of the Nymphaeum, and the Al Husseiny Mosque. Along the journey, make sure to stop at a souq or a few nut stores for some munchies. Take a car to Wadi Rum after lunch. Your Bedouin hosts will greet you upon arrival, give you a tour of the camp, and serve you plenty of “Bedouin whisky” (mint tea). Prepare yourself for a night of traditional hospitality.You will sleep in Bedouin-style tents and eat traditional Bedouin food this evening. With the Mars-like mountains in the background, you can even sleep outside if you’d like. Sleep beneath the starry, undisturbed desert blanket of the night sky.
Wadi Rum rarely looks as good as she does in the morning, so you won’t want to miss this. Before embarking on a 4WD safari, get up early to witness the dawn. Take a ride in one of the jeeps and start exploring the odd terrain. You’ll cross Lawrence Spring, a rocky setting that contrasts with a freshwater spring that offers sweeping views of the valley. You’ll also make a stop to Lawrence House, which is said to be the residence and equipment storage facility of Lawrence of Arabia. Proceed to one of Wadi Rum’s biggest sand dunes and take in some of the well-known rock bridges.The deserts surrounding Wadi Rum have an ethereal quality, and the area where you will be touring today has been used for the filming of numerous Hollywood blockbusters. Return to your camp later in the afternoon to experience Bedouin hospitality for a second night.
Leave your Bedouin friends behind and travel to Petra, one of the renowned Seven Wonders of the World, today. Take your time touring this archaeological site as you will have two full days to explore Petra and its surroundings. Learn about its thousands of years of history and the numerous films that have filmed here by taking a guided tour. As you make your way to Petra’s tombs, temples, and rock-hewn amphitheatre through the site’s small siq—a thin fissure in the mountain—you’ll get to walk in the footsteps of Hollywood stars.There are many treks in the neighbourhood for those who like to see the “rose-red city” from a different perspective; simply ask your leader which paths are the finest to go. You can put your feet up and alleviate your dry throat in the cave bar after exploring for the day.
You have another day to take your time exploring Petra today. Perhaps take a stroll down the road to Al Khanzneh, also known as the Treasury, which is one of the site’s most striking buildings. If you were unable to visit yesterday, you should ascend the stairs to El Dier, also known as the Monastery. The vistas make the climb worthwhile. These days, hiking to the royal tombs or seeing the amazing Byzantine mosaics are other fantastic choices. Feel free to ask your leader for assistance; they will know all the right things to do.
After breakfast this morning, head towards Madaba along the King’s Highway. Along the route, you will make a detour to see the renowned Dead Sea, which is the lowest spot on Earth. You can swim (or float) in its briny waters. The mud from the Dead Sea has well-known therapeutic qualities and will restore your youthful appearance if you’re feeling a little sore after your trip to Petra. Continue on past Mount Nebo, where you will be able to see the Promised Land as Moses did. To establish your bearings, go on an orientation walk led by a leader when you arrive in Madaba, the city of mosaics.Visit St. George’s Church this afternoon to view the elaborate mosaic map that is the oldest surviving cartographic representation of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Perhaps go out to dinner with the group later; this city has some great restaurants, and your guide is aware of all the best places to dine.
After breakfast this morning, your tour of Jordan comes to a close at Madaba. Spending an additional day or two to see what you missed is advised because Madaba and Amman have a lot to offer. Just let your booking agent know in advance if you would want to stay longer.
Jordan felt like one of the safest locations I’ve ever been, despite my friends’ concerns. There was no sign of the Middle East crisis! We were in Petra during the recent flash floods as well, so we knew a lot about their history, the weather forecast, and what would happen if one occurred. If you are unsure about going, simply go!
Fantastic week in Jordan!
Jordan is all I could have imagined and more. Unfortunately, tourism is down there, but it was excellent for us because we got the attractions all to ourselves. Wonderful nation, the people, the cuisine, and the history and architecture—all of which Muayed brought to life with such passion. Wonderful, wonderful!
Jordan was someone I adored. It was all so wonderful. There were times when you thought time itself was staring at you because this is such an old country with a complicated past. the Jordan River nourishes the soul, Petra is majestic, and the warmth of the locals warms the heart.
An overview of Jordan’s top attractions and a look into Jordanian culture. This was my first visit to a legitimate “middle eastern” nation, which is a region of the world we hear a lot about some people say it’s this or that but it’s very eye-opening to see and experience it for yourself. Jordan was excellent.
