Jordan Discovery

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Amman

  Our tour of Jordan starts in Amman, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Home to almost half of Jordan's entire population, Amman is a fascinating city of contrasts, where the ancient and the modern collide. Get lost in the bustling souks of downtown, where you'll be tempted by falafel and baklawa stalls, or visit the hillside Roman Theatre for a taster of the city's varied history. There are no activities planned for today, so you're free to arrive in Amman at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Queen Alia International Airport, a 30-minute drive from our hotel. Due to most flights arriving late in the evening, our Explore Leader will meet you for a welcome meeting the next morning. You'll find the meeting information on the notice board in the hotel reception.

• Day 2 • Jerash & the Amman Citadel

  After breakfast and a welcome meeting, travel north to Jerash, one of the world’s best-preserved Roman cities and once part of the Decapolis League, where you’ll walk colonnaded streets, visit temples, a chariot stadium, and an ancient theatre. Return to Amman to explore the Citadel with panoramic views and remnants of the Temple of Hercules and Umayyad Palace, then wander downtown’s lively souks before ending the day in a traditional café.

• Day 3 • Mount Nebo, Madaba & Petra

  Set off early for Petra, stopping first in Madaba, the “City of Mosaics,” to see its famous 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem, then continue to Mount Nebo for views across the Dead Sea and towards Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Travel south along the King’s Highway to explore the Crusader fortress of Kerak before arriving in Petra, the UNESCO-listed “rose city,” where you may experience Petra by Night, walking the candlelit Siq to the illuminated Treasury for a Bedouin welcome beneath the stars.

• Day 4 • Tour of Petra

  Spend two full days exploring Petra, the rose-red city carved into sandstone cliffs, beginning with a guided tour through the Siq—a kilometre-long canyon with walls soaring up to 200 metres—leading to the 43-metre-high Treasury. Beyond, discover a vast complex of tombs and temples, browse Bedouin stalls along the colonnaded streets, and watch the rock façades shift through shades of red, pink, and orange as the light changes throughout the day.

• Day 5 • Free Day in Petra

  Today is free for you to uncover more of Petra. Climb the steep path to the High Place of Sacrifice and take in the panorama over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert or trek up to the Monastery - Petra's largest monument. This evening, we'll gather as a group to visit a family-run restaurant for a Bedouin cookery demonstration. Our chef will show us how to cook a traditional Jordanian meal, including a sweet dessert, before we sit down to dine together.

• Day 6 • Wadi Rum

  Leaving Petra, travel by bus to the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre to meet 4WD vehicles for a three-hour desert drive through this vast landscape of granite and sandstone outcrops, as your leader shares its history and Bedouin heritage. After watching sunset over the dunes, enjoy traditional Bedouin hospitality at camp with a zarb dinner cooked beneath the sand, then sleep in a communal goat-hair tent with shared facilities (private tents available on request).

• Day 7 • Aqaba's Red Sea

  After a full-on few days exploring the highlights of Jordan, we'll head to Aqaba for downtime by the Red Sea. A resort town, Aqaba is where local Jordanians come to holiday, lounge on the beach and have a go at water sports. The port city is famous for its preserved coral reefs and sea life and this afternoon there'll be the option to get out on the water for a snorkelling trip. If you don't have your sea legs, you can cool off in the hotel's rooftop pool or stroll through the vibrant souk. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to get a flavour for local life, too.

• Day 8 • The Dead Sea & Amman

  This morning, we'll depart Aqaba and head to the Dead Sea, around a four-hour drive away. This unique body of water is the lowest point on the earth's surface. With a salt content of 33%, it's almost impossible to sink and we'll take a dip to experience the mysterious floating sensation. While we're there, you can cover yourself in the water's rejuvenating mud, famous for its healing properties. After your dip, feel free to unwind by the pool or at the bar - there are shower facilities to freshen up in, too. Finally, we'll drive onwards to Amman. Arriving around late afternoon, we'll have time to pick up last-minute souvenirs in the souk before toasting to the end of the trip with a Jordanian wine in one of the downtown restaurants.

• Day 9 • Tour ends in Amman

  Our tour of Jordan ends at our hotel in Amman. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Queen Alia International Airport.