Immersive tour of Jordan's natural wonders

Transfer from Q.A.I. Airport to Amman - Transfer from Q.A.I. Airport to Amman - At leisure in Amman

Day 1: Amman

Transfer from Q.A.I. Airport to Amman
Other Transfer: After the visa formalities, you will be met by a representative at Queen Alia International Airport and enjoy a short transfer to your hotel in Amman for check in. Estimated travel time: 40 minutes.


At leisure in Amman
Excursion: Amman is one of the easiest places to experience Middle Eastern culture in all its splendour. Spend some time today exploring this vibrant city, which provides an eclectic mix of contemporary and historic attractions. If it's not planned elsewhere in your tour, head to the ancient Citadel for impressive architectural treasure. Looming over the city at the top of the Jabal (hill), the citadel is one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the world. You will see that Amman beautifully fuses the ancient with new, as evidenced by the downtown amphitheatre; used by locals almost as a park to mingle and relax. Elsewhere you can discover the Umayyad Palace, a Byzantine church and even an inscription from the Phoenicians. In valley of downtown, traffic roars over the sound of hawkers flogging coffee, cigarettes and trinkets on street corners, Arabic music blares from shop fronts, and food stalls draw you in with mouth-watering aromas. Amble past the hubbub of colourful souks, mosques and coffee houses. Test out musks and floral fragrances in a melange of perfume stalls, or lose yourself in the richer scents of a traditional spice shop (some local Za’atar and Sumak make fantastic souvenirs). For some respite, a cool cup of sugar cane juice is a Jordanian staple, or indulge in some Arabic coffee. Whatever you do, do make the most of Amman’s excellent street food: a popular snack is the kaek sandwich - a sesame seed bread filled with cheese, hard baked eggs, za’atar, and chilli sauce. Enjoy every bite as you people-watch and absorb the infectious atmosphere.

Transfer from Amman to the Desert Castles - Transfer from Amman to the Desert Castles - Tour of the Desert Castles

Day 2: Qasr Amra - Amman

Transfer from Amman to the Desert Castles
Other Transfer: You will be transferred from Amman to visit the historic desert castles. Estimated travel time: 2 hours


Tour of the Desert Castles
Excursion: Explore the Desert Castles of Jordan. Built between the 7th and 8th centuries CE by the Umayyad Caliphate, these fortified palatial complexes were, and remain to an extent, ornate displays of power and wealth on this strategic trade route. The exact function of these 'qufur' buildings remains unclear; they appear to have been rural retreats for the ruling classes, in-part grand hunting lodges and farm houses, in-part bathhouses and caravanserais for hosting weary travellers. You will be shown around three of the most notable qufurs so you can appreciate their splendour for yourself.


Qasr Amra
Excursion: In Wadi Butm, the UNESCO protected Qasr Amra is renowned for its early Islamic paintings, in particular its rather risqué eighth century fresco of wine, women and revelry. Once your eyes adjust to the harsh brightness inside the main hall, the details of the frescoes start to reveal themselves: images of bathing women, hunting dogs, wild deer, and even the construction of the baths themselves are detailed across the walls. This is a far cry from the typically geometric Islamic painting at this time. The exquisite domed roof of the bathhouse is decorated with an illustration of the heavens, with signs of the zodiac identifiable among the flaking paint. This constitutes one of the earliest depictions of the universe on anything other than a flat surface. It is staggering to think these paintings predate the European Renaissance by around 500 years.


Qasr Al Kharraneh
Excursion: Perhaps the most deserving of the term ‘castle’ is Kharraneh's impressive fortification. Its interior is not geared towards military functions, as its slits are of the wrong shape to be designed for arrows (they appear to be for sunlight and ventilation). Inside you can look around its 60 rooms arranged across two floors, facing inwards to a courtyard. However, no water source has been identified nearby, so it is unlikely to have been a caravanserai. It is possible that Kharraneh was only used temporarily, perhaps for Umayyad leaders to meet with local Bedouin leaders. Whatever the purpose, you will be shown around this mysterious, remote and sturdy construction, identifying its Syrian, Sassanid and Islamic influences as you go.


Tour of Azraq Wetland Reserve
Excursion: In the heart of Jordan’s eastern desert, bound by limestone on one side and basalt on the other, the oasis of Azraq Wetland Reserve is miraculous in such an arid landscape. For years the reserve has sustained itself with a self-replenishing system of glittering pools and streams, earning the area its name ‘Azraq’, meaning ‘blue’ in Arabic. The reserve boasts a rich biodiversity and has been declared a major station for migratory birds on the African-Eurasian flyway. Due to its strategic location and flowing water supply, Azraq has also been an important layover for wandering travellers. The area is steeped in cultural history: pilgrims and camel trains frequently stopped at this refuge in the desert, including Lawrence of Arabia, who was stationed in Azraq Castle during the Arab Revolt. Rising out of the sand, the crumbling black basalt remnants of Qasr al-Azraq impose themselves on the landscape. Although once three-storeys high, the structure still has the ability to inspire a sense of awe. You will be escorted to the castle by shuttle, before travelling to the Old Druze village where you learn about the first Druze settlement in this harsh environment. From here, the tour will continue on foot and you will hike 2 kilometres to Aines-Sil, a farmhouse built by the Umayyad caliphate. The bus will be waiting to take you to a local Druze home for tea and a light traditional meal before finishing your excursion.


Transfer from Azraq Wetland to Amman
Car Transfer: You will be transferred from Azraq Wetland Reserve to Amman. Estimated travel time - 1 hour 30 minutes.

Transfer from Amman to Jerash - Transfer from Amman to Jerash - Tour of Jerash

Day 3: Jerash & The Decapolis - Amman

Transfer from Amman to Jerash
Other Transfer: You will be transferred from Amman to visit the magnificent ancient ruins of Jerash. Estimated travel time: 1 hour.


Tour of Jerash
Excursion: North of Amman lies the historic city of Jerash. Known in antiquity as Gerasa, this Greco-Roman settlement was buried under sand for centuries until its excavation and restoration in the last 70 years. Today it is recognised as one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Enjoy a tour of this ancient treasure, known as ‘the City of a Thousand Pillars’. There are a great deal of fantastic Ionic columns lining the vast oval-shaped forum and the Cardo, making up an impressive 6000m colonnaded street. Other highlights are the venerable entrance to the city, the epic Temple of Artemis and the hippodrome, where chariot demonstrations are sometimes held.


Tour of Ajloun Nature Reserve
Excursion: Ajloun Nature Reserve was established in 1988 to protect the oak, carob, pistachio and strawberry tree forests that cover the area. The Mediterranean-like hill country makes for a welcome change from the deserts and cities of Jordan. A variety of mammals populate these forests, including endangered roe deer, wild boar, stone martens, polecats, jackals and hyenas. Aljoun Nature Reserve is an excellent space to explore the flora and fauna of Jordan in a surprisingly verdant environment. There are several excellent trails that criss-cross through the reserve, but you will walk along the Soap House Trail. The walk will take you up into the hills and down again to the Soap House in the neighbouring village of Orjan, through dense and vital woodlands filled with oak, pistachio, and oriental strawberry trees. For years these trees have played an important role in the lives of the local people, providing them with wood, food and even medicines. The trail climbs to 1,100 metres above sea level at Eagle's View Point. Here you can watch local women carry out the traditional process of making Orjan pure olive oil soap. Before you continue down into the valley, you will take a short detour to view a ruined wine press, where you will pass one of the oldest strawberry trees in the reserve. After you reach the Soap House, you can either extend your walk by following the Houses Trail, or spend some time getting to know the local community by taking the Village Tour.


Transfer from Ajloun to Amman
Car Transfer: Head to the capital Amman from the small town of Ajloun. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes.

Transfer from Amman to Wadi Mujib - Transfer from Amman to Wadi Mujib - Explore Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve

Day 4: Al Mujib Nature Reserve - Dana Nature Reserve

Transfer from Amman to Wadi Mujib
Car Transfer: You will be met in Amman and driven to Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve, near the Dead Sea. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes


Explore Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve
Excursion: Located within the deep Wadi Mujib gorge, Mujib Nature Reserve, is the lowest altitude nature reserve in the world. It covers a huge range of terrain, from the heights of Kerak and Madaba mountains in the south and north (1300 metres in altitude), to its entrance at the Dead Sea (410 metres below sea level). Seven permanently flowing wadis trickle down this reserve into the sea, and several excellent hiking routes traverse the region. Mujib certainly is one of the most dramatic areas of natural beauty in Jordan. On this excursion you will hike through these landscapes for two or three hours. Look out for the varied fauna and flora: four plant species were discovered here for the first time; and Syrian wolves, the Egyptian mongoose, foxes, caracal, striped hyenas, vipers and cobras have all been spotted here.


Transfer from Wadi Al Mujib to Amman
Car Transfer: From Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve, near the Dead Sea, you will be driven to Amman. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes


Tour of Amman
Excursion: Get to know Jordan's proud capital, Amman. By exploring both the ancient and modern parts of the city, you'll gain insight into daily life as well as the historic culture. This tour is unguided but you'll have the convenience of a driver. Discover the crumbling ruins of the ancient Citadel, which overlooks Amman’s Labyrinthine downtown below. Marvel at the colossal pillars of the Temple of Hercules (larger than any temple in Rome) and wander around the remains of the Governor's Palace and Mosque. Visit the Archaeological Museum, and peruse the artefacts which date from prehistoric times to the 15th century. From the museum, there is the spectacular panorama of the sprawling city below: Romans built on top of Biblical remains, forging chaotic streets, all wedged into the valley. Descend from the Citadel into the capital’s throng where you can join locals alongside the most impressive remnant of Roman rule: a 6000 seat, beautifully restored amphitheatre. The Jordan Folklore Museum is located next door on the western side of the theatre. Here you can view items representing three different Jordanian cultures – Bedu (desert life), Reef (village life) and Madineh (city life). Then head back into the 21st century as you make your way into the city centre, a vibrant hub of sizzling kebab stalls, buzzing cafes and sensual souks.


Explore Kerak Castle
Excursion: The city of Kerak was the ancient capital of Moab, a kingdom frequently mentioned in the Bible. Whether you approach Kerak from the ancient Kings’ Highway to the east or from the Dead Sea to the west, the striking silhouette of this fortified castle town, 900m above sea level, will certainly reveal why the fates of kings and nations were decided here. An ancient crusader stronghold dating back to the 1140s, Kerak’s best-preserved halls and passageways are located underground and can only be reached through a massive door. Make sure to bring a torch to explore these darker corners of the castle. You will explore this enormous fortification with your guide. Plenty of useful information can be found displayed around the keep. Make sure to enjoy the vast views from this high point across the wadis (valleys) in all directions. If it is a clear day you will be able to make out the Dead Sea in the distance.


Transfer from Kerak to Dana.
Car Transfer: You will be driven from Kerak Castle down to the stone village of Dana. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Walk through Dana Nature Reserve - Transfer from Dana to Petra - Transfer from Dana to Petra

Day 5: Dana Nature Reserve - Petra

Walk through Dana Nature Reserve
Excursion: You will explore one of Jordan's hidden treasures: Dana Nature Reserve, near Petra. Your local English-speaking guide will show you around the charming fifteenth century stone village of Dana, as well as the surrounding countryside. The village sits on a precipice and overlooks the valley below. The nature reserve offers a vast variety of terrain, from heights of 1700 metres at the top of the sandstone cliffs to 50 metres below sea level at the valley floor of Wadi Araba. Everything from wooded highlands, rocky slopes, sand dunes and stony deserts fill the spaces between. Diverse ecosystems populate the landscape: 600 species of plants, 180 birds and 45 mammals, including herds of ibex, mountain gazelles, sand cats, foxes and wolves. You will explore this vast nature reserve for three or so hours. If you visit in spring, look out for the beautiful carpet of blooming flowers on the hillside, or in autumn, the dramatic auburn foliage of the trees.


Transfer from Dana to Petra
Other Transfer: You will be transferred from the Dana to Petra, home to the renowned ancient ruins of tombs and temples that date back to 300 BCE. Estimated travel time: 2 hours


Explore Little Petra
Excursion: Welcome to ‘Little Petra’, a small settlement just north of Petra proper. Once an important suburb of the ancient town, this is where successful merchants entertained their counterparts from the Silk Road. Approach the ruins through a narrow gorge known as Siq al-Barid, or ‘the cold Siq’, so named because its towering cliffs prevent any sunlight from reaching it. The Siq runs for 350 metres between the immense, rust-coloured rock, and opens up three times along its length. When you reach the first opening, you will notice the higher density of buildings here compared with Petra, as well as the quaint staircases carved into the rock face, turning the Siq into a multi-storey alleyway. The second opening has several triclinia, a kind of formal dining room; and up some stairs to another dining room, where a fabulous painted fresco was found in 2010. It is the only surviving example of Nabataean interior painting, and one of very few examples of large-scale Hellenistic paintings in the world. Make sure to visit the 'Painted Room' before you leave Little Petra – it is not to be missed.

Explore the magic of Petra - full day tour with a local guide

Day 6: Petra

Explore the magic of Petra - full day tour with a local guide
Excursion: A full day is in store to explore the iconic site of Petra, a glorious Nabataean city dating to the third century BCE. Petra is justifiably a bucket list experience - half-built, half-carved into the face of red, white and pink sandstone cliffs, the towering facades of the buildings lie hidden in twisting canyons and clefts in the rock. The Nabataeans were originally nomadic Arabs, and Petra started its development as a caravan town, however their sophisticated water collection system allowed them to permanently settle in this mostly arid region. Being situated between the Red and Dead Seas, on a crossroads of trade between Arabia, Egypt and Syria, Petra’s prosperity quickly grew into the grandeur we can still see today. You will approach the stunning ‘Red-Rose City' having crossed the desert for around 700 metres, before arriving at Al Siq- the 76 metre-high, dramatically narrow sandstone canyon. Wander through this twisting ravine before emerging upon the impressive, temple-like facade of the Treasury building (you may recognise from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). Continue along a winding road of tombs and decorative false fronts - this street leads you into the centre of the ancient town. You will then climb high up the cliff face to explore the cavernous Royal Tombs, as well as the ruins of the High Place of Sacrifice which sits atop the mountain. As you're guided around these treasures, it is staggering to think that around only 15% of the site has been excavated, with 85% of Petra remaining untouched below ground.

Transfer from Petra to Wadi Rum - Transfer from Petra to Wadi Rum - Venture through Wadi Rum by 4x4 SUV

Day 7: Wadi Rum

Transfer from Petra to Wadi Rum
Other Transfer: You will leave the legendary site of Petra and set off in the direction of Wadi Rum. Estimated travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes


Venture through Wadi Rum by 4x4 SUV
Excursion: With your guide, take in the staggering scenery of Wadi Rum, one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Middle East. The otherworldly, Martian appearance of the terrain has inspired countless film-makers to use Wadi Rum as a location, such as Ridley Scott for his blockbuster, ‘The Martian’. Besides the rust-coloured sand dunes, dramatic rock formations, cliffs and narrow siqs (canyons), Wadi Rum is covered in 25,000 rock carvings and 20,000 inscriptions from centuries of trade caravans passing through this desolate region. Aramaic characters, prehistoric camel carvings, Nabataean inscriptions and even a sculpture of TE Lawrence’s bust fleck the scattered rocks and cliffs of this expanse. Please note that the tour is conducted in Bedouin-driven jeeps/trucks, which are open-air in the back and have benches, which can take up to 6 persons. The Bedouin people have lived around Wadi Rum for centuries, etching out a nomadic existence until relatively recently in the 20th century. Today, they offer expert ecotourism around their beloved region. Several Bedouin camps lie across the region, and any that you come across are sure to welcome you into their tents to try their sweet mint tea.

Transfer from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea - Transfer from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea - Swim in the Dead Sea

Day 8: The Dead Sea - Amman

Transfer from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea
Other Transfer: You will be transferred from Wadi Rum to the crystalline waters of the Dead Sea. Estimated travel time: 4 hours


Swim in the Dead Sea
Excursion: Immerse yourself into Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth (429 metres below sea level) and one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. Its deep blue waters gradually change to emerald at the shore, where rocky ridges of salt crystalise in the desert heat. The high level of evaporation here has rendered the lake nine times saltier than regular sea water. Spend some time trying to ‘swim’ in this extremely buoyant water, where you can practically sit on the surface. The salt and minerals of this lake have long been used for health and skin benefits, and even for Egyptian mummification. Cover yourself in the sticky mud and enter the water. The salt will sting cuts that you didn’t know you had; definitely don’t shave before swimming!


Transfer from the Dead Sea to Amman
Car Transfer: You will then be driven from the Dead Sea to your hotel in Amman. Estimated travel time: 1 hour.

Transfer from Amman to Q.A.I. Airport - Transfer from Amman to Q.A.I. Airport

Day 9:

Transfer from Amman to Q.A.I. Airport
Car Transfer: You will be met at your hotel in Amman and driven to Queen Alia Airport for your onward flight. Estimated travel time: 45 minutes