The Jordan Kingdom is a middle east country inhabited by kind people who make hospitality one of their greatest values.  

You will never feel uncomfortable, in trouble, or in danger. Everyone will welcome you with a big smile and happy and  sincere eyes, because what they want most is helping you to discover all the beauties of their country and make you love it as much as they do.

I can’t deny it. They don’t have to do such a great effort to accomplish this goal. Jordan is so beautiful that it will conquer you immediately.

Nature there surely rules with its grandeur and severity. Think about the drenched depression where the super salty Dead Sea is settled, the Wadi Rum desert,  scenario of Lawrence of Arabia adventures, and the Red Sea reef full of colorful tropical fishes.

Jordan means also history and culture with Romans ruins in Amman and Jerash, crusaders castle of Kerak and one of the seven wonders, Petra, the ancient town carved in the rocks with great patience from Nabateans, from the VI century BC for the next 500 years.

A delicious traditional cuisine will keep you company during your trip. Middle east specialities like hummus and falafel, goat cheese, taboulé, chicken and rice, fattoush salads with Mediterranean veggies, dressed with olive oil, lemon and Pomegranate juice and fried Arabic bread.

A special mention for all kind of sweets, a triumph of honey and pistachios. Taste them with a hot glass of strong Jordan  tea: you’ll forget the tiredness of a full day walk under the sunshine.

Jordan is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the east and south; Iraq to the north-east; Syria to the north; Israel, Palestine and the Dead Sea to the west; and the Red Sea in its extreme south-west.

Distances and travel times from the main turistic attractions

Jordan can be reached by flight with the national company Royal Jordanian Airlines and the main international airlines companies. The most importanti airport is the international airport Queen Alia in Amman.

To enter the country a passport valid for 6 months is required, as well as a single entry visa that you can get at the airport for 40 JOD. 

Alternatively you can buy  the Jordan Pass. It gives you the right to be exempted to get a visa and also to enter to most of the touristic attractions in Jordan with a discount. You can get this privilege if you buy this pass on line and you are going to stay in the country for at least 4 days and 3 nights. Prices depend on how many days you want to visit Petra: 

- 70 JOD for 1 day in Petra

- 75 JOD for 2 days in Petra

- 80 JOD for 3 days in Petra.

Day 1

When you arrive at the Amman airport there are a couple of things you have to take care of: you have to withdraw some cash and buy your visa for 40 JOD. Then you can get your car from the rental car agency or meet up with the driver your hotel send to pick you up (14 JOD) and leave Amman.

Your first stage is Madaba, 40 km far from the airport, it will take 1 hour.

If it’s not too late, after some rest, go out for a walk in the little town centre and visit the beautiful greek – ortodox St George’s Church, renowned for having as a floor a mosaic of Byzantine era representing the oldest map of Palestine existing in the world. The entrance costs 1 JOD (0.85 euros) and the opening is from Saturday to Thursday from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm from November to March and from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm from April to October. On Fridays the opening is from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm all year round.  

End your first day in Jordan in the best restaurant of the town: Haret JDoudna. Attended by locals and tourists it offers  typical Jordan dishes that you can have, at least in good season, in a charming courtyard with trees and flowers.

Day 2

Visit Madaba's surroundings. Get  the car  you hired or let your hotel arrange for you a taxi for the entire day. I highly recommend it because the area around the Dead Sea is hard to be reached with public transports.

1st stage - Mount Nebo

It is 15 km far from Madaba, 20 minutes by car. It is  more than 800 meters above sea level and it is the place where Moses saw the promised land. The access to the site costs 2 JOD per person. Charming scenario with amazing view.

2nd stage - The Dead Sea

From the 800 m above sea level of Mount Nebo to -415 m under sea level of the depression where the Dead Sea is laid down, with its super salty and dense waters that don’t allowe you to swim but just to float on you r back.

Pay attention at your nose and eyes, even the slightest contact with water and you’ll feel such a pain !

Don’t miss the opportunity to smear the mud on your whole body, make it dry and then go back to the water to rinse. The mud must remain in the sea, not end up in a shower.  You’ll see what a  smooth and silky skin !  Furthermore, keep in mind that you are in  one of the lowest places on earth, the climate can be really hot, especially from spring to autumn.

Here is where you can try this experience:

- Amman beach tourism resort

It's the public beach. The entrance costs 20 JOD and you’ll have access to the beach, the pool, toilets and showers . There is also a restaurant and a souvenir shop. For the mud you have to pay  3 extra  JOD. Reviews om the web are not good but I went in  low season (full summer) and  I did not find it so bad. There were very few people and everything was tidy and clean. If you don’t like confusion try not to go on Friday and on bank holidays.

- Oh beach

Private resort, a little bit more luxurious than the previous one, it costs 25 JOD. You’ll have access to the beach, the beautiful infinity pool right on the dead sea, toilets and shower. For mud and towels you have to pay an extra. There is also a bar and a restaurant.

If you prefer to spend a couple of hours in a luxurious and posh scenario and you don’t mind if it’s pricey, the 5 stars hotels along the shore of the dead sea such as the Movenpick or the Kempinsky give you the  chance to attend their private beaches and their wellness centers. Prices from 60 JOD.

3rd stage – Wadi Mujib (27 Km – 20 minutes)

Don’t miss this great canyoning adventure of about 2/3 hours along the Wadi Mujib,  a river 70 km long that flows into the Dead Sea. Going down the  state road 65 along the sea, you will arrive at the Wadi Mujib biosphere reserve Visitor Center, from where you can go hiking in the canyon from April to October between 8am and 3pm. The shortest and easiest canyoning path, the Siq Trail, can be done without a guide and costs 20 JD. Life jackets are provided and if you want, you can buy water shoes. Anyway, a pair of old  sneakers,  a t-shirt and shorts will be fine as you’ll get completely soaked. Don’t bring with you any object that is not water resistant.

The canyon has very high and suggestive rocky walls but the track is simple, with ropes and metal steps to help you in tricky spots. Don't worry, there's always a guide that follows you and give you an hand just in case you need it.

At the end of the path you’ll find a waterfall.

You’ll go back to the starting point  in some spots sliding and floating on your back and watching the canyon walls above you.  Water temperature won’t be a problem, in summer it’s even warm. 

After your canyoning experience it’s time to go back to your hotel in Madaba and have some rest. Another special dinner is waiting for you.

Day 3

Day 4

Waking up in the morning in Dana Reserve scenario is really breathtaking. After your breakfast start to explore it: it’s up to you  which path follow on difficulties and duration basis. What’s important is to leave early before the sun gets too high in the sky and bring with you plenty of water just to avoid dehydration. Guides at the visitor center are available.

In the afternoon it’s time to leave. Your next stage is Petra, 65 km far from Dana. If you use a taxi the ride will cost you 50 JOD. If it’s not too late, before arriving in Wadi Musa, the modern  town built next to Petra, you can make a stop to visit Little Petra, that can be reached with a little detour from the King's highway. You’ll be stunned watching the carving work on those red rocks, but it's nothing compared to what you are going to see the next day.

Arrived in Wadi Musa and settled down in your hotel, you are ready to organize your evening. Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday there's the show Petra by night, from 8.30pm to 10.30pm. The meeting point is at the Petra Visitor Center and the ticket costs 17 JOD while the entrance for children under 10 years old is free.

Tickets can be purchased  at the visitor center or you can try at the reception of your hotel. 

The show is definitely for tourists and quite expensive as far as I can tell, but I assure you it is worth just for the exciting first walk   under the stars and along the Siq that leads to Petra just in front of the Treasury enlightened by 1,500 candles. 

Day 5 and 6

Petra is a huge archaeological site. In two days you can be sure to visit it all with no rush, taking your time, getting pictures, chatting with bedouins who live there, having some rest, drinking hot tea and simply enjoying a really special atmosphere.

Tickets (if you don't have the Jordan Pass) can be purchased at the visitor center. These are the prices for people who are going to spend at least one night in Jordan:

50 JOD for 1 day

55 JOD for 2 days

60 JOD for 3 days

The entrance is free for children under 12 years old.

At the ticket office you have to show your passport. You can pay cash or with credit card.

Remember to take a site map available for free, very useful even if paper travel guides are usually full of maps and information.

I suggest you to wear comfy hiking shoes and to bring with you water, sun cream, sunglasses, a hat and something to eat. Inside there are a couple of restaurants, toilets and gift shops, but it’s better to be well covered, above all if you want to hike a little bit in Petra’s mountains.

Going through the visitor center's gate it starts the journey. It will takes at least  15 minutes walk to get to the Siq entrance and another 15 minutes to go through it.  1.5 Km long, the Siq is a gorge, a rock fracture with 200 meters high walls and a minimum width of 2 meters. If you don’t feel like walk along it you can take a horse carriage.

At the end of the Siq you’ll find yourself in front of the Treasury , the symbol of Petra, the monument the most photographed and the most beloved. When sun rays enlighten it then, it’s really spectacular.

In addition to the treasury there are many others must see highlights in Petra: the facade road, the sacrifice altar, the theater, the royal tombs, the colonnade road, the big temple, the church, the prison, the museum and the monastery.

All around there are great reddish rocky mountains with tracks and stairs. Walk through them and you’ll find out new perspective from where you can admire this wonderful ancient carved town.

When you get too tired you can count on camels and donkeys rides.

At the end of a day visit, the best way to makes you forget the tiredness of your legs and feet is to get some relaxing time  in a hammam or Turkish bath. There are some in Wadi Musa, close to Petra's entrance. But do not think of modern wellness centers, they are just small and traditional places. Paying 20-25 JOD you'll have a steam bath, a scrub and a nice massage.

Day 7

Leave behind Petra and go south with your  car or a taxi (50 JOD - 120 km - 1 h and 45 mins).

Your new destination is the Wadi Rum Desert Visitors Center, a protected area with great charm (5 JOD per person if you don't have the Jordan Pass).

High sand dunes, gorges, rocks amazingly shaped by  the wind and  bedouin culture  will definitely enchant you. Living for a few days in the desert is something that must be done at least once in life. The Wadi Rum is a magical place where the simple and humble life in a campsite will make you feel close to nature and the whole universe as you have never expected. You can get camel rides and jeep tours,  you can go hiking or climbing, you can  sleep  in goat wool tents or under the stars, chat with bedouins and people from all over the world  around a bonfire, watch the Milky Way or the full moon, taste the delicious Bedouin cuisine still prepared in a traditional way and feel yourself utterly in peace.
In order to be able to fully experience this adventure, I recommend you to entrust all the planning activity to professionals born and brought up in the Wadi Rum, just to be sure to have a true and unconventional  experience.

I suggest Bedouin Directions.

Mehedi, the business owner, will be able to plan for you a very good time in the desert and host you in his camp, cleverly managed with family help such as brothers and cousins. Contact him and ask for a tailor made tour that it will be in line with your expectatios.

Prices

3 overnights, full board, jeep tours, hiking, a camel trek, a guide always with you  will cost about 340 JOD for 2 people.

The camp

The camp is very simple and basic, but you'll have anything you need. There's a community tent with a brazier in the middle, where breakfast and dinner are served to guests. Goat wool tents are comfortable and are provided with mattresses, pillows and wool blankets, as the night can be very cold. Toilets and hot water showers are available in a building near the tents. Solar panels provide some electricity but be sure to  have a flashlight with you, it will be very useful.

The day of your arrival you'll met your guide at the Visitor Center. He'll  pick you up and bring you into an unknown and fascinating world. If you want to spend a great time with bedouins I'll give you just one advice: let yourself go, trust them, live like them and you won't regret it.

Day 8 and 9

After your first night in the desert, you have two full days to explore this beautiful environment. Discover sandy dunes and red rocks during jeep tours,  walk along canyons with walls covered by ancient graffitis, visit the ruins of Lawrence of Arabia's house, hike on top of Mount Jebel Umm Adaami, the highest in Jordan (1832 m), and enjoy a stunning view on Saudi Arabia and finally don't miss the sunset with its shades of red, orange and pink. After dinner you can simply watch the stars while sipping a tea or take a stroll in the moonlight, accompanied by a camp guide. It's better not to risk of getting lost. You're still in the desert.

Day 10, 11 and 12

After so much walking and hiking, eventually it’s time to have some rest. Drive towords the Red Sea and in an hour you’ll reach the town of Aqaba, 60 km far from the Wadi Rum. If you need a taxi Mehedi and his staff will be glad to arrange your journey (at about 25 JOD).

Aqaba is a nice and lively seaside town where you can spend a very good time enjoing its beaches and eating grilled fish. The weather there is always warm, even if in summer can be very hot it's ofen pretty windy.

I suggest you to relax yourself at the  Berenice Beach Club, a resort with swimming pools, a restaurant and a bar, a beach equipped with umbrellas and sunbed, changing rooms, showers and toilets. Towels are provided at the entrance. It’s not that luxurious but it’s a really nice and clean place where women are allowed to wear a bikini without causing disapproval or curiosity. There's only one rule: you can't bring food inside. The ticket costs 8 JOD.

Hotels in Aqaba provide a free shuttle, comfortable and air conditioned, that pick up tourists headed there. Ask at the reception: they'll give you the roundtrip timetable.

The Red Sea is really beautiful. The coral reef is stunning, with colorful fishes. Enjoy this paradise snorkeling, diving , sunbathing or reading a good book. Or you can simply do nothing but relax yourself.

In the evenings you'll see a lively town, with nice and packed restaurants where to eat a very good grilled fish ,  markets and shops. So it's time to focus on shopping. Don't miss beauty products made up with Dead Sea mud, some spices and a blended Jordan tea with cardamom seeds. It has such a good smell !

I don't mean to bother you, but during those happy and funny days you have just one task to accomplish. Find an hour of your time to go to the JETT (Jordan Express Tourism Transportation) offices in King Hussein Street, a 10 minutes walk from the center, near the Movenpick hotel. There you have to buy your bus ticket to go back to Amman. The trip will take only 4 hours because no stops are made along the way and the driver will drive on the desert highway that is faster than the Kings' highway.  It will be a comfy travel on a very good coach with air conditioned and toilets on board. I suggest you to book a seat on the morning ride, so you'll get to Amman in the early afternoon. The ticket costs 9 JOD.

Day 13

This is a  transfer day from Aqaba to Amman.

The trip is comfortable but tiring anyway. At your arrival at the Amman bus station you can get a taxi to go to your hotel. Be careful on taxi drivers behavior. An advice: bargain the price and fix it before the ride or pay attention at the taximeter. Amman is a big city and unfortunately you can bump into some not quite honest people. That’s the same in all big cities in the world. There’s also a network of city buses, but you can spend a very long time trying to figure out which direction you have to take. The choice is up to you.

Settled down in your hotel and have some rest...then you are ready to dive in the chaotic downtown. Intense traffic and people engaged in  thousands activities can be overwhelming after so many days you spent living in peaceful places, but you’ll be well impressed by all that energy. Don’t miss the market, always a landmark in middle east countries.

For dinner you can go to  the famous Ashem Restaurant, a legend in Amman, where you can taste typical Jordan street food such as falafel and hummus for a few dinars. It is attended and beloved by locals and tourists  so you may have to wait a bit for a place. But don’t worry. When the restaurant is full of people, the plastic tables are set in the street and they are added from time to time as new customers come in there.

Day 14

If you are really into archeology or you are fascinated by ancient world you can’t miss Jerash's Roman ruins.

Very well preserved because of the dry desert climate, it’s worth a visit as it is only 50 km far from Amman and it can be reached in about 1 hour by car. As usual ask at your hotel reception: they may have a collective taxi ready to leave every day for this destination so you can share the fee with other hotel guests (at about 7 JOD per person by the way).

Jerash's Roman ruins include two amphitheatres, a hippodrome, several temples and triumph arches and a magnificent forum with columns. In July this site hosts the Jerash Culture and Arts Festival, a fascinating location indeed.

Tickets can be bought at the ticket office for 8 JOD each or show your Jordan Pass.

Day 15

This is the end of this amazing trip. Your last day in Jordan. If you have a couple of hours you can visit the Citadel (2 JOD), the highest hill in Amman where there are roman ruins, visit King Abdullah Mosque (the entrance is not allowed to non muslim people) or do some last minute shopping.

It’s time to pack your things and hurry to the Amman Airport with a taxi called by your hotel (20 JOD). It will take about 45 minutes but the travel time it’s affected by traffic. The airport is 20 km far from Amman but in rush hours you may be stuck in a traffic jam. So be wise and leave on time.

Goodbye Jordan

To the next adventure...

Do you want to see another itinerary ?