8-Day Jordan Tour: Petra, Dead Sea & Wadi Rum Adventure

Summary

Jordan Highlights Tour: Ancient Cities, Desert Castles & Red Sea

You’ll wander ancient cities like Petra and Jerash, float weightless in the Dead Sea, share tea with Bedouins under Wadi Rum stars—all with expert guides handling every detail so you can just soak it all in.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me stepping out of Queen Alia Airport was the dry warmth—Amman’s air has a dusty sweetness in the morning. Our driver was waiting right by arrivals, holding a little sign with my name. The ride into town zipped past old stone houses and roadside tea stalls. I remember the city waking up—shops rolling open, men in keffiyehs chatting over tiny cups of cardamom coffee. My hotel was right in the heart of Amman; I could hear the call to prayer echoing across rooftops as I checked in.

Next day, after a quick breakfast (flatbread, labneh, olives), we set off for the desert castles. Our guide, Sami, had stories for every crumbling wall—he pointed out faded frescoes at Qasr Amra and explained how these places were once hunting lodges or caravan stops. Back in Amman, we wandered through the Roman Theater—kids were playing soccer on the steps—and climbed up to the Citadel for sweeping city views. The Archeology Museum had Nabatean coins and ancient pottery; I lost track of time there.

Jerash was something else entirely. Walking through Hadrian’s Arch felt like stepping into another world—columns stretching out along colonnaded streets where you can almost hear Roman sandals on stone. We stopped for pomegranate juice from a vendor near the Oval Plaza. Later that day, Ajloun Castle loomed above pine forests; inside, it smelled faintly of old stone and wood smoke. Sami told us about Saladin’s battles here—hard to imagine with birdsong drifting through arrow slits.

The drive to Iraq El Amir wound past olive groves and sleepy villages. Qasr El Abed looked almost out of place—a hulking Hellenistic palace surrounded by green fields. After exploring its lion carvings and echoing halls, we headed straight for the Dead Sea. Floating there is surreal—you just bob along effortlessly while salt crusts form on your skin. There’s a sharp tang in the air and everything feels strangely quiet except for distant laughter from other swimmers.

Heading south on the King’s Way meant narrow roads twisting through canyons and valleys. Madaba’s mosaic map is tucked inside St George’s Church—it took me a moment to spot Jerusalem among all those tiny tiles. Mount Nebo offered hazy views over the Jordan Valley; you can see why Moses might’ve paused here. Kerak Castle was windy and wild—kids running along battlements while our guide recounted Crusader tales.

Petra really does live up to its reputation but nothing prepares you for walking through the Siq at dawn—the rock glows pink and orange as sunlight creeps in. When I caught my first glimpse of the Treasury peeking out between cliffs, it stopped me in my tracks. We explored tombs, climbed up to viewpoints (bring water!), and watched camels shuffle past Roman columns. That night we drove south again—Wadi Rum was waiting.

Sleeping under Wadi Rum’s sky is something I’ll never forget—the stars are ridiculously bright out there with no city lights around. Dinner was cooked in a zarb (Bedouin barbecue buried under sand) and tasted smoky-sweet; our hosts poured mint tea as we sat around a crackling fire swapping stories about desert life. In the morning, we bounced across red dunes in a 4x4—the silence out there is almost total except for wind whistling past sandstone towers.

The last day brought us back to Amman—a bit sunburned but full of new memories (and more than a few photos). If you’re after real adventure mixed with history and local flavor, this trip covers it all without any hassle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Amman

• Meet at Amman International Airport, transfer to hotel

Day 2 — Desert Castles and Amman Tour

• Visit Desert Castles and Amman city tour

Day 3 — Jerash and Ajloun Tour

• Tour Jerash and Ajloun area

Day 4 — Iraq El Amir and Dead Sea

• Visit Iraq El Amir and Dead Sea

Day 5 — Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Kerak, Petra

• Drive to Petra via Madaba, Mt. Nebo, and Kerak

Day 6 — Petra and Wadi Rum

• Explore Petra and visit Wadi Rum

Day 7 — Wadi Rum to Amman

• Visit Wadi Rum Desert, 4x4 ride, return to Amman

Day 8 — Departure from Amman

• Transfer to Queen Alia Airport for departure

Top questions

Is this Jordan tour suitable for families or older travelers?

Absolutely! The itinerary is flexible and our vehicles are comfortable and accessible for all ages—including strollers or wheelchairs if needed.

What kind of hotels do you use?

You’ll stay at quality hotels with breakfast included each morning—let us know if you have preferences or accessibility needs when booking.

How much walking is involved each day?

Some days involve exploring sites like Petra or Jerash on foot at your own pace; breaks are built in and guides adjust based on group comfort.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included daily; other meals are flexible so you can try local spots or join group dinners if you wish.

Is WiFi available during travel?

Yes! All vehicles have WiFi onboard so you can stay connected or share photos as you go.

What’s included

This tour includes airport transfers, all ground transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi onboard, bottled water during drives, professional English-speaking guides throughout your journey, entrance fees to all listed sites (like Petra and Jerash), comfortable hotel stays with breakfast each day—and plenty of local tips along the way!