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Amman · Jordan
Small Group Jordan Desert and City Adventure - 8D/7N
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From $1,905.34 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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The Experience
What your day looks like
A fascinating mix of natural oddities and ancient wonder, Jordan has so much to offer for the curious traveler. Live it up in cosmopolitan Amman, explore the mystic desert landscapes in Wadi Rum, visit the towering ruins of Petra and trek to its remote hilltop village, and discover the vibrant mosaics of Madaba. Your eight-day small group adventure through Jordan’s hotspots is an exciting and enriching adventure through a majestic desert land – best enjoyed with the eyes of an expert local leader and full of authentic local experiences.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Experience an eightday small group adventure through Jordan
- View the amazing sweeping citadel of Amman
- Visit the Jordan Museum and the Roman Theatre
- Explore the mystic desert landscapes in Wadi Rum
- Spend the night in a simple Bedouin desert camp under the stars
- Visit the ruins of Petra and the hilltop village
- Discover the vibrant mosaics of Madaba
- Enjoy the Swimming opportunity in the Dead Sea
- See the historic crusader castle of Kerak
- Bestpreserved GrecoRoman ruins we see in Jerash
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Amman
City/Town Tour. Amman. Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to Jordan’s capital, Amman – cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in biblical history. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. As you don’t spend too much time here, it's worth arriving a day or two early to explore the sights.
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Amman
Sightseeing at Amman Citadel. If you do have time, be sure to head to the citadel, taking in its amazing sweeping views of Amman.
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Amman
Sightseeing at The Jordan Museum. The Jordan Museum (home to the Dead Sea Scrolls) and the Roman Theatre are both well worth visiting. After your meeting this evening, head out with your new-found travel pals, and perhaps pick up a coffee from one of the cafes and partner it with an ara’yes – a local-style toastie filled with spiced meat.
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Amman
Accomodation provided.
Day 2
Amman
Local Flavor at Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum: This morning, you’ll leave Amman and head to Aqaba – the only coastal city offering a pocket of beach in this otherwise landlocked country. On arrival you’ll get a chance to explore the bustling market and walk along the beach on a guided walking tour with your group leader.
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Amman
Snorkeling. Then you’ve got a couple of hours under your belt to explore this city at your own leisure, you might like to go snorkelling in the Red Sea, explore the local markets further or simply chill out and relax by the water.
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Amman
Then, you’ll leave for Wadi Rum and arrive just in time for dinner. Tonight, you’ll get a chance to sit down with the sheik of the local Bedouin tribe and get a glimpse into what life is like living in this desert environment.
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Amman
Camping. You’ll sleep in a simple Bedouin desert camp this evening, with the choice of sleeping under a camel hair tent or out under the stars.
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Amman
Enjoy dinner cooked in an earthen oven by your Bedouin hosts.
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Amman
Camping. Meaning ‘desert dwellers’ in Arabic, the Bedouins are a semi-nomadic people, and in Jordan up to 40 per cent of the general population is thought to have Bedouin ancestry. Conditions are basic at the desert camp, but the hospitality of your hosts as well as the chance to sleep beneath the twinkling desert night sky will surely make up for it.
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Amman
Desert camp (1 night)
Day 3
Amman
Hiking. Wadi Rum. After waking up in the unique surrounds of the camp this morning, head out on a hike around the area (approximately 12 to 15 kilometres), with a stop for tea and a lunch break. You might scale one of the large sand dunes for sensational views of the valley – the perfect chance to snap some unbelievable pictures.
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Amman
Sightseeing at Wadi Rum. Explore the distinctive rock formations and bask in its eerie silence. Wadi Rum is probably best known for its connection with the enigmatic British officer T E Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917–18.
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Amman
Sightseeing at Wadi Rum. This afternoon, gear up for half-day jeep safari through some of the most striking desert scenery on the planet. Wadi Rum is full of weird and wonderful lunar-like rock formations, and traces of ancient civilisations can be seen in the many carved inscriptions found throughout the area – from pictographs to Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic texts. The most enduring monuments in Wadi Rum are those carved by nature – the natural rock bridges, towering rose-coloured sand dunes and scattered rocky peaks.
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Amman
After an action-packed afternoon, tonight is yours to enjoy the traditional Bedouin hospitality and the clear night skies of the desert.
Day 4
Amman
Sightseeing at Petra. Petra. This morning you'll leave your desert camp, taking 4WDs to the main entrance of Petra, which is opposite the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – the mountain named after Lawrence of Arabia’s book. The visitor's centre here is also a great spot to buy some jewelry and handicrafts, mostly made by a women's co-operative aimed at supporting local industries.
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Amman
Sightseeing. Then, continue your journey to the fabled city of Petra by private vehicle. The site remained unknown to the wider world until 1812 when it was visited by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt – a Swiss explorer. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.
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Amman
Sightseeing. Spend the afternoon on a guided tour of Petra. Squeeze through a mile-long narrow path, known as the Siq, through huge towers of rock and get your first glimpse of the iconic Treasury complex. It’s amazing to think that this enormous, intricate building entrance was hand-carved out of the rock.
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Amman
Accomodation provided.
Day 5
Amman
Sightseeing at Petra. Petra. Enjoy a free day of self-discovery as you explore Petra on your own today – free to wander as you wish. The site is surprisingly big, and so it is up to you to choose your own route around the complex.
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Amman
Local Flavor. You could explore the old Roman road, other smaller temples and several old tombs, as well as the rock-hewn amphitheatre. For those who are feeling a bit more active, there's the challenging but highly rewarding 1-hour walk up the steps to the secluded yet stunning Monastery.
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Amman
Accomodation provided.
Day 6
Amman
Sightseeing at Kerak Castle. Kerak - Dead Sea - Mt Nebo - Madaba. Today you’ll traverse the King's Highway to the historic crusader castle of Kerak, which stands on a cliff overlooking Wadi Karak and the Dead Sea in the distance (approximately 2.5 hours). You’ll have time to explore the ruins and discover the legends of centuries-old battles.
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Amman
Swimming. Pack your swim gear as next you can wash off the dust in the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth (420 metres below sea level). This super-salty lake is a perfect place to spend some time relaxing and float your worries away. For those who are game, why not cover yourself from head to toe in a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath.
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Amman
Sightseeing at Mount Nebo. Continue to Mt Nebo – the spot where the prophet Moses is said to have seen the ‘promised land’ and where he’s supposedly buried. Explore this sanctuary and view the remarkable mosaics of the fourth-century church. Afterwards, continue to Madaba, famous for its Ottoman-style houses and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics, including the acclaimed sixth-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St George's Church. Other mosaic masterpieces from the fifth to seventh centuries can be found throughout Madaba’s churches, museums and homes.
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Amman
Accomodation provided.
Day 7
Jerash
City/Town Tour. Jerash - Madaba. Today you’ll leave Madaba for a short drive to Jerash – once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world. These are some of the best-preserved Greco-Roman ruins around. The ancient walled town that survives today is a remarkable evocation of life 2000 years ago. It has a striking collection of archways and theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend a day exploring.
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Amman
Sightseeing at Arch of Hadrian (Jerash). Discover Hadrian’s arch, the partially restored hippodrome, ornate public fountains, the south amphitheatre, and see the collection of daily artefacts uncovered during excavations. Grand columns encircle the city's centrepiece, the Oval Plaza.
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Amman
Sightseeing at Madaba Map. After a full day of exploring, return to Madaba. Maybe gather your travel buddies together and share a celebratory shisha as you reminisce on your memories of majestic Jordan.
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Amman
Accomodation provided.
Day 8
Amman
Madaba. With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart the accommodation at any time, provided you comply with your accommodation’s check-out times.
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
Private vehicle, Jeep Wadi Rum - Bedouin desert camp Aqaba - Leader-lead Walking Tour Wadi Rum - Bonfire Talk with the Sheik Wadi Rum - Guided hike Wadi Rum - 4WD jeep safari Petra - a leader-led tour of Petra Petra - 2-day entrance pass Kerak - Castle visit Mt Nebo - Site visit Dead Sea - Swimming opportunity Jerash - Roman ruins Madaba - St Georges Church
Not Included
All meals not listed in the program Beverages Gratuities
Meeting & Pickup
Your tour will begin in Amman, Jordan.
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 15 Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By PE
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