Planning a trip to Jordan is no mean feat. You think you’re going to see Petra and maybe the Dead Sea. You do some more research and realise that there is a lot more to this amazing country. Looking at distances between the attractions you wonder where to go and in what order. You haven’t even stared to think about doing a tour vs. a self drive option. It all starts getting overwhelming. I’m thrilled that the gorgeous people over at Petra Nights Tours have helped me to put together 3 super inspiring Jordan itineraries to help make the decisions a little easier. Even better, they’ve been kind enough to include an exclusive offer to all my readers: Mention Wanderlust and Wet Wipes when booking with Petra Nights Tours and get a $50 discount!
Planning your Jordan itineraries
Bear with me Wanderlusters, this is a long one. Packed with useful information and 3 detailed Jordan itineraries, I simply couldn’t figure out a way to make it shorter. So I’ve put in some helpful links along the way. They will let you jump around the post to read the bits that are most relevant to you.
- Background
- Before you go – planning your trip
- What to take
- Food
- Transport
- Suggested Jordan itineraries
Background
Table of Contents
Jordan
When you think about Jordan you probably immediately think about Petra. You might even think about floating in the Dead Sea. There is SO much more to Jordan than I ever realised until we started planning this trip.
History
Officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, this little country of just 6.5 million people and occupying an area of a little under 90,000 sq km is unique in so many ways. Just starting with its history – it has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period. It has seen the highs and lows of a number of empires including the Nabateans, the Romans and the Ottomans and was once a British Protectorate. A number of serious earthquakes in the region over the years have had the effect of changing the various fortunes of its cities and regions.
Now in modern times, Jordan often finds itself in the middle of a number of conflicts going on around it -both in neighbouring countries and across the region. It has striven to maintain neutrality in ever increasingly tense situations, has succeeded in maintaining a generally peaceful and safe territory, and is now home to millions of Palestinian and Syrian refugees.
Security
One of the first questions people asked us when they heard we were going to Jordan was if it was safe enough. Despite facing increased instability since the Arab Spring in 2011, security has been pretty tight since some high profile attacks in 2005. I know there were some attacks again in late 2016 but, to be honest, I think you could just as easily be caught up in attacks in London or Paris as in Jordan. We were relieved that we felt very safe during the time that we spent there.
Attractions
Jordan is a major tourist destination in the Middle East and, indeed, the world. Iconic photos of the Treasury and Monastry at Petra and of people floating in the Dead Sea are what attract tourists here. But ancient ruins, desert landscapes and the beautiful Red Sea are all additional delights that made us keep extending our itinerary as we planned it.
Before you go – planning your trip to Jordan
Do your research and talk to the rest of your group about what you want to do and see.
If you only have limited time and know that Petra and the Dead Sea are bucket list items for your companions then make sure those are factored in first. Consider the ages and abilities of the group as well as things like previous holidays. If everyone is exhausted and needing a break then it is probably better to factor in rest days. If you’re short on time and are travelling with people who are fit and active then you can probably afford to go at it a bit harder.
Personally, with small children I wouldn’t try to cram too much in. You need a lot of time on the road and we have had that backfire on us before. You know your own family, though, so do what you think will work best for you. With all that said, the 9 day itinerary is the exact route that we followed and I was super worried about it being too much before we went. At the airport home we all commented on how we felt that the timing was pretty much perfect, how we had never felt rushed and yet we were leaving having seen almost everything we had wanted to see.
TOP TIP – before you book anything, look into bying an app called The Entertainer. It offers 2 for 1 deals on hotels, restaurants and local services (like spas etc). It saved us ALOT of money!!!
Transport in Jordan
Your 2 main options are to self-drive or to have a driver. Agreeing that we wanted Mr Wanderlust to be able to relax a little but, we went for the driver option and did not regret it. I would not hesitate to recommend Petra Nights Tours to any of my readers. (Note: I’m not receiving any compensation from Petra Nights Tours, I just really liked them and I am thrilled that they were able to offer you guys a discount).
If you want to know more about self-driving in Jordan, I’d highly recommend checking out Our Globetrotters post on it. It has pretty much everything you ever needed to know!
Jordan packing list
It might sound obvious, but this is going to really depend on the time of year you go. Contrary to popular belief, the Middle East isn’t ridiculously hot all year round and can actually get quite chilly during the winter months. All the lists I read before we travelled included supplies for ridiculously hot weather but of course we were there in mid-winter and it was freezing! Well, not ACTUALLY freezing. But pretty cold for 4 soft expats who live in the desert.
So main common sense should really prevail for any season. I would take sturdy shoes regardless of the weather for walking around places like Petra and Jerash. You’ll need swimming costumes for the Dead Sea (old ones are recommended although ours were fine) and Aqaba and any resorts that you may stay in with a pool. Anywhere you go I would recommend making sure you have access to plenty of water, particularly if you have an active day.
Bring suncream, hats in the heat. Wear layers of warm clothes, hats, scarves and coats in the cold. We took snacks for the Things to keep them going – I never know when we will arrive somewhere and find they won’t eat the food. We also brought our own activities to avoid boredom. For more general advice on packing, please check out my Packing Tips post.
Jordanian food
Jordanian cuisine has its roots in many hundreds and thousands of years including the Nabateans and the Romans. It is part of Levantine cuisine (Lebanon, Palestine and Syrian cuisines) but also sees historical influences from the Ottoman Empire and the rest of the Middle Eastern region. Typical dishes include Jordanian mezze (bread with hummus, mutabael, kibbeh, tabouleh and baba ganoush to name a few) as well as grilled, roasted or sautéed meat, stuffed vegetables and rice or bulgar wheat.
Most places will serve kid-friendly dishes such as manakeesh (cheese filled bread) and shish taouk (grilled chicken on skewers). If you are staying in more western hotels such as the Four Seasons, the Movenpick or the Kempinski, you will probably find that chicken nuggets, burgers, pizza and pasta are on offer.
For more tips on travelling with picky eaters check out my tips and meal ideas.
3 Jordan Itineraries
So you’ve decided on modes of transport and you kind of know what there is to see in Jordan. How do you decide what to see and what order to see it in? What better resource, then, than a list of 3 inspiring Jordan itineraries to get you started!
5 day Jordan itinerary
Day 1 of 5 day Jordan itinerary
Amman Airport – Amman City – Jerash – Dead Sea Hotel
Upon Arrival at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport, you will either be met by your driver or head to get your rental car. It will take you around 45 minutes to get into Amman depending on traffic.
Driving around Amman, check out the key sights such as the Citadel where you will see remains from 3 different periods and have a panorama view over the capital and the Museum from the 2nd century. Stop for lunch on Rainbow Street before driving to Jerash (around 1 hour driving time).
In Jerash visit the Hippodrome, the Oval Plaza, Roman colonnaded street, the Nymphaeum, the Temple of Artemis, fountains and its city walls pierced by towers and gates. You’ll need an hour or two here and then its a 2 hour drive to the Dead Sea.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Amman.
Day 2 of 5 day Jordan itinerary
Dead Sea Hotel – Mt Nebo – Madaba – King’s Way – Kerak – Petra Hotel
At 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. The area is characterized by high annual temperatures, low humidity and high atmospheric pressure, the air is extremely oxygen rich. The Dead Sea has the highest content of minerals and salts in the world which have anti-inflammatory properties. The dark mud found on its shores have been used for over 2000 years for therapeutic purposes.
Float in the salty sea waters (10 times more saltier than ocean water!) and smother yourselves in the mineral rich mud. Head to the spa to enjoy some treatments featuring Dead Sea products and hang out by the pool in your hotel.
Optional activities in the afternoon include heading to Mt. Nebo, the place where Prophet Moses had gazed at the promised land before he died, and believed to be his burial place. You can visit the old monastery, overlook the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and part of the Holy Land. The mosaics here have been well preserved and presented here. Drive on to St George’s Church in Madaba where you can see a stunningly preserved mosaic map of Palestine.
Allow 3 hours to drive to Petra from the Dead Sea or Madaba.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around the Dead Sea.
Day 3 of 5 day Jordan itinerary
Petra Visit – Petra Hotel
Get up and out as early as you can to get the best, least crowded views of Petra.
There are a number of ways to get in to Petra – all via Bab Al Siq and Al Siq. If you have strong enough legs and old enough Things I would strongly recommend walking down the trail towards the Treasury. This offers the best first glimpses of the iconic Treasury. From the Treasury head on towards the Great Temple. This will take you past the likes of the Museum, the Royal Tombs, The Street of Facades, The Colonnaded Street and the Buildings, Garden and Pond Complex.
There’s a restaurant near here where you can stop for a drink or a meal depending on your timing. At this point we turned around and headed back to the Treasury and on to our hotel. It was Christmas Day and we decided it was better to quit while we were ahead.
If you are braver than us or just have bigger Things, definitely walk up to the Monastery and the Point of Highest Sacrifice. Hike around the hills of Petra and just marvel not only at the views but the fact that these people lived here SO LONG AGO and what they managed to achieve. It does really make you wonder if we have really made all that much progress at all since then.
If you are in Petra at the right time you can include a visit back to the Treasury to see it lit by candlelight for Petra By Night.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Petra.
Day 4 of 5 day Jordan itinerary
Wadi Rum Or Jerusalem Day Trip Or Extra Dead Sea Time Or Extended Petra Visit Or
Totally your call here. You could have spent longer in the Dead Sea if you wanted to or you could use this day to take a day trip to Jerusalem (I’ll be no help for that as we didn’t go but you can check out One Day Itinerary for more help). You can spend more time in Petra which many have told me is well worth it. Or you could go to Wadi Rum which is raved about by travellers of all shapes, sizes and ages.
This Wadi (meaning valley) is the largest in Jordan and is made of sandstone and granite rock. Wadi Rum is best known for its connection to British Officer T. E. Lawrence – “Lawrence of Arabia”. You can drive yourself or go for a tour with a Bedouin driver who will show you all the best bits including where to stop for a cup of Bedouin tea. If you want to ride a camel you can also do that here!
If you are going to stay anywhere, I have to recommend Sun City Camp with its Martian style domed tents and more traditional Bedouin ones. They even do a spectacular show for dinner digging up food that has been baking in the ground all afternoon. Depending on the time of year, camping may or may not be a good idea (December to March is cold).
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Wadi Rum.
Day 5 of 5 day Jordan itinerary
Return to Amman
All good things must come to an end and regardless of where you are, this is the time to head back to Amman to catch your flight home.
9 day Jordan itinerary
Day 1 of 9 day Jordan itinerary
Amman Airport – Amman Hotel – Amman City
Upon Arrival at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport, you will either be met by your driver or head to get your rental car. It will take you around 45 minutes to get into Amman depending on traffic.
Driving around Amman, check out the key sights such as the Citadel where you will see remains from 3 different periods and have a panoramic view over the capital and the Museum from the 2nd century. Stop for a bite to eat on Rainbow Street.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Amman.
Day 2 of 9 day Jordan itinerary
Amman Hotel – Amman City – Jerash – Aljoun – Dead Sea Hotel
Depending on how much you’ve had a chance to do on Day 1, you may want to finish sightseeing in Amman before driving to Jerash (around 1 hour driving time). Other attractions include visiting one of Amman’s many Souqs and Jabal Amman, Children’s Museum or the Royal Automobile Museum where some classic cars of the late King Hussein are exhibited.
In Jerash visit the Hippodrome, the Oval Plaza, Roman colonnaded street, the Nymphaeum, the Temple of Artemis, fountains and its city walls pierced by towers and gates.
You’ll need an hour or two in Jerash plus an hour or so in Aljoun before taking the 2 hour drive to the Dead Sea.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Amman.
Day 3 of 9 day Jordan itinerary
Dead Sea Leisure
At 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. The area is characterized by high annual temperatures, low humidity and high atmospheric pressure, the air is extremely oxygen rich. The Dead Sea has the highest content of minerals and salts in the world which have anti-inflammatory properties. The dark mud found on its shores have been used for over 2000 years for therapeutic purposes.
Float in the salty sea waters (10 times more saltier than ocean water!) and smother yourselves in the mineral rich mud. Head to the spa to enjoy some treatments featuring Dead Sea products and hang out by the pool in your hotel.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around the Dead Sea.
Day 4 of 9 day Jordan itinerary
Dead Sea Hotel – Mt Nebo – Madaba – King’s Way – Kerak – Petra Hotel
On your way to Petra, drive to Mt. Nebo, the place where Prophet Moses had gazed at the promised land before he died, and believed to be his burial place. You can visit the old monastery, overlook the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and part of the Holy Land. The mosaics here have been well preserved and presented here.
Drive on to St George’s Church in Madaba where you can see a stunningly preserved mosaic map of Palestine. You can stop for lunch in one of the many restaurants in Madaba before going on to Petra (allow 3 hours).
Day 5 of 9 day Jordan itinerary
Petra Visit – Petra Hotel
Get up and out as early as you can to get the best, least crowded views of Petra.
There are a number of ways to get in to Petra – all via Bab Al Siq and Al Siq. If you have strong enough legs and old enough Things I would strongly recommend walking down the trail towards the Treasury. This offers the best first glimpses of the iconic Treasury. From the Treasury head on towards the Great Temple. This will take you past the likes of the Museum, the Royal Tombs, The Street of Facades, The Colonnaded Street and the Buildings, Garden and Pond Complex.
There’s a restaurant near here where you can stop for a drink or a meal depending on your timing. At this point we turned around and headed back to the Treasury and on to our hotel. It was Christmas Day and we decided it was better to quit while we were ahead.
If you are braver than us or just have bigger Things, definitely walk up to the Monastery and the Point of Highest Sacrifice. Hike around the hills of Petra and just marvel not only at the views but the fact that these people lived here SO LONG AGO and what they managed to achieve. It does really make you wonder if we have really made all that much progress at all since then.
If you are in Petra at the right time you can include a visit back to the Treasury to see it lit by candlelight for Petra By Night.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Petra.
Day 6 of 9 day Jordan itinerary
Petra Hotel – Wadi Rum Tour – Camp
Travellers all shapes, sizes and ages rave about Wadi Rum.
This Wadi (meaning valley) is the largest in Jordan and is made of sandstone and granite rock. Wadi Rum is best known for its connection to British Officer T. E. Lawrence – “Lawrence of Arabia”. You can drive yourself or go for a tour with a Bedouin driver who will show you all the best bits including where to stop for a cup of Bedouin tea. If you want to ride a camel you can also do that here!
If you are going to stay anywhere, I have to recommend Sun City Camp with its Martian style domed tents and more traditional Bedouin ones. They even do a spectacular show for dinner digging up food that has been baking in the ground all afternoon. Depending on the time of year, camping may or may not be a good idea (December to March is cold).
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Wadi Rum.
Day 7 of 9 day Jordan itinerary
Wadi Rum Camp – Aqaba and the Red Sea
Leaving Wadi Rum, you head towards Aqaba which is only a 1 hour drive. If you aren’t completely fatigued by seeing castles and ruins, make a stop at Shobak Castle, a crusader castle ruin not far from the main road.
Day 8 of 9 day Jordan itinerary
Aqaba and the Red Sea
The city of Aqaba is on the tiny part of Jordan’s coastline on the Red Sea. Amazingly, not far down the road is the border with Saudi Arabia. From the beach you can see Eilat in Israel and Taba in Egypt. That’s 4 countries all joining in one place!
You may find that all you want to do is relax by the beach or hotel pool here. If you still want to see the sights, consider the following: a scuba diving or snorkelling trip or a submarine / boat trip with little Things. Otherwise things like Aqaba Archaeological Museum, Ayla (medieval ruins of a medieval Islamic city and port), Aqaba Fortress, Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque, Aqaba Marine Park, Aqaba Flagpole and a spot of duty free shopping might take your fancy.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Aqaba.
Alternaties to spending time in Aqaba include factoring in a day trip to Jerusalem from the Dead Sea or spending more time in Petra or Wadi Rum.
Day 9 of 9 day Jordan itinerary
Return to Amman
All good things must come to an end and, regardless of where you are, this is the time to head back to Amman to catch your flight home. You can drive from Aqaba to Amman or you can take a very short flight there from Aqaba airport.
14 day Jordan itinerary
Day 1 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Arrival Amman – Amman Hotel
Depending on your arrival time and tour arrangements, you can go straight to your hotel or start exploring! The journey into Amman will take around 45 minutes depending on traffic. If you do not have a transfer already arranged, taxis can be found outside the airport.
Day 2 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Amman City Tour – Amman Hotel
After breakfast start your day with a private city tour of Amman. At the Citadel you can see remains from 3 different periods and have a panorama view over the capital. In the traditional area of downtown take a look at the Roman Theater from the 2nd century before seeing one of Amman’s many Souqs and Jabal Amman. Heading to the modern parts of the city, you can visit the Children’s Museum or the Royal Automobile Museum where some classic cars of the late King Hussein are exhibited.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Amman.
Day 3 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Amman Hotel – Jerash – Ajloun Castle – Amman Hotel
In Jerash visit the Hippodrome, the Oval Plaza, Roman colonnaded street, the Nymphaeum, the Temple of Artemis, fountains and its city walls pierced by towers and gates. You’ll need an hour or two in Jerash plus another hour or two in Aljoun.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Amman.
Day 4 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Amman Hotel – Madaba – Mt. Nebo – Dead Sea Hotel
On your way to the Dead Sea, drive via St George’s Church in Madaba where you can see a stunningly preserved mosaic map of Palestine. Drive on to Mt. Nebo, the place where Prophet Moses was shown the promised land before he died, and believed to be his burial place. You can visit the old monastery, overlooking the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and part of the Holy Land. The mosaics here have been well preserved and presented here.
Drive on to the Dead Sea.
Day 5 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Dead Sea Leisure
At 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. The area is characterized by high annual temperatures, low humidity and high atmospheric pressure, the air is extremely oxygen rich. The Dead Sea has the highest content of minerals and salts in the world which have anti-inflammatory properties. The dark mud found on its shores have been used for over 2000 years for therapeutic purposes.
Float in the salty sea waters (10 times more saltier than ocean water!) and smother yourselves in the mineral rich mud. Head to the spa to enjoy some treatments featuring Dead Sea products and hang out by the pool in your hotel.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around the Dead Sea.
Day 6 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Dead Sea Hotel Free Morning – Kerak Castle – Dana Reserve
Time for some last minute floating or a spa treatment (no lie-ins for parents!!!) before driving towards Kerak. Kerak is a famous crusader castle built in 1132/34 by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. After visiting Kerak, continue on towards Dana Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest nature conservation parks in the Region.
Day 7 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Dana 3 hours walk – Petra Hotel
In the morning, talk a walk around Dana Biosphere Reserve with a guide. This should take around 3 hours in Dana before you drive on to Petra (about 1 hour driving time).
Days 8 and 9 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Petra Visit
Get up and out as early as you can to get the best, least crowded views of Petra.
There are a number of ways to get in to Petra – all via Bab Al Siq and Al Siq. If you have strong enough legs and old enough Things I would strongly recommend walking down the trail towards the Treasury. This offers the best first glimpses of the iconic Treasury.
From the Treasury head on towards the Great Temple. This will take you past the likes of the Museum, the Royal Tombs, The Street of Facades, The Colonnaded Street and the Buildings, Garden and Pond Complex.
There’s a restaurant near here where you can stop for a drink or a meal depending on your timing. At this point we turned around and headed back to the Treasury and on to our hotel. It was Christmas Day and we decided it was better to quit while we were ahead.
If you are braver than us or just have bigger Things, definitely walk up to the Monastery and the Point of Highest Sacrifice. Hike around the hills of Petra and just marvel not only at the views but the fact that these people lived here SO LONG AGO and what they managed to achieve. It does really make you wonder if we have really made all that much progress at all since then.
If you are in Petra at the right time you can include a visit back to the Treasury to see it lit by candlelight for Petra By Night.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Petra.
Day 10 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Petra Hotel – Wadi Rum Tour – Camp
Travellers all shapes, sizes and ages rave about Wadi Rum.
This Wadi (meaning valley) is the largest in Jordan and is made of sandstone and granite rock. Wadi Rum is best known for its connection to British Officer T. E. Lawrence – “Lawrence of Arabia”. You can drive yourself or go for a tour with a Bedouin driver who will show you all the best bits including where to stop for a cup of Bedouin tea. If you want to ride a camel you can also do that here!
If you are going to stay anywhere, I have to recommend Sun City Camp with its Martian style domed tents and more traditional Bedouin ones. They even do a spectacular show for dinner digging up food that has been baking in the ground all afternoon. Depending on the time of year, camping may or may not be a good idea (December to March is cold).
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Wadi Rum.
Day 11 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Wadi Rum Camp – Aqaba and the Red Sea
Leaving Wadi Rum, you head towards Aqaba which is only a 1 hour drive. If you aren’t completely fatigued by seeing castles and ruins, make a stop at Shobak Castle, a crusader castle ruin not far from the main road.
Days 12 and 13 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Aqaba and the Red Sea
The city of Aqaba is on the tiny part of Jordan’s coastline on the Red Sea. Amazingly, not far down the road is the border with Saudi Arabia. From the beach you can see Eilat in Israel and Taba in Egypt. That’s 4 countries all joining in one place!
You may find that all you want to do is relax by the beach or hotel pool here. If you still want to see the sights, consider a scuba diving or snorkelling trip or a submarine / boat trip with little Things.
Otherwise things like Aqaba Archaeological Museum, Ayla (medieval ruins of a medieval Islamic city and port), Aqaba Fortress, Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque, Aqaba Marine Park, Aqaba Flagpole and a spot of duty free shopping might take your fancy.
Read on for a more detailed description of things to do and see in and around Aqaba.
Alternaties to spending time in Aqaba include factoring in a day trip to Jerusalem from the Dead Sea or spending more time in Petra or Wadi Rum.
Day 14 of 14 day Jordan itinerary
Return to Amman
All good things must come to an end and, regardless of where you are, this is the time to head back to Amman to catch your flight home. You can drive from Aqaba to Amman or you can take a very short flight there from Aqaba airport.
What have I missed?
So there you have it. A pretty intense post as I am sure you will agree but I really hope you like it!
Have you been to Jordan? Where did you go and what did you see? What were your favourite bits. Anything I should add here?
I’m always so happy to chat about itineraries and recommendations so if you want to get in touch please do!
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Wow! Jordan looks amazing! It’s not somewhere I’ve ever thought about visiting before, but I’ll definitely think about it in future.
Author
Honestly… it really wasn’t on my list either but we absolutely loved it.
Such good info Emma! This place is definitely in our bucket list.
Author
So glad! I think you and the family would really enjoy it!