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Discover the ancient wonder and biblical history of Jordan.

Steeped in biblical history, laden with ancient wonders, thriving with culture and full of friendly people, Jordan is a destination that has to be seen to be believed. Embark on a comprehensive nine-day small-group adventure through the heart of Jordan, exploring the capital, Amman, the vast Wadi Rum, bustling Madaba and the extraordinary Dead Sea. Be dwarfed by the carved Treasury of Petra, learn of the city of mosaics at St Georges church, and eat as many falafels as you can handle. With its sole focus on Jordan, this is an inspiring Middle Eastern journey.

Start
Amman, Jordan
Finish
Madaba, Jordan
Destination
Jordan
Style
Comfort
Code
ELCB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Discover Amman on a walking tour with your local leader, visiting the Pillars of Hercules, the Roman Theatre and Odeon – be sure to stop at a souq for a snack!

  • Journey to the fertile highlands of north Jordan and visit a community-based project which supports women to become entrepreneurs. Enjoy the hospitality and stay for dinner with the locals.

  • Experience the biblical history in Jordan, viewing the promised land from Mount Nebo and visiting the supposed baptismal site of Jesus at Al-Maghtas.

  • Discover the ancient city of Petra with more than enough time to explore the highlights on a guided tour, and spending some time for self-discovery around the region.

  • Walk in the footsteps of the Bedouin in Wadi Rum – exploring the desert colours on a 4WD safari and appreciating the traditional hospitality on a small-group camping experience.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.

  • There is quite a bit of walking involved in visiting Jordan's historic sites, especially in Petra and Wadi Rum, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Most of the time there is no shade so remember to bring a hat, sun protection, and sturdy, comfortable walking shoes.

  • Winters can get quite cool, so if you're visiting at this time, don't forget to pack some warmer layers too.

  • In Wadi Rum we stay in a permanent tented camp with shared bathroom facilities. Please be aware that while the desert may be very hot during the day, it will still be cool at night and warm clothes and a sleeping bag is highly recommended when travelling outside of the summer months.

Map of Complete Jordan including Jordan

Itinerary
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Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Amman, a cosmopolitan and contemporary city steeped in biblical history. On arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you do happen to arrive early, you may want to consider checking out the Jordan Museum – home to the Dead Sea Scrolls or take a stroll along rainbow street with the locals for some of the best falafel in town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.

This morning after breakfast, head north out of the city to the ruins of Jerash – once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world. These are some of the best Greco-Roman ruins around. Take a couple of hours exploring the history of this grand old city before continuing to Ajloun – the fertile crescent of Jordan.

Visit the 12th-century Ajloun Castle, built by Saladin’s forces against the Crusaders and then visit the Nature Reserve and visitor centre – a striking building made in natural materials. Head to the Biscuit House, currently owned and managed by local community women under a newly adopted community engagement model, where the women are transformed from traditional employees to actual local community entrepreneurs. Enjoy a soft hike on the nature trail with an abundance of fruit trees as well as the more unusual pistachio, carob and strawberry trees in places, terracing on the hillsides, and of course olive trees everywhere.

This evening, enjoy dinner in a local village before later returning to Amman.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ajloun - Crusader Castle
  • Alloun - Ajloun Reserve Walk
  • Jerash - Guided Tour of Jerash city of Antiquity
  • Ajloun - Local Dinner
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today, take a walking tour of Amman to discover its ancient history and modern influences. You’ll begin at the hilltop citadel, then meander your way through the backstreets of the city, passing by the Roman Theatre and Odeon, and the Al Husseiny Mosque. Be sure to stop in at a souq (street market) to snack on some Saudi dates, or Iranian pistachios, then continue towards Al Malek Faisal St and to the centre of the city. After getting yourself some falafel and hummus for lunch, journey to Mount Nebo.

This elevated ridge some 710 metres above sea level is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land. On top of Mt Nebo, the very modest Moses memorial church stands and was built around 4th-century foundations in AD597. It houses some of the best (and best presented) mosaics in Jordan, dating from around AD530. Afterwards, travel to one of Amman’s satellite cities, Madaba, for the evening. If you’re feeling peckish, why not check out Haret Jdoudna for dinner? It’s been a traveller favourite for years.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mt Nebo - Mt Nebo visit
  • Amman -Guided Walking Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy a leader-led walking tour of Madaba after breakfast. Madaba is known as the city of mosaics, most notably the impressive mosaic map that adorns the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. It depicts the Holy Land, with Palestine and Lower Egypt, from around AD550. You’ll get the chance to see this artistic marvel on your tour, and afterwards, take an hour or so to explore the city on your own before jumping back on the bus and heading out to Al-Maghtas. Meaning ‘baptism’ or ‘immersion’ in Arabic, Al-Maghtas is a World Heritage-listed archaeological site on the east bank of the Jordan River, and is considered to be the location where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. Continue on to the salty waters of the Dead Sea. No visit to this region is complete without floating in this salty water – the unique sensation of floating so high in the water has to be felt to be believed! Return to Madaba for a relaxing evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Madaba - Bethany Baptism site (Al-Maghtas) -Entry Fee
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
  • Dead Sea - Dead Sea visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

It’s time to journey down the Desert Highway to the spellbinding Wadi Rum (approximately 4.5 hours) – a landscape of rugged sandstone mountains standing tall among an ochre desert floor. Meet your Bedouin hosts on arrival, then take a browse around the informative visitor's centre and some free time for lunch before heading into this desolate area. Transport into the rum (valley) is by way of rather rickety jeeps operated by the local Bedouin community, as part of an attempt by the Jordanian Government to bring much-needed income into this region – they are safe, trusted and, best of all, good fun! Journey to your camp and relax into the afternoon, possibly with a sunset hike in the rum. Spend the evening being well entertained (and fed) by your Bedouin hosts.
Accommodation
  • Desert camp (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Petra - Camel ride - JOD25
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

After an included breakfast, it’s back into the jeeps for a desert safari. You’ll visit several of Wadi Rum's distinctive rock formations and have an opportunity to soak up the vast desert landscapes and eerie silence of the valley. Continue to Wadi Musa (Petra) this afternoon, arriving late in the day. If time permits, you could ask your leader to head to ‘Little Petra’ for a sneak preview of what’s to come, or instead, just enjoy a local dinner in town – your leader has got friends in all the right places, so ask them where to go.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is a day that you won’t forget for a long time. The archaeological site of Petra is an ancient jewel of Jordan – a series of structures and formations cut out of desert rock. The Treasury is the iconic view of Petra and probably the most striking sight of the region. Walk your way through a siq (narrow rock clef) towards the Treasury to marvel at the spectacle, with walls soaring up to 180 metres on either side. With your guide, you will see the Treasury and also explore more of the site, including the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs. Then, it is all up to you! Maybe climb up to the Monastery – carved from a mountain summit and the site's second beautiful facade, where you will have a magnificent view of the entire site. This is a memorable day exploring a truly extraordinary destination and is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. There is a cafeteria on the site, where you can purchase a light lunch, if you’d like. In the evening, there is the option to explore Petra by night on a tour, giving you another viewing of the site away from most of the crowds. This runs on select days, so speak to your group leader, or enquire at the Visitor Centre if this interests you.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra - Guided tour of Petra
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning is free for you to decide your plans. Feel free to head back and admire Petra for one last time (it’ll continue to delight you), or alternatively, you can hang back around the village and relax in your hotel. After lunch, bid farewell to the valley and return to Madaba. In the evening, why not get a group of you together for another night of Jordanian feasting – you know you want to.
Included Activities
  • Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

6 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

4x4 Jeep, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Desert Camp (1 night)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Ajloun - Crusader Castle
  • Alloun - Ajloun Reserve Walk
  • Jerash - Guided Tour of Jerash city of Antiquity
  • Ajloun - Local Dinner
  • Mt Nebo - Mt Nebo visit
  • Amman -Guided Walking Tour
  • Madaba - Bethany Baptism site (Al-Maghtas) -Entry Fee
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
  • Dead Sea - Dead Sea visit
  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
  • Petra - Guided tour of Petra
  • Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Complete Jordan trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Wadi Rum Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

TRANSFERS
A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

ITINERARY
This trip finishes in Madaba which is very close to Amman International Airport, private departure transfers can be be pre booked from Intrepid, taxis can be arranged through your hotel and shared shuttle transfers are available, check with your Leader.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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