Jordan tours & holidays
An old setting for new adventures
From the rock-carved ancient city of Petra to the salty shores of the Dead Sea, Jordan is a land with natural and man-made wonders aplenty. Sleep under desert stars, swap stories with a nomadic Bedouin community, seek out tasty dishes in cosmopolitan Ammam and feel the history and holiness of Jordan’s sacred sites, all while you’re treated to Jordan’s famed hospitality.
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One Week in Jordan
Get inspired on The Good Times
Jordan at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Amman (population 2.2 million)
POPULATION
11.4 million
CURRENCY
JOD
LANGUAGE
Arabic
TIME ZONE
(GMT+02:00) Amman
CALLING CODE
+962
ELECTRICITY
Type B (American 3-pin) Type C (European 2-pin) Type D (Old British 3-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth) Type G (Irish/British 3-pin) Type J (Swiss 3-pin)
Learn more about Jordan
Best time to visit
The weather in Jordan can get quite extreme. Overall, it tends to be hot during the day and cold at night (in desert areas, expect it to be extremely hot during the day and freezing at night). Yet, during winter, it can get bitterly cold, with snowfall occurring in some parts of the country.
Travelling during the summer months (June, July and August) can be challenging for those not accustomed to the heat, so visiting Jordan during spring and autumn is recommended for those who wish to escape the hotter temperatures.
History and culture
Over the centuries, Jordan has been a place conquered and inhabited by many different people including the Romans, Greeks, Assyrians, Ottoman Turks, Egyptians and Mamluks (people of Kurdish origins). All these influences can still be seen today in Jordan's ancient ruins, architecture, crafts and arts. The desert-dwelling Bedouins have a distinct culture of their own, drawing on traditions that have been passed down for centuries.
Modern-day Jordan is a Muslim country with a culture that veers quite conservative, although not as conservative as some other Middle Eastern countries. Western influences (particularly in Amman and other large cities) have infiltrated Jordanian society, so Jordan now possesses a mix of Arabian customs amid modern ways of life.
Despite the outside influences, Islamic traditions are strong in Jordan with spectacular mosques signalling the call to prayer five times a day, Ramadan being observed each year and some segregation of the sexes occurring.
During the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is observed by most in Jordan and is thought to be a time of spiritual rejuvenation. For this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset - refraining from eating and drinking during daylight hours. Eid marks the end of fasting with three days of feasting and celebration.
Geography and environment
Jordan is made up of a staggeringly diverse range of natural environments. From stark deserts to towering mountains, fertile wetlands, coastal reefs and urban cities, journeying through Jordan provides changing scenery and varying conditions.
Sharing borders with Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Jordan mixes modern architecture with heritage-filled buildings, well-manicured streets with historic alleyways and impressive mansions with simple homes.
Modern, developed cities like Amman and Aqaba feature unique architecture, spectacular mosques, five-star hotels and resorts. Small villages with rustic housing populate the less-built-up rural areas and Bedouin tents made of goat hair can be found in desert areas.
Eating and drinking
Featuring typical Middle Eastern ingredients like lamb, chickpeas, garlic and a range of aromatic herbs and spices, Jordanian cuisine is delicious. Tea, juice and coffee are also a big part of hospitality and daily diets
Things to try in Jordan
1. Meze
Like many other Middle Eastern countries, a plate of shared breads and dips is a great way to begin a feast.
2. Mansaf
This traditional Bedouin dish of lamb and yoghurt is usually served with rice and bread. This is the national dish of Jordan, so definitely try it before you leave.
3. Baklava
These small, sweet pastries made with honey and nuts will have you going back for more.
4. Coffee
The coffee in Jordan is strong. Often spiced with a hint of cardamom, coffee is strongly linked to the famed Jordanian hospitality, so drink up – it would be rude not to!
Top 10 ways to experience Jordan
1. Locate a lost city
Spend a day exploring the astonishing lost city of Petra. Discover temples, tombs, a monastery and an amphitheatre in this fascinating, world-renowned archaeological site.
2. Take a dip
Dive into the Dead Sea and relax in the famous waters thought to have therapeutical properties. The high salinity makes floating effortless, so it’s easy to lie back and enjoy the view. This experience is a must-do for any visitor to Jordan.
3. Kick back in a cafe
The cafes of Amman are the perfect place to get acquainted with modern Jordan. From elegant, urban cafes serving international fare to earthy, family-run cafes offering traditional food and coffee, see both sides of modern Jordan when you eat.
4. Delve into the desert
Travel across hot desert sands and spend the night camping under the stars with Bedouin hosts. Stargazing, eating traditional food and learning about the Bedouin way of life is an authentic experience to remember.
5. Admire ancient art
The city of Madaba is known for its amazing collection of ancient mosaics. Take a stroll around the city to scout out these handcrafted pieces of the past that are scattered throughout Madaba’s churches, museums and homes.
6. View an icon
Behold the sight of the legendary Mt Nebo. A revered holy site, Mt Nebo is home to the ruins of a church and monastery and is an interesting place for believers and non-believers alike.
7. Meet Mother Nature
A hike through the changing landscapes of the Dana Nature Reserve offers wildlife encounters, quaint villages and majestic mountain views. Get back to nature and see Jordan’s natural treasures here.
8. Relax in a resort
See a different side of Jordan in the laidback resort town of Aqaba. Chill out on the beach, feast on fresh seafood, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the change of pace in this piece of coastal bliss.
9. Uncover a bit of history
Explore the fortified town and castle of Karak to gain insight into the fascinating history of this region. Walk through a network of tunnels and walkways and imagine what life was like centuries ago.
10. Discover Roman ruins
Travel to Jerash to see some of the biggest and most preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. Baths, theatres, temples and forums feature within the colonnaded streets and still-standing city walls.
Top places to visit in Jordan
1. Jerash
If you think you’ve been to Rome and seen some impressive ruins, you’ll be amazed by the sights at the ancient city of Jerash. One of the biggest and most well-preserved ancient Roman cities in the world, it has a striking collection of archways and theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets.
2. Aqaba
This seaside town is the perfect place to kick back and relax, either by the hotel pool or at the beach. Located on the tip of the Red Sea, there are untouched coral reefs not far from the shore, ready to be explored.
3. Wadi Rum
When you first enter Wadi Rum, you may feel as though you’ve been transported to Mars. The red desert landscape is peppered with towering rock formations as far as the eye can see. Don’t miss an opportunity to mingle with the nomadic Bedouin people and perhaps even spend the night in one of their Desert Camps.
4. Petra
The ancient city of Petra was crowned one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, and once you visit, it’s not hard to see why. Packed with history and culture, a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage site is a must.
Money matters
The official currency of Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD).
Major credit cards are widely accepted by stores in Jordan. Smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, so ensure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases.
ATMs are common in Jordan’s main cities, so finding one won't be a problem. Rural and remote areas typically have fewer ATMs, so be sure to carry enough cash for purchases when away from the city.
Jordan travel FAQs
Most travellers need a visa for travel to Jordan. Travellers from certain countries can obtain a visa on arrival into the country, while others must pre-organise a visa. There can be different entry requirements depending on your entry into Jordan, e.g. by land border crossing or at an airport, so ensure you check prior to your journey.
To enter Jordan you may need:
- An undamaged passport valid for at least six months from the date you exit Jordan
- One blank passport page for an entry stamp
- A visa
- A return or onward ticket from Jordan
- Proof of funds to financially support yourself while travelling in Jordan
- Documentation supporting the purpose of your stay, like accommodation or tour booking.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Tipping is up to the individual in Jordan. Hotels and up-market restaurants typically add a surcharge that is included in bills, which is usually 10%. Rounding up bills and leaving spare change is a good idea when dining in smaller restaurants and when using taxis.
Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country and conservative clothing is the norm for all genders. You don't need to cover yourself from head to toe, but you should wear clothing that covers your chest, shoulders and legs from the knee up. Honouring the local dress code shows respect for the local culture and customs.
Drinking water from taps in Jordan can be safe, depending on where you are. It's considered safe to drink water from modern hotels that have filtered water but perhaps not so from smaller establishments and in rural areas. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water. Peel fruit before eating and avoid ice in drinks.
Internet access is growing rapidly in Jordan. The Internet can usually be accessed from hotels and Internet cafes in major cities. Expect little to no access in small towns, villages and other rural areas.
Mobile phone coverage is good in Jordan’s major cities and built-up areas like Amman and Aqaba. Expect limited to no phone coverage in more isolated areas like the desert. Ensure you have global roaming activated on your phone before leaving home.
Western-style toilets are common in modern hotels, malls and at popular tourist areas. Squat toilets are the standard throughout the rest of the country. Sometimes, you may need to pay and bring your own toilet paper when visiting public restrooms.
As a Muslim country, Jordan’s culture is quite conservative, although not as conservative as some other Middle Eastern countries. Homosexuality has been decriminalised in Jordan since 1951. However, it is recommended that travellers display discretion, especially when visiting areas outside the major cities and tourist areas.
If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group trip, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to Jordan directly support our foundation partners, Ezwitti. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Ezwitti
Ezwitti are on a mission to address food insecurity in Jordan, and turn food assistance into a dignified, community-driven experience. Donations help them to collaborate with local businesses on a system that provides meals to those in need.
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.
Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.