This trip generates 32.94 kg of CO2-e per person per day. Learn more about our climate commitment.
TRAVEL ALERT Middle East Conflict
Jordan Short Break: Amman, Petra & Wadi Rum
Walk the ancient streets of Petra
Visit Petra, the rose-hued fortress carved into the rock by the Nabataean people, on this Short Break adventure. Once the capital of a trading empire that dominated the deserts of modern Jordan, Petra showcases the achievements of this ancient Arab society. Explore the rock-cut architecture, float in the Dead Sea and find treasures in Amman’s colourful souqs. Venture into the iconic red sands of Wadi Rum by 4WD and spend the night at a desert camp. This short trip is the ideal way to start off or round up a voyage to the Middle East.
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Start: Amman, Jordan
End: Amman, Jordan
- Duration
- 3 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Minimum age
- 12 years old
- Style
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Short breaks
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
From
USD $655
Why you'll love this trip
- Spend a day walking around Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, with your local guide – you’ll be blown away by the iconic Treasury facade.
- Take in the cinematic sights and landscapes of Wadi Rum on your 4WD ride to your desert camp, then settle in among sand dunes and rock bridges in this lunar-like landscape.
- Float effortlessly in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth.
- Explore Amman’s old and new layers, from the artsy neighbourhood of Duwwar Al-Hawooz and the mural-lined Daraj Al Kalha staircase to Habiba’s Alley, where you might grab a knafeh (one of Amman’s famous local desserts).
- Practice your bargaining skills at Amman’s bustling souqs, perhaps picking up Dead Sea mineral-rich mud masks, handpainted ceramics and traditional Middle Eastern spices.
Itinerary
Ahlan o Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. Your adventure starts at 8.30 am this morning with a welcome meeting. Then, head straight to the Dead Sea – this is the lowest point on Earth (420 m/1378 ft below sea level) and the water is seven times saltier than the ocean. This means you’re extremely buoyant when swimming and will float on the water rather than in it. The mud here is said to have healing properties, and many visitors like to cover themselves from head to toe! After, stop at a private beach with a gentle slope to less salty water – you’ll want to have your swimwear with you today! After lunch, drive to the mountains of Petra, where you’ll spend the night.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals
- Lunch
Included activities
- Mt Nebo - Site visit
- Dead Sea - visit and swim
Special information
Your adventure begins bright and early with a welcome meeting at 8.30 am at the joining point hotel. To ensure you don’t miss this important start, we highly recommend arriving in Amman City the day or evening before.
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
The optional activity Petra by Night runs every Sunday to Thursday, beginning at 8.30 pm from the Petra Visitor Centre and finishing back at the Visitor Centre around 10.30 pm. Please ensure you check your departure date if you are planning to book this activity as it is not available on all departures.
Today, you’ll explore Petra – a site that remained unknown to the Western world until 1812 when it was discovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. According to Arab tradition, Petra is where Moses struck a rock with his staff and water came forth. Learn all about this Wonder of the World from your local guide as you wander the ancient city. Walk through the narrow Siq to the iconic Treasury and admire this iconic view, continue along the Roman road, passing several impressive tombs and the city’s amphitheatre. If you’re feeling energetic, you can climb the 800 steps to the Monastery. After, you’ll depart Petra and travel by 4WD into the rugged, Mars-like landscape of Wadi Rum. You’ll pass through unique desert scenery, including natural rock bridges, towering sand dunes and scattered rocky peaks. There are traces of ancient civilisations in the many carved inscriptions throughout the area, from pictographs to Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic texts. As the sun sets, arrive at your desert camp for the night.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
Included activities
- Petra - Guided tour
Optional activities
- Petra - Petra By Night - JOD30
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
When entering the ancient city of Petra, a complimentary horse ride is included in the ticket price from the entrance point to the Siq. Intrepid recommends passengers do not take this option due to the safety and insurance liability involved.
Wake up early for a spectacular sunrise in this otherworldly setting – as the light comes up, the cliffs shift colour and the desert awakens slowly. You’ll depart camp today, making your way to the main entrance of Wadi Rum. It sits opposite the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – the mountain named after Lawrence of Arabia’s book. The visitors centre here is a great spot to buy some jewellery and handicrafts, mostly made by a women’s co-operative aimed at supporting local industries. Continue your journey to Amman, the White City. When you arrive, grab some lunch at Ezwitti, one of The Intrepid Foundation partners. By dining here, you are helping pay it forward and providing food and opportunity to local community members. Then, join your leader for a city tour to Duwwar Al-Hawooz (also known as Paris Square), The Duke’s Diwan (formerly the Haifa Hotel and Amman’s first post office), and the Al Hussaini Mosque. You’ll also have the chance to practice your bargaining skills at the White City’s bustling souqs. Tonight, you’ll be dropped off in downtown Amman, where your trip comes to an end.
Meals
- Breakfast
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Please do not book flights earlier than 7 pm today.
If you wish to spend more time in Amman, just speak to your booking agent.
Inclusions and activities
Included activities
- Mt Nebo - Site visit
- Dead Sea - visit and swim
- Petra - Guided tour
Optional activities
- Petra - Petra By Night - JOD30
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Before you book you should know
- This trip starts early on Day 1. Please review the Itinerary before booking other travel arrangements like flights. This trip is designed to make the most out of just a few days, which means there isn’t a lot of free time. If you would like to extend your trip, just speak to your booking agent.
1. This trip starts at 8:30 am on Day 1 in Amman and finishes at approximately 5.00 pm back in Amman on Day 3. You will be picked up on Day 1 from the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information.
2. A single supplement is available if you'd prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Visa information is provided by Sherpa, a third-party. The "Add connection" feature shows transit visa requirements only and does not include full entry visa needs. Please note, additional service fees apply if you choose to purchase a visa through Sherpa.
Travel and visa requirements
Hotel (2 nights)
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
ACCOMMODATION STYLE
Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, three and four-star accommodation in the Middle East (with the exception of Israel) is often not equal to same-star facilities in some western destinations. Rooms are clean and comfortable, however, you may note some small maintenance issues that have been overlooked, please assist us by bringing these to the attention of your group leader or local representative so that we can follow up with our hosts. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. Breakfast is included in 95% or our hotels, pleaser refer to our daily itinerary for meal inclusions.
TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multisingle-share basis.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. Standard check-in time is 1400 hours.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
SHOWERS
Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water.
HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING
As a desert region, this part of the world has extremes of weather. Winter months (approx December to March) can be very cold. All of our hotel accommodation contains suitable bedding, and simple light bedding is provided during camping activities such as an overnight felucca, desert camps or at the Red Sea Beach camp stay. Most of our travellers find the bedding provided here adequate, but for your own comfort and if you are particularly sensitive to the cold, consider bringing your own sleeping bag, thermals, scarf, gloves and a warm jacket. Some of our guesthouses/hotels don't supply heating. In many cases, this would be a major financial and environmental strain on our hotels and the local towns. Summer (approx June to August) can be very hot everywhere we travel, which means that it can be quite uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Not all our hotels have air-conditioning, and in those that do, it's not always functioning.
ROOM ISSUES
If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your group leader or local representative right away so that the problem can be addressed without delay.
Liwan Hotel
Mohammed Street, Prs. Taghrid St. Amman
Amman
11181
JORDAN
Instructions
Amman’s international airport (AMM) is approximately a one-hour drive from your hotel, depending on traffic. A taxi will cost approximately USD 40.
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.
If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, you’ll be met before you reach immigration by a representative holding an Intrepid sign. This representative will assist you in obtaining a visa on arrival if required, before guiding you through immigration, luggage collection and to a waiting vehicle.
In case you don’t meet the Intrepid representative by the time you’ve cleared customs, please call our local team on +962 79700 4051 or text this number via WhatsApp. (This occasionally happens when many flights arrive at the same time. This number doesn’t accept calls via WhatsApp.)
Dates and prices
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Our prices drop or increase based on demand, seasonality, availability and market conditions.
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