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Treasure the ancient sites of Jordan in style

Get ready to be wowed by the sweeping desert of Wadi Rum, the hidden, hand-hewn facades of Petra and the ancient Roman ruins at Jerash on an 8-day journey through Jordan. Watch the sunset from your Bedouin camp, snorkel in the coral-clad Red Sea in Aqaba, float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, traverse the narrow gorge of Siq in Petra and marvel at the unforgettable revelation of The Treasury. Venture through remarkable landscapes without forgoing familiar home-comforts on this upgraded journey through the jewel in the Middle Eastern crown.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Amman, Jordan
Finish
Amman, Jordan
Destination
Jordan
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
ELKD
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • You’ll never forget your first glimpse of The Treasury in Petra. Spend a day taking in the majesty and mystery of this unforgettable place on a guided tour then enjoy free time to explore.

  • Experience the unique sensation of floating in the super-salty waters of the Dead Sea, then cover yourself in the mineral-rich mud for a spa treatment like no other.

  • Be welcomed into a local home in Petra where you’ll chat to your friendly family hosts over a traditional meal and learn what life is like in this popular spot.

  • Meet Bedouin locals, learn about their ways, and sleep under the stars in a desert camp in the far-out destination of Wadi Rum.

  • Relax in the seaside town of Aqaba on the shores of the Red Sea relax around its untouched reefs and transparent waters – a spectacular spot for snorkelling.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Some of the best scenery in Petra and Wadi Rum is found on hikes. While this trip doesn't require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to participate in all activities.

  • At most of the historical sites in Jordan there is no shade. 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. While the desert may be very hot during the day, it will still be cold at night and warm clothes are highly recommended when travelling outside of the summer months.

  • Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You'll find dates and further information in the 'Climate and seasonal information' section of the Essential Trip Information.

Your local leader will help you explore the ancient city of Petra
Get an inside guide to the city of Amman, Jordan
Having fun with the group in Wadi Rum, Jordan
Explore the markets of Amman, with your local leader, in Jordan
Spend a night in a traditional Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum, Jordan
Take a swim in the Dead Sea while in Jordan with Intrepid Travel
Take in the view at Wadi Rum, Jordan
Have fun with the locals in a Bedouin camp in Jordan
Take a drive through the desert in Wadi Rum, Jordan
The stunning city of Petra at night, Jordan
The food in Jordan is delicious and plentiful
Beautiful religious architecture in Amman, Jordan

Itinerary
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Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Amman, a cosmopolitan city steeped in biblical history. On arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel, ready for your adventure to begin at 6pm with an important welcome meeting. If you arrive early, feel free to head out and explore – highlights include the citadel with its amazing sweeping views of Amman, the Jordan Museum, which is home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, or the Roman Theatre, right in the middle of downtown Amman. After the meeting, you may like to get to know your group over an optional dinner, or explore on your own and pick up a coffee from one of the cafes, partnering it with an ara’yes – a toasted sandwich filled with spicy mincemeat.
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.

After breakfast today, journey down the Desert Highway to the spellbinding Wadi Rum, a landscape of rugged sandstone mountains standing tall among an ochre desert floor. Meet your Bedouin hosts on arrival followed by free time for lunch, before heading into this desolate, romantic area. Transport into the Rum is by way of jeeps operated by the local Bedouin community, part of an initiative by the Jordanian Government to bring much-needed income into this region. Visit several of Wadi Rum's distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence and spectacular desert landscapes. The Bedouins live in scattered camps throughout the area and you'll enjoy an evening under the stars at one of these sites.
Accommodation
  • Desert camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Enjoy a spectacular sunrise at your desert camp, perhaps checking out a few more of the local Wadi Rum sites or taking a scenic walk before you leave. Depart Wadi Rum mid-morning for the city of Aqaba on the Red Sea. Check into your hotel on arrival and head out for a brief orientation of the town with your leader – the small Ottoman Mamluk Fort, dating from the 14th century and from where Lawrence of Arabia rode to Cairo, is worth a look – otherwise, most of the fun is to be found in the water. With great visibility and abundant marine life, this is an incredible spot for snorkelling, and the warm waters play host to clownfish, angelfish, sea turtles and coral formations. Speak to your leader if you’d like to arrange snorkelling, or you may prefer to acquaint yourself with the hotel's pool or head to the beach.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 1 hour.

This morning, enjoy some relaxation time in Aqaba before travelling to the fabled city of Petra. Dating back to the sixth century BC, Petra is considered the crown jewel of Jordan, featuring an impressive series of tombs and dwellings carved directly into the rock. The site remained unknown to the wider world until 1812 when it was visited by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, and simply put, is one of the world’s most incredible ancient sites. On arrival, settle into your hotel and check out the village before enjoying an included dinner at your hotel.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 3 hours.

Petra is justifiably on most people’s list of ‘must-visit’ places. The iconic Petra view – the Treasury's glorious facade, glimpsed from the narrow cleft known as the Siq – is arguably the single most striking sight of the entire region. The Siq leads through the rock and is sometimes only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 metres on either side. Join your guide and explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs, before enjoying free time to experience Petra at your own pace. Maybe climb up to the Monastery, carved from a mountain summit, where you’ll find magnificent views of the entire site. To cap off a truly memorable day, be welcomed into a local home for dinner. On the menu will often be maqluba – a casserole with rice, vegetables and chicken which is cooked, flipped, then served with either yoghurt or an Arab salad with tahina sauce. Chat to your friendly family hosts about the delicious meal and what life is like in such a popular spot.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra - Guided tour
  • Petra - Home-cooked meal
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

After breakfast, drive to the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak, where your leader will show you the grounds, a small chapel and the original gatehouse. This ancient castle was originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Saladin in 1189. Depart the castle and stop off at the viewpoint overlooking the Dana Nature Reserve before arriving in Madaba where you’ll visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George and see an impressive ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. Arrive in Amman in the late afternoon, where your leader will recommend some great restaurants to sample the best of the city’s food scene.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Shobak - Shobak Castle
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 3 hours.

Take a short drive north to Jerash, once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world and now home to some of the best Greco-Roman ruins around. Jerash has a striking collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend a morning exploring. Then, drive to the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth (420 metres below sea level). This isn’t actually a sea, but rather a super-salty lake (dead because of the lack of life in it) where the density of the water means you’ll go for a float, not a swim. The mud here is supposed to have healing properties, so why not cover yourself from head to toe for a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath. Spend some time relaxing here before returning to Amman for the evening. Maybe spend tonight at one of the many bars and restaurants in West Amman or ask your leader about the traditional cafes dotted around the city where locals spend their evenings.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dead Sea - visit and swim
  • Jerash - Roman ruins
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around noon and you are free to leave at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Transport

4x4 Jeep, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Desert Camp (1 night)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
  • Petra - Guided tour
  • Petra - Home-cooked meal
  • Shobak - Shobak Castle
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
  • Dead Sea - visit and swim
  • Jerash - Roman ruins

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

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

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. 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.
3. Petra By Night is offered as an optional activity. This activity is currently scheduled to operate on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please check your departure date if you would like to do this activity as it is not available on all departures.

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.

View Essential Trip Information

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