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Share in the culture of Jordanian women on a tailor-made women's adventure

Join an eight-day Women’s Expedition in Jordan as we break the barriers of traditional tourism and discover sisterhood in this inspiring desert nation. Spend a night in Wadi Rum, learn the art of henna with Bedouin women and discover how it has been used for centuries. Relax at a female-only beach, float in the Dead Sea and visit stunning Petra. Learn about traditional marriage from a professional matchmaker, pick up local cooking tips from unsung experts, enjoy afternoon teas and chit-chat with local women. On this female-only adventure, travellers are granted access to a side of life seldom seen by tourists while developing a deeper understanding of Middle Eastern women – with full respect for their traditional cultural values.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Amman, Jordan
Finish
Amman, Jordan
Destination
Jordan
Style
Original
Theme
Women's Expedition
Code
EESF
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Uncover a lesser-seen side of Jordan as you travel with an all-women group guided by a female tour leader and eat, sip tea and chat with local women along the way.

  • Take a cooking class at Beit Sitti, an inviting cooking school run by three sisters who carry on their grandmother’s legacy and dedication to tradition. Hear their stories and help prepare a delicious meal.

  • Float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea, then visit a local beach resort that’s only open to women on Saturdays. Hang out by the pool and say hello to the local ladies.

  • Experience the majesty and mystery of ancient Petra during a guided tour. The first glimpse of the Treasury from the narrow path of the Siq is simply unforgettable.

  • Drive through the remarkable desert landscapes of Wadi Rum, then take a look behind closed doors as local Bedouin women join you to share their knowledge of henna application – a truly special experience.

  • Pop in for a cup of tea at the home of a renowned Jordanian matchmaker where you’ll learn about local marriage customs and how she pairs couples together.

Is this trip right for you?

  • 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. There is often no shade so bring a hat, sun protection and sturdy, comfortable walking shoes.

  • The desert camp in Wadi Rum is basic but incredibly memorable. There are tents and shared Western bathroom facilities. While the desert may be very hot during the day, it will be cool at night and warm clothes and a sleeping bag are highly recommended when travelling outside of the summer months.

Intrepid Travel jordan petra treasury monument facade
Food Jordan
Intrepid Travel jordan wadi rum jebel qatar mountain morning
Wadi Rum
Woman Amman
Two women posing in front of lookout point in Amman, Jordan
Wadi Rum
Petra

Itinerary
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Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Amman, a city that's cosmopolitan and contemporary yet steeped in biblical history. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm, followed by dinner at a cooking school, Beit Sitti, which is run by three sisters who continue their grandmother’s legacy. Learn their stories as you cook and enjoy an authentic meal under the sisters' supervision. On the menu is maqluba, a dish that literally translates to ‘upside down’. It's a hearty casserole with rice, vegetables and chicken that's cooked, flipped and served with either yoghurt or an Arab salad with tahini.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Amman - Beit Sitti cooking class and dinner
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where the welcome meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.

Take a walking tour of Amman, starting with the citadel, Roman Odeon, and the Roman Theatre. Then head over to Rainbow Street, the heart of Amman’s arts and shopping scene and home of the city’s best falafel. A stroll along this lively street takes you past cafes, arts venues and galleries. Check out the Rainbow Theatre, admire 1920s villas and take in Mango Street, Malouf Street, and the Souk Jara market. Sit, relax and grab some lunch afterwards. In the early afternoon, leave Amman for a short drive north (approximately 1 hour) to Jerash, a city famed for its Greco-Roman ruins. Reaching its zenith as a favourite of the emperor Hadrian, it has a striking collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets to explore. Return to Amman in the late afternoon and head to the home of a local matchmaker for a cup of tea while learning about the tradition of arranged marriage in Jordan and how she helps couples get together.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Amman - City Tour
  • Amman - Tasting Tour
  • Amman - Meet with a Jordanian matchmaker
  • Jerash - Roman ruins
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Rise early and drive to the rugged sandstone mountains of Wadi Rum (approximately 4 hours). Perhaps pick up some lunch in the small village of Rum, then it's off to see some of the world’s most stunning desert scenery. Great gouts of rock around Wadi Rum have been eroded by wind and ancient water into fantastical gnarled shapes. Aboard jeeps operated by the local Bedouin community, ride through swathes of desert, perhaps wondering how this place could be livable – until you see a Bedouin camp, a group of dark tents low-pitched to the ground. In traditional Bedouin culture, a huge onus is placed on taking in and feeding any visitor, so a very warm welcome is assured. Later in the evening when your drivers depart camp, you'll be joined by local Bedouin women. This is an honour, as these ladies of the desert are usually very reluctant to mix with visitors. Note that it will be necessary for one man to be present in the camp, as per local culture. This evening, learn the ancient art of henna (and how to apply it just right). When it's all over, fall asleep under a huge expanse of stars.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wadi Rum - Henna with Bedouin women
  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

After waking up in the unique surrounds of the Bedouin camp this morning, enjoy a walk around the area (the length of which will depend on your energy levels) before scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy sensational views of the surrounding area. Keen photographers will be delighted. Depart mid-morning to the 'Rose City' of Petra (approximately 2.5 hours). 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 rightfully so – this is truly one of the most remarkable places on the planet. Spend the afternoon exploring Petra on a guided tour. Squeeze through a mile-long narrow path known as the Siq and get your first glimpse of the iconic Treasury, which amazingly was hand-carved out of rock. If your dates align, you may also like to take the opportunity to witness Petra by night.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra - leader-led tour of Petra
Optional Activities
  • Petra - Petra By Night - JOD17
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The optional activity Petra by Night runs every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, beginning at 8.30pm from the Petra Visitor Centre and finishing back at the Visitor Centre around 10.30pm. Please ensure you check your departure date if you are planning to book this activity as it is not available on all departures.

Enjoy a free day of self-discovery as you explore Petra on your own. The site is surprisingly big, and you can explore the old Roman road, temples and several old tombs, as well as the rock-hewn amphitheatre. For those with the energy, there's the challenging but highly rewarding walk up the steps to the monastery (approximately 1 hour). Speak to your leader for their recommendations for where to dine this evening, you may like to ask them where to find the best mansaf, the national dish of Jordan, made with lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel to the Dead Sea (approximately 3 hours), stopping along the way at the World Heritage listed Al-Maghtas Bethany Baptism site, where its believed Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Continue to the Dead Sea and head for the shores of this famously salty sea that marks the lowest point on Earth (420 metres below sea level). This isn’t actually a sea, but in fact a super-salty lake, and it's called 'dead' because of the lack of life in it. The density of the water makes it beautifully easy to float in; you'll be going for more of a float than a swim. Spend some time relaxing here – the mud here is said to have healing properties, so make the most of it by covering yourself from head to toe in a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath. Later, join the local ladies at a Dead Sea beach resort for the afternoon. The locals are most often found around the pool, which on Saturday is open and available for ladies only. Meet some new friends, relax and enjoy. Travel onwards to Madaba (approximately 1 hour) for the night.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dead Sea - Swimming opportunity
  • Madaba - Al-Maghtas Bethany Baptism site
  • Dead Sea - Women-only resort visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Start your morning with a visit to St George’s Church, home to the 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. A short drive from here is Mt Nebo, the spot where the prophet Moses is said to have seen the ‘promised land’ and is believed to be buried. Explore this sanctuary and view the remarkable mosaics of the 4th century church. Later, pay a visit to the Bani Hamida Women’s weaving project. Founded by Save The Children in 1985, this social enterprise provides employment for women while teaching them valuable skills and preserving traditional weaving techniques. Since its inception, the project has benefitted more than 1600 Jordanian women. Find a common thread with the ladies who work here as you swap stories over lunch, then return to Madaba where you will spend the evening and enjoy a picnic dinner of local Arabic mezze.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
  • Mt Nebo - Site visit
  • Amman - Bani Hamida Women's Weaving Project
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This trip comes to an end today. There are no activities planned and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Jeep

Accommodation

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

Included activities

  • Amman - Beit Sitti cooking class and dinner
  • Amman - City Tour
  • Amman - Tasting Tour
  • Amman - Meet with a Jordanian matchmaker
  • Jerash - Roman ruins
  • Wadi Rum - Henna with Bedouin women
  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
  • Petra - leader-led tour of Petra
  • Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)
  • Dead Sea - Swimming opportunity
  • Madaba - Al-Maghtas Bethany Baptism site
  • Dead Sea - Women-only resort visit
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
  • Mt Nebo - Site visit
  • Amman - Bani Hamida Women's Weaving Project

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Jordan: Women's Expedition 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 excludes Day 3 (Wadi Rum Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip starts in Amman on Day 1 at 5.30pm. This allows time after the meeting to join our first activity - Cooking Class.

Essential trip information

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