Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Jordan – Madaba – Pella – Umm Qais – Amman – Feynan – Petra – Wadi Rum
100% customisable for you
Your road trip adventure to Jordan begins today, so cram those final items into your suitcase and head to the airport. Direct flights from the UK to Amman, take around five to six hours so sit back and try to squeeze in some Z’s or make a start on your holiday read.
When you arrive, head through customs, grab your bags and meet your private driver. Your first stop is Madaba, a 45-minute drive away. One of Jordan’s oldest towns, it’s best known for its Byzantine history and mosaic art. Here, the past is all around, and you don’t have to wander far to witness it.
Check in to your hotel and if you’ve still got energy to spare, head to the see the famous sixth-century map at St George’s Church or walk in the footsteps of Moses at nearby Mount Nebo, where it’s said he looked out over the holy land. Then it’s time for dinner and an early night ready for the first full day of your trip tomorrow.
After a hearty breakfast this morning, meet your private driver who will accompany you for the next four days. Your first stop is the hillside town of As-Salt (also known as just Salt), a journey that takes around 45 minutes. When you arrive, meet your private guide and set off on a walking tour. You’ll pass grand Ottoman houses, a reminder that this was a wealthy trading city at the end of the 19th century, and the 13th-century Ayyubid citadel, which crowns one of the city’s three hills. Round off your tour with a delicious lunch prepared by a local family.
Back in the car, you’ll be driven two hours to Pella, one of Jordan’s most important archaeological sites with a history stretching back thousands of years from the Stone Age to the Byzantine period. Check into your hotel in the hills and then set out to see the ruins which include everything from theatres and fountains to public baths and church columns.
Your next stop is Umm Qais, a historic town close to the ruins of ancient Gadara, which is a 50-minute drive away. When you arrive, check in to your hotel in a beautifully restored house, then set out on a hike with a private guide. The region is pretty as a postcard with beautiful walking trails, rolling hills and blue horizons so keep your camera to hand to snap.
This morning, you’ll learn more about the history of Umm Qais on a guided tour of the Gadara archaeological site. As one of the Decapolis (Greek Ten Cities), Gadara is one of Jordan’s most dramatic antiquities sites. You’ll see ruins of two theatres, a hippodrome, a Roman-era temple, an underground aqueduct, Byzantine baths and more. There’s much to uncover here, and your guide will fill you in on the fascinating history as you explore.
After your tour, tuck into lunch at a local restaurant before hopping back in the car for the two-hour drive to Amman. When you arrive, check in to your hotel in the bustling centre and enjoy some downtime before heading out with a local guide to explore. The route will include stops at art galleries, several independent bookstores and a small café where. Next comes the festivities, with live music and laughter shared over sheesha – a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.
You’ll be leaving Amman today and heading to Feynan, a three-hour drive away. This remote, desert region is known for its dramatic landscapes, Bedouin culture and top-notch stargazing. It’s also known for the Dana Biosphere Reserve, the country’s largest reserve which is home to magnificent mountains and wadis.
Your home for the night is a lodge close to the reserve. Drop off your bags and enjoy a relaxing afternoon ready for a day of exploring tomorrow.
The area surrounding your lodge is crisscrossed by fantastic hiking and mountain biking trails and staff can suggest routes tailored to your ability and what you fancy seeing. A stay here is a great opportunity to learn about the area’s Bedouin history and culture. Witness the making of kohl (traditional eyeliner), the baking of bread, the weaving of tent canvases, the roasting of coffee in an iron pan, and more.
Today, it’s time to uncover one of Jordan’s most famous sites – Petra. It’s a roughly one-and-a-half-hour drive from Feynan to the ancient city, where you’ll check in for a two-night stay close to the entrance.
With its rock-cut architecture, rosy hues and Nabatean history, a visit to Petra is a real highlight of the trip. If you can’t wait to head out and explore, set off on the hike from Siq al-Barid (also known as Little Petra). Located just north of Petra, this ancient Nabataean settlement has very similar characteristics to its more famous counterpart. Accompanied by a guide, stroll the scenic route to the al-Deir monastery, a beautiful burial complex carved into the rock.
We’ve left today free for you to explore Petra at your own pace. We recommend starting early, around the time the site opens, if you want to get a glimpse of the famous Treasury and Siq without the crowds.
The troglodyte (rock carved) city and its necropolises more than live up to the hype. Visit The Treasury (also known as Al Khazneh), the Ain Braq aqueduct, the Temple of Dushara (Qasr al-Bint), the Roman theatre, and the Byzantine church and its mosaics. You’ll have the chance to wander along streets lined with monumental tombs and through squares where civil and religious ceremonies were held. The history feels so close here that you can almost be tricked into believing you’ve stepped back in time.
Leaving Petra behind you today, journey to Wadi Rum, a one-and-a-half-hour drive away. This protected desert wilderness in southern Jordan is a dreamscape of caves, cliffs, canyons and natural arches, all shaped by erosion over millions of years.
On a private 4x4 tour, you’ll be driven deep into the desert, encountering all manner of weird and wonderful rock formations that vary in colour from yellow, orange and red, to grey and sooty black.
Come evening, we’ve arranged for you to stay at a Bedouin camp, in a traditional woven goat-hair tent. The tents are exceedingly comfortable and each has its own private bathroom. Once you’ve freshened up and rinsed off the dust from the day’s adventures, head to the large communal tent for a traditional zarb (Bedouin barbecue) featuring marinated meat – usually goat or lamb – cooked in an underground pit filled with hot embers. Afterwards, retreat to the campfire and then enjoy a spot of stargazing with your Bedouin hosts.
After a delicious breakfast at camp (think: hummus, labneh, za'atar, and more) leave the desert behind and hop in the car for a four-hour transfer to the Dead Sea.
One of the world’s most unique natural wonders, the Dead Sea is located at the lowest point on Earth and is famous for its extremely high salt concentration, which allows you to float on the surface. Its mineral-rich mud is also renowned for its spa-like properties. Today, you’ll have the chance to experience both – a relaxing end to your Jordanian adventure.
Sadly all great adventures must come to an end. You’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the coastal city of Aqaba, a three-hour drive away.
Your flight back to the UK will be via Amman, with a total journey time of around seven hours, arriving home the same day ready to regale loved ones with tales from the desert.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
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