Highlights of Jordan - 8,000 years of history, culture and traditions

The best time for a trip to Jordan depends mainly on the focus of the trip. The Red Sea and Dead Sea regions are ideal for swimming, diving and snorkeling and can be visited all year round. For a round trip, the cooler and drier months in spring from March to June and in the fall, from September to November, are particularly recommended.

In the months of July and August, temperatures sometimes rise above 40°C, while the winter months are rather cool and humid.

Upon arrival at the international airport named after the former Queen Alia, a representative of our local agency will already be waiting to welcome you. After all immigration formalities have been completed, your driver will take you to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is at your free disposal. In the coming days, many cultural highlights from different eras from the early Iron Age to modern times await you. The country is not only known from Old Testament stories about Moses, the history goes back even further.

Airport - hotel in Amman: approx. 45 minutes / 50 km

3 nights atAmman International Hotel**** in standard room with half board, Amman, Jordan

You will start the day with a city tour of Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The origins and foundation of Amman date back to the Old Testament city of Rabbah. The inhabitants of the city called themselves Rabbat-Ammon. After the conquest of the region by Alexander the Great, the city gained importance and later called itself Philadelphia - after King Ptolemy II Philadelphos. Not long afterwards, it even became a member of the Decapolis, one of the ten ruling cities in the east of the Roman Empire. To this day, many of the city's monuments bear witness to the rich culture and influences of that era. A visit to the Roman theater, the citadel, as well as the archaeological museum are on the program.

At noon, your route will take you first to the east, where some of the so-called desert castles are located. These did not serve military purposes in the Middle Ages, but the constructions with frescoes and high-quality materials were ideal for festivities of the ruling class.

Duration of trip from/to Amman: approx. 4 hours / 250 km

The ancient city of Gerasa is located about 55 km north of Amman and back in the day also belonged to the Decapolis, the great Roman cities of the East. To this day, the buildings are well preserved and represent an example of Roman art and architecture, similar to the famous excavation sites of Pompeii. The theater, the temple of Zeus and Artemis and the Nymphaeum are particularly worth a visit.

You will need about an hour's drive to immerse yourself in another era. You will reach the medieval fortress of Ajlun. The hill fortress from the 12th century is said to have been commissioned by Sultan Saladin, who, among other things, achieved almost mythical status in the Arab world by reconquering Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187.

Duration of trip from/to Amman: approx. 2.5 hours / 130 km

In the morning, you will leave the hotel and the capital early and head south. On the way to Petra, you will use one of the oldest trade routes in the country, the Royal Road, which connected the north and south of the country more than 4,000 years ago.

The first stop will be in Madaba, where you will visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. This houses the fresco of a map of Palestine from the 6th century AD.

From Mount Nebo, you will have a sweeping view of the plain that flattens out toward the Dead Sea. From here, Moses is said to have seen the Holy Land for the first time.

Parallel to the shores of the Dead Sea, you will continue your journey around noon, finally reaching the town of Shobak and the nearby crusader castle of Montreal.

Then, in the evening, you will reach Petra and your hotel.

From Amman to Petra: approx. 4.5 hours / 310 km

2 nights at The Old Village Hotel**** in a standard room with half board, Petra, Jordan

The ancient capital of the Nabataeans, a nomadic people, was built into the red sandstone cliff of the Sharah Mountains. During the city tour, you will learn a lot about the history of the city from pre-Christian times, at the height and under the rule of the Romans, as well as late antiquity and the Middle Ages. The Khazne al-Firaun, the Pharaoh's treasure house, is particularly famous. It is over 40 meters high and about 25 meters wide.

Only about fifteen minutes from Petra is the excavation site of the village of Beidha, which is one of the oldest settlements in the world and is believed to have been founded around 7,000 BC.

The World Heritage Site of Wadi Rum is on today’s itinerary as a stopover. Due to its rock formations, the rock and sand desert have served as a backdrop for several films, such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962) or The Martian (2015). At the end of the day, a two-hour drive in a 4x4 vehicle through the landscape awaits you.

From Petra to Wadi Rum: approx. 2 hours / 135 km

1 night in the Sun City Camp*** in standard tent with private bathroom and half board, Wadi Rum, Jordan

The Dead Sea region is ideal for swimming even in the colder seasons. At about 428 meters below sea level, the lake is best known for its high salt content, and photo motifs of tourists floating on the surface are world famous.

On your way there, you will stop at one of the numerous Baptist communities that have existed in the country since 1900. Towards the evening, you will reach your hotel in Amman.

From Wadi Rum to Amman: approx. 5 hours / 360 km

1 night in Amman International Hotel**** in standard room with half board, Amman, Jordan

You will be transferred to the Queen Alia international airport and start your return flight with all kinds of new impressions. If you wish to extend your stay, we will be happy to assist you. On the shores of the Dead Sea, there are several hotels of well-known chains, ideal for a beach extension.

Duration of the trip from the hotel to the airport: approx. 45 minutes / 50 km

itravel - for that moment

Amman International Hotel****, Amman, Jordan (4 nights)

Right next to the university and just a few minutes' drive from Amman's main attractions is this 4-star hotel. The total of 85 rooms are comfortably furnished and designed from a mix of Arabic and modern elements. It also has a pool and a total of 4 restaurants, and also offers free Wi-Fi Internet access. Queen Alia International Airport is approximately 50 km away.

The Old Village Hotel****, Petra, Jordan (2 nights)

Located in the heart of Wadi Musa, this hotel opened in 2015 and offers traditional design and a cozy atmosphere. The famous Pharaoh's Treasury of Petra is about 3.5 km away. In addition to a spa and wellness area, guests can enjoy a pool. In addition, a free shuttle bus is offered to the entrance of the ancient city of Petra, which is located about 1.9 km from the hotel.

Sun City Camp***, Wadi Rum, Jordan (1 night stay)

On the northern edge of Wadi Rum, this Bedouin camp is located in the middle of the area, which has been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. The typical red sandstone rocks frame the camp and thus protect the tents from wind and weather. Each of the tents is equipped with its own separate bathroom. Free WiFi is available in the complex and in the public areas.

Closest city: Amman

Closest airport: Queen Alia International Airport

Duration of the trip: 8 days / 7 nights

Included

7 nights as per itinerary:

• 3 nights in Amman at the International Hotel in a standard room.
• 2 nights in Petra at The Old Village Hotel in a standard room
• 1 night in Wadi Rum at Sun City Camp in a standard tent with private bathroom
• 1 night in Amman at the International Hotel in a standard room
• All accommodations with half board
• All other meals as per program
• Meet & Greet upon arrival at the airport (English speaking tour guide)
• Transfers airport - hotel - airport in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees Petra incl. one horse ride (approx. 800 m)
• Two-hour desert expedition in 4x4 off-road vehicle in Wadi Rum
• Tour guide during the round trip starting from day 2
• Entrance fees for some of the mentioned sights

Not included

• International flights
• Optional excursions
• Meals not mentioned
• Personal expenses such as tips
• Visa
• Departure tax

Services & Notes

• Of course your itravel team will be happy to book you a long-haul flight from many airports on request and for an additional charge.
• A passport is required for entry/exit, which must still be valid for at least 6 months at the time of departure.
• Rates for single or shared rooms are available upon request.
• Please note that each jeep can accommodate four passengers and a driver. Therefore, only a maximum of one travel bag per passenger can be considered for luggage transport.
• In case of, for example, overbooking, closure or renovation of hotels or sights, the program may be subject to change. Also in case of Jordanian holidays, certain sights may not be available for sightseeing and the program will be adjusted accordingly. Our partner will do everything in its power to find a suitable alternative of similar value.