Compare Journey through Jordan by SmarTours vs Jordan Discovery by Explore!

Day 1: Depart USA

Depart on your overnight flight from the U.S.

*Passengers who did not purchase flights will join the tour in Amman on Day 2.

Day 2: Arrive In Amman

Accommodation: Geneva Hotel Amman

Arrive in Amman today, the capital city of Jordan. Upon arrival at the Amman airport, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

Day 3: Amman

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation: Geneva Hotel Amman

Wake up with breakfast at your hotel and then venture out for a city tour of Amman. You’ll start to immerse yourself in the culture and learn of the area’s history with a stop at the Citadel, Roman Theater, and Jordan Museum. Then, visit the Iraq Al-Amir Women Cooperative Society, a program just outside Amman that trains local women on traditional craft and product making. This initiative helps them find jobs and contribute to the community. Later on, head back into the heart of the city for a dinner and evening at your leisure. 

Day 4: Jerash Excursion

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation: Geneva Hotel Amman

After breakfast, we’ll head out to explore Jerash, the “Pompeii of the East” which houses some of the best preserved Roman ruins, rivaling the ones in Rome. Spend most of the day wandering the cardo—its spectacular colonnaded street—and admiring the South Theatre, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Artemis Temple, and the Nymphaeum. The city’s 14 churches date back to the Byzantine era and are filled with fine mosaics. This afternoon consider the experience of a relaxing Turkish Bath (see our optional tours for more details). Tonight, enjoy dinner with a Jordanian family. This hosted dinner initiative aims to empower local people by providing income and allowing them to have a fun interaction with visitors while also educating them about local culture and traditions.

Day 5: Amman/Madaba/Mt. Nebo/Wadi Rum

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation: Sun City Camp

Today, we’ll start making our way toward Wadi Rum, driving along the 5,000-year-old King’s Highway. Along the way, stop in Madaba, “the City of Mosaics”, and see St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, which houses a well-preserved sixth-century Byzantine mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Heading about ten minutes west, we’ll also visit the most revered site in Jordan—Mount Nebo, the presumed site of Moses’ death and burial place. Then, proceed onward to our Wadi Rum Bedouin camp where you’ll have a tent with a private bath for your overnight stay. The featured dinner will be zaarb, a dish of marinated meat mixed with vegetables, slowly baked in a pit of hot coals covered by sand.

Day 6: Wadi Rum/Petra

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Petra Moon

This morning, enjoy breakfast while taking in the beauty of Wadi Rum, a moonscape terrain of ancient river beds, rugged mountains, and golden desert sands. You will meet locals offering cardamom-spiced coffee at the “Beau Geste” outpost, and then take off on an exciting 2-hour jeep tour around this diverse landscape in which “Lawrence of Arabia” was filmed. After a truly “out of this world” experience, we’ll depart and head north, finally arriving in Petra this evening. There will be an optional cooking class and dinner at a culinary school in the city.

Day 7: Petra

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation: Petra Moon

Note: While the tour activity level is the explorer level, this day may be more taxing as this is a full day of walking on uneven surfaces. Following breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head out on a city tour of Petra’s most fascinating sights—the Roman Theater, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion, and more. As a new Seven Wonders of the World, steeped in history from Arab empires and Western and Eastern dynasties, Petra features an abundance of ancient discoveries. Plus, as you wander the area, you’ll surely be mesmerized by the winding sandstone terrain. We’ll also bring you to the famous Al-Khazneh (the Treasury), a beautifully elaborate structure where camels hang about, posing for photos. Finish the day with a delicious dinner at the Al Qantarah restaurant.

Day 8: Petra/Beida/Dead Sea

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza

After breakfast, we’ll start our journey to the last stop on the trip, the Dead Sea. First, you’ll visit Beida (Little Petra) to discover temples, tombs, and more. Many religious festivities occurred here, and the city was nicknamed “Little Petra” because of its similarities to the main city. Following this, we’ll bring you to the site of John the Baptist’s settlement at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptized along the east bank of the Jordan River. Here you’ll also be right near the Israeli border, affording you a glimpse of the country from across the river. Lastly, continue on to your hotel at the Dead Sea.

Day 9: Dead Sea

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a relaxing day at the Dead Sea, the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. At your leisure, you can float in the clear blue, mineral-rich water, soak up some sun, and even try the invigorating full-body mud mask that cleanses the skin. Plus, your hotel has a tranquil spa, well-equipped fitness center, and sparkling pools to lounge by. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.

Day 10: Dead Sea/Arrive In USA

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the Queen Alia International Airport to depart back to the U.S. Your tour includes airfare back to the U.S.

*The tour will end for passengers who did not purchase flights today, on Day 10, at the Dead Sea.

Day 1 Join trip in Amman

Our tour of Jordan starts in Amman, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Home to almost half of Jordan's entire population, Amman is a fascinating city of contrasts, where the ancient and the modern collide. Get lost in the bustling souks of downtown, where you'll be tempted by falafel and baklawa stalls, or visit the hillside Roman Theatre for a taster of the city's varied history. There are no activities planned for today, so you're free to arrive in Amman at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), a 30-minute drive from our hotel. Due to most flights arriving late in the evening, our Explore Leader will meet you for a welcome meeting the next morning. You'll find the meeting information on the notice board in the hotel reception.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Visit Jerash before exploring the Amman Citadel and downtown

After breakfast, we'll gather for an introductory meeting before heading north of Amman to ancient Jerash. Inhabited for 6,500 years, the city's golden age was in Roman times when it became part of the Decapolis League - a confederation of important Middle Eastern cities. One of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, only 10% of the city has been uncovered since excavation began more than 100 years ago but you can still get a feel for how life in the city once was. Walk the colonnaded streets, visit the hilltop temples, explore the chariot-racing stadium, and hear your voice amplified in the ancient theatre. After lunch, we'll travel back to Amman and spend the afternoon exploring the city. Our first stop is the Citadel Jabal al-Qal'a, the highest point in Amman, giving us panoramic views across the sprawling capital. Artifacts found here indicate that the area has been a royal city for thousands of years. Whilst earthquakes and invasions have taken their toll, two pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules still stand strong alongside parts of the 7\super th\nosupersub -century Umayyad Palace. Making our way downtown, we'll weave our way through the winding streets of the souk, soaking up the energetic ambiance and the aroma of spices and delicacies on sale. We'll finish up in an old-style café that transports us back to Amman's early days.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 3 Visit Mount Nebo and Madaba before travelling to Petra

Today, we'll cover a lot of ground on our journey to Petra. Setting off early, we'll stop in Madaba. Aptly dubbed the 'City of Mosaics', Madaba is home to hundreds of Byzantine-era mosaics, the most famous of these is a 6\super th\nosupersub -century map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, created with two million pieces of stone. Continuing on, we'll arrive at Mount Nebo, referenced in the Old Testament as the place where Moses once stood to look over the Promised Land. On a clear day, from here you can see out to the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. Next, we'll journey south along the King's Highway to Kerak. This ancient Crusader stronghold is the most famous in a chain of fortresses built for the Holy War against Islam. We'll stop to learn about its history and explore the maze of stone-vaulted halls and passageways. Our day of sightseeing ends in Petra, a short drive from Kerak. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the world, the ancient 'rose city' is Jordan's most valuable treasure. Depending on the day, we might arrive in time to experience Petra by Night. Follow the candlelit Siq trail and watch how the light plays against the high canyon rocks, blanketed by stars, before coming upon the Treasury, lit up by night. Settle into the sands in front of the ancient temple and listen to a welcome speech from the Bedouin community that still calls the city home.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 4 Guided tour of Petra

Today we begin two full days exploring Petra. This ancient city, carved into pink sandstone cliffs, has to be seen to be believed but poet John Burgon beautifully described it as 'A rose-red city half as old as time'. Our Explore Leader will guide us on a tour through Petra's highlights before a free afternoon to wander at our own pace. As you enter the site, you're led down a kilometre-long chasm (known as the Siq) where the towering canyon walls reach up to 200 metres high. At the end of the Siq sits the beating heart of the city, the Treasury - miraculously well-preserved, the façade stands at 43-metres-high. Beyond the Treasury, the ancient city becomes a sprawl of tombs and temples waiting to be explored. The Bedouin community who still live within Petra sell their wares and offer refreshments along the colonnaded streets. As the day goes on, you'll notice the façades change colour with the light as the early morning and late afternoon sun brings out red, pink, and orange highlights in the rocks. Please note: The hotel location will depend on your departure date. All hotels are within a 5-10-minute walk from the visitor's centre or a 25-minute walk away from the site in Wadi Musa. Transportation will be provided for groups based in Wadi Musa on day 4. On day 5 no transportation is provided, but you can take a taxi for around £2-£4 each way. Your hotel will be listed in your final documentation.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 5 A free day to explore Petra

Today is free for you to uncover more of Petra. Climb the steep path to the High Place of Sacrifice and take in the panorama over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert or trek up to the Monastery - Petra's largest monument. This evening, we'll gather as a group to visit a family-run restaurant for a Bedouin cookery demonstration. Our chef will show us how to cook a traditional Jordanian meal, including a sweet dessert, before we sit down to dine together.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 Explore Wadi Rum and camp under the stars

Leaving Petra behind, today we'll embrace the nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin and head into the dunes of Wadi Rum. We'll travel to the Wadi Rum visitor's centre by bus, where we'll meet our 4WD vehicles to journey onwards through the desert. Our two-hour drive along the sands will lead us through untouched parts of Wadi Rum and our Explore Leader will stop to tell us more about the history of the desert. Described by T.E. Lawrence as 'vast, echoing and God-like…', Wadi Rum occupies 74,000 acres with its monolithic outcrops of granite rock and sandstone rising out of the blankets of sand. The Bedouins learned to live within this hostile environment 3000 years ago, adapting to the elements to perfect their nomadic way of life. Once we've watched the sun go down, setting the dunes aglow with fiery red and orange light, we'll head back to camp to experience Bedouin hospitality. We'll be served a traditional Zarb, a BBQ of chicken or goat meat (vegetarian options will be available) cooked under the desert sand and served alongside a selection of mezze. Tonight, we'll sleep in a traditional Bedouin tent, crafted from goat hair which offers the best protection against the extreme desert climate. We'll share a communal tent (with gendered compartments) with rugs, mattresses, pillows, and blankets provided. There's a toilet and shower block at the end of the site. You can upgrade to a private tent at no extra cost, subject to availability. Please speak to your leader about arranging one.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 Travel to the Red Sea in Aqaba

After a full-on few days exploring the highlights of Jordan, we'll head to Aqaba for downtime by the Red Sea. A resort town, Aqaba is where local Jordanians come to holiday, lounge on the beach and have a go at water sports. The port city is famous for its preserved coral reefs and sea life and this afternoon there'll be the option to get out on the water for a snorkelling trip. If you don't have your sea legs, you can cool off in the hotel's rooftop pool or stroll through the vibrant souk. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to get a flavour for local life, too.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 8 Visit the Dead Sea and return to Amman

This morning, we'll depart Aqaba and head to the Dead Sea, around a four-hour drive away. This unique body of water is the lowest point on the earth's surface. With a salt content of 33%, it's almost impossible to sink and we'll take a dip to experience the mysterious floating sensation. While we're there, you can cover yourself in the water's rejuvenating mud, famous for its healing properties. After your dip, feel free to unwind by the pool or at the bar - there are shower facilities to freshen up in, too. Finally, we'll drive onwards to Amman. Arriving around late afternoon, we'll have time to pick up last-minute souvenirs in the souk before toasting to the end of the trip with a Jordanian wine in one of the downtown restaurants.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 9 Trip ends in Amman

Our tour of Jordan ends at our hotel in Amman. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM).

Meals Provided : Breakfast