Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Amman & the Citadel
Morning Arrival in Amman & check-in
Land at Queen Alia International Airport, located 30 km south of Amman. Take a pre-booked airport transfer or the Airport Express Bus (JOD 3.50, every 30 minutes) to the city centre — the ride takes about 45 minutes. Check into your hotel in the Downtown area (Al-Balad) or on Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman, both ideal bases for exploring the city on foot. Head out for a late Jordanian breakfast at a neighbourhood café: order a plate of ful medames (slow-cooked fava beans with olive oil, lemon, and cumin), hummus with warm flatbread, falafel, and a glass of fresh mint tea. Walk through the bustling streets of Downtown to get your first feel for Amman — a city of seven hills (jabals) where ancient ruins sit alongside modern cafés.
Afternoon Amman Citadel & Roman Theatre
Climb to the Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a), the ancient hilltop that has been inhabited continuously for over 7,000 years. Stand before the imposing Temple of Hercules — its remaining Corinthian columns date from the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) and once rivalled the great temples of Rome. Explore the Umayyad Palace complex, an 8th-century Islamic palatial residence with a stunning domed audience hall that has been partially reconstructed. The on-site Jordan Archaeological Museum houses artefacts spanning the Paleolithic to the Islamic era, including some of the Dead Sea Scrolls fragments. From the Citadel walls, enjoy a 360-degree panorama of Amman — the white limestone buildings cascading down the seven hills are a striking sight. Walk downhill to the 2nd-century Roman Theatre, carved into the hillside and seating 6,000 spectators. The acoustics are remarkable — stand in the centre of the orchestra and clap to hear the sound amplify perfectly.
Evening Dinner on Rainbow Street
Head to Rainbow Street (Al-Rainbow) in Jabal Amman, the city's most charming promenade lined with art galleries, bookshops, craft stores, and restaurants with terraces overlooking the city. This is where old Amman meets the new — Ottoman-era stone houses converted into hip cafés sit next to contemporary art spaces. For dinner, try a traditional Jordanian mansaf — the national dish: tender lamb slow-cooked in a fermented dried yogurt sauce (jameed) and served over a bed of rice with toasted almonds and pine nuts. It's traditionally eaten with the right hand from a communal platter, though restaurants serve it plated. Pair it with a local Carakale craft beer (Jordan's first microbrewery) or a glass of fresh pomegranate juice. After dinner, walk to the nearby viewpoint for a stunning night panorama of the illuminated Citadel across the valley.
Day 2 Jerash — the Pompeii of the East
Morning Roman ruins of Jerash
Drive 50 km north of Amman to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world and a site that rivals Pompeii and Ephesus in scale and preservation. Enter through the monumental Hadrian's Arch, built in 129 AD to honour Emperor Hadrian's visit. Walk into the Hippodrome, a 245-metre-long chariot racing arena that once seated 15,000 spectators. Pass through the imposing South Gate into the city proper and step onto the Oval Plaza (Forum) — a unique oval-shaped colonnaded square surrounded by 56 Ionic columns, unlike any other Roman forum in the world. Continue along the Cardo Maximus, the main colonnaded street stretching 800 metres with the original chariot ruts still visible in the paving stones. The scale is breathtaking — you can walk for over an hour and still discover new temples, churches, and public buildings emerging from the landscape.
Afternoon Temples of Jerash & Nymphaeum
Continue exploring Jerash's upper city. Climb the grand stairway to the Temple of Artemis, the patron goddess of the city — its towering Corinthian columns (each 12 metres tall) are so perfectly balanced that you can see them sway slightly in the wind. Insert a spoon or key in the gap at the base of a column and watch it move — a demonstration of the astonishing Roman engineering that allows the columns to flex rather than crack during earthquakes. Visit the beautifully ornate Nymphaeum, a 2nd-century public fountain decorated with carved stone, marble, and painted plaster — water once cascaded down its two-storey facade into a large basin for public use. See the South Theatre (3,000 seats, still used for concerts during the Jerash Festival) and the smaller but more intimate North Theatre. Before leaving, walk along the North Tetrapylon and the remains of 15 Byzantine churches with remarkable mosaic floors — evidence of the city's continued importance well into the Christian era.
Evening Return to Amman & evening at the souk
Return to Amman in the late afternoon and head to the bustling Downtown souk area. Walk through the narrow streets of the gold souk, the spice souk (where mountains of colourful za'atar, sumac, and turmeric fill the air with intoxicating aromas), and the textile market. This is everyday Amman at its most authentic — merchants calling out prices, families shopping for the week, and the call to prayer echoing between the buildings. For dinner, head to Hashem Restaurant, a legendary open-air eatery that has been serving the best falafel and hummus in Jordan since 1952 — even King Abdullah II is a regular. The entire meal costs a few dinars and is served at shared tables where you'll sit next to locals and travellers alike. Finish with a knafeh — the iconic Levantine dessert of shredded pastry, melted cheese, and sweet orange-blossom syrup.
Day 3 King's Highway — Madaba, Mount Nebo & the Dead Sea
Morning Madaba — the City of Mosaics
Drive 30 km south of Amman along the ancient King's Highway to Madaba, known as the 'City of Mosaics'. Visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, home to the famous 6th-century Madaba Map — the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land, originally containing over two million mosaic pieces. The map shows Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, and sites across Palestine and Egypt with remarkable geographical accuracy. Walk to the nearby Madaba Archaeological Park and the Church of the Apostles to see more stunning Byzantine mosaic floors, including the personification of the Sea as a woman emerging from waves surrounded by fish and sea creatures. The town's mosaic tradition continues today — visit the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration, where artisans create new works and restore ancient ones using the same techniques as their 6th-century predecessors.
Afternoon Mount Nebo & descent to the Dead Sea
Drive 10 km from Madaba to Mount Nebo, one of the most important biblical sites in Jordan. According to the Book of Deuteronomy, this is where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before he died. Stand at the viewpoint and see the panorama that Moses saw — on a clear day, the view stretches across the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, the hills of Jerusalem, and all the way to Bethlehem and Jericho. The Franciscan church at the summit preserves remarkable 6th-century mosaic floors with hunting and pastoral scenes. Outside, the Brazen Serpent sculpture by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni symbolises the bronze serpent that Moses raised in the desert. From Mount Nebo, drive the dramatic winding descent to the Dead Sea — dropping from 800 metres above sea level to 430 metres below in just 30 km, the lowest point on Earth. Check into your Dead Sea resort.
Evening Floating in the Dead Sea at sunset
Experience one of the world's most unique natural phenomena — floating effortlessly in the Dead Sea. At 430 metres below sea level, this is the lowest point on Earth, and its water is nearly 10 times saltier than the ocean, making it impossible to sink. Wade into the still, warm water and lean back — your body rises to the surface and you float without any effort, as if suspended by invisible hands. Lather yourself with the mineral-rich black mud from the shore, known for its therapeutic properties — Dead Sea mud has been used for skin treatment since Cleopatra's time. As the sun sets over the hills of the West Bank across the water, the Dead Sea turns from turquoise to copper to deep purple — it's one of the most surreal sunsets in the world. After your float, rinse off at the resort's outdoor showers and head to the spa for a Dead Sea mineral treatment before dinner at the resort restaurant.
Day 4 Dana Nature Reserve & road to Petra
Morning Dana Biosphere Reserve
Check out of your Dead Sea resort and drive south along the Dead Sea highway, then climb into the mountains towards the Dana Biosphere Reserve — Jordan's largest nature reserve covering 320 km² of dramatic landscape from sandstone cliffs to desert lowlands. Stop at the Dana Village viewpoint, a 15th-century Ottoman stone village perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the vast Wadi Dana canyon. The view is staggering — a 1,500-metre drop into a valley stretching all the way to Wadi Araba and the distant desert. Take the short Rummana Trail (2 km, 1 hour) through juniper and oak woodlands, or the more challenging White Dome Trail (4 km, 3 hours) through sandstone formations with panoramic canyon views. Dana is home to 800 plant species and 200 bird species — keep your eyes open for the Sinai rosefinch, griffon vultures, and ibex on the cliff faces.
Afternoon Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
Continue the drive south to Wadi Musa, the town that serves as the gateway to Petra, and stop first at Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), located 9 km north of the main site. This smaller Nabataean settlement was a suburb of Petra used for accommodating visiting traders and caravans. Walk through the narrow siq (canyon) to discover rock-cut facades, dining rooms (triclinia), and water channels carved into the sandstone. The highlight is the Painted House — a rare example of Nabataean frescoes still visible on the ceiling of a carved chamber, depicting grapevines, birds, and cherubs in vivid colours. Little Petra is free, much less crowded than the main site, and gives you a taste of what awaits tomorrow. After exploring, check into your hotel in Wadi Musa — choose accommodation close to the Petra Visitor Centre for easy access to the site early tomorrow morning.
Evening Jordanian dinner in Wadi Musa
Wadi Musa is a small town built on the hillside leading down to Petra, and while tourism-oriented, it has some genuine dining gems. For dinner, try Al-Saraya Restaurant for an excellent local meal — their zarb (Bedouin barbecue of lamb and vegetables slow-cooked underground in a sand pit) is a standout when available. Otherwise, order maqluba (an 'upside-down' rice dish with chicken and fried vegetables) or musakhan (roasted chicken on taboon bread with sumac and caramelised onions). Walk through the town's main street after dinner to stock up on water and snacks for tomorrow's long day at Petra — you'll want at least 3 litres of water per person. The evening air in Wadi Musa is cool and pleasant, and the stars are remarkably bright away from the main street lights.
Day 5 Petra — Day 1: The Siq, the Treasury & the Royal Tombs
Morning The Siq & Al-Khazneh (The Treasury)
Be at the Petra Visitor Centre gates by 6:00 AM when they open. Walk 800 metres past the Djinn Blocks and the Obelisk Tomb to reach the entrance of the Siq — a 1.2 km narrow gorge with walls towering up to 80 metres high on either side. The Siq was formed by tectonic forces splitting the mountain in two, and the Nabataeans transformed it into a grand ceremonial entrance to their capital. Look for the carved niches, the remains of a paved Roman road underfoot, and the water channels cut into the cliff walls that once supplied the entire city. As you walk, the canyon narrows and twists, the light changes from golden to purple to pink, and then — suddenly — through a narrow gap in the cliffs, you see it: Al-Khazneh, the Treasury. This 40-metre-tall Hellenistic facade carved directly into the rose-pink sandstone cliff face is one of the most breathtaking sights on Earth. Built in the 1st century BC as a royal tomb for Nabataean King Aretas IV, its columns, friezes, and sculptures glow in shades of salmon, coral, and amber as the morning sun strikes the stone.
Afternoon Street of Facades, Royal Tombs & Colonnaded Street
From the Treasury, continue into the heart of the ancient city. Walk along the Street of Facades — a wall of carved tomb fronts, some simple, some elaborate, showing the evolution of Nabataean architectural styles. Turn right and climb the stone stairways to the Royal Tombs, a row of monumental facades carved high into the cliff face of Jabal al-Khubtha. The Urn Tomb, with its massive courtyard and arched substructure, was later converted into a Byzantine church in 446 AD — you can still see traces of the painted cross on the back wall. The Silk Tomb is named for its extraordinary natural colour swirls in the sandstone — bands of red, white, yellow, and blue created by iron and manganese deposits over millions of years. The Corinthian Tomb and the Palace Tomb complete the royal row. Descend back to the valley floor and walk the Roman-era Colonnaded Street, the main thoroughfare of the city, past the Great Temple (a massive Nabataean complex still being excavated), the markets, and the Qasr al-Bint temple — the only freestanding structure still partially intact in Petra.
Evening Petra by Night
On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, Petra hosts the magical 'Petra by Night' experience. Return to the site entrance at 20:30 and walk through the Siq in near-total darkness, guided only by the glow of 1,500 candles lining the path in paper bags. The walk through the candlelit gorge is ethereal — shadows dance on the canyon walls and the silence is broken only by footsteps and the occasional Bedouin flute. When you emerge from the Siq into the Treasury plaza, the entire space is illuminated by hundreds of candles on the ground, and the Treasury facade glows softly above. Sit on Bedouin rugs and listen to traditional Bedouin music and storytelling while sipping sweet sage tea under a canopy of stars. The experience lasts about 2 hours and is one of the most atmospheric cultural events in the world.
Day 6 Petra — Day 2: The Monastery & hidden trails
Morning Climb to Ad-Deir (The Monastery)
Start your second Petra day early and head directly to the Monastery (Ad-Deir), Petra's largest and arguably most impressive monument. From the Basin Restaurant area, climb the 850 rock-carved steps that wind up through a narrow canyon — the ascent takes 45-60 minutes and gains 200 metres of elevation. The path itself is spectacular, passing through colourful sandstone formations, Nabataean carved niches, and the Lion Triclinium (a dining room with eroded lion-headed water spouts). When you reach the top and turn the corner, the Monastery appears — a colossal 50-metre-wide and 45-metre-tall facade carved into the mountainside, even larger than the Treasury. Built in the 1st century BC as a Nabataean temple (later used by Byzantine monks, hence the name), its massive doorway alone is 8 metres high. The scale is awe-inspiring. Climb to the viewpoint above the Monastery for a panoramic view stretching across the Wadi Araba to the mountains of the Negev desert in Israel.
Afternoon High Place of Sacrifice & lesser-visited trails
After descending from the Monastery and a lunch break, tackle one of Petra's most rewarding hikes — the High Place of Sacrifice (Al-Madhbah). Climb the processional stairway from the main valley near the Theatre to the mountain summit where the Nabataeans performed religious ceremonies. At the top, see the carved altar platform with its drainage channels for sacrificial blood, two obelisks carved from the mountain itself, and a panoramic view over the entire Petra basin — you can see the Treasury, the Royal Tombs, and the Colonnaded Street far below. Descend via the alternative western route through Wadi Farasa, passing the beautifully carved Garden Temple, the Roman Soldier Tomb with its elaborate facade, and the Renaissance Tomb — this path is far less crowded than the main trails and feels like having a private section of Petra to yourself. Finish with a final walk through the city centre, stopping at any spots you missed yesterday.
Evening Final dinner in Wadi Musa before the desert
After two extraordinary days at Petra, you'll be tired but exhilarated. Head back to your hotel for a well-earned shower, then walk to one of Wadi Musa's restaurants for a celebratory dinner. Try the Petra Kitchen for a hands-on cooking experience — you prepare a traditional Jordanian meal (soup, mezze, salad, and a main like mansaf or maqluba) with guidance from local chefs and then eat what you've cooked. It's a fun, social evening where you'll cook alongside other travellers. Alternatively, the Cave Bar inside the 2,000-year-old Nabataean rock tomb at the Petra Guest House is one of the world's most unique drinking spots — sip an Amstel or a cocktail in an actual carved cave. Pack your bag for tomorrow's early departure to Wadi Rum — the desert awaits.
Day 7 Wadi Rum — Lawrence of Arabia's desert
Morning Arrival at Wadi Rum & start of the jeep tour
Drive 1.5 hours south from Wadi Musa to the Wadi Rum Protected Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011 and one of the most spectacular desert landscapes on Earth. This is where T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) based his operations during the Arab Revolt, and where the eponymous 1962 David Lean film was shot. At the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre, meet your Bedouin guide and board an open-back 4x4 pickup truck for a full-day desert jeep tour. Your first stops include Lawrence's Spring — a natural water source where Lawrence reportedly washed during his desert campaigns — and the Khazali Canyon, a narrow fissure in the rock wall covered with ancient Thamudic and Nabataean inscriptions depicting humans, animals, and caravans dating back 2,000 years. Drive across vast plains of red sand dunes framed by towering sandstone mountains that change colour from terracotta to crimson to violet throughout the day.
Afternoon Rock bridges, red dunes & petroglyphs
Continue the jeep tour deeper into the desert. Climb the Um Frouth Rock Bridge — a natural stone arch that you can scramble up and stand on for a dizzying view of the desert below. Hike up the towering red sand dune at the base of Jebel Um Ishrin and run back down — the sand is soft and warm and the views from the top stretch endlessly in every direction. Visit the Burdah Rock Bridge, the highest natural arch in Wadi Rum at 35 metres above the ground. Stop at the mushroom-shaped rock formations eroded by millennia of wind, and see more ancient petroglyphs and inscriptions left by the Nabataean, Thamudic, and early Islamic civilisations. Your Bedouin guide will brew tea over an open fire in the shade of a cliff — sit in the silence of the desert with nothing but the sound of wind and the vastness of the landscape stretching to the horizon in every direction.
Evening Sunset & night under the stars at a Bedouin camp
Your guide drives you to a viewpoint for sunset — watch as the entire desert landscape transforms from gold to crimson to deep violet in a matter of minutes. The Wadi Rum sunset is one of the most dramatic in the world, with the massive sandstone mountains casting long shadows across the red sand. Then arrive at your Bedouin camp for the night. Sit around the fire while your hosts prepare a zarb — the traditional Bedouin feast of lamb, chicken, vegetables, and rice slow-cooked for hours in an underground sand oven. Watch as they unearth the steaming pot from beneath the sand — it's a ritual that has sustained desert nomads for centuries. After dinner, lie on a blanket outside your tent and look up — the Wadi Rum night sky, far from any light pollution, is one of the clearest in the world. The Milky Way stretches across the sky in a bright band, and shooting stars are frequent. Fall asleep to absolute silence in the heart of the desert.
Day 8 Wadi Rum sunrise & Departure
Morning Desert sunrise & Bedouin breakfast
Wake before dawn and step outside your tent to witness a Wadi Rum sunrise — the desert floor glows with an ethereal pink light as the sun crests the sandstone mountains, and the silence is absolute. This is a moment of pure magic that makes the early alarm worthwhile. Return to camp for a traditional Bedouin breakfast: warm flatbread baked on a metal dome over the fire (taboon), olive oil, za'atar, labneh (strained yogurt), fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, hard-boiled eggs, and sweet tea with sage. After breakfast, your camp host drives you back to the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre. From here, drive or arrange a transfer to either Aqaba (1 hour south) or directly to Queen Alia Airport in Amman (3.5-4 hours north via the Desert Highway).
Afternoon Transfer to airport & departure
If flying from Amman, the drive north along the Desert Highway takes you through the stark beauty of southern Jordan — flat desert plains gradually giving way to the rolling hills of the central highlands. Stop at a roadside rest area for a final Arabic coffee and a last look at the Jordanian landscape. Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport with plenty of time. The duty-free shop has excellent Dead Sea cosmetic products, Jordanian olive oil, and local sweets at competitive prices. If you have extra time in Amman before your flight, the Jordan Museum in Ras al-Ain (near the airport highway) is worth a quick visit — it houses a superb collection including some of the oldest human statues ever discovered (the 'Ain Ghazal statues, 9,000 years old).
Evening Return flight
Board your return flight from Queen Alia International Airport. As your plane climbs above Amman, look out of the window for a last glimpse of the Jordanian landscape — the patchwork of the city giving way to the brown desert stretching south towards Wadi Rum and Petra, the deep blue gash of the Dead Sea to the west, and the green ribbon of the Jordan Valley. Reflect on eight extraordinary days that took you from the Roman columns of Jerash to the mosaics of Madaba, from floating in the Dead Sea to standing before the Treasury at dawn, from climbing to the Monastery to sleeping under the Milky Way in Wadi Rum. Jordan is a country that punches far above its weight — small in size but immense in history, hospitality, and natural beauty.