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Days
8
Price from
2545USD
Map of Jordan Explorer including Jordan

Rock-hewn wonders and wind-swept vistas in Bedouin territory

Take an inspiring Middle Eastern journey through majestic Jordan on an eight-day Peregrine adventure to its acclaimed sights. 4WD through the sweeping sands and echoing formations of Wadi Rum, discover the larger-than-life facades of Petra on a guided tour and face the ancient Roman ruins in Jerash. On a round-trip journey from up-and-coming capital Amman and with unique accommodation along the way – including a premium Bedouin camping experience – Jordan no doubt proves itself as a destination with a long colourful history and deep-rooted traditions.

Start
Amman, Jordan
Finish
Amman, Jordan
Destination
Jordan
Style
Peregrine
Code
PGJE
Physical rating
Trip rating
18 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Peregrine trips are now operated by Intrepid Travel

Why you'll love this trip

  • Gaze in awe at the towering, wind-swept rock formations at Wadi Rum on an included 4WD adventure, and note how the colours change as the sun makes its way across the sky.

  • Journey through the desert to a premium Bedouin camp and get to know the customs and cultures of this community before spending the night under a starry sky in your traditional accommodation.

  • You never forget your first glimpse of The Treasury through narrow canyon walls in Petra. Spend a day taking in its majesty and mystery, and if your dates align, consider booking an unforgettable night experience.

  • Be treated to traditional Bedouin cooking, like a zarb – a mouth-watering barbecue of chicken, lamb, and vegetables slow-cooked in an underground pit – among other Jordanian favourites on your trip.

  • The unique sensation of floating in the Dead Sea is like nothing else. Venture to the coastline and enjoy a night in its midst, perhaps taking a swim in the salty waters with your small group.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. There is a lot of walking in open areas, especially in Petra and Wadi Rum, so please bring comfortable shoes and a hat to make the most of your time at the sites.

  • The weather can be quite cool in winter, so pack layers of clothing to deal with the varying temperatures.

  • In Wadi Rum, you will stay in permanent Bedouin style tents with modern ensuite bathroom facilities. Tents are complete with comfortable king-size or twin beds, a Bedouin sofa, mirrors, lamps, and all bedding.

  • In 2021, Ramadan will take place from 12 April to 11 May. Travelling during this holy month can be a rewarding cultural experience. However, some regular services may not be available during the daytime, such as restaurants or coffee bars, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period.

Traveller sits with leader on car bonnet in Wadi Rum desert
Traveller walks between slim walls of gorge with view of petra at the end
Traveller hikes to see rocky view of Petra
Bean dish and flat bread on wooden table
Travellers go on camel ride through Wadi Rum
View of rocky mountains that surround the blue waters of the dead sea
Travellers pose in front of Petra in Jordan with their leader
Travellers float in the waters of the dead sea

Itinerary
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Welcome to Jordan – cosmopolitan and contemporary yet steeped in biblical history. On arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by a Peregrine representative and transferred to your hotel. You are able to arrive at any time today, keeping in mind hotel rooms are available for check-in generally after 12 pm (midday), and there will be an important welcome meeting with your group and local leader tonight. If you arrive early, perhaps take a walk and pick up a coffee and ara’yes – a toastie filled with spiced meats – at one of the cafes. Otherwise, head to the Old Town’s Roman Amphitheatre, find some culture at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts or look down on the city from the hilltop Temple of Hercules.
Accommodation
  • Sulaf Luxury Hotel Amman or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
An airport arrival transfer is included. This transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Peregrine. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel. Once you have provided your details a transfer representative will be booked to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

After breakfast, drive from Amman to Wadi Rum (approximately 4.5 hours). Enjoy some lunch in the small village of Rum and browse the informative visitor’s centre. Afterwards, jump into a local jeep and journey into Wadi Rum with your Bedouin hosts. This region is probably best known for its connection with the British officer T E Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917 and 1918. Much of David Lean's movie on his exploits, 'Lawrence of Arabia', was actually filmed in Wadi Rum. Visit several of the area’s distinctive rock formations and appreciate the vast silence and spectacular desert landscapes. These landscapes are home to Bedouin communities that live in scattered camps. You will enjoy an evening with them at one of their camps, set in an amazing location deep in the desert.
Accommodation
  • Desert Nights Camp (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
In Wadi Rum, you will stay in permanent Bedouin-style tents with private bathrooms and hot water. Tents are furnished complete with comfortable king-size or twin beds, a sofa, mirrors, lamps, and premium bedding. All furniture is handmade. Electricity is provided in the guest tents in the evenings via solar power. Each tent has a private terrace with a fantastic view of the Wadi Rum Mountains – an ideal place to watch the stars at night.

Please note that it is often difficult to secure our preferred camp in Wadi Rum. The alternative site is Memories Aicha Luxury Camp. If you would like to confirm in advance which camp is available for your tour, please check with your booking agent 30 days prior to departure.

After waking up in the unique surrounds of your Bedouin camp this morning, take a walk around the area – the length of which depends on the group’s desires – before scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy panoramic views of your surrounds. Afterwards, head in 4WDs back to the main entrance opposite the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – the mountain named after Lawrence of Arabia’s book. The visitor's centre here is also a great spot to buy some jewellery and handicrafts, mostly made by a women's co-operative dedicated to supporting local industries. Continue your journey to the fabled city of Petra (approximately 2.5 hours). On arrival, there is time to check out the town that has grown around the site and to relax, ready for a big day of exploring Petra tomorrow.
Accommodation
  • Petra Moon Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Petra - Petra By Night - JOD17
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Petra is a small and busy city with limited hotel options, so it is often difficult to secure a preferred hotel here. Alternative hotels in Petra may include Old Village Resort, P Quattro Relax or Hyatt Zaman. If you would like to confirm in advance which hotel is included on your tour, please check with a Peregrine booking agent 30 days prior to departure.

Petra, dating back to the sixth century BC, is the jewel of Jordan, the lost city of the biblical Nabateans, an impressive series of tombs and dwellings carved directly into the rock. The iconic view – the Treasury's glorious facade, glimpsed from a narrow cleft known as the Siq – is perhaps the single-most striking sight of the entire region. The Siq leads through the rock and is sometimes only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 metres on either side. With your guide, explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs. You will also climb up to see the Monastery, providing a magnificent view of the entire site. There is a cafeteria on the site, where you can enjoy your own light lunch. The rest of the day will be at your leisure. This evening, perhaps take the chance to witness Petra by night if your dates align. Seeing the Treasury plaza lit up by candlelight while Bedouin music plays is a truly memorable experience.
Accommodation
  • Petra Moon Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The optional activity Petra by Night runs every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, beginning at 8.30 pm from Petra Visitor Centre and finishing back at the Visitor Centre around 10.30 pm. Please ensure you check your departure date if you are planning to book this activity as it is not available on all departures. This activity is suitable to book either tonight or yesterday evening.

For another glimpse at Petra, rise very early for an unguided morning visit, if you wish. Afterwards, drive to the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak – originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Saladin in 1189. Enjoy superb scenery and stop off at the viewpoint overlooking the Dana Nature Reserve before arriving in the late afternoon at your Dead Sea premium accommodation. Named for the lack of life in its waters, this lake is so intensely salty that the water density makes swimming and getting underneath the surface very difficult.
Accommodation
  • Dead Sea Spa Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)
  • Shobak - Shobak Castle
  • Dana - Ancient village visit
  • Dead Sea - Visit Including Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that Kerak Castle is not included in your tour, as it is often very congested and busy. However, if there is sufficient interest among members of the group, your group leader can also arrange an optional visit to Kerak Castle today.

Enjoy a relaxing morning spent at the Dead Sea, perhaps heading back to the lake shores for a swim. The warm, highly saline waters make bobbing on the water's surface a unique experience. After lunch, leave the Dead Sea for Mount Nebo, considered to be where Moses saw the Promised Landed before he died. The modest church here with foundations dating back to the fourth century houses some of the best mosaics in Jordan. Continue to Madaba – or the City of Mosaics – and stop at St Georges Church, best known for its Byzantine mosaic depicting a map of the Holy Land. Head back to Amman and spend the evening here.
Accommodation
  • Sulaf Luxury Hotel Amman or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
  • Mt Nebo - Site visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning, leave Amman for a short drive north to Jerash (approximately 1 hour) – once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world. These are some of the best ruins Greco-Roman ruins around. Reaching its peak as a favourite of the emperor Hadrian, it has a striking collection of archways and theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend the morning exploring. Grand columns encircle the city's centrepiece of the Oval Plaza – an atmospheric place to linger after exploring Jerash's riches. Afterwards, return to Amman for the evening (approximately 1 hour). Perhaps spend your night at one of the many bars and restaurants in West Amman, or speak with your group leader about the traditional cafes dotted around the city where locals spend their evenings.
Accommodation
  • Sulaf Luxury Hotel Amman or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jerash - Roman ruins
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12 pm (midday), and so you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer, you will be advised of the pick-up time. If you would like to spend more time in Amman, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 4 dinners

Transport

Jeep, Private aircon bus

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (6 nights), Desert camp ( Feature Stay 1 night)

Included Activities

  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
  • Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)
  • Shobak - Shobak Castle
  • Dana - Ancient village visit
  • Dead Sea - Visit Including Dinner
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
  • Mt Nebo - Site visit
  • Jerash - Roman ruins

Essential trip information

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