Step back in time in the sweeping sands of Jordan, home to enchanting ancient cities, sacred Biblical sites, and jaw-dropping natural wonders. Experience the rock-cut magnificence of Petra, featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, where Cleopatra is said to have been a frequent visitor. Enjoy a traditional meal at a G Adventures–supported café, and gain insights into the Bedouin way of life in the heart of the Jordanian desert.
Travel Style
National Geographic Journeys
Service Level
Upgraded
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Women's Cooking Class & lunch, Jerash Governorate
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Petra Archaeologist Talk, Wādī Mūsá
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Wadi Rum Night Walk, Wadi Rum
Your G for Good Moment: Beit Khayrat Souf women-run cafe, Jerash Governorate
Your G for Good Moment: Al Safi Community Lunch, Jordan Valley
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group. Arrival transfer. Visit to the Amman Citadel and the National Archaeological Museum. Tour of Jerash and the Madaba mosaics. Visit Mount Nebo. Petra guided tour. Enjoy a traditional meal at Al Safi Kitchen, a G Adventures–supported café. Wadi Rum desert 4x4 excursion. Visit to Bethany. All tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Visit the ancient ruins of Jerash and Petra, watch a cooking demonstration and taste local specialties, float in the Dead Sea, thunder through the red-hued desertscapes of Wadi Rum, enjoy a lecture from an archaeologist
How large will the group be?
Max 16, Avg 12.
What meals are included in this trip?
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private van/bus, 4x4, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels – 6 nts, desert camp – 1 nt.
Itinerary
Amman
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included. Arrive in Amman at any time, there are no planned activities. Meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader this evening for a welcome meeting to learn more about the tour and plans for the following day, choose to head out for an optional dinner at a local restaurant with your Expedition Leader and the group.
Amman is a very big city and there is not one central area to stay - hotels are spread out across various neighbourhoods within the city, often on busy streets without pedestrian walkways - getting around the city, for visitors and locals, is done by car. For this reason, to move around the city in your free time, you will have to take a taxi, please feel free to ask your Expedition Leader for recommendations and assistance.
Amman
Awake in the Jordanian capital and venture to Jerash, home to one of the world’s largest and most well-preserved Roman ruins. Wander amid the colonnaded streets, soaring temples, and spacious squares of this ancient city; then visit a G Adventures–supported café run by local women, where we’ll enjoy a cooking class and delicious traditional lunch. Back in Amman, visit the Jordan Archaeological Museum and explore the ruins of the Citadel—one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the world.
Amman/Wādī Mūsá
Depart early towards Petra, driving along the scenic King’s Highway. Stop at Mount Nebo, where Moses was offered a glimpse of the Promised Land according to the Hebrew Bible. Take in stunning views of the Dead Sea from the summit, and continue to Madaba, famed for its Byzantine mosaics—including the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land. Arrive in Wadi Musa, our base for exploring Petra, and enjoy a talk by an archaeologist about the legendary sandstone city and the ongoing excavations taking place there.
Wādī Mūsá
Rise early to discover the legendary city of Petra, carved out of sandstone cliffs by the Nabataean Arabs as early as the second century BC. Venture into the city by way of a gorge called the Siq, and enjoy a guided walking tour of the magnificent rose-red ruins. Spend some time exploring on your own before returning to our hotel. This evening, opt to experience Petra by night, when the site glows in the light of thousands of candles, and take in a performance of Bedouin music. The site is large so please be prepared for a lot of walking over sand and rocks for the entire day. Pace yourself, stay hydrated and be sure to have proper walking/hiking shoes.
Petra/Wadi Rum
After breakfast, continue to Wadi Rum—a vast landscape of sweeping red sand dunes and towering sandstone arches. Enjoy lunch at our desert camp, then set out on a thrilling 4x4 excursion into the desert. Drive past spectacular rock formations, look for ancient petroglyphs, and pick the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Return to camp for a typical Bedouin feast. Later, head out with your Bedouin guide for a nighttime walk, admiring the dazzling, starry skies of the desert. After breakfast, drive to Wadi Rum, a vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds and the largest and most magnificent of Jordan's desert landscapes. Spend the night in a simple, but comfortable desert camp; The authentic goat-wool tent provides a glimpse into traditional Bedouin living. Each tent has ensuite and is outfitted with sheets, pillows, a raised bed, towels, electricity and thick covers against the desert cold. While the accommodation is simple, it is quite comfortable and offers a truly unique experience.
Wadi Rum/Dead Sea
Travel towards the Dead Sea, one of the saltiest bodies of water on the planet. Stop for lunch at a G Adventures–supported community café, located on lush green farmland surrounded by desert. Continue to the shores of the Dead Sea and settle into our hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing poolside, or choose to take a dip in the mineral-rich waters of the lake, long known for their therapeutic properties. At 423m (1,388 ft) below sea level, the shores of the Dead Sea are at the lowest land elevation on Earth. The sea is named because its salinity is so high (up to nine times that of the world’s oceans) that only a few microorganisms can live in its waters.
The Dead Sea is a resort area, with chain hotels whose sole purpose are to allow access to the Dead Sea. This allows time to relax, float in the sea or opt to visit a spa. Dinner is in the hotel, as there are no local restaurants within the resort area.
Dead Sea/Amman
Enjoy a visit to the archaeological remains of Bethany, where Jesus is believed to have been baptized. Explore the churches, chapels, monasteries, and caves of this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site, then travel back to Amman. Join the group for an optional farewell dinner tonight.
Amman
Depart at any time. Check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage facilities are available. We also encourage you to book a few additional nights if you want more time to explore the city.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
