Tour
The archaeological wonders of Jordan
Next trip 8 days from 20 July 2027
Prices from 拢3,995
Booking information
20 July 2027 – 8 days for 拢3,995 per person
5 August 2027 – 8 days for 拢3,995 per person
Register your interest for 2028 and we will contact you when confirmed details including finalised dates and prices are available.
Admire Jordan’s many incredible historical marvels, from the ancient city of Petra, to the breathtaking canyons of Wadi Rum and the historic capital of Amman as well as stunning castles, caves, mosaics and excavations. Explore archaeological remains and the living history of Jordanian sites inhabited from Neolithic and Bronze ages through to the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Discover Jordan鈥檚 remarkable history and landscapes, from the vibrant capital of Amman to ancient archaeological sites shaped by centuries of cultural exchange. Explore UNESCO-listed Petra, walking through the Siq to its iconic Treasury, before venturing into Wadi Rum鈥檚 dramatic sandstone desert by Jeep and spending a night in a luxury Bedouin camp. Conclude your journey at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, where you can float in its mineral-rich waters.
You will be accompanied throughout by expert guide Nader Saler, who studied archaeology at Yarmouk University in Jordan. As part of this degree, he spent time working at the Umm Qais dig site, which was a centre of Greek culture during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Nader will be on hand to offer insight and delve into this fascinating country’s history through talks and walking seminars.聽
This Jordan archaeology tour can work well as a special add-on experience for travellers attending the 2027 Total Solar Eclipse, combining world-renowned ancient sites with one of the decade鈥檚 most remarkable astronomical events. Whether you’re interested in the country’s history, geology or culture, this tour provides a unique glimpse into this enchanting destination.
In partnership with Intrepid Travel.
Itinerary
This itinerary has been carefully planned, but this type of travel requires a degree of flexibility. Local conditions, weather, transport or other unforeseen circumstances may require changes to the programme. Intrepid Travel鈥檚 experienced tour leaders will manage any changes on the ground, and while every effort will be made to operate the tour as described, the itinerary may be amended where necessary.
Day 1: Arrive in Amman and meet the group
Welcome to Jordan! Check into the five-star House Boutique Suites. In the evening, you will meet your fellow guests and the tour leader Nader, who will brief you on the tour, then take you for a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Amman Citadel and the Roman Theatre and travel to Jerash
You will start your visit to Jordan with a tour of the old city of Amman, exploring the Citadel and the Roman Theatre, two of the most popular archaeological sites in the city.
There is evidence that the citadel was used by many civilisations, reaching back to Neolithic times, and then fortified during the Bronze Age. It continued to be occupied by the Romans and during the Byzantine period, from which periods most of the structures are still visible. The nearby evocative Roman Theatre was built in the 2nd century and seated 6000 in relative shade.
You will have free time to walk through the Old Market in the downtown area, visiting the shops and the fruit market. You can stop at local restaurants to sample falafel, hummus and other Jordanian delicacies.
After lunch in the city, you will drive north to walk through history in Jerash, regarded as one of the most important and best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East with pristine columns, temples and plazas. These include a hippodrome for 15,000 people, the forum with 56 imposing columns and the Temple of Artemis.
Then it’s on to Ajloun Castle, dominating the skyline and built to ward off the Crusader armies at the key trade and pilgrimage intersection between Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus and Mecca. It was built in the 12th century and includes a museum with artefacts from several periods.
Day 3: Mount Nebo, Madaba, Beidha and Wadi Musa
After breakfast, you will drive to Mount Nebo, an elevated ridge with views, on a good day, of Jericho and Jerusalem. As well as being of biblical significance, there are remains of a Byzantine monastery at its highest point.
Moving south but staying in the hills, you will explore Iraq Al Amir, an area with many springs and famous for its olive trees. Here you will find the archaeological site of Al-Iraq, dominated by a partially restored palace known locally as Qasr Al-Abd, which translates to 鈥�”palace of the servant”, perhaps in connection to the name etched in the nearby caves, believed to be the name of the owner of the ancient estate. There are many caves in the hills that were inhabited during the Copper Age.
Then on to the town of Madaba to discover the amazing Byzantine mosaics excavated throughout the town. Some of these date back to the 5th century and include the Map of Madaba, which is the earliest extant representation of Byzantine Jerusalem and contains over 2 million pieces.
After lunch, you will drive to Beidha, a few kilometres north of Petra, with evidence of early Neolithic villages and then later settled by the Nabataean civilisations between the 4th and 2nd century BC. It is also believed by archaeologists to be a “suburb” of Petra and was probably meant to house traders traveling along the Silk Road.
Arriving in Wadi Musa, you will check into the superbly located Petra Moon Hotel for two nights.
Day 4: Full-day exploring Petra
After an early breakfast, you will take the 150-metre walk to the entrance of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Petra Archaeological Park for its opening at 6.30am, so you can be among the first to enter. From here, it鈥檚 a 2-kilometre walk down the Siq, a narrow canyon to the iconic Treasury, hewn out of the rock face and guarding the ancient Nabataean city.
Having beaten the crowds to the Treasury, you will spend the day exploring the “Lost City” at a leisurely pace. This will include the Amphitheatre, Colonnaded Street, Qasr al-Bint and Royal Tombs, plus a 45-minute hike up 800 steps to the Monastery and the Ad Deir. It is one of the largest monuments in Petra. There is a Bedouin caf茅 for refreshments and you will also be taking lunch on site. If you would prefer to make your own way around the site, at your own pace, you are very welcome to. The hotel is only 10 minutes from the site, so you can return at any time.
Day 5: Drive to Wadi Rum with a full-day Jeep tour
In the morning, you will head south to Wadi Rum, where you will enjoy a full-day Jeep tour with lunch. The area was formed over millions of years of geological evolution with massive rock mountains, mesas, arches, canyons and gorges, shaped by centuries of harsh wind and sand erosion. You will also explore the many inscriptions and petroglyphs that represent the dawning of culture and communication during Neolithic and Nabataean times. At each stop, you have the opportunity to hike and explore in your own time.
You will finish the safari at the Sun City Camp, where you will check into your deluxe tent surrounded by sandstone mountains. Here you will experience a delicious Bedouin dinner, taken at night in the desert under the stars.
Day 6: Karak Castle and Dead Sea
After breakfast, you will leave Wadi Rum and drive to the ancient Crusader-era castle in Karak, exploring the maze of stone-vaulted halls and passageways. The city of Karak was the capital of Moab and the castle dominates the skyline. The castle provides an impressive insight into the architectural skills of the Crusaders.
After enjoying lunch and sampling mansaf, the Jordanian national dish, you will drive for a few hours to the Dead Sea and check into the Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea for two nights.
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure, but for a small fee, a visit can be arranged to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Umm Ar-Rasas, a rectangular walled city that is mostly ruins, but boasts several buildings and four churches, including the church of St Stephen with a large, perfectly preserved mosaic floor.
In the evening, your group will enjoy dinner together.
Day 7: Archaeological remains at Al-Maghtas
Today, you will visit the archaeological remains at Al-Maghtas, otherwise known as the Baptism Site, said to be the site of Jesus鈥檚 baptism. Regardless of belief, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where many interesting remains have been excavated including a monastery, baptism ponds and dwellings.
After returning to your hotel, there will be a farewell dinner.
Day 8: Depart Dead Sea
After a final breakfast together, there will be a group transfer back to Amman’s airport, which will take around an hour.
FAQs
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour begins and ends in Amman. Please speak to Intrepid Travel, who can offer flight advice and book flights for those travelling from the UK.
How fit do I need to be to enjoy this tour?
A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is recommended, as the itinerary involves regular walking, uneven surfaces, steps and occasional steep inclines at archaeological sites. The most physically demanding day is at Petra, where you will spend several hours exploring on foot, including an optional climb of approximately 800 steps to the Monastery. Walks in Wadi Rum are generally optional, allowing you to explore at your own pace. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, particularly as temperatures can be warm and some sites offer limited shade.
How much travel is involved?
This itinerary covers several of Jordan’s most important archaeological sites, with travel by private vehicle between destinations. Some days involve longer journeys, particularly between Amman and Petra, and from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea, with several hours spent on the road and sightseeing stops along the way. Most journeys are broken up with visits to historical sites, while the exploration of Wadi Rum takes place by Jeep. There are also opportunities to relax during your stays in Petra and at the Dead Sea.
Cultural information
While Jordan is a relatively liberal country, modesty still prevails. For a more comfortable experience, female guests should wear clothing that covers their shoulders, chest and legs. Headscarves are not expected or required of non-Muslim women in Jordan.
There is a call to prayer five times a day from the early morning. It is meant to be loud and is a key part of the city soundscape. If you鈥檙e a light sleeper, earplugs may be useful.
What will the weather be like?
Average daytime temperatures in July and August are around 30鈥�32掳C (86鈥�90掳F), with strong sunshine and high UV levels, so lightweight clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sun protection are essential. Evenings are generally warm, averaging 18鈥�22掳C (64鈥�72掳F), though a light layer may still be useful for cooler early mornings, higher altitudes, or air-conditioned interiors.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
All of our tours are perfect for solo travellers. If you want your own room, you will need to pay a solo supplement. However, if you are happy to share a room with a fellow guest of the same sex, we will do all we can to match you with another guest so you do not have to pay the solo room supplement.
Booking information
Booking administration
This tour is operated by our trusted partner Intrepid Travel on behalf of New 女生小视频 Discovery Tours. Their dedicated specialist team will be your main point of contact from booking until you return home, handling your reservation, payments, travel documents, pre-departure information and any questions about your tour or travel arrangements.
Highlights
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, with a full day to discover its temples, tombs and ancient pathways
- Travel the historic King鈥檚 Highway between Amman and Petra, following an ancient route through Jordan鈥檚 landscapes
- Explore Wadi Rum by jeep safari and stay overnight in a Bedouin camp beneath dramatic desert scenery
- Enjoy a traditional Bedouin evening with dinner, music and stargazing beneath Wadi Rum鈥檚 dark desert skies
- Relax beside the Dead Sea and explore the fascinating archaeological remains of this historic region
- Discover Jordan鈥檚 ancient castles, desert palaces and remarkable archaeological sites
- Travel with a maximum of just 16 guests for a more intimate and immersive Jordanian experience
Meet the expert
Nader Saleh
Nader is an expert guide who studied at Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan. As part of this degree, he studied archaeology for three years and spent time working at the Umm Qais dig site, which was a centre of Greek culture during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
He has been guiding for 13 years with a focus on archaeology-themed tours. His specialty is between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC and the Roman era. He can also speak to other eras relevant to the region such as Neolithic Al Beidha.
In his own words, 鈥�I am proud to say now, I have led tours across Jordan with groups and individuals of all sorts, from educationally oriented school groups to religious church groups, from luxury classical travellers to robust adventure hikers. Touring the guests of Jordan is truly a privilege I hold dear. I believe life is one big learning experience, and as far as those go, I think nothing beats travelling and meeting people and places.“
What’s included
- Seven nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
- Five lunches and five dinners
- Full touring itinerary and site entry fees as detailed in the itinerary
- Accompanied by archaeology tour guide Nader Saleh
- Arrival/departure group airport transfers
- 24-hour support
What’s not included
- Travel insurance
- International flights
- Private airport transfers
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers and porters
- Visa/ETA (if applicable)
- Single supplement – 拢554
- Optional tour to Umm Ar-Rasas
Accommodations
House Boutique Suites, Amman
A luxury five-star boutique hotel with spa, rooftop pool and outdoor terrace cocktail bar. The spacious rooms are opulent and relaxing, while the location is within walking distance of the Roman Theatre and Rainbow Street.
Petra Moon Hotel, Wadi Musa
Just 150 metres from the entrance to Petra Archaeological park, this family-run hotel is perfectly placed for a flexible visit to the amazing site. It is easy to pop between the hotel and the site throughout the day. It has a roof garden with an outdoor pool and hot tub, with views over the Sharrah mountains. All-day dining will ensure you are fed whenever you return.
Sun City Camp, Wadi Rum
Located in the isolated heart of the desert and surrounded by majestic sandstone mountains, this amazing resort is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. You will stay in traditional (but deluxe) Bedouin tents with stunning views of both the desert and the night sky.
Crowne Plaza Jordan – Dead Sea Resort & Spa
A five-star hotel, with a private white, sandy beach overlooking the world鈥檚 most famous salt lake, famous for its therapeutic qualities. With several restaurants and bars plus indoor and outdoor pools, including an adults only infinity pool, you are spoilt for options to relax.
Please note: If required for reasons beyond our control, we reserve the right to substitute alternative accommodation of equal or higher quality or adapt the itinerary if required.