Wadi Rum

Arrive in Aqaba and transfer to Wadi Rum(1.5 hours)

From Aqaba airport: 1-hour drive to Wadi Rum Village. Most camps arrange pickup. Or take the daily JETT bus from Amman (7 JOD). Buy a Jordan Pass online beforehand (70-80 JOD) — it covers your visa fee, Wadi Rum entry, and Petra

Check in at Wadi Rum Visitor Center(30 minutes)

Pay the 5 JOD entry fee (included in Jordan Pass). Last toilets, ATM, and shop before the desert. Stock up on water and snacks

Camp arrival and settle in(1 hour)

Your Bedouin camp arranges pickup from the village. Camps range from basic goat-hair tents (35 JOD/$50) to luxury bubble tents (150 JOD/$210). Let the silence of the desert wash over you

Sunset from camp and traditional dinner(2.5 hours)

Watch the desert turn red-gold-purple. Dinner is zarb — meat and vegetables buried underground in a fire pit for hours. Eat on carpets under the stars. This is Bedouin hospitality at its finest

Sunrise from camp(30 minutes)

Wake early — the first light on the sandstone cliffs is pink and gold. A cup of Bedouin tea (sweet, brewed on coals) to start the day

Jeep tour — Lawrence's Spring and Khazali Canyon(3 hours)

Open-back pickup driven by a Bedouin guide. First stop: Lawrence's Spring — scramble up rocks to a trickling spring with valley views. Then Khazali Canyon — walk 150 meters into a narrow slot canyon to see 2,000-year-old Nabataean inscriptions of hunting scenes. Tea stop included. 40-65 JOD per vehicle (fits 6)

Bedouin tea stop in the desert(30 minutes)

Your guide brews tea on a small fire in the shade of a cliff. The simplicity is the beauty

Um Frouth Rock Bridge and red sand dunes(2 hours)

Scramble up the natural sandstone arch (15 minutes, moderate) for panoramic views. Then run down the red sand dunes — softer and redder than you'd expect. Great photo opportunities

Sunset point and return to camp(1.5 hours)

Your guide knows the best sunset spots. Watch from a cliff or dune top as the desert turns to fire. Return to camp for another zarb dinner and stargazing

Sunrise camel trek(2 hours)

Experience the desert as Bedouins have for millennia. 1-2 hour ride through red sand valleys at dawn. 15-25 JOD ($21-35) per person. Book through your camp the night before. The slower pace reveals details you miss on a jeep

Breakfast at camp(1 hour)

Fresh flatbread, hummus, eggs, and tea. Simple and satisfying

Burdah Rock Bridge hike(4 hours)

Wadi Rum's highest natural arch at 35 meters. A challenging 3-4 hour scramble with a mandatory Bedouin guide (25-35 JOD). The final section has exposed climbing — not for those with vertigo. Bring sturdy shoes and 2+ liters of water. The view from the top is the best in Wadi Rum

Rest and free afternoon at camp(2 hours)

Read, nap, or simply sit in the shade and listen to the silence. The desert teaches you to slow down

Stargazing(1.5 hours)

One of the darkest skies on Earth. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. Lie on a blanket outside your tent. Some camps offer telescopes

Guided hiking through Rakhabat Canyon(3 hours)

A narrow sandstone canyon with layered rock formations in reds, oranges, and purples. Guide: 20-30 JOD. Moderate difficulty. The play of light in the canyon walls is extraordinary

Lunch in the shade of a cliff(1 hour)

Your guide prepares a simple lunch — flatbread, hummus, tomatoes, and tea cooked on a camp stove. Eating under a rock overhang used by travelers for thousands of years

Visit lesser-known petroglyphs(1.5 hours)

Beyond the tourist circuit, your guide shows you Thamudic and Nabataean inscriptions that most visitors never see. Animal figures, tribal marks, and prayer inscriptions carved 2,000+ years ago

Evening at camp(2 hours)

Your last night in the desert. Traditional mansaf dinner (lamb in fermented yogurt sauce over rice) — the Jordanian national dish. Music and stories around the fire

Final desert sunrise(30 minutes)

One last sunrise over the sandstone cliffs. Bedouin tea to say goodbye

Drive to Petra (Wadi Musa)(1.5 hours)

Your camp or a taxi arranges transfer. 30-40 JOD for a private car. The landscape shifts from flat desert to dramatic mountain canyons

Check-in to Wadi Musa hotel(30 minutes)

Stay within walking distance of the Petra entrance. The Mövenpick and Petra Guest House are closest. Budget hotels from 25-40 JOD/night

Petra by Night (if Mon, Wed, or Thu)(2 hours)

Walk the Siq by candlelight to the Treasury lit by 1,500 candles. 17 JOD. Starts at 8:30 PM. Buy tickets at the Visitor Center. Arrive early for front row. The silence broken only by Bedouin music is haunting

Dinner at Al Qantarah(1.5 hours)

Traditional Jordanian restaurant in Wadi Musa. Mansaf, maqluba (upside-down rice dish), and fresh salads. 8-15 JOD per person

Enter Petra at opening (6 AM)(1.5 hours)

Walk the 1.2 km Siq (narrow canyon) to the Treasury. Arriving at dawn, you may have the Treasury to yourself for 20 minutes. Entry: 50 JOD for 1 day (included in Jordan Pass). The first glimpse through the Siq is one of travel's greatest moments

Royal Tombs and Street of Facades(2 hours)

Climb to the Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, and Palace Tomb. The interior of the Urn Tomb was converted to a Byzantine church — the scale is humbling

Hike to the Monastery (Ad Deir)(3 hours)

850 steps carved into the mountainside (45 min up). The Monastery is larger than the Treasury but sees fewer visitors. The café at the top serves tea ($2) with a view. Continue past the Monastery to the viewpoint overlooking Wadi Araba

Lunch at the Basin Restaurant(1 hour)

The only sit-down restaurant inside Petra. Buffet lunch 15-18 JOD. Or bring sandwiches from Wadi Musa

High Place of Sacrifice trail(2 hours)

An alternative descent from the High Place with fewer tourists. Passes the Lion Fountain and Garden Tomb. Stunning views across the entire ancient city

Optional: Early morning return to Petra(2 hours)

Your ticket covers the full day. Return at dawn for anything you missed. The morning light on the Treasury is different from mid-day

Jordanian breakfast in Wadi Musa(1 hour)

Ful medames, hummus, labneh, fresh bread, and sweet tea. 3-5 JOD. A proper Jordanian send-off

Transfer to Aqaba airport or Amman(1.5-4 hours)

To Aqaba (AQJ): 1.5 hours, taxi 30-40 JOD. To Amman (AMM): 3.5-4 hours via King's Highway (scenic) or Desert Highway (fast). JETT bus to Amman: 11 JOD. Allow extra time for the scenic route through Dana Nature Reserve

Arrive and transfer to Wadi Rum(1.5 hours)

From Aqaba: 1-hour drive. Buy Jordan Pass online beforehand (70-80 JOD) for visa, Wadi Rum, Petra, and 40+ sites

Wadi Rum Visitor Center(30 minutes)

Entry 5 JOD (included in Jordan Pass). Last ATM and shop. Stock up on water

Camp arrival(1 hour)

Bedouin camps from 35 JOD (basic) to 150 JOD (bubble tent). Let the desert silence settle in

Sunset and zarb dinner(2.5 hours)

Watch the desert turn red-gold-purple. Zarb — meat and vegetables buried in a fire pit. Eaten on carpets under stars

Lawrence's Spring and Khazali Canyon(3 hours)

Spring with valley views, then 2,000-year-old Nabataean inscriptions in a slot canyon. 40-65 JOD per vehicle (fits 6)

Desert tea stop(30 minutes)

Tea brewed on coals in cliff shade

Um Frouth Rock Bridge and red dunes(2 hours)

Scramble the sandstone arch (15 min) for panoramic views. Run down red sand dunes

Sunset point and camp dinner(1.5 hours)

Your guide knows the best spots. Zarb dinner and stargazing

Sunrise camel trek(2 hours)

Through red sand valleys at dawn. 15-25 JOD per person

Burdah Rock Bridge hike(4 hours)

Highest arch at 35 meters. Mandatory guide 25-35 JOD. Exposed climbing. Not for vertigo. Sturdy shoes and 2+ liters water

Rest and stargazing(3 hours)

Milky Way visible to naked eye. Desert silence

Rakhabat Canyon hike(3 hours)

Narrow sandstone canyon. Layered reds, oranges, purples. Guide 20-30 JOD

Lunch under a cliff overhang(1 hour)

Guide prepares flatbread, hummus, tea on a camp stove

Hidden petroglyphs tour(1.5 hours)

Off-circuit Thamudic and Nabataean inscriptions. Animal figures and tribal marks

Final desert evening(2 hours)

Mansaf dinner and Bedouin music by firelight

Lazy morning at camp(3 hours)

No alarm. Breakfast when ready. Walk the immediate surroundings. Read a book in the shade. The desert rewards stillness

Bedouin bread-making lesson(1.5 hours)

Learn to make zarb flatbread in the sand. Your camp host teaches the technique passed through generations. Free with camp stay

Transfer to Aqaba(1 hour)

Leave the desert for the Red Sea. Taxi 25-35 JOD

Check-in to Aqaba hotel(30 minutes)

Stay on the beach strip. InterContinental or Kempinski for luxury (100+ JOD). Budget beach hotels from 30 JOD

Seafood dinner on the Aqaba waterfront(1.5 hours)

Captain's Restaurant for fresh Red Sea fish. Grilled hammour, hummus, and arak. 10-15 JOD per person

Morning snorkeling at Japanese Garden reef(2.5 hours)

One of Aqaba's best shore-entry snorkeling sites. Colorful coral and tropical fish just 20 meters from shore. Taxi from hotel 3-5 JOD. Gear rental 5-8 JOD. Free entry

Intro scuba dive or certified dive(3 hours)

Aqaba has excellent reefs at 5-40 meters. Intro dive: 45-65 JOD. The Cedar Pride wreck (purposely sunk military vessel) is a highlight for certified divers. Operators: Seastar Watersports, Deep Blue

Lunch at Syrian Palace Restaurant(1 hour)

Popular with locals. Enormous shawarma plates and mixed grills. 5-8 JOD for a huge meal

Aqaba Castle and Islamic Museum(1 hour)

16th-century Mamluk castle near the waterfront. Free entry. Small but interesting collection of early Islamic artifacts

Sunset at Berenice Beach(1.5 hours)

Public beach with views across the Red Sea to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel — four countries visible from one spot. Free. The sunset colors are extraordinary

Drive to Dana Nature Reserve(2 hours)

150 km north of Aqaba. Hire a driver (40-60 JOD) or rent a car

Dana Nature Reserve hike(3 hours)

Jordan's largest nature reserve. The Rummana Trail (2.5 hours, moderate) offers canyon views and a chance to spot ibex. Entry 10 JOD. The Dana Tower Lodge viewpoint overlooking the Wadi Araba rift valley is breathtaking

Lunch at Dana Tower Lodge(1 hour)

Simple restaurant with the most dramatic view in Jordan — looking west across the Great Rift Valley. Mansaf or grilled chicken. 5-8 JOD

Continue to Wadi Musa (Petra)(1 hour)

45 km from Dana. Check in to a hotel near Petra entrance

Petra by Night (if Mon, Wed, or Thu)(2 hours)

1,500 candles light the Siq and Treasury. 17 JOD. Starts 8:30 PM. Haunting

Enter Petra at 6 AM(1.5 hours)

Walk the 1.2 km Siq to the Treasury. Dawn arrival means near-solitude. Entry 50 JOD (included in Jordan Pass)

Royal Tombs and Street of Facades(2 hours)

Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Palace Tomb. Interior of Urn Tomb was a Byzantine church

Hike to the Monastery (Ad Deir)(3 hours)

850 steps up. Larger than the Treasury. Tea at the summit café ($2). Continue to the viewpoint over Wadi Araba

Lunch at Basin Restaurant(1 hour)

Only sit-down inside Petra. Buffet 15-18 JOD

High Place of Sacrifice descent(2 hours)

Alternative trail with fewer tourists. Lion Fountain and Garden Tomb

Early morning return to Petra(3 hours)

Second-day ticket: 5 JOD (with Jordan Pass, already included). Explore the Colored Sandstone Tombs, Byzantine Church mosaics, and the quieter Al Habis area with a Crusader castle

Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)(1.5 hours)

A miniature version of Petra 9 km north, used as an agricultural suburb and caravan stop. Free entry. The painted ceiling in the Painted House biclinium is the only surviving Nabataean fresco. Far fewer tourists

Lunch at a Wadi Musa restaurant(1 hour)

Al Saraya for good mezze and mixed grill. 5-10 JOD

Free afternoon — rest(2 hours)

Two days of Petra hiking earns you a rest. Pool time if your hotel has one

Dinner at My Mom's Recipe(1.5 hours)

Home-style Jordanian cooking run by a local family. Maqluba, musakhan, and mansaf. 8-12 JOD. Reservations recommended — it's popular

Drive the King's Highway(2 hours)

Rent a car (25-35 JOD/day) or hire a driver. The highway is winding and scenic — far more beautiful than the Desert Highway alternative

Kerak Castle(1.5 hours)

Massive Crusader castle built in 1142. Entry 2 JOD (Jordan Pass). Explore underground passages, vaulted halls, and ramparts with views across the Dead Sea rift. Fewer tourists than Petra's sites

Lunch at a Kerak restaurant(1 hour)

Local restaurant near the castle. Grilled chicken, hummus, and fresh juice. 3-5 JOD

Continue to Madaba(1.5 hours)

City of Mosaics — 30 km south of Amman

St. George's Church — Madaba Map(45 minutes)

The oldest surviving map of the Holy Land, created from 2 million mosaic tiles in the 6th century. Entry 1 JOD. Open Mon-Sat 8:30 AM-6 PM. A genuinely remarkable artifact

Dinner at Haret Jdoudna(1.5 hours)

Restored Ottoman complex in Madaba's old quarter. Excellent mezze and grilled meats in a courtyard setting. 8-12 JOD

Mount Nebo(1 hour)

Where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Clear days reveal Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, and the Dead Sea from 817 meters. Entry 2 JOD. The Byzantine church mosaics are beautiful

Drive to the Dead Sea(30 minutes)

Descend from 817 meters above sea level to 430 meters below — the lowest point on Earth. Your ears may pop

Dead Sea float(3 hours)

The 34% salt content makes it impossible to sink. Slather the mineral-rich mud on your skin (it's genuinely therapeutic). Access via resort day passes (15-25 JOD) at the Hilton, Mövenpick, or Holiday Inn. Public beach at Amman Beach (20 JOD)

Lunch at a Dead Sea resort(1 hour)

Buffet lunch at the Mövenpick or Hilton. 15-20 JOD. Eat in a bathrobe — everyone does

Drive to Amman(1 hour)

Check in to an Amman hotel in the Downtown or Rainbow Street area

Amman Citadel(2 hours)

Roman Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace, and the Jordan Archaeological Museum perched on Jebel al-Qala'a. Entry 2 JOD (Jordan Pass). The views across Amman's white limestone hills are stunning

Roman Theatre(1 hour)

6,000-seat theatre built in the 2nd century, still used for events. Entry 1 JOD. The acoustics are remarkable — test them from the top row

Lunch at Hashem Restaurant(1 hour)

The most famous falafel in Jordan — this open-air downtown institution has been serving since 1952. King Abdullah II eats here. Falafel, hummus, and foul for 2-3 JOD

Walk through Downtown souqs(1.5 hours)

Gold souq, spice market, and clothing souqs along King Talal Street. Chaotic, colorful, and authentic. The perfume shops are worth exploring

Rainbow Street evening(2 hours)

Amman's trendiest street — cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. Dinner at Sufra for refined Jordanian cuisine. Their musakhan (roasted chicken with sumac onions on taboon bread) is the best in Amman. 8-15 JOD

Drive to Jerash(50 minutes)

48 km north of Amman. Taxi 15-20 JOD or bus from Tabarbour station 1 JOD

Jerash archaeological site(3 hours)

Oval Plaza, colonnaded streets, temples, theaters, and churches — an entire Roman city remarkably preserved under centuries of sand. Entry 10 JOD (Jordan Pass). The South Theatre seats 3,000 and has perfect acoustics

Lunch at a Jerash restaurant(1 hour)

Lebanese House near the entrance. Mezze and grilled meats. 5-8 JOD

Free afternoon and farewell dinner(3 hours)

Last-minute shopping at Wild Jordan Center (handicrafts supporting nature reserves) or rest. Farewell dinner at Fakhr el-Din for the finest Lebanese-Jordanian cuisine in Amman. 15-25 JOD per person

Jordanian breakfast at Hashem(1 hour)

One last round of falafel and hummus at the legendary downtown restaurant. 2-3 JOD

Pick up souvenirs(1 hour)

Dead Sea cosmetics, Jordanian za'atar, mosaics from Madaba, or sand art bottles from Petra. Wild Jordan Center has ethically sourced handicrafts

Transfer to Queen Alia Airport (AMM)(45 minutes)

35 km south of Amman. Taxi 20-25 JOD or Airport Express Bus 3.5 JOD. Allow 3 hours for international flights

Airport transfer to Amman(45 minutes)

Airport Express Bus 3.5 JOD or taxi 20-25 JOD. Buy Jordan Pass online beforehand (70-80 JOD) for visa, Petra, Wadi Rum, and 40+ sites

Check-in near Rainbow Street(30 minutes)

Stay in Jabal Amman for walkability. The House Boutique Suites or Art Hotel for character. Budget: 25-40 JOD/night

Walk Rainbow Street(1.5 hours)

Amman's trendiest street. Cafes, boutiques, galleries, and street cats everywhere. Try a fresh pomegranate juice from a cart ($1)

Dinner at Sufra(1.5 hours)

Refined Jordanian cuisine. Musakhan (sumac chicken on taboon bread) and mansaf. 8-15 JOD per person

Amman Citadel(2 hours)

Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace, Archaeological Museum. Entry 2 JOD (Jordan Pass). Hilltop views of Amman's white limestone cityscape

Roman Theatre(1 hour)

6,000-seat 2nd-century theatre. Entry 1 JOD. Test the acoustics from the top row

Lunch at Hashem Restaurant(1 hour)

Jordan's most famous falafel since 1952. King Abdullah eats here. Falafel, hummus, foul for 2-3 JOD

Downtown souqs(1.5 hours)

Gold, spice, and clothing markets on King Talal Street

Dinner at Fakhr el-Din(1.5 hours)

Finest Lebanese-Jordanian cuisine in Amman. 15-25 JOD

Drive to Jerash(50 minutes)

48 km north. Taxi 15-20 JOD or bus 1 JOD from Tabarbour

Jerash archaeological site(4 hours)

Oval Plaza, colonnaded streets, temples, theatres, churches. Entry 10 JOD (Jordan Pass). South Theatre seats 3,000 with perfect acoustics

Lunch at Lebanese House(1 hour)

Near the entrance. Mezze and grills. 5-8 JOD

Ajloun Castle detour(1.5 hours)

12th-century Ayyubid castle 20 km from Jerash, built by Saladin's nephew. Entry 2 JOD. Mountain forest setting with views to the Jordan Valley

Late brunch at Wild Jordan Center(1.5 hours)

Café overlooking the Citadel and downtown Amman. Organic food from Dana Nature Reserve. 5-8 JOD. The view alone is worth it

Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts(1 hour)

Contemporary art from across the Arab world. Free. In Jabal al-Weibdeh — Amman's bohemian quarter

Jabal al-Weibdeh café crawl(2 hours)

Walk this hilly arts district. Coffee at Rumi Café, browse Dar al-Anda art gallery, vintage shopping at Darat al Funun

Jordanian cooking class(3 hours)

Learn to make mansaf and maqluba with a local cook. Beit Sitti (Grandmother's House) offers classes in a restored downtown home. 25-35 JOD including the meal

Evening at a shisha café(1.5 hours)

Arguileh (hookah) on a rooftop terrace. Books@Café or Turtle Green Tea Bar. A quintessential Amman evening

Drive to Dead Sea(1 hour)

65 km from Amman. Taxi 20-30 JOD or organized day trip

Dead Sea float and mud bath(4 hours)

34% salt makes it impossible to sink. Slather mineral mud on skin. Resort day passes 15-25 JOD at Hilton, Mövenpick, or Holiday Inn. Public Amman Beach 20 JOD

Lunch at Dead Sea resort(1 hour)

Buffet at Mövenpick or Hilton. 15-20 JOD

Dinner at Habibah Sweets(30 minutes)

Famous downtown knafeh shop. Hot cheese pastry with syrup for 0.50 JOD. The line is always worth it

Rent car or hire driver(30 minutes)

Car rental 25-35 JOD/day. The King's Highway is winding and scenic — far better than the fast Desert Highway

Mount Nebo(1 hour)

Where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Clear days reveal Jerusalem. Entry 2 JOD. Byzantine mosaics

Madaba — St. George's Church(45 minutes)

6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land from 2 million tiles. Entry 1 JOD

Drive King's Highway to Kerak(2.5 hours)

One of the world's oldest continuously used roads. Dramatic canyon crossings and village stops

Kerak Castle(1.5 hours)

Massive 1142 Crusader castle. Entry 2 JOD (Jordan Pass). Underground passages, vaulted halls, Dead Sea views

Overnight in Kerak or continue to Dana(1 hour)

Kerak Rest House has basic rooms with castle views. Or drive 1 hour to Dana

Drive to Dana(1 hour)

From Kerak, south along the King's Highway

Rummana Trail hike(3 hours)

Moderate canyon hike with ibex sighting opportunities. Entry 10 JOD. Stunning views across the Wadi Araba rift valley

Dana Tower Lodge viewpoint(1 hour)

The most dramatic view in Jordan — looking west across the Great Rift Valley. Lunch here: mansaf or chicken. 5-8 JOD

Drive to Wadi Musa (Petra)(1 hour)

45 km south. Check in near Petra entrance

Petra by Night (if Mon/Wed/Thu)(2 hours)

1,500 candles in the Siq and at the Treasury. 17 JOD. Haunting

Enter Petra at 6 AM(1.5 hours)

Walk the 1.2 km Siq to the Treasury at dawn. Near-solitude. Entry 50 JOD (Jordan Pass)

Royal Tombs(2 hours)

Urn Tomb (Byzantine church interior), Silk Tomb, Palace Tomb

Monastery hike(3 hours)

850 steps up. Larger than Treasury. Summit tea café ($2). Continue to Wadi Araba viewpoint

Lunch at Basin Restaurant(1 hour)

Only sit-down inside Petra. Buffet 15-18 JOD

High Place of Sacrifice descent(2 hours)

Lion Fountain and Garden Tomb on an alternative trail

Morning return to Petra(3 hours)

Colored Sandstone Tombs, Byzantine Church mosaics, Al Habis Crusader castle

Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)(1.5 hours)

9 km north. Free entry. The Painted House has the only surviving Nabataean fresco. Far fewer tourists

Lunch at Al Saraya(1 hour)

Wadi Musa. Mezze and mixed grill. 5-10 JOD

Dinner at My Mom's Recipe(1.5 hours)

Home-style Jordanian cooking. Maqluba, musakhan, mansaf. 8-12 JOD

Optional: Petra sunrise return(2 hours)

Morning light on the Treasury is different from midday. Last chance for that perfect photo

Drive to Wadi Rum(1.5 hours)

Taxi 30-40 JOD. The landscape transitions from mountains to flat desert

Wadi Rum Visitor Center(30 minutes)

Entry 5 JOD (Jordan Pass). Last shop and ATM

Camp arrival and settle in(1 hour)

Your camp picks you up from the village. The silence hits immediately

Sunset and zarb dinner(2.5 hours)

Desert colors and underground-cooked meat. Stargazing begins

Lawrence's Spring and Khazali Canyon(3 hours)

Spring with valley views, 2,000-year-old inscriptions in a slot canyon. 40-65 JOD per vehicle

Um Frouth Rock Bridge and red dunes(2 hours)

Scramble the arch. Run down red sand dunes

Sunset and stargazing(2 hours)

Milky Way visible to naked eye. Desert silence and zarb dinner

Sunrise camel trek(2 hours)

15-25 JOD per person. Slower pace reveals details

Burdah Rock Bridge hike(4 hours)

Highest arch at 35 meters. Guide mandatory 25-35 JOD. Exposed climbing. Best view in Wadi Rum

Rakhabat Canyon hike(3 hours)

Narrow sandstone canyon. Layered colors. Guide 20-30 JOD

Cliff-side lunch(1 hour)

Guide prepares flatbread, hummus, tea under a rock overhang

Hidden petroglyphs(1.5 hours)

Off-circuit Thamudic and Nabataean carvings. Animal figures and tribal marks 2,000+ years old

Bedouin bread-making lesson(1 hour)

Learn zarb flatbread technique from your host. Free with camp stay

Final desert evening(2 hours)

Mansaf dinner and music by firelight

Solo walk around camp(2 hours)

Walk in any direction. The scale of Wadi Rum only reveals itself on foot. Stay within sight of camp. Bring water

Read, write, photograph(3 hours)

The desert is a writer's and photographer's dream. Bring a journal

Final sunset from the dunes(1 hour)

Climb the nearest dune and watch the last light paint the cliffs

Transfer to Aqaba(1 hour)

Taxi 25-35 JOD

Afternoon snorkeling at Japanese Garden(2.5 hours)

Shore-entry reef with colorful coral and fish. Gear rental 5-8 JOD

Sunset at Berenice Beach(1 hour)

Four countries visible: Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia. Free

Dinner at Captain's Restaurant(1.5 hours)

Fresh Red Sea fish, hummus, arak. 10-15 JOD

Two-tank scuba dive(4 hours)

Cedar Pride wreck and coral reef sites. 45-65 JOD. Operators: Seastar, Deep Blue. Intro dives available for non-certified

Lunch at Syrian Palace(1 hour)

Enormous shawarma and grills. 5-8 JOD

Aqaba Castle(1 hour)

16th-century Mamluk fortress. Free

Glass-bottom boat tour(1.5 hours)

See the reef without getting wet. 15-20 JOD per person. Good for non-swimmers

Dinner at Ali Baba Restaurant(1.5 hours)

Waterfront dining. Fresh seafood and mezze. 8-12 JOD

Morning swim and beach(3 hours)

Hotel beach or South Beach public area. The Red Sea is warm year-round (21-27°C)

Aqaba fish market lunch(1 hour)

Buy fresh fish at the harbor market and have a nearby restaurant cook it. 3-5 JOD for fish, 2 JOD to cook

Afternoon at leisure(3 hours)

Pool, reading, or another snorkel session

Evening walk through Aqaba souq(1 hour)

Small but colorful market. Spices, Dead Sea products, and Bedouin jewelry at better prices than tourist shops

Dinner at Royal Yacht Club(1.5 hours)

Upscale waterfront dining. 10-18 JOD per person

Morning flight Aqaba to Amman(45 minutes)

Royal Jordanian. 25-50 JOD one-way. Or scenic 4-hour drive

Drive to Umm Qais(2 hours)

120 km north of Amman. The ancient city of Gadara

Umm Qais ruins(2 hours)

Greco-Roman ruins with views over the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the Yarmouk River gorge. Entry 2 JOD (Jordan Pass). The Ottoman village built among the ruins adds atmosphere

Lunch at Umm Qais Resthouse(1 hour)

Restaurant with arguably the best view in Jordan — eating while looking at the Sea of Galilee. 5-10 JOD

Drive east from Amman(1 hour)

Hire a driver ($60-80) or rent a car. The desert castles loop covers 3 sites in a half-day circle

Qasr Amra(1.5 hours)

UNESCO World Heritage. An 8th-century Umayyad bathhouse with remarkably preserved frescoes — nude bathers, hunting scenes, the zodiac on the ceiling dome. Entry 2 JOD (Jordan Pass). A genuinely unique site

Qasr Kharana(1 hour)

A mysterious square fortress in the empty desert. Its purpose is debated — caravanserai, meeting hall, or defensive post. Free entry. The isolation is atmospheric

Qasr al-Azraq(1 hour)

Black basalt fortress used by T.E. Lawrence as his headquarters during the Arab Revolt. Entry 2 JOD. Lawrence's room above the gate is marked. The nearby Azraq Wetland Reserve has seasonal birds

Farewell dinner at Tawabel(1.5 hours)

Modern Jordanian restaurant. Creative takes on traditional dishes. 10-15 JOD per person

Morning at a café in Jabal al-Weibdeh(1.5 hours)

Slow morning in the arts district. Coffee and pastries at Rumi or Jasmine House

Souvenir shopping(2 hours)

Wild Jordan Center for ethical handicrafts. Al Aydi for handmade ceramics. Downtown souqs for spices, Dead Sea products, and Arabic coffee. Sand art bottles from street vendors ($5-15)

Lunch at Hashem(1 hour)

One last round of the best falafel. 2-3 JOD

Farewell dinner at Kan Zaman(2 hours)

A restored Ottoman village complex 15 minutes south of Amman. Live music, traditional Jordanian cuisine, shisha. 15-20 JOD per person. A beautiful final evening

Final Jordanian breakfast(1 hour)

Falafel at Hashem or mansaf at a local spot. Savor every bite of hummus

Last-minute shopping at airport(30 minutes)

AMM duty-free has Dead Sea products, Jordanian olive oil, and Arabic sweets

Airport transfer and departure(45 minutes)

35 km south. Taxi 20-25 JOD or Airport Express Bus 3.5 JOD. Allow 3 hours for international flights