Two Weeks Exploring Jordan From Bottom to Top

Most people fly into Amman, Jordan’s capital and biggest airport, to start their journey. I recommend flying into Aqaba on Jordan’s southern coast instead to maximize your time in Jordan and not have to back-track later in your trip.

If you’re flying from the United States, especially the West Coast, it is likely your flight will arrive late in the evening. Check into your hotel and try to get a good night's rest!

After a leisurely morning recovering from jetlag, hop in the car and head for Wadi Rum.

Wadi Rum is Jordan’s infamous desert region that has been used in too many to count films most often as a stand in for Mars and other out-of-this-world landscapes. Wadi Rum is also famous for being the haunt of the real-life Lawrence of Arabia and featuring prominently in that film as well.

I recommend arriving early in the afternoon so you have time for a camel ride or a petroglyph tour before checking into your camp for the night.

This morning, rise in the dark and prepare for an unforgettable experience — a peaceful hot air balloon ride over Wadi Rum at sunrise! I promise it will be worth fighting the jet lag to wake early to see this different perspective of the gorgeous natural landscape.

After returning to your camp and freshening up, head out to explore Wadi Rum even more with a jeep tour. Your tour can be customized to your liking, making sure you explore the desert at your pace and don’t feel like you’re just following other tourists around in the sand.

Today isn’t over yet! Once back from your Wadi Rum jeep tour, hop in the car and make the roughly two-hour drive to Petra. Tuck in early tonight — tomorrow will be another early morning!

This morning, rise before the sun again and head for UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World — Petra!

I recommend arriving at the entrance gate a few minutes before opening. Being one of the first people through the gate and walking the siq in the morning twilight means you’ll get a unique perspective as the sky gradually brightens and the colors of the rock surrounding you become more and more vivid. Being here this early means you’ll also arrive at Petra’s crown jewel, the Treasury, before the crowds and tour groups. Giving you a better chance at a clear shot for your photos and a few minutes of quiet appreciation.

I also recommend making the hike up to the High Place of Sacrifice for gorgeous views over most of Petra. Loop down past the Lion Fountain, Garden Temple and Wadi Farasa before making your way back out the siq and to your hotel.

You’ve earned a little break! Enjoy a leisurely afternoon, including the exhibits at the Petra Museum.

This evening, consider heading back into the archeological site for Petra at Night. While some might find it cheesy, it is an opportunity to walk through the siq, lit only by luminaria and the moon — how cool is that!

This morning will feel like sleeping in when you catch the first free shuttle to Little Petra that leaves at 7:30 am. Once there, you’ll have a few minutes to explore Little Petra before climbing in the back of a truck headed for Petra’s “back door.”

A short ride later will have you at the base of the trail where you’ll be offered a donkey ride up the steepest part of the trail. I strongly urge you not to accept the ride and instead do the climb yourself. Yes, it is steep, but the wear and tear of the donkeys is causing erosion on the archeological sites and threatening their future. Please visit responsibly and hike under your own power if you can.

The trail will lead you right to Petra’s "Monastery" which is at the far end of the site from where you entered yesterday. Hiking in through the back door means you can explore your way through Petra’s city center, past the Treasury again, back through the siq and out through the main gate.

It has been an action-packed couple of days! Today, slow down the pace of your trip and head for Feynan Eco Lodge, tucked up against Jordan’s Dana Bioreserve.

Feynan is an award-winning property that encourages guests to unplug and experience authentic Jordan. Located down an unpaved, single-track road, the eco lodge is a sustainable property offering guests all-inclusive packages. You’ll get to choose from included activities like cooking classes, hikes, visits with local Bedouin families and roof-top stargazing. All the meals during your stay will be vegetarian and are prepared with local, fresh products. The lodge has internet access in the lobby and minimal electricity onsite. Instead, the water for your shower is solar-heated on the roof. Locally-made candles light the entire lodge at night, and your bed is heated in the winter with a hot water bottle.

A relaxing afternoon and evening here is just what you’ll want after a couple early mornings and five-figure step-count days at Petra!

Hit the road today to explore the highlights of Jordan’s crusader castles, Shobak and Kerak.

These are located off the King’s Highway, a scenic byway that will also lead you to the Dead Sea when you’re done exploring these historic structures.

Settle into your plush accommodations and watch the sun set over the Dead Sea.

Did you know there were this many castles in Jordan? Actually, for many of these structures referred to as castles, their original purpose and use is unknown. Were they castles? Trading posts? Rural hideouts for the rich and famous of their day? The mystery only adds to the enjoyment as you explore.

I recommend visiting:

• Qasr al Hallabat

• Qasr Amra

• Qasr Kharana

Some may remember from their Sunday School days that Mount Nebo was the place where Moses viewed the promised land before his death. Even if that story doesn’t match with your faith, the spot does have beautiful views and a lovely church and museum with well-preserved mosaics.

Speaking of mosaics, after Mount Nebo, head to Madaba, a town also mentioned in the Bible and famous for its mosaics (the industry is still alive today). Though Madaba is most famous for the mosaic floor of St. George’s Church — the oldest extant map of Palestine dating from 560 CE.

Make sure to leave yourself time this afternoon for a float in the Dead Sea or a visit to one of the area's excellent spas.

Drive north today past the fertile fields that line Jordan’s Dead Sea shore, eventually ending in Umm Qais, the ancient city of Gadara — you guessed it, also mentioned in the Bible.

Drop your bags at a local guest house. Enjoy a private guided tour of the ancient city ruins from a tour guide who was born and raised at the archaeological site. If you visit in spring, you’ll also get to enjoy the ample wild flowers and wild arugula that grow here — what a contrast from Wadi Rum! End your day with a sunset meal and gorgeous views.

Head south today, stopping to enjoy hilly Ajloun. The castle here is quite impressive. There is also a new cable car with views of the Ajloun Forest Reserve. Yes, a forest in Jordan! Now, this might not be the most impressive forest you’ve ever seen if you’re expecting tall, evergreen trees, but it is beautiful and shows the biological diversity to be found in Jordan.

End your day by checking into Amman and your last hotel of this trip!

Take a daytrip to the city of Jerash — the largest and best preserved site of Roman architecture outside of Italy. The site is quite large and deserves at least a few hours of exploration to see the highlights.

Back at your hotel in Amman, indulge in a spa treatment or head to a wine tasting appointment to taste Jordan’s fine local wines.

Spend today enjoying Jordan’s fun museums, including the Royal Automobile Museum and the Royal Tank Museum.

This afternoon indulge in a spa treatment if you haven’t already — you’ve earned it — this has been a long trip!

This is your last day in Jordan! Spend the morning exploring Amman’s old town, including the Citadel, Roman Theater and the Jordan Archeological Museum. The museum houses some of the oldest human statues ever created.

If you’re a history buff like me, you’ll relish a visit this afternoon to the Jordan Museum. The museum is very well-organized with creative displays covering the history of Jordan. It is also famous for housing Jordan’s portion of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Check out of your hotel. It's time to go home! It is also time to make all your friends and family jealous! They will want to plan their own trips to Jordan when you tell them about the wonderful adventure that you had!