Jordan Discovery
Experience Overview
Get ready to be wowed by the sweeping desert of Wadi Rum, the hidden, hand-hewn facades of Petra and the ancient Roman ruins at Jerash on an eight-day journey through Jordan. Watch the sunset from your Bedouin camp, snorkel in the coral-clad Red Sea in Aqaba, float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, traverse the narrow gorge of Siq in Petra and marvel at the unforgettable revelation of The Treasury – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Venture through remarkable landscapes without forgoing familiar home-comforts on this upgraded journey through the jewel in the Middle Eastern crown.
Highlights
- Get your first glimpse of The Treasury in Petra – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Spend a day taking in this unforgettable place on a guided tour, then enjoy free time to explore.
- Experience the unique sensation of floating in the super-salty waters of the Dead Sea, then cover yourself in the mineral-rich mud for a spa treatment like no other.
- Be welcomed into a local home in Petra where you’ll chat to your friendly family hosts over a traditional meal and learn what life is like in this popular spot.
- Meet Bedouin locals, learn about their ways and sleep under the stars in a desert camp in the far-out destination of Wadi Rum.
- Relax in the seaside town of Aqaba on the shores of the Red Sea relax around its untouched reefs and transparent waters – a spectacular spot for snorkelling.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1766
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: 4x4 Jeep,Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: ELKD
Starts: Amman, Jordan
Finishes: Amman, Jordan
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (1), Dinner (3)Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights),Desert camp (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,715 ($339 /day)
Itinerary
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. Your adventure begins in Amman – a cosmopolitan city steeped in biblical history. You’ll be met at the Queen Alia International Airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the citadel for sweeping views of Amman. Or see the Jordan Museum, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, or the Roman Theatre in the middle of downtown. After your meeting, you might like to get to know your group over dinner.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast today, journey down the Desert Highway to Wadi Rum (also known as the Valley of the Moon) – a landscape of rugged sandstone mountains standing tall in an ochre desert. When you arrive, meet your Bedouin hosts then have some free time for lunch. This afternoon, you’ll hop in jeeps operated by the local community to venture into the desert – this is part of an initiative by the Jordanian Government to bring much-needed income into this region. Visit several of Wadi Rum's distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence and spectacular desert landscapes. The Bedouins live in scattered camps throughout the area, and tonight, you’ll stay in one of these camps to spend an evening under the stars. If you like, you can take part in an optional Bedouin storytelling experience, which includes tea while a local woman (and her translator) tells a story about Bedouin culture, issues and traditions.
Included Activities:
- Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
Optional Activities:
- Wadi Rum - Bedouin storytelling experience (10 JOD)
Accommodation:
- Desert Camp (Number of Nights: 1)
Watch sunrise at your desert camp this morning, maybe checking out a few more of the local Wadi Rum sites if you have the energy. You’ll then depart mid-morning for the city of Aqaba on the Red Sea. Check into your hotel, then head out for a brief orientation walk of the town with your leader – the small Ottoman Mamluk Fort, dating from the 14th century and from where Lawrence of Arabia rode to Cairo, is worth a look. With great visibility and abundant marine life, this coastline is also an incredible spot for snorkelling, and the warm waters are host to clownfish, angelfish, sea turtles and corals. Speak to your leader if you’d like to arrange snorkelling, or simply head to the beach and soak up the scenery.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, enjoy some free time in Aqaba before travelling to the fabled city of Petra. Dating back to the 6th century BC, Petra is considered the crown jewel of Jordan, featuring an impressive series of tombs and dwellings carved directly into the rock. The site remained unknown to the wider world until 1812, when it was visited by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and is one of the world’s most incredible ancient sites (as well as one of the Seven Wonders of the World!). When you arrive, settle into your hotel and check out the village before sitting down to a group dinner at your hotel.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Petra is justifiably on most people’s list of ‘must-visit’ places. The iconic Petra view – the Treasury's facade, seen from the narrow cleft known as the Siq – is arguably 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 m on either side. Join your guide and explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs, before enjoying free time to experience Petra at your own pace. Maybe climb up to the Monastery, carved from a mountain summit, where you’ll find magnificent views of the entire site. To cap off a memorable day, you’ll be welcomed into a local home for dinner. On the menu will often be maqluba (a casserole with rice, vegetables and chicken which is cooked, flipped, then served with either yoghurt or an Arab salad with tahina sauce).
Included Activities:
- Petra - Guided tour
- Petra - Home-cooked meal
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, drive to the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak, where your leader will show you the grounds, a small chapel and the original gatehouse. This ancient castle was 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. Depart the castle and stop off at the viewpoint overlooking the Dana Nature Reserve before arriving in Madaba where you’ll visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George and see an impressive ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. Arrive in Amman in the late afternoon, where your leader will recommend some great restaurants to sample the best of the city’s food scene.
Included Activities:
- Shobak - Shobak Castle
- Madaba - St Georges Church
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Take a short drive north to Jerash – once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world and now home to some of the best Greco-Roman ruins. Jerash has a striking collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets, and is a beautiful place to spend a morning exploring. Then, drive to the shores of the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth (420 m below sea level). This isn’t actually a sea, but rather a super-salty lake (dead because of the lack of life in it) where the density of the water means you’ll go for a float, not a swim. The mud here is supposed to have healing properties, so why not cover yourself from head to toe for a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath. Spend some time relaxing here before returning to Amman for the evening. Maybe spend tonight at one of the many bars and restaurants in West Amman or ask your leader about the traditional cafes dotted around the city where locals spend their evenings.
Included Activities:
- Jerash - Roman ruins
- Dead Sea - Visit and float
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around noon and you are free to leave at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Gemma - Traveled, February 2024
Jordan is an absolutely beautiful country - highlights were the Bedouin Camp in the middle of the Arabian desert, so beautiful. Petra as well was of course, breathtaking, and having the two days to explore was perfect to see it all! Thank you Intrepid!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/29/2024
Glen - Traveled, February 2024
Would strongly recommend the Jordan experience to anyone who wants to learn the Arabic culture and history
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/21/2024
Matthew - Traveled, February 2024
There is so much to Jordan – geographically, historically, culturally – that we in the West are largely unaware of. This trip will whet the appetite to experience more, in a safe and friendly environment.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/24/2024
Ayanti - Traveled, March 2024
The trip was a success - group was fantastic, the team leader was excellent in all ways. Highly recommend, Jordan is a beautiful country, offers unexpected degree of history and diversity
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/30/2024
Tom - Traveled, March 2024
Jordan is a fantastic country and this itinerary included some very special destinations. Memories made on this trip will stay with us for a long time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/30/2024
Anmol - Traveled, March 2024
Everything in the trip was amazing (e.g. itinerary, our guide Mutaz). Jordan is a beautiful country and I wish more people would be able to explore it. I felt extremely safe during the whole trip, it’s disappointing that they are not seeing the usual number of tourists that they would expect at this time. I hope that this improves. I would highly recommend this trip to everyone, there’s something for everyone (desert, beach, mountains, history, etc.).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/30/2024
Monique - Traveled, March 2024
This trip is a must in a lifetime that opens your mind on this part of the world!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/16/2024
Joanna - Traveled, February 2024
I highly recommend this trip to a fascinating country. A well paced itinerary we saw so much. The accommodation was good, the food excellent and our guide Mohammed looked after us very well. Petra and Wadi Rum were the highlights of a fabulous trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/10/2024
Kate - Traveled, February 2024
If you are hesitating about booking this trip even slightly, just book it. Jordan is an amazing place with wonderful people and I couldn't recommend it highly enough - I will be back. This trip itinerary was perfect, getting to see what felt like most of Jordan in a short time. Our leader, Mohammed Assaf (request him if you can) was just the best. Jordan deserves your tourism so take the leap!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2024
Ann - Traveled, February 2024
I really enjoyed travelling in these safe biblical lands, although close to the conflict in neighboring Israel. I was particularly stunned by Petra, a cross between Valley of the Kings, and the cave societies of Cappadocia!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2024
Amy - Traveled, February 2024
Fantastic tour. Incredible experiences, ethereal landscapes, breathtaking history and beautiful people.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2024
Michael - Traveled, April 2024
The Jordan tour was fantastic, we had a great guide with exceptional knowledge of the history and sites it really made the trip an unforgettable experience, highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/02/2024
Mark - Traveled, February 2024
The Jordan Discovery trip taken in February 2034 with Intrepid was excellent. We visited interesting places , met local people and were accompanied by a very experienced and enthusiastic tour leader Nuwar . This was a fantastic tour . Jordan and is an amazing place to visit.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/06/2024
Brian - Traveled, March 2024
Intrepid trip at its best! Amazing country with amazing people. This is a jammed packed one week trip that gives you so much to see, do and yet is so relaxed and fun that you'll come home thinking you were just on a 2 week vacation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/04/2024
Kirsty - Traveled, March 2024
This is a phenomenal trip, do not be deterred by events in neighbouring countries, Jordan is a safe, friendly destination that offers so much.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/01/2024
Debbie - Traveled, March 2024
Jordan Discovery is a fantastic trip. The country is fascinating, so many spectacular places to see and the people warm and welcoming. Belal our tour leader was wonderful and really made the trip unforgettable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/09/2024
Bonnie - Traveled, March 2024
A fabulous trip for getting a taste of Jordan’s most famous sights: Petra, Wadi Rum, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, Amman, and so much more. You will bond with your trip mates and enjoy your knowledgeable local guide. Don’t miss it!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/09/2024
Angela - Traveled, February 2024
Fascinating trip exploring the history and culture of Jordan. The grandeur of Petra and Jerash and the vast expanse of the Wadi Rum with its amazing night sky are balanced with time out at the seaside at Aqaba and the Dead Sea.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/08/2024
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