Jordan Family Holiday
Experience Overview
Delve into the magical ancient world of Jordan on this exhilarating family adventure! This tour has been specially designed to highlight the most exciting corners of Jordan, from historical Jerash to magnificent Petra, from Wadi Rum desert to the blissful Red Sea coast. With a carefully weighted balance of activities and down time, your family will love this cultural Middle Eastern odyssey.
Highlights
- Follow in the footsteps of Indiana Jones and explore the amazing ancient city of Petra, with history brought to life by your incredible local leader
- Camp in the middle of the desert in Wadi Rum under a blanket of stars – an unforgettable experience that your children won't forget!
- Take a dip like no other in the Dead Sea. The strange feeling of floating effortlessly in the salt-filled water (don’t be tempted to taste it!) of this unique ecosystem is something that will stay with you and your family for a long time
- Discover the magical world that lies under the Red Sea with snorkelling around some of the world’s best coral reefs
- Cruise through the desert on a 4WD safari and witness a landscapes that’s changed every day by the wind, then maybe explore in real desert style – by camel
- Play gladiator in the ancient Roman city of Jerash, and re-enact more ancient epics in the crusader Kerak Castle
Trip Details
Product Code: 1784
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private Minivan,Jeep
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: ERFJ
Starts: Amman/Jerash, Jordan
Finishes: Amman, Jordan
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (1), Dinner (5)Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights),Desert camp (1 night),Resort (1 night).
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,530 ($316 /day)
Itinerary
Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. If you have booked a transfer you’ll be met at Queen Alia International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Otherwise, make your own way to the joining hotel, located in the heart of Amman, on the edge of the old downtown and within walking distance to the new city centre.
Amman has served as the modern and ancient capital of Jordan and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a 1994 excavation uncovering homes and towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age (circa 7,000 BC). Today is the joining day and free for you to settle in. If you have time, head to major historical and biblical sites just 10 minutes walk away – the 6,000-seat Roman theatre built in the 2nd century, or the Citadel, which offers up panoramic views over the city from the highest hill in town. Within the Citadel is the museum that contains the Dead Sea Scrolls, and also the excavated ruins of an Umayyad palace.
We will have a group meeting at 5pm where you will meet your leader and fellow group members. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. It’s important that you attend, as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. If you’re going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know.
Accommodation:
- Khan Khediwe Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning we take a delightful walk through the Ajloun Forest Reserve along the "Soap House Trail". We will hike through thick healthy woodland filled with oak, pistachio and oriental strawberry trees down to the Soap house, where local women follow the traditional process of making Orjan pure olive soap. We then continue onto Jerash.
The ruins of Jerash were re-discovered in 1806 and continue to be one of Jordan's most amazing sites. One of the best examples of a Roman city in the Middle East, the ancient walled town that survives today is a remarkable evocation of life 2,000 years ago.
With a history stretching back at least 2,300 years, Jerash is one of the best preserved examples of a provincial Roman town anywhere in the world. Its hey day came with the arrival of Alexander the Great and the remains include a forum, nymphaeum, hippodrome, two theatres (complete with numbered seats!) and several temples. Along the Colonnaded Street, grooves in the paving stones show where chariot wheels once rolled and remnants of exquisite mosaics still cover some floors.
There is time to wander the site and imagine life in ancient times before returning to Amman with time to relax, or the opportunity to visit some of the city's sights, such as the Citadel.
Included Activities:
- Jerash - Roman ruins
- Alloun - Ajloun Reserve Walk
Optional Activities:
- Amman - City Tour (8 USD)
- Amman - Dinner with a local family (min 6 people) (25 USD)
Accommodation:
- Khan Khediwe Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning we start our journey towards Petra, taking the Desert Highway south. En route we stop at Madaba.
The historical town of Madaba is famous for its Ottoman-style houses and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics, including the famous 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St George's Church. Other mosaic masterpieces found within the Church of the Virgin and the Apostles and in the Archaeological Museum depict a rampant profusion of flowers and plants, birds and fish, animals and exotic beasts, as well as scenes from mythology and everyday pursuits such as hunting, fishing and farming. If these interest you, you'll be delighted to know that literally hundreds of other mosaics from the 5th to 7th centuries are scattered throughout Madaba's churches and homes.
Just beyond Madaba is another biblical site, Mt Nebo, which overlooks the Jordan Valley. The bible tells us this is the final resting place of Moses; from here he looked out onto the Promised Land. Along the way today you may see the black 'beit ash shar' tents of the hardy Bedouin who still wander throughout the Middle East as they have for centuries. Moving between the few grazing spots which dot the parched landscape, they survive by breeding goats, sheep and camels. Although the traditional nomadic way of life is starting to disappear as some Bedouin succumb to the lure of fixed accommodation, many adhere stolidly to the old way - albeit with the occasional addition of a 4WD vehicle for transport!.
Living in such a hostile environment has taught them the importance of a friendly welcome and the ancient code of hospitality to travellers still survives today. We will then take an easy walk around Dana village, a traditional village on a nature reserve allowing us to meet locals and learn about their history and culture as we walk through the terraced gardens ad local craft workshops. the views here are stunning. Then, head onto Petra to spend the night.
Included Activities:
- Dana - Village visit
- Petra - Little Petra
Optional Activities:
- Mosaic & sand bottles (10 USD)
Accommodation:
- Seven Wonders Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Make your way to Petra, squeezing through the long stretch of stonewall that eventually spills out into the breath-taking ‘rose city’ – one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Though the origins are mysterious, it’s thought this rock carved city was the ancient capital of the Nabatean people back in 600BC. Nobody in the West knew about it until 1812, when a Swiss explorer dressed up like a local, snuck in and then told the world.
Your first glimpse of the iconic, intricate Treasury will be truly memorable, and you’ll find that the site is surprisingly big. You can explore the old Roman road, temples and several old tombs, as well as the rock-hewn amphitheatre. If you have the legs, walk one-hour up to the Monastery and up the clifftop path overlooking the Treasury. When you’ve finished exploring, head back to the hotel to rest up and prepare for a unique cooking experience. At the nearby fully equipped, modern Al Qantara Kitchen, you’ll taste Jordanian food, cook with a Jordanian chef, and have fun learning all about Arabic culture and cuisine. In a 2-hour class, prepare appetisers like baba ghanoush and hummus, then typical Jordanian mains like Maglouba, Kabsah or Mjadra, learning the secrets of these amazing Arabic tastes. Then enjoy it all with a big meal together, taking a copy of the recipes to impress everyone back home.
Notes: A lot of walking is required to see Petra. A basic level of fitness will enhance your enjoyment. When entering Petra as a group, a complimentary horse ride is included in the ticket price from the entrance point down to the Siq. Intrepid doesn't recommend that passengers take this option due to the safety and insurance liability involved.
Included Activities:
- Petra - Guided tour
- Petra - Cooking Class
Optional Activities:
- Petra - Petra By Night (17 JOD)
Accommodation:
- Seven Wonders Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning before we leave we will visit Little Petra, have tea with a local Bedouin family. We will then drive to Wadi Rum, which offers some of the most extraordinary desert scenery anywhere and recently starred in the film "The Martian"
Wadi Rum is full of weird and beautiful lunar-like rock formations. Traces of ancient civilisations can be seen in the many carved inscriptions found throughout the Wadi Rum area, from pictographs to Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic texts. The most enduring monuments in Wadi Rum, however, are those carved by nature - the natural rock bridges, towering rose-coloured sand dunes and scattered rocky peaks.
We will enjoy a 4WD desert discovery, stopping to enter a narrow siq where many inscriptions can be seen. Passing Thamud nomads from Saudi Arabia and the Nabataean people have all left their mark on the surrounding rocks. Nature provides a number of rock bridges that offer some stunning views. There is also the option to explore by camel.
Sleep in a simple desert camp where you'll have the choice of sleeping under a camel hair tent or out under the stars. A mattress and blankets are provided. Please be aware that while the desert may be very hot during the day, it will still be cool at night and warm clothes and a sleeping bag is highly recommended when travelling outside of the summer months. A dinner cooked in a local earthen oven is included. Western-style toilet facilities are available. Conditions are basic at our desert camp, but the company of our Bedouin hosts is warm and you'll treasure the memory of sleeping beneath the twinkling desert night sky.
Included Activities:
- Wadi Rum - 4WD jeep safari
Optional Activities:
- Petra - Camel milking (20 USD)
- Petra - Goat milking (20 USD)
- Petra - Telescope (30 mins) (15 USD)
Accommodation:
- Desert camp (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll drive from the desert to the coast (approximately 1 hour), for some fun, sun and relaxation. Aqaba is landlocked Jordan’s only town on the sea, and this Red Sea beach resort is yours to explore for the rest of the day.
Just south of town, the warm and relatively shallow waters of the Red Sea support a series of stunning untouched coral reefs practically unsurpassed outside Australia's Great Barrier Reef. They make for some of the best snorkelling you can find – the kids can grab a mask and some flippers and do their best mermaid impression. You might also take a boat trip if you don’t want to get wet, take a long walk along the shoreline, or simply kick back by the pool. If you want to get historical then there’s the 14th century Ottoman Fort to check out. This is where the T.E Lawrence (of ‘of Arabia’ fame) rode to Cairo with big news about a revolt. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants to help you enjoy the local cuisine.
Optional Activities:
- Aqaba - Snorkelling Boat trip (35 JOD)
Accommodation:
- Captain's Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Leaving Aqaba, travel along the King's Highway, a winding road that follows the contours of the rocky hills, occasionally passing nomadic shepherds as they tend their flocks in the few areas where there’s water. Descend lower and lower until you eventually arrive on the shores of the Dead Sea (approximately 3 hours). This isn’t actually a sea but a super-salty lake (seven times saltier than the ocean and 'dead' because of the lack of life in it), which lies at the lowest point on Earth (420 metres below sea level).
The density of the water means that when you take a dip, it’s more of a float than a swim, making for great photos. Maybe grab a handful of the shoreline’s mud and slop it over your body on the way back in – it’s full of nutrient-rich natural minerals that are meant to have healing properties, and will leave your skin feeling great. You’ll stop at a private beach with pools and a gentle slope to the water. Towels are available for hire. Don't forget to pack your swimwear for today! This evening you can meet up with the rest of the group for a final meal together, and reflect on your adventures in this fascinating country.
Included Activities:
- Dead Sea - visit and swim
Accommodation:
- Holiday Inn or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, this amazing adventure through Jordan comes to an end at your resort in the Dead Sea. Amman's Queen Alia International Airport is approximately one hour's drive from the Dead Sea.
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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
Hugh - Traveled, December 2023
Excellent trip. Petra, cooking with local family & really got to know Jordan & its history were highlights. Good hotels, great campsite, good transport. Furat was an excellent leader.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/03/2024
Rebecca - Traveled, September 2023
We had a wonderful time on our Jordan Family holiday. Our trip was a great balance of local and tourist experiences, history, family fun and spectacular scenery. What made it extra special was our guide Motaz, who went above and beyond to make it a family holiday we will never forget.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/06/2023
Yvonne - Traveled, August 2023
Our leader Motaz made sure that we had a holiday we will never forget. His knowledge and guidance were incredible. The kids loved him and the trip and now want to see more of the world. What a result!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/18/2023
Lynda - Traveled, August 2023
You won’t regret taking this trip. It brought our family together, we talk about the whole experience all the time and all thanks to Motaz - our A1 leader
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/11/2024
Daniel - Traveled, July 2023
Highly recommended. My 9yo annd 17yo boys loved it. Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi rum desert, Red Sea highlights. Intrepid ran everything perfectly with a great guide called Motaz.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2023
Robyn - Traveled, April 2023
I'm willing to do this, I just need to do so at a later time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/23/2023
Chloe - Traveled, August 2022
Our trip to Jordan was incredible from start to finish. From our outstanding guide and driver team - Faisal and Mohammed - to the show stopping inclusions, this was an adventure of a lifetime. Highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/31/2022
scott - Traveled, April 2022
The Jordan Family Trip was fantastic. We travelled with four other families unknown to us and the group got on very well. Petra, Jerash, Desert camping, Red sea and Dead sea were all great trips which our 9 year daugther loved. The weather was perfect (25-30oC) and the Jordanian people were friendly and welcoming. Less shops etc were open as it was Ramadan but this did not hinder us. We would definitely consider an Intrepid Family trip again
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/18/2022
Alice - Traveled, April 2022
Overall an excellent trip full of adventures and excitement. Highlights for us were Petra (of course!) and Wadi Rum camel riding and camping overnight!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2022
Mary - Traveled, August 2021
Amazing tour of Jordan to Petra, Wadi Rum, Red Sea and Dead Sea. Our tour guide Muhammad Alqaisy was top notched and provided history and background to each place we visited. Jordan is an amazing country! Go!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/23/2021
David - Traveled, August 2021
Great trip. Hit the highlights of Jordan in an easy to defeat itinerary. Tour leader was excellent with much insight and local knowledge.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/27/2021
David - Traveled, August 2021
The Jordan family adventure was an excellent introduction to all the major sites of Jordan. Would highly recommend doing this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/23/2021
Daniel - Traveled, July 2023
Highly recommended. My 9yo annd 17yo boys loved it. Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi rum desert, Red Sea highlights. Intrepid ran everything perfectly with a great guide called Motaz.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2023
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