Day 1 : Amman
Arrive into Amman airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel in downtown Amman for overnight.
Overnight in Harir Palace Hotel, Amman
Meal plan: n/a
6 days
Ask us for pricing
This is the price per person for a private tour (based on 2 people travelling) excluding international flights. Contact us for pricing for other group sizes including individuals.
Intro
Starting with a visit of the citadel and Roman amphitheatre of the dusty capital, Amman, this tour will whisk you through thousands of years of cultural and geological history. Take a dip in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the planet. Marvel at the stunning landscapes and intricate carvings at Petra before heading out to experience true desert life at Wadi Rum, where ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ was filmed. Finally, visit the unique national park at Dana, Jordan’s premier eco-project for amazing vistas and interesting archaeological sites.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Float in the Dead Sea - the lowest point on Earth
- Stunning carvings and landscape of Petra, UNESCO heritage site
- A night under the stars in Wadi Rum
- Explore Dana’s vast wilderness
- Dana Biosphere Reserve - amazing natural beauty
Places Visited
Amman - Petra - Dead Sea - Wadi Rum - Dana Biosphere Reserve
What's Included
Airport pick-up & drop-offGround transport
Accommodation
Entrance fees to sites
Breakfasts and most other meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan)
Accompanying English-speaking driver
Local guide at Petra
Day 2 : Amman - Dead Sea - Petra
After breakfast you will board private transport and drive through the old part of the city of Amman, visiting the Citadel and the Roman Amphitheatre. Drive to the Dead Sea (the lowest point in the world) for lunch and float in its incredibly buoyant and therapeutic waters (due to the high salt level). Drive to Petra. Evening free. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Petra.
Overnight in Petra Moon Hotel, Petra
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Petra is one of the world's greatest heritage sites and one of the world's seven New Wonders - an ancient rock city that was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. Built around 2,300 years ago, the imposing rose-stone palaces are an impressive testament to the power and influence of the Nabateans who controlled trade around the area in the 3rd century BC. Petra is surrounded by hills in which tombs have been carved into the pink sandstone. The site includes some 800 structures.
Now Jordan’s rapidly-developing capital, and the wealthiest in the Middle East outside the gulf, Amman can be dated back to Pre-Neolithic Times, and is referred to in the Bible as ‘Rabbat Ammon’. In the past, conquered by the Assyrians, the Persians and the Macedonians, Amman’s most impressive ancient sites date to Roman times. The old citadel area, situated on a hill overlooking the city, boasts the Temple of Hercules, originally constructed by Marcus Aurelius in the late 1st century and modelled on the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, Turkey. However, some of the temple remains are thought to date to the Bronze Age.
Without a doubt one of the world’s most amazing places, the Jordan Rift Valley is a dramatic, beautiful landscape which, at the Dead Sea, is over 400m (1,312 ft.) below sea level. The lowest point on the face of the earth, this vast stretch of water receives a number of incoming rivers, including the River Jordan. Once the waters reach the Dead Sea they are land-locked and have nowhere to go, so they evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its finest products. The Dead Sea is flanked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost other-worldly beauty. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar (Bela).
Now Jordan’s rapidly-developing capital, and the wealthiest in the Middle East outside the gulf, Amman can be dated back to Pre-Neolithic Times, and is referred to in the Bible as ‘Rabbat Ammon’. In the past, conquered by the Assyrians, the Persians and the Macedonians, Amman’s most impressive ancient sites date to Roman times. The old citadel area, situated on a hill overlooking the city, boasts the Temple of Hercules, originally constructed by Marcus Aurelius in the late 1st century and modelled on the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, Turkey. However, some of the temple remains are thought to date to the Bronze Age.
Without a doubt one of the world’s most amazing places, the Jordan Rift Valley is a dramatic, beautiful landscape which, at the Dead Sea, is over 400m (1,312 ft.) below sea level. The lowest point on the face of the earth, this vast stretch of water receives a number of incoming rivers, including the River Jordan. Once the waters reach the Dead Sea they are land-locked and have nowhere to go, so they evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its finest products. The Dead Sea is flanked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost other-worldly beauty. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar (Bela).
Day 3 : Petra
Full day visit of the site of Petra, an incredible UNESCO heritage site that was recently voted as one of the world's Seven New Wonders. Walking into Petra you will quickly realize why this ancient city is one of the world's wonders. The Victorian traveler and poet Dean Burgon gave Petra a description which holds to this day - "Match me such a marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose-red city half as old as time". Yet words can hardly do justice to the magnificence that is Petra. Picnic lunch provided. Buffet dinner in the evening. Overnight in a hotel in Petra.
Overnight in Petra Moon Hotel, Petra
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Petra is one of the world's greatest heritage sites and one of the world's seven New Wonders - an ancient rock city that was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. Built around 2,300 years ago, the imposing rose-stone palaces are an impressive testament to the power and influence of the Nabateans who controlled trade around the area in the 3rd century BC. Petra is surrounded by hills in which tombs have been carved into the pink sandstone. The site includes some 800 structures.
Day 4 : Wadi Rum
After breakfast we head to Wadi Rum where you will meet your Bedouin host at Rum village. You will take a jeep tour to get acquainted with the surroundings. We will stop for lunch at the foot of the Khazaali Mountain before continuing our desert exploration by jeep. Some of the major attractions include Lawrence Spring, Thamodian Script, the remains of Lawrence House, a Nabatean Temple, Al Khazaali Canyon and Rakabat Um Ishreen. After watching a beautiful sunset we return to our Bedouin camp in the heart of the desert for a feast of Zarb - a traditional Bedouin dish of meat and vegetables cooked underneath the desert's sand, and a night under the Milky Way. Your Bedouin camp for the night is a Bedouin tent made of goat hair. It is built in the heart of Wadi Rum in a secluded area. Facilities are simple. Your host is a local Bedouin native of Wadi Rum. Overnight in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum.
Overnight in Hillawi Camp, Wadi Rum
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Wadi Rum is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in south-west Jordan. It has been inhabited by many human cultures since prehistoric times and is dotted with massive rock formations. It is virtually untouched by humanity and its destructive forces. Here, it is the weather and winds that have carved the imposing, towering skyscrapers, so elegantly described by T.E. Lawrence as “vast, echoing and god-like”. Much of David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia was filmed in Wadi Rum.
Day 5 : Dana Biosphere Reserve
Drive to Dana National Reserve, Jordan's premier eco-tourism project. Full day visit of this verdant park including the 15th century stone village of Dana itself. Experience the park's vast diversity and some of its 100 archeological sites. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight in guesthouse in Dana.
Overnight in Dana Guest House, Dana Biosphere Reserve
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s most impressive eco-project, ranges in elevation from sandstone cliffs of over 1500m to the Wadi Arabi desert at 50m below sea level. Home to many species of plants and animals, the park is the perfect place to go hiking or just to relax.
Day 6 : Amman - Departure
Early start. Drive back to Amman for onward flight.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Accommodation
All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.
Harir Palace Hotel
Amman (1 night) This hotel is conveniently located in Dahyet Al-Rasheed and is about 30 minutes from the international airport. Many restaurants and shopping centres are also close by and easily accessed. The rooms are comfortable and clean and offer a range of amenities including a TV and free Wi-Fi. Spa treatments are also available, and guests can dine on a large variety of international cuisine in the Sunset Cafe.
Petra Moon Hotel
Petra (2 nights) Situated just 150m from the entrance gate to Petra, the hotel features spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs. It is a family owned hotel standing on the site of the original family home. Enjoy dining on traditional and international cuisine under moonlight on the rooftop terrace and relax with a drink at the bar.
Hillawi Camp
Wadi Rum (1 night) Spend a night under the stars in this traditional Bedouin camp.
Dana Guest House
Dana Biosphere Reserve (1 night) Perched on the edge of Wadi Dana, this beautifully styled building offers a homely atmosphere with breathtaking views of the reserve. It contains 9 clean and comfortable bedrooms (with shared bathroom facilities), each with a private terrace overlooking a 1,000 metre drop to the basin of the Wadi Dana. Traditional Arabic food is also served here. Wi-Fi can be accessed in public areas.
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Water Sport at the Red Sea (1-7 days)
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Day trek ideas along the Jordan Trail.
Land of the Bedouins (11 days)
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Along Bedouin Trails (11 days)
Walk the Land of the Bedouins
Petra and Beyond (Archaeology Tour) (9 days)
Discover Jordan's archaeological secrets
Hidden Treasures of Jordan (8 days)
Special tour for Uncharted X clients
Classical Jordan (6 days)
The highlights and history of Jordan
Nikki Kemp , Tailormade JordanThank you for organising our Jordan trip. We both had a fantastic time, everything went very smoothly,and this is the first time I have ever used an ‘organised trip’ but it made everything stress free and enjoyable. Very well organised. The driver Bashir, was absolutely brilliant - very friendly, kind,patient, and informative and really made the trip special and memorable for us and we learnt many things on route that would never have known if it wasn’t for local information. Thank you very much for your support for a wonderful trip!
David & Julia McPhail , Tailormade JordanJerash was fascinating, loved the mud at the Dead Sea, Bethany was very interesting. Petra by night... AMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAZZZING, candle-lit all the way to the treasury with two musical instruments being played - the sound echoing around the city was truly mesmerizing, a wonderfully mystical experience. Fantastic guide too. Thanks for all your help.
Marie , Along Bedouin Trails, JordanWhat a great trip this was. Jordan is a magical county, the people friendly, the weather marvellous, the sights, sounds and smells unique. The small group got on well and I will definitely be back on one of your trips again soon.
Ian Shaw , Land of the Bedouins, JordanTravel The Unknown provided me with an excellent opportunity to discover the amazing country that is Jordan. Without their organisation and attention to detail I would have never have experienced so much diversity and interest in such a short time. Thanks so much.
