Highlights of Jordan: 8-Day Adventure

Highlights of Jordan: 8-Day Adventure

Jordan is a country that rewards those who stay a little longer. Across 8 days, this G Adventures small-group tour takes you beyond the headline sights into the wild heart of the kingdom. Hike through Dana Biosphere Reserve – one of the Middle East’s hidden natural gems – spend two full days in the rose city of Petra, sleep beneath the stars in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum, and cool off snorkelling over coral reefs in the Red Sea at Aqaba. Jordan’s warmth is legendary; you’ll leave as a friend, not a tourist.

Day 1: Arrival in Amman

Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Evening meet-and-greet with your CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and fellow travellers. Optional group dinner in one of Amman’s excellent restaurants – try kunafa for dessert, a sweet cheese pastry soaked in syrup. Overnight Amman.

Day 2: Amman – Jerash – Ajloun – Dead Sea

Morning tour of Amman’s Citadel and Roman Theatre. Then drive north to Jerash – Hadrian’s Arch, the Oval Plaza, colonnaded streets, and the stunning South Theatre await. Continue to Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century fortress with views across the Jordan Valley to the West Bank. In the afternoon, descend to the Dead Sea. Float in water ten times saltier than the ocean, slather yourself in therapeutic mud, and watch a spectacular sunset from the lowest point on Earth. Overnight Dead Sea.

Day 3: Dana Biosphere Reserve Hike

Drive south to Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s largest nature reserve and a hidden hiking paradise. The village of Dana perches on a cliff edge overlooking the Great Rift Valley. Choose between a gentle 2-hour nature walk through terraced gardens and orchards or the more challenging 5-hour Wadi Dana Trail descending through juniper forest and dramatic sandstone canyons. Spot Nubian ibex, Syrian serin, and soaring eagles. Picnic lunch with mountain views. Continue to Petra for overnight in Wadi Musa.

Day 4: Petra – Full Day Exploration (Day 1)

Dedicate your first full day to Petra. Enter through the Siq at sunrise, when the first light hits the Treasury and turns it from rose to blazing gold. Spend the morning with your guide exploring the Street of Facades, the Theatre, and the Royal Tombs carved into the cliff face. After lunch, climb to the High Place of Sacrifice for a bird’s-eye view of the entire Petra basin, then descend via the Wadi Farasa trail past the Garden Tomb and the Soldier’s Tomb. Free evening – try a rooftop dinner in Wadi Musa looking out over the mountains. Overnight Petra.

Day 5: Petra – Day 2 & Little Petra

Return to Petra for a second full day – trust us, you’ll need it. This time, make the hike to the Monastery (Ad-Deir), Petra’s largest monument, reached by 800 rock-cut steps. The Monastery is even bigger than the Treasury, and the panoramic view from the top stretches to the Araba Valley and beyond. After descending, visit Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), a miniature version of Petra that served as a caravanserai on the incense route. Its frescoed ceilings are remarkably well preserved. Overnight Petra.

Day 6: Wadi Rum – Jeep Safari & Bedouin Camp

Short drive to Wadi Rum. Board 4×4 jeeps for a 4-hour desert safari across the red dunes and granite mountains. Visit the rock inscriptions of Khazali Canyon, climb Um Fruth Rock Bridge, and race down the red sand dunes. As the sun sets, arrive at a Bedouin camp hidden in a canyon. Drink cardamom-spiced tea around the fire, then feast on zarb – chicken and lamb slow-cooked underground in a traditional Bedouin oven. After dinner, walk out into the silent desert to gaze at a sky so full of stars it feels three-dimensional. Overnight Bedouin camp, Wadi Rum.

Day 7: Aqaba – Red Sea Snorkelling

Morning drive to Aqaba, Jordan’s window on the Red Sea. Board a boat for a half-day snorkelling trip to the vibrant coral reefs of the Aqaba Marine Park. The waters are warm, clear, and teeming with life – parrotfish, lionfish, clownfish, and occasionally sea turtles. The South Beach reef is accessible directly from shore if you want more swimming time. Free afternoon to wander Aqaba’s souk or relax on the beach. Farewell group dinner at a seafood restaurant by the water. Overnight Aqaba.

Day 8: Departure from Amman

Morning drive back to Amman along the Dead Sea Highway. Free time at the airport souk for last-minute Jordanian dates, spices, and Dead Sea products before your flight. Depart Jordan with sand in your shoes, stars in your memory, and a promise to return.

Included

7 nights accommodation (hotels, Dead Sea resort, Bedouin camp) • 7 breakfasts, 2 dinners • CEO (guide) throughout • Private vehicle • Airport transfers • Entry fees to Jerash, Ajloun, Dead Sea resort, Dana Biosphere hike, Petra (2 days), Wadi Rum, Aqaba boat trip • Wadi Rum 4×4 jeep safari

Excluded

International flights • Travel insurance • Jordan Pass • Most lunches and dinners • Drinks • Personal expenses • Tips