Highlights of Jordan

Arrive at any time into Amman. The city is large and decentralized, with hotels spread across many neighborhoods rather than a single tourist core. Getting around requires a taxi. Drop your bags and use the afternoon to get oriented before the trip begins in earnest tomorrow.

A full-day trip north from Amman begins with a one-hour drive to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the Middle East. Plan for a few hours to walk the colonnaded streets, plazas, and theatres. From there, it's a longer, two-hour overland leg to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.

The water’s extreme salinity makes for a strange, buoyant swim. The mineral-rich mud is considered therapeutic. There are facilities with showers to rinse off the salt and mud before the drive back to Amman.

The drive south from Amman to Wadi Musa, the gateway town to Petra, is a full day on the road with significant stops. The route follows the historic King's Highway, a 240km journey that takes three to four hours of driving time alone. The first stop is Mt. Nebo, with its panoramic views over the Jordan Valley.

Next is Madaba, known for its collection of intricate Byzantine mosaics, including a famous 6th-century map of the Holy Land. The final stop is Karak to explore a massive Crusader-era castle before the final push to Wadi Musa, arriving in the early evening.

An early start is essential for Petra. The site is vast and requires a full day of walking on sand and stone paths. The entrance is a narrow, 1.2km-long canyon called the Siq, which dramatically opens onto the facade of Al-Khazneh, the Treasury. After a guided introduction to the city's Nabatean history, the rest of the day is free to explore independently.

Options include the steep but rewarding hike up to the Monastery, Ad-Deir, or climbing to a viewpoint above the Treasury. Pace yourself and carry plenty of water. In the evening, consider a visit to a local Turkish bath or the Petra by Night candlelit walk.

The day begins with a two-hour drive from the mountains of Petra down into the desert valley of Wadi Rum. Here, the road ends and the landscape opens into a protected wilderness of sandstone mountains and red sand. Transfer to a 4x4 vehicle for an excursion deep into the desert, stopping at rock bridges and notable formations.

The day ends at a Bedouin camp set against a rock face. Dinner is a traditional meal, often cooked in an underground oven called a zarb. The night is spent in simple cabins with basic facilities, under a clear desert sky.

After breakfast in the desert, a short drive leads to Aqaba, Jordan's only coastal city, on the Red Sea. The day is unstructured. The city offers access to beaches and coral reefs for snorkeling or diving. Otherwise, the afternoon is free to explore the town's markets and waterfront cafes. The local specialty is fresh seafood, a good option for dinner.

The route back to Amman follows the Dead Sea highway, a long drive north through the Jordan Valley. Along the way, stop for lunch at a community-run kitchen that supports local families through culinary and tourism initiatives. It's an opportunity to try traditional Jordanian home cooking. Nearby, a local craft center showcases natural dyeing techniques and products made by local women. The journey ends back in Amman in the late afternoon, with one final evening in the capital.

The trip concludes after breakfast at the hotel. There are no planned activities, leaving the day free for onward travel. Depart from Amman at any time.