An Unfiltered Travel Guide & Photo Diary
You'll trade a 13km trek through the desert landscape of Petra for a day watching the world go by from a seaside cafe in Dahab. Planning this yourself means coordinating desert 4x4 rides in Wadi Araba and a boat crossing over the Gulf of Aqaba. The final stretch requires a hike in the dark up Mount Sinai before you travel to Cairo.
Roman ruins in Jerash, a community-run kitchen near the Dead Sea, and the submarine sinkhole of the Blue Hole mark the path through these two countries.
Arrival in Amman
Day 1 of 16Land in Amman, find your way to the hostel, and drop your bags. You'll meet the rest of the crew in the evening. There's usually an optional group dinner, or you can head out on your own to grab a falafel wrap and get a first feel for the city before the real adventure kicks off tomorrow.
On the ground
Amman City & As-Salt Food Tour
Day 2 of 16Today is a full-on dive into Amman's key sites and flavors. The morning starts with a visit to the blue-domed King Abdullah Mosque, followed by the Citadel and the Roman Amphitheater. From there, it's an hour-long ride to the hillside town of As-Salt for a proper Jordanian food tour. You'll sample local staples like hummus and falafel before trying the national dish, mansaf, at a local spot. The tour winds through markets and spice shops, giving you a real taste of the local culinary scene before heading back to Amman for a free evening.
On the ground
Roman Ruins of Jerash
Day 3 of 16Leave Amman behind for the three-hour drive south towards Petra. The main stop today is Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside of Italy. You'll have a few hours to walk the colonnaded streets, check out the temples, and see the massive public plazas. It's a solid history lesson that breaks up the long drive. Afterwards, the journey continues to Wadi Musa, the modern town built next to the ancient site of Petra. Get settled into the hostel and find some dinner; tomorrow is all about the main event.
On the ground
Petra's Backdoor Trail
Day 4 of 16Instead of the main entrance, today's plan is to hike into Petra via the 'backdoor trail.' Starting from Little Petra, it's a 13km trek through the desert landscape that ends with a dramatic reveal of the Monastery, carved high into the cliff face. You'll have a packed lunch with a view over the site before descending to explore the rest of the ancient city, including the iconic Treasury. The path is rugged but rewarding, and you'll see the scale of the place from a different perspective. After a full day of walking, head back to the hostel in Wadi Musa to relax on the rooftop as the sun sets.
On the ground
Sunrise at Petra & Wadi Rum Camp
Day 5 of 16It's an early start for a final visit to Petra to see the Treasury lit up by the sunrise. With fewer crowds, it’s the best time to get that classic shot. After breakfast back at the hostel, it’s a two-hour drive to Wadi Rum, the 'Valley of the Moon.' Here, you'll swap the bus for a 4x4 and ride deep into the red-sand desert to a private Bedouin-style camp. After settling in and having a group dinner, a guide will lead a short walk out into the dunes for some serious stargazing, far from any light pollution.
On the ground
Desert to the Red Sea
Day 6 of 16After breakfast in the quiet of the desert, it's time to trade the sand for the sea. The drive to Aqaba on the Red Sea is short, and you'll have the rest of the day free. Your best move is to get on the water. You can book a boat trip that usually includes lunch and snorkeling gear to check out the reefs. If you'd rather stay on land, the Marina Village has shops and cafes, and the local market is good for a wander. The evening is yours to find dinner and see where the night goes.
On the ground
Beach Day in Aqaba
Day 7 of 16A full free day in Aqaba to do as you please. You can go all-in on a beach club pass, which often includes lunch and gives you a dedicated spot on the sand for the day. Otherwise, hang by the hotel pool or tick off any sites you missed yesterday. For the evening, find a local spot with some live music; it’s the last night in town for the crew, so make it a good one.
On the ground
Floating in the Dead Sea
Day 8 of 16Leave the Red Sea behind for the drive north to Madaba. On the way, there's a stop for a traditional Jordanian meal at Al Safi Kitchen, a community-run project near the Dead Sea. Then comes the main event: floating in the Dead Sea. The water is so salty you can't sink. Cover yourself in the mineral-rich mud, float around, and grab some photos before rinsing off. Afterwards, you'll visit St. George's Church in Madaba to see its famous 6th-century mosaic map of the Middle East. The evening is free, with an optional group dinner.
On the ground
Madaba & Ma'in Hot Springs
Day 9 of 16Today is a full free day in Madaba to catch your breath. You can explore more of the town's mosaic workshops and churches at your own pace. If you're feeling sore from all the travel, the best option is a trip to the nearby Ma'in Hot Springs. These natural thermal waterfalls are an oasis in the dry landscape, perfect for a relaxing soak before the next leg of the trip begins.
On the ground
Camping in Wadi Araba
Day 10 of 16Get ready for an off-the-grid adventure in Wadi Araba, a lesser-known desert on the border with Israel. A 4x4 will take you deep into the valley, where you'll stop for tea with local Bedouins before a short hike to a hidden pond for a swim. The landscape here is vast and quiet, a sharp contrast to Wadi Rum. You'll catch the sunset from a scenic viewpoint before settling into a simple campsite for a night of dinner and stargazing, far from any towns or tourists.
On the ground
Jordan to Egypt: Crossing to Dahab
Day 11 of 16It's a big travel day as you cross from Jordan into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. The morning starts with a drive back to Aqaba, where you'll board a boat for the one-hour crossing of the Gulf of Aqaba to Taba, Egypt. After clearing immigration, it's another overland journey to Dahab. This bohemian beach town is a world away from the desert. Known for its laid-back vibe and great diving, it's the perfect place to unwind. Check into your beachside hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon by the Red Sea.
On the ground
Sources
Free Day in Dahab
Day 12 of 16A full free day in Dahab to soak in the relaxed atmosphere. You can spend the day on the beach, try your hand at windsurfing, or just find a seaside cafe and watch the world go by. For something more adventurous, there's an optional all-day trip to Ain Khudra Oasis, a palm-filled spot used by Bedouins for centuries. Otherwise, just enjoy the downtime; Dahab is a place to slow down.
On the ground
The Blue Hole
Day 13 of 16Another free day in paradise, with a clear choice: adventure or relaxation. The main draw is the optional snorkeling trip to the famous Blue Hole, a massive submarine sinkhole just offshore. The coral and marine life here are incredible, and it's easily accessible from the shore. If that's not your speed, the alternative is another day of lounging on the beach, swimming in the Red Sea, and enjoying the chill vibe of Dahab before the trip moves inland.
On the ground
St. Catherine's Monastery
Day 14 of 16Say goodbye to the Red Sea as the group heads inland to the base of Mount Sinai. The destination is St. Catherine's Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world. You'll tour the ancient fortress, said to be built near the site of the Burning Bush. Later, you'll see a handicrafts exhibition by local Bedouin women. The day ends with sunset from a scenic spot and an early night. You'll need the rest for tomorrow's pre-dawn hike.
On the ground
Mount Sinai Sunrise & On to Cairo
Day 15 of 16The day starts in the dark with the hike up Mount Sinai. It’s a steady climb on a well-worn path, arriving at the summit just in time for sunrise over the jagged peaks of the Sinai desert. This is where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, and the view is epic. After hiking back down, there's time to freshen up before the long haul to Cairo. The five-hour drive takes you across the iconic Suez Canal, arriving in the sprawling capital by afternoon. Get settled, then head out for one last big night with the crew.
On the ground
Departure from Cairo
Day 16 of 16It's departure day. Pack your bags, swap social media handles with your new friends, and head out whenever you're ready. There are no activities planned, so you can fly out at any time.
On the ground
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