Across the Rose-Red Kingdom
From Roman ruins to desert nights in Jordan
Trip Overview
Two weeks in Jordan: Amman's pulse to Wadi Rum's hush. You trace Nabatean trade roads, Roman paving stones, Dead Sea salt, Bedouin stars. Petra gets full days. Meals linger. Lesser corners too. Stone history meets warm people. Deep, textured, done right.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$120-180 per day
Best Seasons
March to May and September to November
Ideal For
First-time visitors to Jordan, History and archaeology enthusiasts, Landscape photographers, Adventure travelers seeking culture
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Arrival in the Seven Hills
Amman
Land in Amman. Hit downtown souqs. Eat classic food.
Morning
Arrival at Queen Alia International Airport
Clear customs. Grab taxi. White stone hills roll by. Warm diesel air greets you.
Pre-book a private airport transfer for ease after a long flight.
Lunch
Hashem Restaurant
Afternoon
Downtown Amman walk
Circle the Roman Theater. Prayer calls echo. Spices glow. Marble cools palms.
Evening
Dinner in Jabal Al Weibdeh
Sufra Restaurant. Villa garden. Creamy hummus. Smoky mutabbal.
Where to Stay Tonight
Jabal Amman or Jabal Al Weibdeh (Mid-range boutique hotel)
Walkable cafes. Galleries. Perfect intro.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Juice stand. Pomegranate glass. Tart welcome.
Day 1 Budget: 85
2
Citadels and Countryside
Amman, Jerash, Ajloun
Jerash grandeur. Then pine highlands. Crusader stone.
Morning
Drive to Jerash
North to Jerash. Paved street still grooves. Oval plaza echoes. Artemis columns pierce sky.
Hire driver. Northern loop flex.
Lunch
Lebanese House Restaurant in Jerash
Afternoon
Ajloun Castle
Ajloun. Twelfth-century stone. Pine scent. Panoramic green. Wind whistles.
Evening
Return to Amman for dinner
Al Quds. Rainbow Street. Legendary falafel. Syrup kunafa.
Where to Stay Tonight
Jabal Amman (Same hotel as previous night)
Base in Amman. No repacking.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Jerash. Wait for legion demo. Armor clatter. Chariot thunder.
Day 2 Budget: 105
3
Kings' Highway South
Amman to Madaba, Mount Nebo, Kerak
Kings' Highway. Bible views. Mosaics. Crusader walls.
Morning
Madada and Mount Nebo
In Madaba, see the intricate, colorful 6th-century map of the Holy Land laid in mosaic on a church floor. Continue to Mount Nebo to feel a strong breeze and gaze across the hazy, sun-bleached Jordan Valley to the promised land.
Lunch
Haret Jdoudna in Madaba
Afternoon
Kerak Castle
Explore the dark, labyrinthine passageways of this massive Crusader castle. Feel the damp chill in the underground chambers, see light slice through narrow windows, and imagine the clash of swords that once rang through these halls.
Where to Stay Tonight
Wadi Musa (Petra) (Hotel within walking distance of the Petra Visitor Center)
Stay near gate. Early start.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Nebo museum. Mosaic shards. Silent stories.
Day 3 Budget: 110
4
First Glimpse of the Rose City
Petra. Siq gate. Treasury reveal.
Morning
The Siq and Treasury
Walk the winding, narrow gorge of the Siq, feeling the cool shade and seeing the striated rock walls glow in hues of red and orange. The first glimpse of the Treasury's ornate facade, carved from the living rock, is a sight that stops you in your tracks.
Buy the two-day Petra pass for better value. Start as early as possible.
Lunch
Basin Restaurant inside Petra
Afternoon
Street of Facades and Royal Tombs
Climb stairs to the Urn Tomb and other Royal Tombs. Feel the gritty sandstone under your fingertips, see the vast canyon open below, and hear the chatter of other explorers fade as you find a quiet perch.
Wear sturdy shoes with good grip for the uneven stone steps.
Evening
Dinner in Wadi Musa
Al-Wadi. Mansaf. Lamb. Yogurt. Rice.
Where to Stay Tonight
Wadi Musa (Same hotel)
Second night. Rest legs.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Right fork. Hidden overlook. Treasury alone. Tip guide.
Day 4 Budget: 155
5
High Places and Hidden Corners
Return to Petra to hike to the monumental Monastery and explore more remote areas of the vast archaeological park.
Morning
Hike to Ad-Deir (The Monastery)
Tackle the 800-step ascent. Feel the burn in your legs, hear the call of mountain birds, and be rewarded by the colossal, isolated facade of the Monastery, where you can sip sweet Bedouin tea while soaking in the view.
Bring plenty of water. Consider hiring a donkey for the ascent if the climb is daunting.
Lunch
Simple stall near the Monastery
Afternoon
Alternative route via the High Place of Sacrifice
Take a different path back, descending past vivid rock colors and carved altars. Smell the dry, herbal scent of sagebrush, see panoramic views over the entire city of Petra, and feel a sense of solitude on the less-traveled trail.
A local guide can enrich this hike with stories of Nabatean rituals.
Evening
Petra by Night
If scheduled, walk the Siq illuminated by countless candles to see the Treasury glow in flickering light, accompanied by traditional music.
Where to Stay Tonight
Wadi Musa (Same hotel)
A third night provides a full two days to explore Petra without rushing.
See all Jordan accommodation options →For a quiet sunset, walk the main colonnaded street near the end of the day when most tour groups have left. The long shadows and golden light on the ruins are spectacular.
Day 5 Budget: 90
Morning
Drive north via the Desert Highway
Watch the landscape transform from red mountains to flat, arid plains. Stop at the Wadi Mujib viewpoint to see the vast gorge cut into the earth, feeling the powerful wind that carved it.
Lunch
Buffet lunch at your Dead Sea resort
Afternoon
Dead Sea float
Experience the bizarre buoyancy of the hyper-saline water. Feel the thick, silky mud on your skin, taste the bitter salt if it splashes near your mouth, and see the hazy mountains of the West Bank across the still, metallic-blue water.
Private beach. Public cheaper.
Evening
Resort relaxation and dinner
Resort dinner. Pastel sky. Still water.
Where to Stay Tonight
Dead Sea coast (Resort hotel with beach access)
A resort gives you private, effortless access to the sea, showers, and therapeutic pools.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Skip shaving before floating. Salt stings cuts. Rinse in fresh water right after to avoid skin irritation.
Day 6 Budget: 180
7
Canyons and Hot Springs
Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, Hammamat Ma'in
Hike a canyon in water, then let thermal waterfalls knead your muscles.
Morning
Wadi Mujib Siq Trail
A wet hike up a tight sandstone canyon. Cool water laps your legs, water roars around boulders, sunlight spears the red walls, you haul yourself up small waterfalls on fixed ropes.
Book ahead through the Mujib Biosphere Reserve office. Winter and early spring close the trail due to high water.
Lunch
Picnic or simple cafe near the reserve
Afternoon
Hammamat Ma'in Hot Springs
Sink into hot, mineral-rich waterfalls that spill down a cliff. Steaming water pummels your shoulders, faint sulfur drifts, lush greenery fed by the springs clashes with barren hills.
Visit the public falls for a lower cost than the adjacent luxury spa.
Where to Stay Tonight
Dead Sea coast (Same resort)
A second night allows for this active day trip without moving luggage.
See all Jordan accommodation options →For Wadi Mujib, strap on secure water shoes, stash your phone in a waterproof bag, leave valuables in the hotel safe.
Day 7 Budget: 150
8
Lawrence's Desert
Dead Sea to Wadi Rum
Drive south to the vast desert of Wadi Rum, catch sunset on a jeep tour, sleep in a Bedouin camp.
Morning
Drive to Wadi Rum
A long haul south through stark landscapes. Terrain shifts, clean dry desert air slips through the window, camels graze roadside as Rum village nears.
Pre-book transport and your camp. Most camps collect you from Rum village.
Lunch
Restaurant in Wadi Rum village or packed lunch
Afternoon
Sunset 4x4 tour
Bounce across red sand in an open jeep. Monolithic rock bridges loom, ancient Thamudic inscriptions flick past, fine sand sprays. Sunset ignites the desert in deep oranges and reds.
This is typically included in your camp package. Confirm when booking.
Evening
Bedouin camp dinner and stargazing
Share zarb dinner, meat and veg cooked underground, sip sweet tea by the fire under a sky thick with stars.
Where to Stay Tonight
Wadi Rum Protected Area (Bedouin-style camp)
Sleep inside the protected area. Only then do you feel the desert's silence and vastness at night.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Pack a warm layer. Temperature plummets after sunset, even in summer.
Day 8 Budget: 140
9
Desert Silence and Aqaba's Shore
Wadi Rum to Aqaba
A quiet desert dawn, then a short hop to the Red Sea resort city of Aqaba.
Morning
Camel trek or desert hike
Start early. Feel cool morning air. Ride a camel, feel its lurch, or hike a quiet canyon. Wind and footsteps fill the silence.
Arrange with your camp the night before.
Lunch
Lunch at your camp or in Rum village
Afternoon
Transfer to Aqaba
A quick drive to Jordan's only coastal city. Humidity returns, turquoise Gulf of Aqaba glints, the city slows to a relaxed pace.
Your camp can arrange a taxi to Aqaba.
Evening
Aqaba waterfront promenade
Walk the corniche, smell salty air, pick a seafood joint where you choose your fish from ice displays.
Where to Stay Tonight
Aqaba city center or South Beach (Hotel or resort)
Central hotels keep restaurants close. South Beach resorts give private beach clubs.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Tour Aqaba Fort and the small museum next door. Inside, see the oldest purpose-built church in the world, uncovered during city works.
Day 9 Budget: 110
10
Red Sea Reefs
A day for the underwater world. Snorkel or dive among coral reefs.
Morning
Snorkeling trip
Boat to a protected reef. Warm water hugs you, blue and yellow fish flash through coral gardens, muffled quiet drifts through your snorkel.
Book with a reputable dive center. Japanese Garden and King Abdullah Reef deliver.
Lunch
On-board lunch or beach club
Afternoon
Beach club relaxation
Lounge on a private beach. Sun warms skin, lemon-mint juice cools, boats crisscross the gulf against Egypt's Sinai backdrop.
Many hotels have affiliated beach clubs, or you can pay for day access to one.
Evening
Dinner in the old town
Ali Baba Restaurant. Fresh, simply grilled seafood, no-frills local vibe.
Where to Stay Tonight
Aqaba (Same hotel)
Two nights in Aqaba give a full water day without checkout.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Non-divers can try a 'discovery dive' with an instructor in shallow water, closer to the reef than snorkeling allows.
Day 10 Budget: 120
11
Northern Frontier Forts
Aqaba to Azraq via Shawmari
Turn inland to the eastern desert. Visit a wildlife reserve and a desert castle once used by Lawrence of Arabia.
Morning
Drive to Shawmari Reserve
Northeast on the desert highway. Landscape flattens, emptiness grows. The reserve appears, an oasis where reintroduced Arabian oryx with long straight horns browse acacia trees.
Hire a driver for this long inland journey.
Lunch
Picnic or simple meal at Azraq town
Afternoon
Azraq Wetland Reserve and Qasr Al-Azraq
Walk boardwalks over reeds of the shrunken oasis, hear frogs and birds. Enter the black basalt castle, feel cold walls, stand in the room where T.E. Lawrence mapped raids.
Evening
Check into lodge and dinner
Dine at your lodge. Desert night is quiet, far from city lights.
Where to Stay Tonight
Azraq area (Eco-lodge or simple hotel)
Stay near Azraq. Early reserve access, and the drive back to Amman breaks nicely.
See all Jordan accommodation options →At Qasr Al-Azraq, find the huge stone door. Its pivot still turns smoothly after centuries.
Day 11 Budget: 130
12
Desert Palaces and Return to Amman
Azraq to Amman via Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharana
Visit two more desert castles before rolling back into the capital.
Morning
Qasr Amra
This small Umayyad hunting lodge is a UNESCO site for its frescoes. Inside the domed chamber, vivid scenes of bathing, hunting, and zodiac signs painted over a thousand years ago cover walls and ceiling.
Buy a combined ticket for the desert castles.
Lunch
Local restaurant in Zarqa or on the highway
Afternoon
Qasr Kharana
An isolated fortress rises from flat desert. Climb stairs to upper rooms, wind slaps the windows, empty desert rolls away from the roof.
Evening
Return to Amman for farewell dinner
Fakhreldin Restaurant in Jabal Amman. Upscale Jordanian classics in a grand old house.
Where to Stay Tonight
Jabal Amman (Boutique hotel)
Back in Amman, airport access is easy and final souvenir shops draw.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Light inside Qasr Amra peaks late morning. Use your phone torch to catch dim fresco details.
Day 12 Budget: 115
13
Amman's Art and Flavors
Amman
A full day for Amman's modern side, from galleries to cooking classes.
Morning
Jordan Museum or Darat al Funun
Hit the Jordan Museum. Dead Sea Scrolls glow in cool light. Or try Darat al Funun, art foundation in old villas, contemporary Arab art in quiet gardens.
Check opening days for museums, as some close on specific weekdays.
Lunch
Wild Jordan Center cafe
Afternoon
Jordanian cooking class
Book a class. Learn to layer maqluba or roll tight stuffed vegetables. Knead the dough. Smell onions hitting hot oil. Taste your own success. Worth it.
Book well in advance, as classes are popular and have limited space.
Evening
Final night stroll and sweets
Stroll Rainbow Street once more. Queue at Habibah Sweets. Fork into warm knafeh, syrup dripping over sweet cheese. A last gooey goodbye to Jordan.
Where to Stay Tonight
Jabal Amman (Same hotel)
Consistency for your final nights simplifies the end of your trip.
See all Jordan accommodation options →Need gifts? The Jordan River Foundation showroom near Wild Jordan stocks beautiful handicrafts. Women's cooperatives across the country wove, carved, and stitched every piece.
Day 13 Budget: 120
14
Departure with Memories
Amman
Final moments in Amman. Grab last-minute spices. Transfer to the airport. Board your flight home.
Morning
Free time or souvenir shopping
Order a final Arabic coffee, bitter and cardamom-scented, at a local cafe. Wander downtown's gold souq. See glitter. Buy za'atar. Smell memory.
Lunch
Quick lunch near your hotel
Afternoon
Transfer to Queen Alia International Airport
Leave for the airport early. Check-in lines grow. Watch Amman's hills roll past one last time. Carry desert sage and rose-red stone in your mind.
Pre-book your airport transfer with your hotel or driver.
Evening
Departure
Check in for your international flight home.
Spend leftover Jordanian dinars at the airport duty-free. Choose Dead Sea cosmetics. Grab sumac. Pack spices. Done.
Day 14 Budget: 60
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Hire a private driver for multi-day segments. It is the most efficient and comfortable option for the long drives from Amman to Petra, Petra to the Dead Sea, and the desert castles loop. Within cities like Amman and Aqaba, taxis are inexpensive and readily available. For the Wadi Rum portion, all transport within the protected area is arranged through your chosen camp.
Book Ahead
Book your Petra entrance ticket online in advance. Reserve your Wadi Rum camp stay and associated jeep tour ahead of time, during high season. Advance booking is essential for popular activities like the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail and a cooking class in Amman. Hotel reservations in Petra, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba are also recommended.
Packing Essentials
Pack sturdy, broken-in hiking shoes for Petra and Wadi Rum. Bring modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for towns and religious sites. Take a swimsuit for the Dead Sea, Aqaba, and Hammamat Ma'in. Add a warm layer for cool desert nights. Carry high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, and a wide-brimmed hat. Bring a reusable water bottle. Pack a headscarf or shemagh for sun and sand protection.
Total Budget
1680-2520
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Stay in hostels or budget hotels in Amman and Wadi Musa. Ride JETT buses between major cities instead of hiring private drivers. Eat at local, no-frills restaurants and street stalls. Skip the Dead Sea resort and use a public beach. Choose a basic camp in Wadi Rum. Focus on free or low-cost activities like hiking and public beach access in Aqaba.
Luxury Upgrade
Upgrade to five-star resorts at the Dead Sea and in Aqaba with private beach clubs. Book a boutique cave hotel in Petra or a luxury tented camp in Wadi Rum with ensuite facilities. Hire a private guide and vehicle for the entire two weeks. Arrange exclusive experiences like a private after-hours tour of Petra or a chartered yacht snorkeling trip in Aqaba. Dine at the finest restaurants in Amman.
Family-Friendly
In Petra, hire a horse-drawn carriage for the Siq if you have young children. At Wadi Rum, confirm that the camp has family-sized tents. In Aqaba, pick a hotel with a pool and easy beach access. Slow the pace, perhaps spending three nights in both Amman and Aqaba as bases for relaxed day trips. Add interactive stops like the Children's Museum in Amman or the glass-bottom boat tour in Aqaba.
Book Activities for Your Trip
Tours, tickets, and experiences in Jordan
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Jordan.
See All Jordan Tours on Viator