Your
ideal Jordan itinerary will rely on your interests as well as your points of
arrival and departure Aqaba or Amman. In any event, to get a decent sense of
Jordan, you should spend at least five days, but ten is preferable.
The top
5, 7, and 10-day Jordan itineraries are included in this travel guide. The
longer plans incorporate environmental activities in addition to a cultural
visit to Jordan. There are several routes you may use to go to Amman and
Aqaba.
Jordan is
not just a fascinating place to travel to. So, how many days in Jordan is
enough? It has diverse and untamed landscapes, a rich historical background
spanning millennia, captivating culinary customs, and a fascinating cultural
legacy.
One of my
boyhood fantasies that I never thought I would be able to fulfill was to visit
Jordan and Egypt together. My time in Jordan was exciting and full of
unexpected events. You may see all the top sights Jordan has to offer and build
an itinerary with this topic!
Your mode of transportation and area of interest are
the main determinants. A week is more than enough time to explore the key
attractions if you are going by car. However, you would need 10 days if you are
hiking in Jordan and using the same route because there is very little or no
public transit in certain locations.
Ten days is a fantastic duration to tour the cultural
sites and enjoy the environment, which includes relaxing by the Dead Sea or in
Aqaba. However, you may still see most of the Hashemite Kingdom's attractions
in just five days.
The easiest and quickest way to see Jordan and
experience independence without having to pay for expensive private tours is to
rent a vehicle.
Jordan has two peak seasons, during which time the
weather is ideal for travel, particularly in the desert. The first is during
the busiest season surrounding Petra and Wadi Rum, which runs from March to
May.
The second is in September and October, just before
Amman's high-altitude temperatures drop.
Although Aqaba is accessible year-round, summertime
brings intense heat and a high volume of European package tourists.
About How many days in Jordan is enough? 10 DAYS TO
JORDAN. The 220-kilometer King's Highway, which splits the nation in half and
travels from north to south through Jordan, is a fantastic journey for those
with ten days to spare. Several of the most popular travel attractions in the
nation are situated along this historic caravan route.
Wadi Mujib, a striking gorge that towers over the
Mujib River, is reached by following the route that winds over hills and
valleys starting at Madaba, the city of mosaics. Admire the vistas from Kerak
Castle, a former Crusader stronghold, and discover Dana Biosphere Reserve, the
nation's largest natural reserve renowned for its stunning topography and
abundance of hiking routes.
Less than an hour separates you from the reserve at
Petra, whose sculpted rocks conceal everything from treasuries to tombs.
During your two weeks in Jordan, discover the nation's
hidden treasures. Explore the pathways that wind through the Mujib Biosphere
Reserve on foot. This natural reserve, which stretches across the hills beside
King's Highway south of Amman, is home to threatened animal species such as
striped hyenas and Syrian wolves.
It is also a hotspot for biodiversity. Learn about the
tales and stories surrounding the Fortress of Machaerus, the site of Herod
Antipas's (the son of Herod the Great's) alleged execution of John the Baptist.
Little Petra is the smaller counterpart of the famous Petra, located eight
kilometers to the north.
Constructed by the Nabateans who also built its more
well-known brother, Little Petra is well-known for its 2,000-year-old fresco
that was just restored.
We feel that getting a high-level overview of How many
days in Jordan is enough is important before delving into the specifics of my
proposed 8-day schedule in Jordan.
The places we propose seeing each day are covered in
the paragraphs below; if this sounds appealing to you, you can read on for
further information and ideas about each location as well as how to get there.
Are you prepared to go with my recommended eight-day
schedule in Jordan? Continue reading!
You spend the first eight days of your trip to Jordan
touring. You'll experience a little bit of everything in the capital of Jordan,
which is home to a variety of attractions.
The Citadel, a Roman ruins archeological monument,
will be your first visit.
Perched on a peak rising 850 meters above sea level,
Jabal Al Qala'a, the Citadel is within a 15-minute drive from downtown. This is
a close-up look at Jordan's Roman history.
The most important landmark in the location is the
Temple of Hercules. During the reign of Geminius Marcianus as governor of the
Province of Arabia (AD 162–166), the temple was constructed by the Romans, and
remnants of its impressive columns may still be seen today.
Umayyad Palace, a collection of buildings constructed
in the 7th and 8th centuries, is located not far from it. This old fortress,
with its water cisterns and tunnels where ancient people lived, is still
beautiful and significant.
A sixth-century Byzantine church is also housed within
the Citadel; although today it consists only of pillars, the floor plan, and a
few mosaics, the ruins are nonetheless impressive to see. Lastly, you may see a
collection of antiquities spanning more than 50,000 years in the Jordan
Archaeological Museum.
By the way, you'll get a magnificent overview of the
capital city from The Citadel, which is perched on the tallest hill in downtown
Amman.
You will travel to Al Balad, Downtown Amman, an
ancient core business district, after seeing The Citadel. To see the more
genuine side of Amman, it's worthwhile to explore the downtown region.
This vibrant area of the city is home to several
stores, souks, eateries, and mosques. Find a nice place to have supper before
calling it a day because there are plenty of eateries and food stands in the
vicinity.
About how many days in Jordan is enough? Your
eight-day schedule in Jordan includes a visit to Roman ruins on the second day.
You don't have to get up very early because Amman is not too far away from the
destinations.
You'll travel for fifty minutes to reach the town of
Jerash after breakfast. Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Artemis are just two
of the numerous attractions in this charming northern city, which is also home
to one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman remains in the Middle East.
The entire site may be explored in two to three hours,
and you can arrange to be shown around by a Jordanian guide for an additional
price, or you can go alone.
After touring Jerash to your heart's content, locate a
place to have lunch and prepare to go to Ajloun, a highland town in northern
Jordan. You will have plenty of time to view the site after the short
(30-minute) journey.
Here, Ajloun Castle is the most well-known landmark.
It was constructed in 1184 AD by the Ayyubids to protect the city against the
Crusaders. There are several chambers to explore throughout, and a museum
featuring fascinating relics from many eras of Jordan's history is also
there.
You will return after that from the Castle of Ajloun
to Amman. It takes around 90 minutes to get to the capital by car.
You'll still have time to experience Amman's
attractions when you return.
It's time to venture outside of the capital city and
discover Jordan's other attractions. The remaining seven of your days in Jordan
will be busier from this point on. Thus, be prepared for hectic days and
several car travels.
On the third day, you will get up early, have
breakfast at your lodging, and go to Madaba. It's a forty-minute journey south
of Amman to Madaba to get to the historic town.
Madaba is well-known for having a collection of
Umayyad and Byzantine mosaics.
The most well-known mosaic is the Greek Orthodox
Church of St. George's sixth-century Madaba Mosaic Map of the Holy Land. The
map features the earliest surviving original geographic representation of the
Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, and covers a portion of the Middle East.
Mount Nebo comes next. Situated just fifteen minutes
from Madaba, it's an ideal location for learning about Jordan's religious
heritage.
For both Christianity and Judaism, Mount Nebo is
essential. Moses supposedly viewed the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, and
according to Christian belief, that's also where God interred Moses. Moreover,
one of Jordan's top vantage locations is Mount Nebo.
You should depart Mount Nebo at midday. for you to
have enough time to see the Dead Sea, your next stop, throughout the remainder
of the day. Depending on where your resort is, the trip to the Dead Sea takes
thirty to forty minutes. Find your resort when you get there and register.
You'll arrive in time for lunch, and you may spend the
afternoon relaxing in the Dead Sea's briny waters.
The majority of resorts are upscale. You can explore
the spa or pool at your hotel in addition to spending most of your time in the
Dead Sea. It all comes down to you enjoying yourself in the end.
There's still plenty to cover on this eight-day agenda
in Jordan as we get closer to the midway mark—day four is surprising! Not only
will you go to a lot of places, but you'll be driving a lot as well. Thus,
prepare to depart early in the morning by packing your things the night before.
Wadi Mujib is a great place to visit initially.
Depending on where you stay in the Dead Sea, the journey takes about twenty to
thirty minutes. But, since you'll be traveling from Wadi Mujib to Aqaba on the
same day, you should depart early from the Dead Sea to maximize your time in
Wadi Mujib.
One of the natural wonders of Jordan is Wadi Mujib.
Get to the visitor center, get your life jacket, and head into the refreshing
river for a once-in-a-lifetime canyoning adventure. There are many pathways
available for hikers in the Wadi Mujib biosphere reserve.
You only have two to three hours to spend in Wadi
Mujib, so plan your trip so that you have time for lunch before continuing to
Aqaba, the only port city in Jordan.
With eight days on your agenda, the drive to Aqaba is
the longest. Depending on traffic and the route you select, it takes close to
four hours, so you should depart for Wadi Rum as soon as you complete lunch.
After checking into your accommodation in Aqaba, make
your way to the beach. Aqaba, which is located on the Red Sea, offers a wide
variety of public and private beach alternatives. In addition, you may visit
the Aqaba Archaeological Museum if the weather is too hot.
Find a beautiful place to have dinner after a tiring
day, then head back to your hotel for a restful night's sleep.
Fortunately, Day 5 won't need you to be up quite so
early. So, once you're at your hotel, take your time checking in and have a
hearty breakfast. After that, go outside for one last glimpse of the charming
city. You'll eat lunch in Aqaba and then depart for Wadi Rum.
You will arrive in Wadi Rum in time for an
exhilarating adventure after a quick one-hour trip.
Find your tent and sign in as soon as you get to Wadi
Rum. Every camp provides visitors with many tours. Requesting their Wadi Rum
jeep/sunset excursion is highly recommended since it transports you far into
the desert to observe its Martian terrain.
A Bedouin who is well familiar with the desert will be
your guide, leading you to discover some of Wadi Rum's most well-known rock
formations and obscure corners. To top it all off, he'll locate the ideal
location for you to watch a breathtaking sunset.
Your hosts will have a delectable traditional Bedouin
Zarb meal ready for you when you return to your Wadi Rum tent.
You're exhausted, I know, but don't go too quickly!
After supper, several campgrounds encourage their visitors to spend some time
stargazing. So get a cup of tea from the shared area, find a comfortable seat
outside, and experience the wonder of a starry, pitch-black sky.
On the sixth day, you will rise early to ride a camel
into the Wadi Rum desert and witness the dawn. The majority of camps provide
their visitors with the famed Wadi Rum dawn excursion. You have plenty of time
to get breakfast and go to Petra because it just takes 60 to 90 minutes.
It takes about two hours to get from Wadi Rum to
Petra. You'll see that I spent (almost) three of your eight days in Jordan
seeing Petra. This is because you cannot thoroughly visit Petra in a single
day. I want you to not be one of the many travelers who lament about their
brief visit to this wonderful location.
You'll get to Petra early in the day. So after a busy
morning, head into your hotel and take some time to unwind.
Visit the Visitor Center in the afternoon. You should
get a Petra map and buy your Petra-by-Night ticket. You will have more than
enough time to visit Petra's most famous attractions. Thus, I advise you to get
a one-day ticket at the Visitor Center as well.
You will hike a portion of The Main Trail today, which
is the shortest and simplest hike in Petra.
·
The Siq
·
Treasury
·
Street of Facades
·
Roman theater
·
Royal Tombs
·
Great Temple
These are all must-see locations in Petra that may be
reached by foot along this path.
There's a good chance that this trail will be crowded.
Explore the area at your leisure and snap a few photos.
You should return to the Petra tourist center by 8:15
to begin Petra by night. You may see the Treasure's splendor here under the
moon and sky.
The two-hour trip takes you through a candlelit Siq to
the majestic Treasury, where you are escorted. You will be invited by your
guide to locate a comfortable place to sit and hear tales of the Nabatean
people and their country.
It's time to end the day after Petra by night. Return
to your accommodation and get ready for an exciting day in Petra.
It's all about Petra on day seven. You have all day to
discover every corner of the kingdom of Nabataeans. You completed the Main
Trail yesterday, but there are more than seven paths on the property that lead
to less well-known locations. But be warned, some call for a strong sense of
fitness and an adventurous attitude.
On day seven, you can squeeze in two hiking paths,
depending on your interests and level of energy. The following are some
suggestions I would make:
The second-most stunning marvel of Petra, The
Monastery, is reached along the Main Trail to Ad Deir (Monastery). This journey
just takes an hour, yet it requires 800 stairs to reach this architectural
marvel.
For those looking for a less crowded path, the Sabra
Trail is ideal. Numerous unexcavated tombs and homes, the remains of a Roman
theater, a Nabatean sanctuary, and wall-mounted petroglyphs are all visible.
Experienced hikers may consider the High Place of
Sacrifice Trail as an option. There are steps at the start, and you may visit
additional Nabataean buildings in addition to the Tomb of Unayshu.
There are a ton of more hikes available. Make sure to
stop at the Visitor Center to inquire about and make arrangements for a guide
if necessary, since certain walks call for one.
Once you've finished your exploration of the Nabatean
Kingdom, return to your accommodation, rejuvenate with a shower, and then head
out to supper.
I suggest you try using A Piece of Jordan to set up
supper with a local family tonight. It's a fantastic chance to spend time with
and get to know the locals better.
The last day is about How many days in Jordan is
enough, You'll be up early today, pack your bags, leave your accommodation, and
have breakfast. Depending on the timing of your flight, you can choose what
time to leave for Amman.
The trip back to Amman takes three hours, and most
planes depart in the middle to late afternoon. Include a few delays due to
traffic bottlenecks and the two hours before the planned departure at the
airport at this anticipated time.
You may either head straight to the airport and have
lunch there once you land in Amman, or you can find a nice place to eat lunch
in the city. After that, it's time to make the long journey home, your heart
and mind brimming with recollections of your amazing eight days in Jordan.
How many days in Jordan is enough and what about
Navigating in Jordan? Public transportation connects Jordan's main cities and
tourist attractions adequately, however many of the smaller villages and
historical sites are difficult to see without a car.
Your Jordan schedule will be considerably simpler if
you can afford to rent a car or sign up for a multi-day trip.
You may go from Amman to Petra via the King's Highway,
which passes by former Crusader castles and through desert scenery, but you
have to rent a car or go via a tour operator to make this route.
For a true experience, you may journey off-road into
the wadis and desert by renting a four-wheel drive vehicle.
The native currency is the Jordanian dinar, which can
easily exchanged at tourist attractions in Amman and the airport.
However, as ATMs are widely available, you could be
better off taking out a bank card withdrawal.
Unless you live in a remote area, you can also pay
with a card directly in most of the nation, which might save you a lot of money
on cash withdrawal costs.
Jordan is as costly as you choose to make him. If
you're on a tight budget, you may still have a terrific time and spend as
little as USD 50 each day.
If you are willing to pay more than $100 a day, you
can rent opulent glamping tents in the desert together with private
transportation or tours.
Despite its unfortunate geographic placement in the
middle of political hotspots like Syria, Israel, and Palestine, Jordan
encounters very little instability or terrorism as compared to its neighbors.
Jordan is an island of security in an otherwise
unstable region, and traveling within the nation is completely secure.
Jordanians extend a warm welcome and extraordinary hospitality to visitors from
other countries.
Islamic law penalizes crime harshly and makes it rare.
Out of all the nations we have traveled to, Jordan is one of the safest.
How many days in Jordan is enough especially in Aqaba?
There aren't many cultural attractions in Aqaba, the main port city, other than
swimming, diving, and snorkeling.
It was transformed into a vacation spot with several
hotels and eateries. The primary hub for snorkeling in the Red Sea and travel
to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Palestine is Aqaba.
When you get to the beach from the center, a ton of
little glass boats can be seen. Official excursions last 30 minutes and cost 15
JOD, but you can also take a shorter tour for 5 JOD to observe the coral reefs.
The seaside promenade is a pleasant place to wander in
the evening and see how the residents have a picnic, sip shisha, and unwind
with their family and friends. If you walk to the end of the promenade, you'll
notice several eateries that are close to the water and provide shisha.
The Sharif Al Hussein bin Ali Mosque bears the name of
the emir of Mecca, the great-great-grandfather of the present monarch, who led
the Arab Revolt.
Fruit and vegetable market.
Masjid Al Sheikh Zayed: This contemporary mosque is
perhaps Aqaba's most beautiful landmark. Maybe because it is situated on
Aqaba's growing periphery, it is less well-known. Its design, which features
two tall minarets and 28 domes, is reminiscent of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in
Abu Dhabi.
The Islamic artwork within the mosque was created by
Jordanian artisans.
The InterContinental Hotel and Mövenpick Resort Hotel
provide day passes to non-guests for a cost (about JD30) if you'd want to
unwind by the Read Sea in Aqaba.
One of the world's most breathtaking desert
environments, Wadi Rum is located 70 km north of Aqaba and is a must-see on
every trip plan to Jordan. Wadi Rum is a network of gorges that open up from
one another across a distance of 130 km in both directions.
It is not a single valley. The force of wind and rain
over millions of years is demonstrated by the magnificent formations of
sandstone cliffs and dunes with varying colors.
Wadi Rum's center was dominated by Jebel Rum (1754 m).
For a long while, it was believed to be the highest peak in Jordan, but Jebel
Umm ad Daami (1832 m), which is located on the Saudi Arabian border, is the
highest.
Rum was inhabited by desert nomads until the 4th
century BC when it was included in the Nabatean Empire. Many of the temples and
inscriptions that the Nabateans chiseled out of the rock are still visible
today.
Lawrence of Arabia, who traveled through the valley in
1917, introduced the Western world to Wadi Rum.
How many days in Jordan is enough in Pedra? I made a
separate piece about the best one- and two-day Petra itineraries and everything
you should know before visiting Petra and other lesser-known treasures like
Little Petra because there are so many vital things to know about this site.
For instance, to get the most out of your visit to
Jordan's most well-known sight, the ruined city, spend more time exploring its
side paths than just a few hours on the Main Trail. This comprehensive travel
guide to Petra includes advice on the ideal time to visit, what to see, and how
to get the most out of your trip.
This little village, Madaba, is predominantly
Christian and maintains its old customs. During the Byzantine era, when several
churches were built with priceless mosaics, it thrived. The majority are by
regional master artists and feature motifs from plants, animals, vines, and acanthus
leaves.
Invented in 1897, the most well-known mosaic is a map
of the Holy Land. It encompasses the space in front of the St. George church's
main altar. Madaba is renowned not just for its mosaics but also for its
vividly colored woolen carpets.
Along the ancient "King's Road," which
connected Damascus and the Red Sea for trade, Madaba played a significant role.
It is called Medea in the Bible. After repeatedly defeating the Israelites, the
Moabite king Mesha established the city around 850 BC.
The Moabites were a people of Jewish descent who spoke
Hebrew. Later, the Amorites and the Israelites who had come from Egypt took
control of the settlement.
When Trajan overthrew the Nabatean empire in 106, the
Roman Empire finally took control of it after several centuries of Moabite and
Nabatean domination. Throughout the first century, Christianity grew quickly,
but the Romans punished the adherents.
In Madaba, many
people died as martyrs for their beliefs. Christianity flourished in the sixth
and seventh centuries when Emperor Constantine declared it the official state
religion in the fourth century. During the Christian-Byzantine era, several
churches with striking mosaic floors and ornamentation were constructed.
While it was forbidden in Islam to represent humans
and animals, the city managed to prevent harm to the mosaics.
Madaba was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in the
eighth century, and the city was not mentioned again until the nineteenth.
About 2,000 Christians moved from Kerak in the 1880s,
and they used the remnants of the ancient structures to construct new homes and
churches while also restoring the older ones. Mosaic pieces were discovered at
the foundations as work on the project began.
Some of them were rescued and kept in their homes, and one may still come across intriguing artifacts from archaeology today.