Day 1: Amman → Day 2: Jerash & Ajloun → Day 3: Dead Sea → Day 4: Madaba, Mount Nebo & Karak, overnight in Petra → Day 5: Petra → Day 6: Wadi Rum → Day 7: Aqaba. This north-to-south route through Jordan is widely regarded as the most classic, with options to travel by private car, rental car, or JETT long-distance bus.
After arriving at Queen Alia International Airport, head into the city. In the afternoon, visit Amman’s Castle Hill, home to Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad ruins with panoramic city views. Then descend to the Roman Theatre and Hashemite Plaza at the foot of the hill. End the evening with a coffee on Rainbow Street to experience local life.
In the morning, explore Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. Marvel at the grandeur of Hadrian’s Arch, the Oval Plaza, and the colonnaded street—allocate at least three hours. In the afternoon, head to Ajloun Castle in the north, an Arab military fortress that once defended against the Crusaders, offering stunning views from the top.
Head to the Dead Sea, which lies about 430 meters below sea level, the lowest point on Earth’s land surface. Put on your swimsuit, float in the water, and apply the mineral-rich Dead Sea mud to your skin. Avoid getting the salty water in your eyes or mouth—it can sting open wounds. Rinse off with fresh water afterward. In the evening, stay at a resort along the Dead Sea to watch the mountains on the opposite shore darken.
In the morning, visit Madaba to see the mosaic map of the Holy Land in St. George’s Church, one of the oldest surviving maps of the region. Then ascend Mount Nebo for sweeping views of the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea. After lunch, continue south via Karak Castle and arrive in Wadi Musa (the town where Petra is located) in the evening. Rest up for the next day’s exploration of the ancient city.
Enter the site as early as possible. Walk through the Siq to reach the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), Petra’s most iconic facade. Then follow the main trail to the Roman Theatre, Royal Tombs, and Monastery (Ad-Deir). If you’re up for it, climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice for a city-wide view. The site is vast and the sun is strong—bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and comfortable hiking shoes.
Head to Wadi Rum in the morning and join a 4x4 jeep tour to explore Lawrence’s Spring, Little Bridge, and the red sand dunes. Watch the sunset in the evening, then stay overnight in a Bedouin camp, sipping tea around the campfire and stargazing. Optional activities include camel riding or spending a night in a luxury tent under the stars.
Travel south in the morning to Aqaba on the Red Sea. Go snorkeling, scuba diving, or take a glass-bottom boat to see coral reefs. Relax on the beach in the afternoon, then head to the airport or cross the border overland. If you have extra time, consider adding a day for a Red Sea boat trip.