Trip Overview
Worth noting…
Keen to make the most of the adventure? On many departures it’s possible to continue on to Israel on Day 7. Why the hell not? Check out our Delve Deep: Jordan & Israel trip for more info.
Tales From Topdeckers
Trip itinerary
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Amman to Petra, via Madaba, Mt Nebo and Karak
2Rise and shine! We’re off to the Lost City after breakfast. But it’s not just about the destination – the road to Petra is gonna be amazing. First? Madaba: the site of an ancient holy map that’s so detailed it puts Google Maps to shame. Check out the vibrantly coloured and intricately detailed Byzantine-era mosaics scattered across the city before we take in allllll the views of the Promise Land from Mt Nebo. Seen Kingdom of Heaven? Channel your inner Orlando Bloom as we storm through the Crusader stronghold of Karak Castle. And to round it all off? Experience Petra – by night. Opt for a goosebump-inducing walk down the dark ravine, following the sound of traditional music and the soft glow of a candle-lit desert floor. Awesome is an understatement.
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Included Today
- Visit Madaba
- Visit Mt Nebo
- Visit Karak Castle
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Petra by Night tour: from 25 USD
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Included Today
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Petra
3Words can’t describe how breathtaking this place is, so why would we try? Spend the whole day uncovering the magic of the Lost City and learn why people have been drawn to this place since 312 BC. With towering burning-red cliff faces and a façade made famous by Indiana Jones, this place rocks (sorry not sorry). Get your bearings on an orientation walk with our expert Trip Leader. Then: the rest of the day is yours to explore. Just be back in time for tonight’s optional dinner – a delicious traditional meal of maqluba with a local family. This is as authentic as it gets.
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Included Today
- Orientation walk of Petra with Trip Leader
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Optional extras
- Dinner with a local family in Petra: from 20 USD
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Included Today
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Petra to Wadi Rum
4Back in the day, camels were the go-to way to cross the desert. But we’ve got a more buttock-friendly transport option today as we switch the coach for a 4X4 and venture across The Valley of the Moon to our traditional Bedouin Camp in the heart of the Jordanian desert. If you want to see if Alice really does have two humps, there’s an optional ride on offer today. Or just sit back and take it all in. This is your moment. Tonight’s included dinner is brought to you by one of the world’s most ancient nomadic tribes – tuck in around the camp fire and learn all about Bedouin life with your trip mates. We’re spending the night under the best-looking night sky you’ve ever laid eyes on. Heck yes!
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Included Today
- Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion
- Stay overnight in Bedouin desert camp
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Camel ride: from 20 USD
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Included Today
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Wadi Rum to Aqaba
5From a sea of burnt-red sand to well, the actual sea – we’re making tracks to Jordan’s only coastal city. Dating back to 4,000 BC, Aqaba’s located smack-bang in the middle of the Red Sea, with temps rarely dropping below 20°C. Meaning? It’s THE place for diving, snorkelling and Nemo-spotting. And you’ve got the whole afternoon to do just that. Scuba dive around sunken military tanks, transport planes and Lebanese freighters. Make friends with flashy fish, colourful coral and green turtles (maybe). Then, gather the gang for a shawarma (Jordanian kebab) and sunset on the beach. This is livin’.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Diving in Aqaba: prices available locally
- Snorkelling in Aqaba: from 25 USD
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Meals
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Aqaba to Amman, via the Dead Sea
6Ready to tick “bob on top of the Dead Sea” off your bucket list? Today is your day. At 427 m below sea level (the lowest point on Earth), the Dead Sea is so salty you can float weightlessly around like last night’s second helping of shawarma didn’t happen. Tip: avoid shaving your legs, face or other... parts before your swim. Sh*t stings! Give yourself a free spa treatment with the mineral-laden mud. Snap a pic for mum. And pile back on the coach – we’re heading back to Amman for an education in the Roman, Byzantine AND Umayyad empires that have left their mark on this place. Check out the Roman Amphitheatre, Citadel and melting pot of ancient historical sites on a walking tour with your fact-filled Trip Leader before heading downtown for a falafel feed.
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Included Today
- Float in the Dead Sea
- Walking tour of Amman with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Amman, including Jerash
7Crank the history knob to 11 with a visit to Jerash – home to a bunch of Greco-Roman highlights, including a hippodrome which was used for chariot racing (and has nothing to do with hippos). Check out Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Zeus. Stroll down the columned cardo maximus. Then find a fallen column to rest up on and enjoy the jaw-dropping views. Not continuing the adventure in Israel? Wave farewell to the trip mates who are travelling on. Back in Amman, the afternoon is yours. Head downtown for all the ancient city vibes. Take a coffee break in the hip area of Jabal Al Lweibdeh. Or check out the thriving contemporary art scene in Jabal Amman. And tonight? We’ll give this incred trip the send-off it deserves with one final group dinner at a local eatery.
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Included Today
- See the Roman ruins of Jerash
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Amman
8Down your pomegranate juice and brush away those tears – we’ll say our goodbyes after breakfast. WHAT an adventure it’s been. Swap those Insta handles and pencil in next year’s reunion trip.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
What's included
Included experiences
- - Visit Madaba
- - Visit Mt Nebo
- - Visit Karak Castle
- - Orientation walk of Petra with Trip Leader
- - Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion
- - Stay overnight in Bedouin desert camp
- - Float in the Dead Sea
- - Walking tour of Amman with Trip Leader
- - See the Roman ruins of Jerash
Accommodation
- 6 nights in hotel-style accommodation (twin-share), 1 night in a Bedouin desert camp (twin-share)
Transport
Optional activities
- FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.
- Petra by Night tour: from 25 USD
- Dinner with a local family in Petra: from 20 USD
- Camel ride in Wadi Rum: from 20 USD
- Diving in Aqaba: prices available locally
- Snorkelling in Aqaba: from 25 USD
OTHER INFORMATION
Airport transfers
Individual transfers are included for all passengers flying into Amman. Please provide arrival flight details as soon as possible, a minimum of six weeks before departure. You will be met before immigration by an airport representative with a Topdeck sign. Please refer to the ‘Visas’ section below for details on this process. Once you’ve cleared immigration and customs you will transferred to your hotel to check in. If you have booked pre-tour accommodation, please advise us no later than six weeks before arriving in order for us to make arrangements.
Visas
For all non-restricted nationalities (please check the eligibility for your passport) we will obtain a free visa on your behalf. To obtain your free visa on arrival in Amman, we will require your full passport, flight and insurance details no later than 60 days before arriving to ensure our representative can meet you before immigration. If you do not provide us with these details we will be unable to obtain a free visa for you and you will be subject to paying the full amount on arrival.
Important note on Ramadan
As many Middle Eastern countries are of Islamic faith, it is important to remember that lots of restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating on reduced hours during Ramadan. As a result, some optional and included activities on your trip may be affected. Ramadan, which takes place in either April or May, is an incredibly important and sacred month for Muslims. When equipped with some basic knowledge, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in this special tradition and experience all its highlights.
Accommodation
On your trip you will primarily stay in quality three-star hotels on a single or twin-share basis, depending on what you have booked. You will also get to experience a night in a desert camp at Wadi Rum. The camp features twin-share tents or cabins, with beds, pillows and all sheets and blankets provided. The bathroom facilities are basic (hey, you're in the desert!) and the showers are usually cold-water only – but it's all part of an amazing experience!
Views & Reviews
Latest Reviews
Average rating based on 10 reviews
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Cassandra W July 2018
It was awful, it was unsafe and itinerary was skipped.
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Anonymous March 2018
I got the 30% discount - good value for money. Definitely wouldn't have wanted to pay more though
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Anonymous January 2018
The Jordan tour guide was hard to understand and didn’t give enough background information when he was discussing certain things. Also our time in Israel was cut short as the Jordan/Israel border was closed on the day we were meant to be crossing. Most people were really disappointed topdeck did not notify us of this or make other arrangements before. The cost of the few days in Israel was almost the same as the 6 days in Jordan so when we lost a day most of us were not happy. We did see some amazing sights on the tour and our Israel tour guide went out of his way to ensure we got as much done in the reduced time as we could.
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