Amman in 7 Days — The Full Jordan Loop

Activities

1. 08:30 Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) 2h30

   Hilltop ruins — Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace, Archaeological Museum — and the city panorama, best in the cool morning.

   Cost: Entry 3 JOD (~$4), free with Jordan Pass TIP: Bring water and a hat; the grounds are exposed. Taxi up, walk down.
2. 11:30 Roman Theatre + downtown 2h30

   The 6,000-seat 2nd-century theatre and its folklore museums, then the downtown souks and old-city streets.

   Cost: Entry 2 JOD (~$3), free with Jordan Pass TIP: Lunch at Hashem. Friday means midday closures.
3. 15:30 King Abdullah I Mosque + Rainbow Street evening 4h

   Visit the blue-domed mosque, then spend the evening on Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman.

   Cost: Mosque small fee; dinner JOD 14-40 (~$20-55) TIP: Modest dress at the mosque. Sufra for mansaf.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:30 Jerash Roman city 3h30

   An hour north for Hadrian's Arch, the Oval Plaza, the Cardo and the Temple of Artemis — superbly preserved Roman ruins.

   Cost: Entry 10 JOD (~$14), free with Jordan Pass TIP: Morning before the heat and crowds. Consider adding Ajloun Castle nearby.
2. 14:00 Dead Sea float + mud 4h

   West to the Dead Sea for a float and mineral-mud session via a resort beach — the lowest point on Earth.

   Cost: Resort day pass JOD 25-45 (~$35-65) TIP: Don't shave beforehand; keep the water out of your eyes; bring flip-flops.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:30 Madaba mosaic map + Mount Nebo 3h

   Stop in Madaba for the 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map at St George's Church, then Mount Nebo's viewpoint over the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea.

   Cost: Madaba church ~JOD 1-2; Mount Nebo ~JOD 3 TIP: Mornings are clearer for the Mount Nebo view. Both are quick stops.
2. 13:00 Drive south to Wadi Musa (Petra) 3h

   Continue to Wadi Musa, the town at Petra's gate. Check in and rest for the days ahead.

   Cost: Rental car/driver; fuel TIP: King's Highway is scenic (Wadi Mujib, Kerak) but slower; Desert Highway is faster.
3. 19:00 Petra by Night (if running) or rest 2h

   If it's running on your date, the candlelit Petra by Night walk to the Treasury is atmospheric. Otherwise rest for tomorrow.

   Cost: Separate ticket ~JOD 17 (not on the Jordan Pass) TIP: Select nights only; confirm before relying on it.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 06:30 Early entry through the Siq to the Treasury 2h

   Walk the 1.2 km Siq at opening for the first reveal of the Treasury in soft early light, before the crowds.

   Cost: Petra entry 50 JOD (~$70) overnight visitors, covered by Jordan Pass TIP: The Jordan Pass pays for itself here. Go early for cool air and quiet.
2. 08:30 Royal Tombs + Colonnaded Street 3h30

   Past the Treasury into the main valley — the Theatre, Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street and Great Temple.

   Cost: Included with entry TIP: Carry plenty of water; the valley is hot and exposed.
3. 13:30 The Monastery (Ad-Deir) climb 3h

   Climb ~800 steps to the Monastery, Petra's largest monument. A demanding but rewarding ascent.

   Cost: Included with entry TIP: Afternoon shade helps the climb. Pace yourself; the walk out is long.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 07:00 High Place of Sacrifice trail 3h30

   A morning hike up to the High Place of Sacrifice, an ancient altar with commanding views, descending via the Wadi Farasa route past lesser-visited tombs.

   Cost: Covered by 2- or 3-day Jordan Pass TIP: Steep in parts; good shoes and an early start before the heat.
2. 11:30 Treasury overlook + revisit favorites 3h

   Hike to one of the viewpoints above the Treasury for the classic aerial photo, then revisit corners you rushed on day one.

   Cost: Included; small tips for local trail access TIP: Several overlook trails exist with varying difficulty — ask at the visitor center which is open and safe.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 09:00 Drive to Wadi Rum 2h

   About 1.5-2 hours south of Petra to Wadi Rum, the vast protected desert of red sand, sandstone towers and canyons used as a film backdrop for decades.

   Cost: Rental car/driver; Wadi Rum entry covered by Jordan Pass TIP: Most camps arrange a pickup from the visitor center if you don't have a car.
2. 12:00 4x4 jeep tour of the desert 4h

   A half-day Bedouin-led jeep tour to rock arches, sand dunes, canyons and petroglyphs, with sweet tea stops. The classic Wadi Rum experience.

   Cost: Jeep tour + camp package $80-150 TIP: Book through your camp. A camel ride or sunset point is usually included or easy to add.
3. 18:00 Sunset, Bedouin dinner + overnight at camp all evening

   Watch the sunset over the dunes, eat a zarb (sand-pit-cooked) dinner at the camp, and sleep under the stars — bubble tents and Bedouin-style tents both available.

   Cost: Included in camp package; bubble tents cost more TIP: Nights are cold even after hot days — bring a warm layer. The stargazing is the highlight.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 06:00 Desert sunrise 2h

   Catch sunrise over the dunes — the light on the red sandstone is the desert at its best — then breakfast at camp.

   Cost: Included with camp TIP: Worth waking for even after a late night; the early light is brief.
2. 09:00 Return journey 4h

   Either drive back north to Amman (about 4 hours via the Desert Highway) for an onward flight, or make the short hop to Aqaba (about 1 hour) to fly out from the south — a good time-saver if your airline allows.

   Cost: Rental car/driver; or JETT bus / Aqaba flight TIP: Flying out of Aqaba avoids the long drive back to Amman — check routes before booking your exit.
3. 15:00 Final stop (Amman or Aqaba) flexible

   If you return to Amman, use the afternoon for anything missed and a farewell dinner. If you fly from Aqaba, build in buffer time for the desert drive and check-in.

   Cost: Dinner JOD 14-50 (~$20-70) if in Amman TIP: Allow generous margin — the desert-to-airport drive is long and you don't want to rush it.

Meal Recommendations