Solo-ish Jordan - 9 Days

Please ensure your flight lands by to 3pm and enjoy an included arrival transfer to the start hotel in Amman. After a brief welcome meeting in the evening, the group will drive to the Roman Amphitheatre and walk to the Fruit Market and Souq Al Bukhari for an immersive introduction to the tastes, sounds, and smells of one of the oldest markets in all of the city. The owners of these shops have been inheriting their businesses here for generations. Visit a nearby restaurant for some regional snacks like, fresh breads, falafel, hummus, and various animal livers before capping off the night with drinks at a rooftop overlooking Amman as night falls like blanket over the city.

See what truly makes this area of Jordan unique and gain full immersion into the ruins and important historical sites surrounding Amman. Travel north to explore the ancient orchards that were part of the fertile crescent region, and the remarkably well-preserved Roman archaeological site of Jerash. Spend three hours being guided around a place with incredible tales of Roman invaders and Christian churches during the rise of Islam and Crusader attacks. Traverse its meticulously paved and colonnaded streets, observe the grand hilltop temples, elegant theatres, expansive public squares, and well-maintained baths and fountains. Then, sit down for lunch at a the tour operator-supported café entirely run and managed by local women seeking financial independence. Enjoy a traditional Jordanian meal before arriving at Aljoun Castle for a short walk through the valley of olive groves towards Mar Elias Church. Arrive back in Amman for a free evening.

Prepare to experience what G does best and enjoy a true taste of Amman. And what better way to fully understand a city and its people than through food? Begin the morning at the Citadel for a guided tour of this archaeological site best known for the Roman Temple of Hercules as well as an outside visit to the Roman Amphitheatre. Hear stories of Jordan’s past before stepping into the present while walking through the gold, spices, and vegetable markets, passing countless stalls of freshly prepared regional dishes and ingredients. Right as the hunger is about to set in, the group will sit down at a nearby charming restaurant specializing in authentic Jordanian cuisine and soak in the warm, welcoming atmosphere full of traditional flavours and local hospitality. Try dishes like, mansaf, makloubeh, and maqluba. Be on the lookout for your surprise moment with a special G twist as the day starts to wind down.

Travel to Mt. Nebo’s ridge line for spectacular views over the historic site that is believed by many to be the location of Moses’ death. The views of the surrounding countryside are stunning and on a clear day you can see Israel in the distance. From here it’s time to visit St. George Church to see some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world, including the sixth-century mosaic map of the Middle East. There will be free time for lunch on your own before transferring to Wadi Musa, the town just outside of iconic Petra's location. The group will arrive in the late afternoon and can choose to spend the evening together or on their own. Sometimes, after a day of immersion it’s nice to take a walk outside by yourself around the town’s streets, amid the dry heat of the desert.

Begin your day early with a morning visit to iconic Petra. Head into this 2000-year-old site carved out of the rocky Jordanian desert by the Nabateans and hidden completely until 200 years ago. Pass by the famed Al-Khazneh, known as the treasury of Petra, and gain a comprehensive understanding of this awe-inspiring place as you walk through the area with your guide. Located along trade routes that traversed Egypt, Arabia, and the Mediterranean Sea, Petra was once a hub for the transferring of goods across boundaries and cultures. Visit monuments that include the Pharaoh's Column, the triumphal arch, the amphitheater, and the monastery before proceeding back to Wadi Musa for a free afternoon and evening at your leisure. Who says solo-ish travel can’t have the best of both worlds?

Another day, another chance for unforgettable adventures! Travel to the breathtaking Wadi Rum, also known as ‘Valley of the Moon’ in the protected desert wilderness of southern Jordan. Witness some of the most dramatic scenery in the entire country and see if you can recognize various viewpoints from old films like, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. Stop for some refreshments and to escape the scorching sun before a 2-hour 4x4 journey through the undulating sand dunes to a remote, private camp. Make stops along the way to explore this unique environment and scramble up rocks or dunes. Upon arrival, spend some time getting settled before experiencing a traditional Zarb dinner at camp, in which the meat and vegetables are cooked in an underground oven. Cap off the adventures with a night walk under a vast sky of stars.

Awake to the desert hum of life as the sun begins to rise over your remote camp amid the dunes. Journey back to the main camp and onwards to Aqaba, Jordan’s only coastal city, and prepare to enjoy the rich marine life of the warm waters in the Red Sea. A free afternoon along shores sparkling in the mid-day sun is perfect to take some time for yourself. Choose to relax on the beach, maybe read a good book while lounging in the sand, or perhaps choose to go snorkelling. There’s also places in town like the Ayla Oasis or the Aqaba Local Market you can choose visit with your CEO where you can learn more about the history and culture of Jordan’s only seaport.

Today trade in one sea for another, albeit a much saltier one and transfer from Aqaba to the Dead Sea known for its high salinity. Arrive around lunch time and find a local spot on your own to grab a bite before a free afternoon in the area. Choose to bob like a cork in the healing water, or opt to cover yourself in therapeutic mud along the shore that is believed to have medicinal benefits. (Don’t worry there are showers nearby to wash off afterwards). In the evening, come together with the group for a final dinner as the sun sets on your solo-ish Jordan adventure.

Please note that while this itinerary ends at the finishing point hotel in the Dead Sea, there are taxis/shuttle services available to book back to Amman. Please contact one of our GCOs for more details.