7 Day 6 Night Discover Jordan Tour

Petra is the headline, but this seven-day Jordan route gives you much more than one famous archaeological site. You’ll move from Roman ruins and Crusader castles to Byzantine mosaics, desert canyons, Bedouin camps, and the strange pleasure of floating in the Dead Sea. I like the broad sweep of the trip, and I like having a private vehicle rather than joining a large coach.

I also like the practical setup: airport pickup, an included Jordan visa for qualifying stays, hotels in Amman and Petra, and local guides at Jerash and Petra. The main drawback is the pace. Long drives and several early starts leave little room for slow mornings, and meals outside the listed breakfasts, box lunch, and camp dinner are generally your responsibility.

Key things to know before booking

• Petra gets a full day: A three-hour guided walk introduces the main monuments, followed by free time for the Monastery, High Place of Sacrifice, and other trails.
• The north is packed with Roman and medieval sites: Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and Umm Qais make a long but worthwhile day from Amman.
• Wadi Rum includes a four to five-hour jeep ride: You’ll visit sand dunes, canyons, rock bridges, springs, and Nabatean remains before sleeping at a desert camp.
• The route uses Jordan’s historic Kings Highway: Madaba, Wadi Mujib, Karak, and Dana break up the journey south.
• The arrangement is private: Only your group takes part, with an English-speaking driver handling the transfers.
• The pace suits active sightseers: Expect walking on uneven ruins, desert surfaces, and Petra’s steps, with a moderate fitness level required.

A private route from Amman to Petra

At about $1,230.77 per person, this is not a budget hotel-and-bus trip. It is a private, escorted circuit with six breakfasts, entrance fees, airport transfers, two guided site visits, a Wadi Rum jeep tour, and overnight stays in four distinct settings: Amman, Petra, the desert, and the Dead Sea.

The value improves if you want convenience. You do not need to arrange separate taxis between far-flung sites, find a guide at Petra, or negotiate a Wadi Rum excursion after arriving. Your driver takes care of the long connections, while local guides explain Jerash and Petra where context matters most.

The tradeoff is that the tour does not include every meal. Breakfast is provided each morning, and the Wadi Rum stay includes a barbecue dinner and breakfast. A box lunch is provided during the jeep tour. Other lunches and dinners, plus tips, insurance, and personal expenses, are extra.

This is a private tour, so the exact feel depends on your own group. A private vehicle gives you more flexibility than a fixed coach schedule, but you should still expect the stated route to take most of each day.

Day 1: Airport arrival and first night in Amman

Your Jordan trip begins with an airport welcome and assistance with the visa process. The free visa applies when you qualify through a stay of two or more consecutive nights, and passport details must be supplied in advance.

After meeting the driver, you have about a 30-minute transfer to Amman. The first night includes a hotel stay and breakfast.

If your flight arrives early, an Amman city tour is listed as an optional possibility. It is not a guaranteed part of the schedule, so treat it as extra time rather than a promised activity. The day can also feel long after an international flight, so I would avoid building an ambitious plan around your arrival unless your landing time is comfortably early.

Day 2: Jerash, Ajloun, and Umm Qais

This is one of the most rewarding days for anyone who likes archaeology, but it is also a full day on the road. You drive roughly 50 kilometers north from Amman to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the region.

A 90-minute guided tour takes you through Hadrian’s Arch, the Hippodrome, the Forum, the Temple of Artemis, the Colonnaded Street, and the Nymphaeum. The scale is the surprise here. The Forum and long colonnades make it easy to picture Jerash as a functioning Roman city rather than a scatter of broken stones.

The guide is included for Jerash, which is useful because the site’s layout is large and its monuments are spread out. You’ll also hear details such as the massive Temple of Artemis columns, whose stone drums weigh between 20 and 40 tons.

From Jerash, the route passes pine woods and olive groves on the way to Ajloun Castle. This 12th-century fortress was built by one of Saladin’s lieutenants during the campaigns against the Crusaders. You explore it independently, so this stop gives you more freedom but less formal explanation than Jerash.

The final northern stop is Umm Qais, the ancient Greco-Roman city of Gadara. Its position near the borders with Israel and Syria provides views toward the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee. The ruins include a colonnaded street, a vaulted terrace, and two theaters, with information boards at the principal points.

Umm Qais also carries biblical associations. It is identified with the New Testament story in which Jesus casts demons into pigs that then run into the sea. The setting adds another layer to the ruins, though the stop is still primarily an archaeological visit.

You return to Amman for the night. The schedule is impressive, but you should expect limited time at each site and several hours in the vehicle. If Roman ruins are high on your list, this day earns its place. If you prefer a slower pace, it is the first day I would ask the operator about adjusting.

Day 3: Madaba and the Kings Highway

The drive south begins at 8:00 a.m., using the Kings Highway, an old route that links several of Jordan’s most important historic sites. Your first stop is Madaba, known for Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics.

The main sight is the sixth-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land inside the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. Made from roughly two million pieces of colored local stone, the map once covered a much larger area than the portion visible today. It shows towns, valleys, hills, and places extending toward the Nile Delta.

This is a compact stop, but it rewards close attention. The mosaic is not simply decorative flooring. It is an early map and a record of how sacred geography was understood in the Byzantine period.

The road then reaches the Wadi Mujib viewpoint, often called Jordan’s Grand Canyon. You stop for the broad view over the deep valley. This is a photo stop rather than a hike, so do not expect an organized canyon walk as part of this itinerary.

Next comes Karak Castle, a Crusader fortress built in 1132 or 1134 by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. The castle’s rooms, walls, and passageways are best appreciated with sturdy shoes and a willingness to explore uneven ground. The visit is fairly short, so you’ll get an introduction to the fortress rather than an exhaustive study.

A brief stop at the Dana viewpoint follows. It breaks up the drive and offers another wide view before you continue to Petra. You spend the night near Petra, where the two-night stay gives you a better base than trying to visit Petra and leave the same day.

Day 4: Petra from the Siq to the Monastery

Petra is the emotional center of the tour, and the schedule gives it the time it deserves. After breakfast, an English-speaking guide leads a three-hour visit through the Siq, a narrow passage that runs for about 1.2 kilometers.

The approach is part of the experience. You pass carved shrines, tombs, and rock walls before the Treasury appears at the end of the passage. The first view is dramatic, but the Treasury is only the beginning.

The guided route continues along the Street of Facades, the Roman Theatre, the Colonnaded Street, and Qasr Bint. This gives you a clear introduction to Petra’s main areas without forcing you to navigate the entire site alone.

After the guided portion, you have free time to continue at your own pace. The Byzantine Church and Temple of the Winged Lion are options, and the 800-step climb to the Monastery is the big challenge. A shorter climb leads to the High Place of Sacrifice.

This arrangement works well because the guide handles orientation and the major monuments, then you choose how much more walking to do. Petra is not a quick photo stop. The site is spread out, the ground can be uneven, and the route back through the Siq takes time. Bring water, wear practical footwear, and save energy for the free afternoon.

The main limitation is that three hours with a guide cannot explain every corner of Petra. If you want a detailed archaeological tour, you may wish to use your free time for additional exploration or ask the operator about extending the guided portion.

Day 5: Little Petra and a full afternoon in Wadi Rum

The morning starts at Al-Beidha, better known as Little Petra. This smaller Nabatean site includes dining halls called bicliniums and tricliniums, along with some remaining Nabatean fresco work on the ceiling of one biclinium.

Little Petra is a useful companion to the main site. It is less extensive than Petra, but its carved spaces help show how Nabatean communities used rock-cut architecture for gathering and dining. The stop also gives you another look at Nabatean design without the scale and crowds of the main archaeological city.

You then drive about two hours to Wadi Rum. The desert portion is a four to five-hour jeep tour with an English-speaking Bedouin guide who also drives. The route includes the Nabatean Temple, Lawrence Spring, sand dunes, Khazali Canyon, Little Bridge, Um Frouth Rock Bridge, Lawrence House, and the Burdah Rock Bridge or Arch, along with other stops.

The appeal is variety. You are not simply driven across open sand. The tour combines rock formations, narrow canyon walls, historic references, and short opportunities to get out and look around. A box lunch is included during the jeep trip.

A one-hour camel ride can be added for 10 Jordanian dinars, listed as about $15, per hour and per camel. It is optional, so you can skip it if the jeep tour already gives you enough desert time.

That evening you sleep at a Wadi Rum camp, with a barbecue dinner and breakfast included. The desert night is one of the tour’s strongest changes of mood. After several days of ruins and road travel, the open sky and quiet camp setting provide a different kind of Jordan experience.

Camp comfort can vary, and the program does not specify the exact standard of accommodation. If you are particular about bedding, bathrooms, or heating, ask for those details before paying.

Day 6: Sunrise, Bethany, and floating in the Dead Sea

You begin with breakfast and sunrise at camp, then meet the driver again in Wadi Rum Village. The transfer to the Dead Sea region takes about three and a half hours, making this another road-heavy day.

Before reaching the hotel, you visit Bethany beyond the Jordan, the place associated with John the Baptist’s baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. It is an important religious site, especially if biblical history is a major reason for your visit.

You then check in near the Dead Sea and have a free afternoon. The hotel facilities are available, and the main activity is experiencing the Dead Sea itself. The water’s unusual buoyancy lets you float with very little effort, though you should avoid getting the salty water in your eyes and protect any cuts on your skin.

This is a welcome rest period after Petra and Wadi Rum. You do not have to rush from one monument to another, and the hotel gives you time to slow down. The drawback is that the day contains a long transfer, so the free afternoon may feel shorter than it looks on paper.

Day 7: A simple airport departure

The final morning is open for rest at the hotel after breakfast. Your driver then takes you about one hour to Amman Airport.

Because the tour ends with a private transfer, departure is straightforward. Still, give yourself enough airport time and confirm your pickup details with the operator, especially if your flight leaves early.

Guides, vehicles, and the private-tour advantage

The tour includes an English-speaking driver for transfers, plus a 90-minute guide in Jerash and a three-hour guide in Petra. Wadi Rum uses an English-speaking Bedouin guide who drives the jeep.

The private format is valuable on a route with so many long connections. You avoid waiting for a large group and can discuss small changes with the tour team. Past arrangements with this operator have included drivers named Sulaimon and Alla’din, while Hicham has been praised for handling itinerary changes with a calm, helpful attitude. Driver and coordinator assignments can vary, so treat those names as examples rather than guarantees.

The strongest service pattern is flexibility. The tour team has handled last-minute bookings and itinerary changes, including tailor-made additions such as Petra by Night, a sunset horse ride, and a sunrise balloon trip in Wadi Rum. Those extras are not part of this package, but the examples suggest you can ask about modifications before booking.

Who should book this Jordan tour?

I would choose this tour if you want Jordan’s major highlights in one organized trip and value a private vehicle over a fixed group coach. It suits people who want history, desert scenery, religious sites, and a resort-style rest stop in the same week.

It is also a good fit if you appreciate help at the airport, included entry fees, and local guides at the two biggest archaeological sites. The route gives you a strong first visit without requiring you to plan every transfer yourself.

I would think twice if you want long, unhurried visits or a luxury hotel specification at every stop. The days in the north and on the Kings Highway are full, and the program does not give detailed hotel names or room standards. You should also be comfortable with walking at Jerash, Petra, castles, and desert sites.

You can cancel for a full refund at least six full days before the start time. A cancellation two to six days ahead receives a 50 percent refund, while cancellation less than two full days ahead is nonrefundable. Bad weather or failure to meet a required minimum can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

FAQ

Is this a private Jordan tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and transfers are provided in a modern vehicle with an English-speaking driver.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately seven days and includes six nights.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Meet and assist service is included on arrival and departure, with transfers to and from Amman Airport.

Is the Jordan visa included?

Jordan visa fees are included for qualifying visitors. The stated condition is a stay of two or more consecutive nights, and passport details must be provided in advance.

Which sites include an English-speaking guide?

A 90-minute guided visit is included at Jerash, and a three-hour guided visit is included at Petra. Wadi Rum also includes an English-speaking Bedouin guide who drives the jeep.

What accommodation is included?

The package includes two nights in Amman with breakfast, two nights in Petra with breakfast, one night at a Wadi Rum camp with barbecue dinner and breakfast, and one night at a Dead Sea hotel with breakfast.

Are meals included?

Six breakfasts are included. A box lunch is provided during the Wadi Rum jeep tour, and the desert camp includes a barbecue dinner. Other lunches and dinners are not included unless specifically listed.

How physically demanding is the tour?

A moderate level of fitness is recommended. You should be ready for walking at ruins, uneven surfaces, the 1.2-kilometer Siq at Petra, and optional climbs such as the 800 steps to the Monastery.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-rounded first look at Jordan with private transport and the key sights already connected. The combination of Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum, Madaba, and the Dead Sea gives you a memorable mix of ancient cities, desert space, religious history, and time to rest.

Before booking, confirm the hotel names, camp facilities, driver assignment, and any meals you care about. If you accept the brisk pace and budget for extra dining and tips, this is a practical way to see much of Jordan in one week without handling the country’s long-distance planning yourself.