Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Life of the Bedouin

G Adventures · 9 days

4.9

10 Reviews

Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Take an adventure in Jordan to a whole other level with an active exploration of this fascinating Middle Eastern kingdom.

Includes

Activities

Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Beit Khayrat Souf, Jerash Governorate Your G for Good Moment: Feynan Ecolodge G for Good Stay, Dana Biosphere Reserve Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Lunch like a Local in Amman, Amman Your Local Living Moment: Local Bedouin Family Welcome Experience, Amman Your OMG Day: Life as a Shepherd or Bedouin Experience & Cooking class, Dana Biosphere Reserve
Complimentary arrival transfer
Welcome dinner
Visit to the Amman Citadel and the Roman Theatre
Tour of Jerash and Ajloun Castle
Tour of Mount Nebo and Madaba mosaics
Hike from Ajloun Castle to Mari Elias
Hike from Little Petra to Petra through a back entrance
Visit Petra a second time at sunrise
Wadi Rum desert 4x4 excursion
Siq Al Barrah hike and sunset tea
Float in the Dead Sea
Farewell Dinner
Departure Transfer
All tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Hotels (6 nts), Lodge (1 nt), Wadi Rum Desert Camp (Room) (1 nt).

8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Private van/bus, 4x4, walking.

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Highlights

Wander the ancient ruins of Jerash
Hike along the ancient back-trail into Petra from little Petra and enjoy a second early morning sunrise visit
Take a jeep tour of the desert in Wadi Rum and enjoy a sunset hike
Hike to a waterfall and soak in the Dead Sea
Eat delicious traditional meals prepared by the communities visited.

Trip Details

Duration

9 days

Transportation

Private van/bus, 4x4, walking.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Amman, Jordan

Finishes

Dead Sea, Jordan

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Luxury, Budget

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Amman: Welcome to Jordan

Step into the kingdom of Jordan and walk in the footsteps of past civilizations and modern culture as you explore the country's abundant natural wonders and ancient sites. We welcome you to Amman, and to Jordan, and we invite you to see this beautiful country in a way that allows you to experience its culture, people and natural beauty.
Arrive at any time. After meeting fellow travellers and your CEO during the welcome meeting, share a delicious dinner at the Tawaheen Al Hawa Restaurant and experience a full immersion into Amman and Jordanian cuisine.

Meals included: Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Landmark Amman Hotel

Day 2: Amman: Jerash and the North

Set out on a morning hike in the crisp, fresh air from Ajloun Castle through the local olive fields and farms. After, take a private transfer to Mar Elias Church before continuing on to a group lunch and in-depth visit to our G for Good cafe, Beit Khayrat Souf, owned and operated by a team of women. Visit Jerash before travelling back to Amman for a free evening.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Take a tour of historic Ajloun Castle, one of many Crusader fortresses in the area. Learn about its interesting past, and opt to see artifacts in the castle's museum.Activity - Set off from Ajloun Castle into terraced valleys filled with gnarled, centuries-old olive groves. This one-hour route follows dirt paths through active farms and red-earth orchards - a direct immersion into the region’s traditional agricultural landscape.Activity - Mar Elias holds the ruins of one of Jordan’s largest Byzantine churches and is traditionally recognized as the birthplace of the prophet Elijah. The site features intricate floor mosaics and standing stone archways overlooking the surrounding oak forests and valley.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Part of the G Adventures for Good program, Beit Khayrat Souf is a women-run cafe with the purpose of training and employing women to gain their own financial independence. Women manage the cafe and lead cooking classes on site. They engage more women outside the organization by sourcing and making preserves sold at the cafe. This growing café employs over 20 women to support in daily management, service and cooking. As this business continues to grow, more women can gain employment opportunities and break the cycle of unemployment that has remained rampant for women in the region. Sit down for an enjoyable lunch here made by the women of Beit Khayrat Souf and feel instantly at home amid the warm generosity and true kindness you will find here.Activity - Take a step back in time visiting Jerash, one of the most well-preserved Roman sites outside of Italy. Wander amid its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains, and city walls pierced by towers and gates – all in exceptional condition. For 3 hours you will wander amid the city's paved colonnaded streets, staring up at the soaring hilltop temples, and taking in the spacious public squares, plazas, baths, and fountains before your eyes.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Landmark Amman Hotel

Day 3: Amman: Food and Culture

Food and culture are one of the best ways to fully understand a city and its people, and you'll see why today in Amman. While historical sites allow you to hear stories of the past, it's the market stalls with freshly prepared dishes and coffee with a host family that allow you to experience the present. Prepare to be immersed in all the great stories Amman has to tell, both past and present.
Start the morning with visits to the Citadel and Roman Amphitheatre before a downtown market walk through stalls with spices, vegetables, locally handcrafted goods and freshly made dishes. Lunch like a local and discover cuisine from the best of the food stalls. Head out of the city center to meet with a local family to gain a rare authentic glimpse into the life of a local Bedouin family and enjoy a free evening.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - The first stop on today's journey is the Citadel, an archaeological site best known for the Roman Temple of Hercules and a site used by numerous civilizations since the Bronze Age. Gain an overview of the history of this complex within Jordan on a guided visit, and then jump in a private vehicle for a ten minute drive to the Roman Amphitheatre. When under Roman rule, Amman was the bustling capital of the Roman Empire with the name of the city back then being Philadelphia. The structure was built between 138-161 CE dating back to the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. The theatre could once sear up to 6,000 people in its steep stairs. Spend some time with a guide learning more about the theatre and then walk through the downtown markets in Amman. From the gold market to the spices and vegetable markets there is no shortage of humming activity and vibrant colours.Activity - Enjoy the savoury flavours and delicious local cuisine in Amman. Experience the best food stalls in the area like the famous Hashem for falafel, local olive & pickle shops, dairy shops, and the local favourite, Shehrazad Restaurant for local meat sandwiches called Arayes. Finish your locally flavoured lunch with a stop for the best Kunafa in all of Jordan at Habiba Pastries.Activity - Travel to a Bedouin family abode in the Dheir area and experience a delightfully warm welcome into their home with the timeless tradition of a cup of authentic coffee. Become immersed in the intriguing complexities of coffee service and uncover the significance behind each cup as stories are told around the table. Put your senses to the test and savour the strong taste of jameed, a vital component of the Mansaf dish. This is Jordan's national dish consisting of hard, dry laban made from goat's milk. Learn how the milk is kept in a cheesecloth to obtain a thick yogurt in which salt is added daily to thicken the yogurt substance. After a few days of salting and rinsing the yogurt is dense enough to be shaped into round balls. The balls are dried outside in sun or shade and then used in the main dish. As you eat and listen you will gain insight into this unique way of life; a tapestry woven with time-honored traditions and cherished customs. There may be an opportunity to engage in the time-honoured practice of goat milking, offering a true glimpse into authentic daily activities.Free_time - Spend some time in Amman on your own. Some optional activities available in the area to boost those cultural connections are, the Jordan Museum, Art Gallery Ras Al-Ain, and some perusing of handmade goods on Rainbow Street.Accommodation - Landmark Amman Hotel

Day 4: Dana Biosphere Reserve: Spectacular Natural Landscapes

From Mount Nebo it is said that Moses set sight for the first time on the promised land, how beautiful it must have been, and it still is. Wander into the Dana Biosphere Reserve, home to human settlement well before the earliest writing. Here set against the expansive semi desert landscape sits the Feynan Ecolodge, devoted to the protection of the country's finest natural landscapes. Choose to wander through the lush, elevated terrain surroundings to reveal panoramic vistas of the valley below. Soak in the atmosphere of a forgotten time and spend an evening deep in the heart of the mountains in an idyllic candle-lit lodge.
Travel to Mt. Nebo's ridgeline for spectacular views then drive to St. George Church. See the mosaics of Madaba and enjoy lunch in Dana Village, prepared by members of the local community. Stretch those legs as you wander through the lush, elevated terrain surrounding Fenyan Lodge to reveal panoramic vistas of the valley below.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. The drive time includes stops along the route.Activity - Visit Mount Nebo, a historic site believed by many to be the location of Moses' death and has thus been a centre for pilgrimage since the earliest Christian times. Reach to the summit (817m or 2,680 ft), and be rewarded with views of the stunning surrounding countryside and Israel in the distance.Activity - Explore Madaba’s long history, including its role as the centre of early Christianity. See some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world, including the famous sixth-century mosaic map of the Middle East. Tour churches, the Archaeological Park, and the local museum that's housed in several old Madaba residences.Activity - Your OMG Stay on this Geluxe itinerary is part of our G Adventures-supported community initiatives. Feynan Ecolodge is the result of a unique partnership between a private company, EcoHotels, and a non-profit organization, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). Originally built in 2005 by the RSCN to provide economic opportunities for local communities and a sustainable alternative to copper mining, the lodge is now managed by EcoHotels. This collaboration has transformed Feynan into an internationally acclaimed ecolodge that provides visitors with an authentic experience while contributing to conservation and socio-economic development. The lodge operates with a 100% local staff and sources over 80% of its supplies from within a 60km radius, ensuring that a significant portion of guest spending directly benefits the Bedouin communities of Wadi Feynan. Come prepared to experience the profound tranquility of Jordan's Dana Biosphere Reserve by staying at the acclaimed Feynan Ecolodge. This unique, off-the-grid accommodation offers a sanctuary for rest and reflection, lit by hundreds of candles each night leaving travellers with a truly unforgettable stay.Accommodation - Feynan Ecolodge

Day 5: Dana Biosphere Reserve to Petra: Your OMG Day

One of the best gifts of travel is seeing the world from the perspectives of others. Born naturally curious, we search a special connection and an understanding of the larger world, and today you get to pick how you get that connection. Choose between walking with a Bedouin shepherd to immerse yourself in a truly unique way of life or meet with a Bedouin Family to learn more about their culture, with the opportunity to prepare traditional dishes together.
Choose between two different activity options to either spend a day with a local shepherd or to immerse yourself in the daily life of the Bedouins with a cooking class. In the afternoon drive south to Petra and enjoy a free evening.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Option 1: Immerse yourself in the local culture as you learn about the day-to-day experience of a shepherd in Jordan. Spend the day grazing the family's goats in the wilderness of Feynan with your guide. Share lunch with the shepherd after they make a fire and bake "Arbood" bread and serve it with sweet Bedouin tea. Option 2: Gain unique insight into the lives of one of the last remaining Bedouin communities in Jordan. See how they have preserved their cherished traditions while maintaining forward progress in their lives. Join a local family in their goat-hair tented home and learn about their daily life as well as the sustainable lifestyle adopted by traditional Bedouin tribes. Then, make a full three course vegetarian lunch featuring popular Jordanian dishes. Feast on your own creations for lunch as you sit down together for a meal that unites generations and cultures.Accommodation - Petra Moon Hotel

Day 6: Petra: Hike to the Ancient Back Entrance

Sprawling over a hundred square miles, the city of Petra is one of the world's most iconic cultural sites-a New Wonder of the World. With only 15% of the site exposed, there are still mysteries and secrets that are destined to remain locked in time. We likely will never witness the site returned to its former glory, when over 20,000 people lived within the city, but that shouldn't stop you from harnessing your inner explorer and following the ancient back trail from Little Petra to Petra, a unique way to enter the site, leaving the crowds behind.
Start the morning at Little Petra, a site many skip but unique and charming compared to its famous big neighbour. Then embark on a hike along the ancient trail that leads to the back entry into Petra to the Monastery. Along the way you will take a deserved break to enjoy your packed lunch before continuing on to the front entrance of Petra visiting the site as we make our way to the hotel. Spend free time in Petra City to round out the day in this incredible landscape.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Explore the narrow alleyway with tall cliff walls and carved rock of Little Petra, which is similar to its larger namesake. Hike along the canyon to the Petra Visitor Centre. Also known as Siq al-Barid, Litte Petra was once a suburb of its larger neighbour Petra. It served a support town for traders heading to the main city. Built by the Nabateans and carved right into the sandstone of the canyon there are tombs, temples, dwellings, and evidence of a sophisticated water system designed by the Nabateans. On this hike you'll begin at the smaller temple, ending at the larger, most recognized one. The best part? You get to walk along a trail that has been used since the first century B.C.E. Terrain: moderate to rocky, uneven, & sandy. Length: 12 km (7.5 miles) Duration: 5-6 hours at a leisurely paceAccommodation - Petra Moon Hotel

Day 7: Wadi Rum: Desert Landscapes

Witness the dawn of a new day in the red rose city as old as time itself. Watch as the sun awakens the enigmatic wonder of Petra in its warm golden light, and feel as if you are the one who discovered this carved city built by the Nabateans more than 2000 years ago. The sands of time are no match for this magnificent structure in the Middle-East. Head further south and continue your discovery of Jordan, entering the sandy valley of Wadi Rum.
Visit Petra again at sunrise before driving to Wadi Rum for a Jeep tour through the rolling sand dunes and some light hiking. Enjoy the sun slipping beneath the horizon amid the desert landscape and savour a delicious dinner back at camp with the group.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit Petra one last time for an impressive sight of sunrise above The Treasury. Truly the best time to see Petra in all its glory, you will experience far fewer visitors at this early hour. Sit down, take it all in, and feel how the string of time pulls thinner while the sun lights up the sandstone cliffs in an ethereal glow.Activity - Hop in the jeep and cruise through the desert over the dunes before some light hiking in Siq Al Barrah with sunset views and cup of tea to keep you company in the vast landscape. Walk through impressive desert mountain scenery with vast multi-coloured cliffs and rock towers looming over the red sands below. Keep an eye out for the rick array of animal and plant life as the canyon winds through the large canyon with smaller canyons sprouting off along each side. At the end of the hike soak up the coming twilight and get cozy under a blanket in the sand with your warm tea. Terrain: Easy, sand with gravel and a gentle downhill with some dunes at the lower, northern end of the hike. Length: 5-7 km (3 to 4.5 miles) Duration: 4-5 hours (including 4x4 tour)Accommodation - Rahayeb Camp

Day 8: Dead Sea: Hike Wadi Himara and Swim

Like travel, the power of water knows no bounds, which you will see evidence of even in the middle of a desert. Take in the shockingly pink hue of the Pink Lake and Salt Beach then follow it up by submerging yourself in the Dead Sea, making you feel weightless in water that feels lighter than air.
Drive to the Dead Sea and walking in pink lake and salt beach before taking a swim in the Dead Sea. In the evening sit down for a farewell dinner with the group and swap stories of your adventures.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Stop at the "Pink Lake," a striking natural phenomenon where the microscopic algae and and high salinity of the water in the Dead Sea create a visual display. Make a photo stop at the "Salt Beach" for a first introduction to the Dead Sea on the way to the hotel.Activity - Discover the legendary healing qualities of the Dead Sea, famous for its unique mineral makeup and salinity. Spot salt chunks drifting by like icebergs on the water’s surface. Take a dip yourself and float like a buoy or cover yourself in the mud along the shore, believed to have medicinal and therapeutic benefits. There are showers nearby to wash off after.Accommodation - Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea

Day 9: Dead Sea: Departure

Your adventure comes to an end today. You may be leaving Jordan behind, but no matter how many miles you travel home, your newfound connection to this Kingdom and your travel mates will never fade.
Your adventure comes to an end, please book onward travel no earlier than 12pm.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $4,299

(Tour only)

Per Person Standard

Duration: 9 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Take an adventure in Jordan to a whole other level with an active exploration of this fascinating Middle Eastern kingdom.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 10 Jan 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

5.0

Anthony D.

Traveled, May 2025

05/20/2025

One of the best tours I have taken. I will be coming back to Norton soon.

4.0

Shaun G.

Traveled, March 2025

03/19/2025

Slightly underwhelming for the price paid. While the accommodation is exceptional, the level of activities for a Geluxe trip was not the level I expected. The activities were very much similar to what we have done on previous G trips and at times I felt like we were constantly being bombarded with people selling the same 'tat' at tourist hotspots, however, I think this may be more a factor of Jordan versus other countries we have visited with G. We felt our trip to Nepal was much more off the beaten track which we expected moreso with this trip. However, I do think the activities need to be looked at and the time spent in certain areas. I.e. more time could be spent in Feynan Ecolodge and do more activities there, I noticed they had hikes and mountain biking there, as well as in Wadi rum which appears to have more activities available and I do think the 3 rating is too high for the level of activity done, and an overall reassessment of activity levels across all trips needs to be conducted. We will probably look to other companies going forward for more active holidays.

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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