Things to do in

Ma'an Governorate

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Amman and heads off on the 225 kilometer journey to the ancient city of Petra. This UNESCO listed location, which dates back over 2000 years, once dominated the trade routes of ancient Arabia. Upon arrival, take a stroll through Al-Siq, a narrow and deep pathway that acts as the main entrance into Petra. Inside, admire the Al-Khazneh, also known as the treasury where elegant remains of antiquity can be found carved deep into the rocks. Other highlights of Petra include the monastery, Altar of Sacrifice, Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, the Roman Theater, and more. After soaking up all the sights that Petra has to offer, continue the tour towards Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. As you head to Wadi Rum, which was the filming location of blockbuster movies such as Lawrence of Arabia and The Martian, allow yourself to be transported into this other-worldly landscape. Embark on an adventurous 4x4 safari ride through the desert and visit several sites including Nabatean Temple while marvelling at the extraordinary mountains that rise from the sand. Later, stop at a picturesque Bedouin for a refreshing cup of Arabic tea or coffee and the opportunity to mingle with the locals. Finally, gaze upon a breathtaking sunset across the silky desert plains before beginning the return journey back to Amman.

Discovered in the early 19-century, Petra was named as one of the 7 Wonders of the World in 1985. You’ll understand why once entering through the Siq. Seeing the Treasury for the first time is breathtaking. The workmanship and sheer size of it will amaze you. Explore Petra and see facades, tombs, a Roman theater, and burial caves. See how the Nabateans controlled all the water of the region and marvel at the great water cisterns they built. A driver will pick you up from your hotel in Eilat in the morning. After about 3-hours you will arrive at Petra to enjoy the sights and tour with your personal guide. Dine at a local restaurant and try an extensive selection of oriental dishes. You will arrive back at your hotel in the evening.

Early in the morning, the shuttle will pick you up from Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv. Drive through Jerusalem as you enjoy stunning views of the Judean Desert landscape along the Israeli side of the Jordan valley, on the way to the Allenby Border Crossing. Your first stop is Jerash, known to be one of the world’s best-preserved Roman cities. The impressive Hadrian’s arch marks the entrance to colonnaded streets, theatres, temples, and a hippodrome. Walking among these will take you on a journey through time, while your guide shares stories of the city’s glorious past, and how it was once ruled by Alexander the Great. Continue to the capital city Amman, where you will drive by sites such as the Royal Palace and King Hussein National Mosque, and get a general overview of the city. Before moving on from Amman, you’ll get to taste a delicious local sweet, called Knafeh.  An authentic Bedouin campsite will welcome you for a campfire dinner and a good night’s sleep in one of the comfortable tents. The nomadic Bedouins have inhabited the desert for thousands of years, and are famous for their extensive hospitality. After breakfast the next morning, it’s time to visit the UNESCO site of Petra. Carved into the red rocks by the Nabateans some 2,000 years ago, it hasn’t lost any of its magic. Your guide will lead you through the Siq, serving as an entrance corridor to the ancient city that eventually opens up to the iconic Treasury. From here, you’ll continue towards the Royal Tombs, the 3,000 seat amphitheater, the Monastery, and much more, each a stunning example of perfectly symmetrical Hellenistic architecture. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant, before returning to Tel Aviv via the Allenby crossing in the late evening.

Please arrive at Ben Guiron Airport in Tel Aviv 1 hour before your 6:40 AM flight. An hour later, you will arrive at Roman Airport in Eilat, where your driver will pick you up. From there, ride to the Arava border and sass through border control and customs at 8:45 AM. This could take up to 1 hour. On the Jordon side of the border, transfer to a new model air-conditioned car/van/bus and head towards Petra. The transport time is approximately 2.5 hours on a vast and comfortable highway. After traveling along a beautiful scenic route on the mountainside, arrive at Petra’s historical site, and see why it has been named one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. At 11:30 AM, begin your guided tour of the site at the entrance. Included in your package is an optional horseback ride for the first 200 meters of the route. (Tipping the carrier is required, between $2-5 at your discretion.) At 3:30 PM, enjoy lunch at an authentic local restaurant. Leaving Petra at 4:30 PM, stop at a few observation points and enjoy the beautiful desert landscape of Wadi Ram on the way back to the border. You’ll be dropped off at the Eilat Central Bus Station at 7:00 PM, with plenty of time to catch the shuttle to the Ramon Airport for your 8:55 PM flight to Ben Guiron in Tel Aviv.

Day 1: Depart Tel Aviv early in the morning. As you drive through Jerusalem, enjoy the stunning views of the Judean Desert landscape along the Israeli side of the Jordan valley, on the way to the Allenby Border Crossing.  Your first stop is Jerash, one of the world’s best-preserved Roman towns. Journey through time as you walk the colonnaded streets behind the impressive Hadrian’s Arch, and discover the Greco-Roman architecture telling 4,000 years of Mediterranean history. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the capital to learn about Amman’s cultural importance and eventful past, featuring palaces, a museum and the Temple of Hercules, and panoramic views across the city. Drive to a Bedouin camp near Petra, savor a traditional dinner, enjoy authentic Bedouin hospitality beneath the clear desert skies and listen to local music, before heading to rest in your tent’s comfortable bed. Day 2: After breakfast, take a day to explore Petra, carved into the red stone by the Nabataeans around 2,000 years ago. Hear about Petra’s complex history, followed by lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the sites by yourself, and admire the Hellenistic architecture, before heading back for dinner. Day 3: Your last day starts with an exciting ride through the exquisite and virtually untouched desert landscape of Wadi Rum. A 4x4 jeep will take you to stunning sights and viewpoints, past towering cliffs of weathered stone and desert animals. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the Allenby Bridge border crossing, and by late evening arrive back in Jerusalem.

Make the most of your time in Jordan on a 2-day tour from Amman. Travel with an English-speaking driver in a modern car, and enjoy a mix of guided and independent time. Camp overnight inside your own Bedouin tent in the heart of Wadi Rum. After pickup at your accommodation in Amman, drive for 3 hours to Petra. Once there, marvel at a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. From there, continue on a 2-hour drive to Wadi Rum and discover Bedouin culture. Sleep overnight in Wadi Rum and choose from 2 tent styles: Deluxe, the standard Bedouin tent; or Luxury, with a Bubble or Martian tent. Both include a private bathroom and air-conditioning/a heater on the tent. On the second day, visit the Red Sea beaches at Aqaba before taking a 4-hour drive to the Dead Sea. Float on some of the saltiest water in the world, then head back to Amman for drop-off at your hotel.

Depart Amman in the morning and drive along the desert highway to Petra and Wadi Mousa. Upon arrival at the ancient city, enter the archaeological site and make your way to the famous rock-carved Treasury via the stunning Siq canyon. Visit the vast Theater, carved out of the mountainside, and then continue to the Monastery to marvel at the remains of the facade of the holy site. Return through the rock walls via the impressive High Place of Sacrifice, where breathtaking views and amazing rocks of different colors are your reward. Depart in the afternoon and get dropped off at your hotel in Amman.

This 2-day Jordan tour leaves from Jerusalem and includes visits to the incredible cities of Jerash and Amman, as well as Petra. Enjoy authentic meals, an overnight stay with local Bedouins, and a full day in Petra are all part of the package. Depart Jerusalem in the morning and take in stunning views of the Judean Desert landscape along the Israeli side of the Jordan valley. Arrive at the ancient city of Jerash, an incredibly well-preserved Roman city featuring colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, temples, and a hippodrome. See a striking blend of Eastern and Western architectural traditions. Your next stop is Jordan’s capital city of Amman. Visit both the modern downtown area of the city, now the economic, political, and cultural center of Jordan, and also the old Citadel above the city. At the Citadel, you’ll see the Temple of Hercules and historic palaces, and have excellent views of the modern city. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and try some sweet Kanafeh for dessert. After lunch, you’ll continue south to the desert, where you’ll spend the night in a Bedouin camp. The Bedouins, nomadic inhabitants of the desert, have lived in the region for thousands of years. Experience Bedouin hospitality as they share their tasty meals and comfortable tents with the group. The second day is devoted to Petra. You’ll stand in awe at Petra, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, poetically described as a rose-red city half the age of time. Carved into the red rocks of the desert cliffs thousands of years ago by the ancient Nabatean people, Petra was hidden under sand for centuries before recently being made accessible again. See the iconic Treasury, the amphitheater, the royal tombs, the monastery, and much more, before you return to Jerusalem via the Allenby crossing. This is a fully guided tour, with transportation to all sites and an extensive informational travel app for smartphones and tablets that provides additional information about each of the sites you visit. It also contains useful information about border crossings. The app, with maps, information and pictures, can be downloaded before you set out, and doesn’t require an internet connection.

After an early departure from Eilat and crossing into Jordan, you will travel 2-3 hours along the scenic mountain route, to Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After passing the Obelisks in front of the cave, you will enter the narrow, 1,200 meter long canyon, the Siq, where you have the option to ride for the first few hundred meters. As you walk through the gorge with the towering red stone on either side, you can marvel at the incredible sites carved into the red mountain. The magnificent exterior of the treasury with its Corinthian columns is particularly well-preserved as it is deeply carved into the rock and protected by overhanging rock. To give you an idea of the height, the funeral urn alone, tucked away up in the heart of the exterior is eleven feet high.  The monumental building known as Ad Deir, is over forty meters high, its columns reaching more than two stories. At the Roman theater, you can all but wonder who filled the seats. Marvel at the sacrificial altar and the numerous tombs, each uniquely designed. After a late lunch, you will cross back to Eilat.

See everything Jordan has to offer on this three-day tour from Tel Aviv. See Petra, visit a Bedouin camp, and marvel at the clear, starry skies of the desert. Day 1Begin your tour in Tel Aviv, and head toward the Jordanian border. Enter Jordan at the Allenby Bridge border, and drive through the arid desert for about an hour before enjoying a delicious local lunch. Continue through the stunning desert landscape of Wadi Rum, virtually untouched by humanity. Travel through the moon-like landscape in a 4×4 Jeep and marvel at the red sand dunes, towering cliffs of weathered stone, and desert animals in the light of a beautiful sunset. End your first evening at a Bedouin camp near Petra with an Arab-style dinner and a comfortable bed. Before going to sleep, sit beneath the clear desert skies and stargaze as you drink a cup of delicious Bedouin tea. Day 2Early the next morning, enjoy a quick breakfast before heading to Petra. Explore this world-famous archeological site in the morning with your guide before taking a lunch break at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the other areas of Petra, including the monastery, on your own, before heading back to the Bedouin camp for another delicious dinner. Day 3Enjoy breakfast at the campsite and then head to Madaba, an ancient Jordanian city. Walk up to the viewpoint of Mount Nebo for a panoramic view. Relax with lunch and then head back to the Allenby Bridge border crossing, arriving back in Tel Aviv in the afternoon.