Compare Jordan's nature reserves by Audley Travel vs Jordan in 11 days - From Petra to the Red Sea - Superior by Exoticca

Day 1 : Amman

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Amman. On arrival in Amman, you're met by your private driver, who transports you to your hotel. The journey should take around 45 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions and where you're staying. Once you've check in you're free to relax or begin your exploration of Jordan's capital city.

Day 2 : Amman

After a morning at leisure you will be picked up from your hotel and driven north for a tour of the impressive Roman sites of Jerash and the crusader castle at Ajloun with your local guide. You will also visit the Dhibbeen Forest, before returning to Amman.

Day 3 : Amman

Today you will have a full day excursion to three of the desert castles, and time to explore the Azraq wetlands.

Day 4 : Ajloun Nature Reserve

Travel to Ajloun Nature Reserve today, stopping en route at the town of Salt, Wadi Al-Seer and Qasr Al Abd.

Day 5 : Petra

After exploring the Nature Reserve, walking along the Village Orchards Trail, you will be met and transferred to Petra.

Day 6 : Petra

Today you will enjoy a guided tour of Petra. Your private guide will be with you for around two to three hours, after which you have some time to explore further on your own. Although it is probably the highlight of your holiday, bring your walking shoes and be prepared for an inspiring but energetic day! This evening you will visit Petra Kitchen, which is an informal cookery night. You can have as much or as little involvement as you want, and the food is fantastic!

Day 7 : Petra

One day is never enough to fully take in the wonders of Petra, so you have an extra day to explore under your own steam.

Day 8 : Wadi Rum

Today you travel from Petra to Wadi Rum. On arrival you will have a jeep tour of the area, and you will spend the night in a traditional Bedouin style desert camp. A traditional meal will be included this evening.

Day 9 : Aqaba

This morning you will drive to Tala Bay, Aqaba. You have the rest of the day to enjoy beside the Red Sea.

Day 10 : Aqaba

Day at leisure.

Day 11 : Dana Nature Reserve

After breakfast you will be met and driven to Dana Nature Reserve. On arrival you will have the day at leisure to explore the area. You will stay in the simple Dana Guesthouse tonight.

Day 12 : Dana Nature Reserve

This morning you will set off on a walk from Dana Guesthouse to the other end of Wadi Dana with your guide, taking roughly five hours. A simple lunch box is included, which you can stop off to enjoy on route. You will spend tonight in the beautiful, isolated Feynan Lodge.

Day 13 : The Dead Sea

After a morning at leisure you will be met and driven to the Dead Sea, via the Siq trail at Wadi Mujib, where you can marvel at the spectacular canyon scenery and colours.

Day 14 : The Dead Sea

You have the day free to relax by the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. A visit wouldn't be complete without spending time floating almost weightless on the water, famous for its high salinity levels.

Day 15 : International return flight

An early start for the transfer to Amman Airport in time for your flight home to your destination. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Ready to discover the cultural treasures of Jordan? Arrive at your US departure airport to board a flight to Amman.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Amman

Touch down in Amman and transfer to your hotel.* Amman is the modern capital of Jordan but possesses dozens of ancient historical sites, set into the hillside in northern Jordan. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Alternatively, if you arrive early in the day, why not take an optional city tour to get to know the most emblematic sights in the city? ** Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.*** * Possibility of booking early check-in in the next step of the booking process.** Optional Amman City Tour with Dinner: Explore Amman this afternoon, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom founded 7000 years ago. See the city's most emblematic sights including Amman Citadel, Hercules Temple, the Byzantine Church and the Ummayad Palace and pay a visit to the fascinating Amman Archaeological Museum. Head downtown to see the incredible Roman Amphitheatre and the old markets before exploring the newer part of the city. End the tour with an authentic Jordanian dinner at a local restaurant. *** Please note: If you arrive at the hotel after 9:00 p.m, dinner will not be included. Instead, you will have the option to reserve a cold packed dinner for an additional charge in the next step of the booking process.

Day 3: Amman - Jerash - Ajloun Castle - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a brief city tour of Amman. See both the new and old parts of the city on a panoramic bus ride. Afterwards, continue to Jerash, known as the 'Pompeii of the East'. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, this amazing Greco-Roman city is the best-preserved example of Roman-era ruins in Jordan. See the impressive Hadrian's Arch, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis and the Roman Theatre, among other highlights, as you explore this amazing archaeological site. Next, continue to Ajloun Castle, built by Saladin in the 12th-century. One of the most amazing castles in the Middle East, here you can soak up the fabulous views of the Dead Sea from its hilltop vantage point. Return to Amman and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 4: Amman - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Shobak Castle - Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Madaba this morning to see the oldest mosaic map in the world, housed within the historic St. George Church. Continue to Mount Nebo, overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Believed to be the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land and later buried, take in the spectacular views of this sacred place. Next, drive to the fascinating Shobak Castle, a Crusader Castle dating back to 1115. At the end of the visit, head to Petra and check in at the hotel. Spend the evening at your leisure, ready to discover the ancient city in the morning! If you can't wait, we recommend an optional Petra by Night excursion!* Dinner and overnight stay in Petra. *Optional Petra By Night Excursion: Savour the opportunity to discover the legendary sights of Petra by night! Walk along the Siq Gorge before arriving at the iconic Treasury to admire its legendary candlelit facade. A spectacular sight!

Day 5: Petra

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend today exploring the famed Nabatean capital on an excursion to Petra! During the visit, discover the most important and representative monuments, sculpted into the rock by this ancient civilization. Admire the Treasury, the famous and most internationally recognised monument, as seen in one of the Indiana Jones movies, along with other highlights such as the Colored Tombs and the Royal Tombs. Let your imagination run wild as you learn about life here in ancient times. Petra is one of those bucket-list destinations that you must visit at least once in your life! A true wonder of the world, enjoy an unforgettable day exploring this incredible site. At the end of the visit, return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Petra.

Day 6: Petra - Little Petra - Wadi Rum

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head to a lesser-known site named Little Petra, located north of Petra. A narrow gorge of 2 meters wide, this rocky landscape is adorned with typical Nabatean architecture, making this one of the most unique sites in the country. Originally, Little Petra was inhabited by the Nabateans and is home to a number of tombs, water tanks and riverbeds. Next, continue to beautiful Wadi Rum, the desert made famous by Lawrence of Arabia. Take a 4x4 excursion across the lunar-like landscape for an unforgettable experience. We recommend an optional Stargazing Excursion to discover the secrets of the night's sky!* Dinner under the stars and overnight at the camp in Wadi Rum. *Optional Wadi Rum Stargazing Experience: Discover the secrets of the night's sky! Head to an area without light pollution and enjoy a 20-minute presentation before viewing the incredible star constellations with the help of telescopes. This excursion is weather dependent.

Day 7: Wadi Rum - Aqaba

Breakfast at the camp. Leave the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum behind as you transfer to Aqaba, a beautiful coastal city located on the Red Sea, close to the border with Israel. Check-in at the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring the area or relaxing on the paradise beaches of the Red Sea. Dinner and overnight stay in Aqaba.

Day 8: Aqaba

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure. Enjoy a stroll through the historic old town, or simply relax on the beach, where you can discover the abundant coral reefs of the Red Sea. In fact, Aqaba is a popular scuba diving destination, home to more than 25 dive sites. Dinner and overnight stay in Aqaba.

Day 9: Aqaba

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy another day at your leisure. If you're interested in uncovering the underwater world, perhaps take a snorkeling trip to the 'Japanese Garden' diving area, where you can admire some of the most beautiful coral reefs and colorful sea life in the Red Sea. Dinner and overnight stay in Aqaba.

Day 10: Aqaba - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the shores of the Red Sea behind as you return to Amman today. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. If time allows, enjoy the evening at your leisure, soaking up the atmosphere of the Jordanian capital. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 11: Amman - Desert Castles - Dead Sea - Amman

Breakfast at the hotel. Head east today to discover the Desert Castles of Azraq, Kharanah and Amra. Dating from the early Islamic era, the castles were built as retreats for the Caliphs of the time. Explore these historic fortresses and learn more about the history of 7th-century Jordan. Afterwards, continue to the eternal Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at an amazing 400-meters below sea level! Take in the spectacular views before enjoying some free time to relax, swim and float in the salty waters! The mineral-rich mud is said to be therapeutic so be sure to treat your skin to a little indulgence! Return to Amman after an action-packed day. Dinner and overnight stay in Amman.

Day 12: Amman - US

Breakfast at the hotel.* It's time to bring your adventure through Jordan to an end. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.