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Delve into the ancient world of Jordan on this exhilarating eight-day family adventure. See the most exciting corners of the country as you walk through the narrow Siq to Petra’s Treasury, play gladiator with the kids along the colonnaded streets of Jerash and bounce across Wadi Rum’s red desert in a jeep before sleeping in a Bedouin-style camp under the stars. Snorkel among coral reefs in the Red Sea and float effortlessly in the salty Dead Sea – it's a feeling the kids won’t soon forget. Along the way, meet local people in Dana Village and share tea with a Bedouin family in Little Petra. With a balance of activities and downtime, this trip is packed with cool experiences you could never get at home.
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Sarah
Petra
CharlotteAhlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm in Amman – the ancient capital of Jordan and home to important Stone Age archaeological sites. If you arrive early, maybe shake off your travel legs with a visit to the Roman Theatre, learn about the Dead Sea Scrolls at The Jordan Museum or explore the excavated ruins of the Umayyad Palace. After your meeting, head out to dinner with your group to get to know each other.
This morning, set off on a short walk along the Soap House Trail. As you hike through the Ajloun Forest Reserve, take in the surrounding landscape of woodlands, filled with oak, pistachio and strawberry trees. When you get to the soap house, you and the kids will meet some of the local women who are keeping the traditional process of making pure Orjan olive soap alive. After your hike, travel to Jerash to explore the ruins, which were re-discovered in 1806. Wander along the ancient Colonnaded Street and see the grooves in the paving stones where chariot wheels once rolled. Return to Amman, where you’ll have free time to maybe visit the citadel or find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.
Take the Desert Highway to Petra this morning. Along the way, stop at Madaba – a historical town known for its Ottoman-style houses and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics. Slightly out of town, you might see the black beit ash shar tents of the Bedouin who still wander throughout the Middle East as they have for centuries. After, travel to Dana Village, built on a nature reserve, and join your local leader for a walk. Meet some locals and learn about their culture as you make your way through the terraced gardens. Head on to Petra, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the evening as you wish.
This morning, you’ll experience one of Jordan’s best sites and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, as you squeeze through the long stretch of stone wall on your way to Petra. When you arrive, the kids will get a history lesson come to life as you explore the old Roman road, temples, tombs and rock-hewn amphitheatre. After, maybe walk up the clifftop path to the Monastery for panoramic views overlooking the Treasury and Petra’s sandstone landscape. Later, join a Jordanian cooking class at a local Al Qantara kitchen. The whole family can help prepare appetisers like baba ghanoush and hummus and typical Jordanian mains like kabsah (mixed rice) or mjadra (lentils and rice), as you learn the secrets behind these delicious Arabic flavours.
After breakfast, travel to Wadi Rum – the kids may find the desert valley vaguely familiar from blockbuster films like Rogue One and The Martian. Along the way, stop in Little Petra for tea with a local Bedouin family, a great opportunity for the kids to experience what life in the desert is really like. When you arrive in Wadi Rum, jump in a jeep for a ride through the Mars-like landscapes. Pass Lawrence Spring – a rocky landscape contrasted by a freshwater spring and panoramic views over the valley. You’ll also stop at Lawrence House, said to be where Lawrence of Arabia lived during the Arab Revolt. Continue to one of the largest sand dunes in Wadi Rum and check out some of the famous rock bridges. After, set up camp in Bedouin-style tents – or, if you like, sleep in the open air, surrounded by red sandstone mountains and beneath the starry night sky. This might just be one of your family’s most memorable camping trips!
Today you’ll drive from the desert to the coast for some sun and relaxation. Aqaba is landlocked Jordan’s only town on the sea, and this Red Sea beach resort is yours to explore for the rest of the day. Just south of town, the warm, shallow waters of the Red Sea are home to a series of untouched coral reefs. Maybe grab a mask and some flippers and explore the underwater world, take a walk along the shoreline or simply kick back by the pool. Later, perhaps you’d like to visit the 14th-century Ottoman fort before settling in for the evening.
This morning, travel along the King's Highway – a winding road that follows the contours of the rocky hills, occasionally passing nomadic shepherds as they tend their flocks in the few areas where there’s water. Descend lower and lower until you eventually arrive on the shores of the Dead Sea. When you arrive, maybe put your swimwear on and take a dip in the salty lake. While you’re here, it’s worth grabbing a handful of the shoreline’s mud and slopping it over your body – it’s full of nutrient-rich natural minerals that are meant to have healing properties and will leave your skin feeling great. This evening, perhaps head out for dinner with your fellow travellers at a nearby restaurant.
After breakfast, this amazing adventure through Jordan comes to an end at your resort in the Dead Sea. Amman's Queen Alia International Airport is approximately 1 hour from the Dead Sea. If you’d like to arrange airport transfers and/or additional nights' accommodation, just speak with your booking agent.
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
1. FAMILY TRIPS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you. 2. MINIMUM AGE: The minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old unless otherwise approved by Intrepid. 3. CHILD PRICE: Children aged 17 years and under at time of travel on this trip, are eligible to receive 20% off the full adult price. 4. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement is available for adults wishing to have a private room to themselves. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Desert Camp) and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Most travellers prefer to take a small to medium wheeled suitcase, which is a great size for the packing capacity in our private vehicles. Whatever you take, be mindful that you will need to be able to carry your own luggage, handle it at airports, take it in/out of accommodation and perhaps even walk short distances. We recommend you pack as lightly as possible. If your trip includes travelling on overnight trains or primarily using public transport, the smaller your luggage, the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful, especially when travelling on public transportation as well. When you're exploring during the day, you'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, a camera, a jacket and activity-specific items like a swimsuit, a waterproof pouch/bag for your phone, or hiking shoes. Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-listCLOTHING, CLIMATE & EQUIPMENT: Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. In summer (Apr-Oct), light cotton clothing is adequate for kids and adults alike, with a light sweater or sweatshirt, just in case. Remember long sleeved shirts and long trousers to guard against the sun! In winter (Nov-Mar), night-time temperatures are low – perhaps as cold as 4°C and it can be windy, making it feel even cooler. Given this you should pack accordingly - a windproof outer layer, a warm mid-layer (wool or fleece) is essential, as are long, warm, trousers. If you particularly feel the cold you may also wish to take a hat and gloves. * Comfortable shoes or trainers * Sandals/flip-flops for relaxing * Sun-hat * Torch (or torch from your phone) * High-factor sunscreen & lipsalve * Waterbottle * Insect repellent * Sunglasses * Personal first aid kit * A laundry service may be available in some hotels, but we recommend taking biodegradable travel detergent clothes can be washed as you wish. You and your family should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage, although you won't be required to walk long distances with it (max 15minutes). Many travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are also convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips. WATER BOTTLE: Consider bringing your own water bottle to refill along the way. We recommend at least a 1.5litre capacity. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments.TECHNOLOGY With the modern world you may want to bring along tablets of smartphones for the children to document their adventure - there are a wide variety of apps out there which we suggest downloading before you depart. There will be opportunities to charge ( just make sure you bring the correct adapter) and there will be wi-fi available on your trip, although it will probably not be at the speeds you are used to at home and it won't be available everywhere.
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