Jordan in Nine Days
The Oval Plaza, Jerash, Jordan
Looking for a country with ancient history, stunning landscapes, breathtaking hikes and amazing food? That’s Jordan!
In just eight days, you can step back in time at Petra, where the rock-cut architecture of Nabteans will leave you in awe, then float effortlessly in the Dead Sea, indulging in its mineral-rich mud that’s as rejuvenating for the skin as it is for the soul. Venture into the striking desert of Wadi Rum, where majestic mountains rise dramatically from the golden sands, creating a landscape unlike any other. And for a true hidden gem, explore Jordan’s spectacular slot canyons—narrow, winding passageways that weave through vibrant rock formations, where every twist and turn reveals something new and breathtaking.
With its genuine hospitality, Jordan offers a chance to immerse your family in rich history, striking landscapes, and experiences that will stay with you long after the trip ends.
Great for kids 5+ years
Great for Spring break (mid-March/early April)
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We flew Royal Air Jordanian from New York City. Though the airline is nothing to write home, it is the only non-stop option to Amman.
We arrived in the late afternoon, picked up our rental car and headed to our hotel.
Amman has lots of great hotel options. We stayed at the Amman Marriott Hotel, a comfortable hotel in a quiet part of town with free parking.
A note on driving in Jordan: The roads are great and driving is generally pretty easy throughout the country. The only exception is Amman. Driving in the capital is not for the faint of heart. It’s best to ensure you have comprehensive insurance on your vehicle and whenever possible, consider using local taxis or walking around the city to avoid the stress of driving in Amman.
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At about an hour by car from Amman, Jerash makes for an easy day trip and a fairly stress-free drive once you’re outside the city. Plan on spending about 3 hours in Jerash. We recommend getting a guide.
We also drove to Aljoun Castle, an old crusader castle, atop a hill overlooking the Jordan Valley. Sadly, we got there a little past the 5pm closing time. Had we known about the closing time, we would have timed things differently.
Dinner options in Amman: Mijana on Rainbow Street. Uber there and back to avoid the driving in Amman.
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We spent the morning exploring Amman’s two main historical sites—the Citadel and the nearby Roman Theatre. The Citadel is perched at the top of a fairly steep hill so it’s best to either drive there or grab a taxi. Between the two sites, we spent about
On the drive to the Dead Sea, we stopped at Bethany Beyond the Jordan (an hour’s drive from Amman), the site believed to be the location where Jesus was baptized. The last bus from the visitor’s center leaves at 3pm, so time your trip accordingly.
From here, the drive to our hotel was a quick 20 minutes.
Hotel: Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa. The hotel is perfectly located, offering convenient access with a short walk down to the Dead Sea. The rooms
View of the Jordan Valley from Mount Nebo
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We drove around the Dead Sea area, visiting Mount Nebo, a biblical site where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land before his death. The views from here are spectacular, with the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley below. You’ll be driving on the King’s Highway, supposedly the one of oldest road in the world mentioned in the Bible (cool!)
We also visited the Memorial Church of Jesus with its beautifully preserved mosaics, and the Church of SS Lot and Procopius, which is in the middle of nowhere. The mosaics are definitely worth a quick stop if you’re already driving around the area.
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The next morning, we set off for Petra. On the way, about an hour south of the Dead Sea, we stopped at Wadi Numeira (photos above). It’s a spectacular slot canyon with towering rocks and narrow sandstone walls and a shallow stream running through parts of it (wear sturdy water proof shoes). The hike through the canyon is easy and one of the (many) highlights of the trip. It’s easy to miss the parking lot off the main highway as it’s not well marked, so be on the lookout.
Unfortunately, Wadi Mujib, which looks incredible was closed due to the high water levels from a rainy March. You should also know that most of the trails here require a trained guide.
One thing to note: Make sure you fill up your car around the Dead Sea area so you have a full tank of gas. There aren’t (m)any gas stations along the way to Petra.
We got to Petra in the afternoon. We stayed at the Mövenpick Resort Petra, a lovely hotel located right across the street from the entrance to Petra.
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This was a long day!
The tour bus crowds usually hit Petra early, around 7am, so we decided to start our visit a bit later, around 9am, which worked out well. Plus, the breakfast at the Mövenpick was incredible. We also considered the evening light show but ultimately skipped it after hearing it felt gimmicky.
Hiring a guide is a must to get the most out of your time in Petra. Plan to spend anywhere from 6-9 hours walking around the site. The kids were definitely dragging by 2pm, especially after the walk up 800 steps to the Monastery (worth it!) but we were able to push them to keep going with promises of the chocolate fountain at the hotel.
We were back at the hotel by 4pm and after a late lunch set out for Aqaba by car, an easy 2-hour drive.
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Aqaba was a little break from the previous days of driving and hiking with some pool time and sleeping in for the kids (and the adults).
We stayed at the Al Manara Aqaba, a beautiful hotel on the shores of the Red Sea with excellent breakfast and several choices of very good restaurants.
The hotel had great food but we also ventured out to eat at Khubza and Seneya one night. If you have time, swing by the Aqaba Fort and the local mosque.
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About an hour’s drive from Aqaba is the absolutely stunning Wadi Rum. We got there in the afternoon and checked into Sun City Camp. We wanted one of those martian dome tents but with 4 people, had to settle for the two-bedroom suite tent instead.
In the late afternoon, we opted for a 2-hour Jeep tour (worth it!) of the Wadi. You should know that all activities in Wadi Rum are run by the local Bedouin community and it’s best to have cash handy for payment. Also, once you’re in Wadi Rum, there are no supermarkets or stores. Your hotels may have a little snack bar but that’s about it, so bring your own snacks. All meals are served in the dining tents of the hotel in which you’ll be staying.
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The next morning, before heading back to Amman, we went for a 1.5-2 hour long hike/walk around our camp on our own. That was definitely worth it! Wadi Rum is otherworldly, with vast, rugged scenery and a sense of quiet that’s difficult to describe. We didn’t do the hot air balloon ride (people said it wasn't worth it because the views aren't as spectacular from above as they are on the ground).
After a 4 hours long drive, we were back at our hotel in Amman for the evening. -
What would we do differently? We would have loved another half day in Petra to hike around outside the site. To accommodate that, we would have either cut down our time in the Dead Sea by an afternoon or skipped Aqaba altogether.
Ramadan Travel Tips: The crowds are thinner, making for a more pleasant experience overall. Traffic is also lighter during the day, which is a huge plus when driving around Amman. However, many restaurants are closed during the day and the popular spots get filled up quickly so make dinner reservations well in advance.
When to Visit: Jordan starts to get quite hot by mid-April, so if you want pleasant temperatures, especially for Petra and Wadi Rum, it’s best to plan your trip between the months of November - early April.
Restaurants: Fakhreldin is one of the best Lebanese restaurants in Amman (some say, the best in Amman). Make sure you make reservations. Khubza and Seneya was a great spot in Aqaba for local food. We tried Al Quds in Amman as their ice cream got rave reviews, but we would skip it!