Top 5 Experiences in Jordan

April 21, 2014 Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

G Adventures, in co-operation with ‘Visit Jordan‘, is proud to announce our “Highlights of Jordan Week” on the Looptail. And we’re marking the occasion by giving away the adventure of a lifetime to this land of mesmerizing beauty—including airfare up to US$1,000. Check out today’s tips by G Adventures Wanderers-in-Residence Audrey Scott and Daniel Noll and then enter to win at the bottom of this post.


From ancient Nabataean and Roman cities to camel rides through the desert to floating on water, Jordan packs quite a lot into a small land mass. And while listing off top five experiences might help you get started in exploring Jordan, we encourage you to keep going past five. This list should only be the beginning.

1. Petra

A Camel's View of the Treasury at Petra, Jordan

A Camel’s View of the Treasury at Petra, Jordan

High expectations are a dangerous thing in travel, especially when it comes to big UNESCO sites like Petra. Fortunately, Petra delivered.  The ancient Nabataeans certainly created an incredible city two thousand years ago and left us with a mystery of what happened to them.

A walk through the siq to reach Petra’s Treasury.

A walk through the siq to reach Petra’s Treasury.

Most people associate the Treasury with Petra, and while this is a beautiful site, you’re missing out if you only focus on it. Petra has so much more, from the siqs – narrow canyons that form the road to the Treasury – to the Royal Tombs carved into the rocks to the walk out to the Monastery, our favorite area. The sun plays games with the colors of the rocks as the day progresses so it’s never the same view twice.

Journeying out to the Monastery at Petra.

Journeying out to the Monastery at Petra.

2. Wadi Rum

The vastness of Wadi Rum.

The vastness of Wadi Rum.

Wadi Rum is a place of vastness, deep colors and big sky. It was the setting for the film Lawrence of Arabia; the mystery of the desert is certainly there.  Bedouins, a nomadic group of people, still call Wadi Rum home, and you’ll find shepherds minding their sheep and goats throughout the desert.

A camel ride through Wadi Rum.

A camel ride through Wadi Rum.

Take a truck to into the desert to view the Seven Pillars, the rock bridge, and the vastness that is Wadi Rum. Take tea in a Bedouin tent (ask if it’s possible to see how abud, Bedouin bread, is made). And if riding a camel is on your bucket list, this is definitely the place to strike that item off the list.

3. The Dead Sea

The vibrant colors of the Dead Sea with its salt deposits.

The vibrant colors of the Dead Sea with its salt deposits.

Ever want to feel like superman (or superwoman)? Then spend some time at the Dead Sea breathing in all the extra oxygen that comes with being at almost 500 meters (1640 ft) below sea level. It really does feel fabulous.

Take a float – literally – on top of the heavily salted water. Then go back on shore and rub yourself down with Dead Sea mud packed with all sorts of minerals that are good for you. Not only will your skin thank you, but you’ll also feel giddy from all this goodness.

Don’t believe us? Just look at the photo below.

Turning into Dead Sea aliens.

Turning into Dead Sea aliens.

4. Jerash

Walking Down the Cardo of Ancient Jerash.

Walking Down the Cardo of Ancient Jerash.

Jerash, just a few hours from Amman, plays host to a rather impressive collection of Roman ruins. As you dig deeper into the history you realize that there is actually layer upon layer of civilizations that called this place their home, from Greek to Roman to Umayyad. This keeps you wondering about the cycles of cultures and religions — and all the people who walked the same streets over the last 3000 years.

5. Amman

Thousands of years of history and layers of civilizations at the Citadel.

Thousands of years of history and layers of civilizations at the Citadel.

Amman is usually the jumping off point for exploring the rest of Jordan, and unfortunately many travelers don’t spend much time there. This is a shame, as the city has a lot to offer, from the ancient ruins of Philadelphia at the Citadel and Roman Theatre to busy old town streets packed with spice shops that send senses into overload with color and aroma.

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