Timeless Trip to Jordan

Arrive in Amman, where your private driver whisks you to the Dead Sea. The surrounding hills hum with biblical history, from the Baptism Site to the solemn ridges of Mount Nebo. Shake off your jet lag at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, a tranquil oasis of palm-shaded pools and cascading terraces that meet the water’s edge. As the desert light softens, dine beneath a star-pricked desert sky—your Jordanian journey has just begun.

We’ve left this day joyfully under-scheduled, but an effortless float in the buoyant sea is certainly in order. Lather yourself in mineral-rich Dead Sea mud, reputed for its restorative properties. Take a midday pause, perhaps lounging poolside with a book or visiting the award-winning spa. (May we recommend a signature hammam experience?) Close out this splendid day watching the light shift over the cliffs as you dine casually at your hotel.

After breakfast, journey north to Jerash, one of the world’s most beautifully preserved Roman cities. Wander grand colonnaded streets, the soaring Temple of Artemis, and the Oval Forum, where echoes of empire linger. Continue to Amman, exploring the Citadel, Roman Theatre, and lively downtown streets scented with coffee and spice. Sample traditional sweets before returning to your Dead Sea retreat in the golden light of late afternoon.

Depart for Jordan’s wild heart, Dana Biosphere Reserve, a striking mix of rugged cliffs, sandstone canyons, and arid plateaus. Home to traditional Bedouin lifestyles and rare wildlife (Nubian ibex and Syrian wolf), it’s a special place where conservation and community knit together. Along the way, stop at Lot's Cave, a site of biblical legend. Arrive at the solar-powered Feynan Ecolodge where an ambient candlelit dinner and stargazing await.

Wake to desert stillness at Feynan, sunlight spilling over copper-colored cliffs. After breakfast, set out with your Bedouin guide to hike along sandstone trails and winding wadis, pausing for a packed lunch and mint tea. Privately guided, you pick the pace: scenic and relaxing, or moderate and invigorating. As dusk descends, return for a dinner of traditional Arabic and Bedouin flavors. Afterward, lounge on the rooftop for radiant stargazing beneath a flawless desert sky.

Depart Feynan with your private driver, traveling through a cinematic desertscape. Stop to explore Little Petra—a prelude to the grandeur ahead. Arrive in Wadi Musa and settle into the Mövenpick Resort Petra, just steps from the ancient city’s gates. This evening, roll up your sleeves at Petra Kitchen for a hands-on cooking class, preparing traditional Jordanian food alongside local chefs and new friends.

Rise with the sun to uncover Petra. Step back in time as you wind through the Siq, a towering sandstone gorge that reveals the Treasury, aglow in the morning light. Afterward, follow your private guide through tombs and temples as he brings ancient Petra to life, revealing hidden histories and describing Nabataean ingenuity. For panoramic views, be sure to hike to the Monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice.

Drive deep into the rippling dunes of Wadi Rum, where ochre sandstone mountains rise like sculptures from the desert floor. Escorted by a Bedouin driver, journey through this protected wilderness and watch the sunset paint the desert red before retiring to Sahara Rum Camp. Styled after a traditional Bedouin mobile camp, savor a convivial, lantern-lit dinner of Middle Eastern specialties with your hosts and fellow guests.

After the silence of the desert, Aqaba greets you with sunlight, salt air, and the shimmer of the Red Sea. Settle into your seaside retreat at the Kempinski and unwind—swim, snorkel vibrant coral gardens, or browse lively markets. Whether you spend your days Red Sea diving or lounging shoreside, Aqaba is a beachy way to wind down your trip to Jordan.

This morning you take the scenic route back to Amman, first stopping at Mount Nebo’s Memorial Church of Moses. Share the same view Moses experienced while looking across to the Promised Land. In Madaba, marvel at excavated Byzantine mosaics and pore over the Madaba Map, the oldest preserved map of the Holy Lands. Bid farewell to your Jordanian guide and driver at Amman Airport for your flight home.