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If you have limited time but still want to explore Jordan’s cultural highlights, this 5-day tour is a compelling option. It will take you through Petra as the main highlight, along with other interesting places in the North and Central regions of the country. Choose this trip for a holiday break or a personal getaway, and make the most of your time with our help.
Although Jordan may not be conveniently located near your home, its territory is not as extensive as other countries and can be easily covered by road. Therefore, you won’t need much time to discover the most important highlights, as this 5-day circuit around Jordan demonstrates.
The star destination of this itinerary is Petra, as it should be: known as the ‘Rose City’ due to the rosy tones of the rocks where it is carved, it is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Its beauty, history, and uniqueness have earned it a double introduction that speaks for itself: UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Petra is the southernmost destination on this 5-day Jordan tour. However, on the way there and back, there will be time to explore other truly interesting places. In the North, we have the astonishing Roman city of Jerash and the historic Ajloun Castle. In the Central region, we will visit places of great religious symbolism, such as Mount Nebo and Madaba. Equally interesting are the Crusader fortress of Karak and the Dead Sea, famous for its extremely salty waters and its location below -400 meters of altitude: the lowest point on Earth.
In addition, near Petra, we will explore its smaller-scale ‘replica’: Little Petra. And of course, there will be time to visit the capital, Amman, both on guided tours and on your own, in the gaps left by our busy schedule in the country. So if you are willing to explore Jordan relentlessly in 5 days, take note of the itinerary and get ready for an unforgettable experience.
Like most of our circuits, this one starts and ends in Amman, as the Queen Alia International Airport is located here. It’s a 5-day, 4-night route through Jordan with the following itinerary and stops:
Upon arrival at Amman International Airport, our staff will be waiting at the terminal to welcome you and provide assistance as needed. After completing all necessary border formalities and other arrangements, we will transfer you to your hotel in Amman in a private vehicle with a driver.
Dinner on this first day is on your own, so it can be a good opportunity to explore the city and local culture, as your hotel will be located in a central area of Amman.
Once settled in Amman, our intensive 5-day program to explore Jordan begins. After breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on our first excursion to the north, where we will visit the Ajloun Castle. Built during the Crusader period, it was later conquered by Saladin’s Muslim troops in the late 12th century. In the following century, it was reconstructed by the Mamluks to defend against the Mongol invasion. Today, it offers evocative memories of that era and picturesque views of the surrounding green landscape of Ajloun.
Afterward, we will continue our journey through history and drive to Jerash, with its extraordinary archaeological and monumental park. The Roman city of Gerasa was one of the most important in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, and its well-preserved state has earned it the nickname “Pompeii of Jordan”. Among its most symbolic structures are the Arch of Hadrian or Triumphal Arch, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Oval Plaza (forum), the circus or hippodrome, two theaters, and much more.
We will dedicate the morning to both visits, returning to Amman for a free lunch. But then, we will hit the road again, this time descending to the Dead Sea: this lake with extreme salinity is known for its therapeutic and cosmetic properties of its waters and mud. Those who wish can take a dip or indulge in a wellness session at this famous thermal destination.
After spending the afternoon at the Dead Sea, we will return to Amman where you will once again spend the night at the hotel, this time with dinner included.
For anyone who wants to explore Jordan in 5 days, there will be a non-negotiable goal: Petra. And that will be the destination of our road trip on the third day. But along the way, there will be much to discover, so breakfast at the hotel will give you energy to start the journey.
The first part of the day will be spent in Amman, taking advantage of a guided panoramic tour of the capital. The Citadel and the Roman Theatre are iconic tourist sites, a testament to the city’s history that dates back several millennia.
Afterwards, we will leave Amman and head towards Madaba: in this small city in central Jordan, we will discover a surprising treasure, which is none other than the mosaic map of the Church of St. George, the oldest preserved cartographic representation of the Holy Land, dating back to the 6th century during the Byzantine era.
Interestingly, the next two places to visit on this day are suggested or directly represented on that mosaic map. The first one is Mount Nebo, a mountain overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley. Its importance lies in the fact that it was here that Moses came with his followers to contemplate the Promised Land, and here he died later. The site with its church is a magnificent reminder of that episode, but also a awe-inspiring way to put oneself in the shoes and eyes of the prophet, as it has a viewpoint of the surrounding area.
And the second of those places outlined on the mosaic map of Madaba is Karak. We will visit it in the afternoon and discover that it was an important Christian enclave during the Byzantine era, and later during the Crusades (12th century), a castle was built to accommodate Christian warriors who defended the eastern border of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. However, decades later it was conquered by Saladin, a hero in the city.
Afterwards, we will continue our route and at the end of this day we will arrive in Wadi Musa, the town located at the entrance of Petra, where our hotel will be and where dinner will also be served.
After having breakfast at the hotel and with no time to lose, we will head to the Visitor Center to enter the site of Petra, probably the most famous and attractive place on this 5-day Jordan itinerary.
Due to its size, history, and beauty, we would need several days to discover all the details of this site. However, the horseback riding service included in this package will help us move more quickly through Petra and make the most of every minute of the morning. Before our eyes, the Treasury will appear, the royal tomb of Aretas III (1st century BC) whose façade was popularized by Indiana Jones and is now an iconic tourist spot in the country. But the former capital of the Nabatean empire has much more to offer: the Street of Facades, the Roman Colonnaded Street, the theater, the Monastery Al-Deir…
In the afternoon, on the other hand, we will spend our time in the neighboring town of Al Beida, also known as Little Petra. And its name doesn’t deceive: it is a small settlement carved into rocky canyons, resembling Petra, which may have served as a commercial, logistical, or agricultural outpost for the larger city.
After finishing this evening visit, we will return to the road to travel back to Amman (there is also an option to travel to Aqaba to finish the 5-day Jordan itinerary there. Please inquire for more information). You will spend the last night of rest at the hotel in the Jordanian capital, and have dinner in its halls.
Our 5-day Jordan itinerary comes to an end on this fifth day. Breakfast will be served at the hotel, and depending on the departure time of your flight, we will arrange a time to pick you up for a private transfer to Amman Airport. After the final assistance at the terminal, we will bid farewell with the hope that you have enjoyed the trip and will consider traveling with our agency again in the future.
During these 5 days in Jordan, our package includes a range of essential services to enjoy the trip. They are as follows:
These are the services that are not included in the package and that the traveler will need to decide upon based on their own criteria:
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Travel agency and DMC specialists in private and tailor-made travel to Jordan
Mandala Tours, S.L, NIF: B51037471
License: C.I.AN-187782-2
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