travel to
Jordan
As you walk through the Siq to the Treasury at Petra, you cannot help but be in awe. Hand-hewn red sandstone buildings rise up into the clear desert sky, remembering ancient caravans of spice traders travelling far and wide to sell their wares. In the Roman ruins at Jerash and in the crusader castles and Byzantine mosaics along the King’s Highway, history is everywhere in this beautiful land. Travel through canyons and oases, stay with locals among the rock formations of Wadi Rum, and begin to understand why T.E. Lawrence loved this land.
best time to travel
The best time to visit Jordan is spring (February - May) and fall (September - November). If you visit in January and December, be prepared for cool weather, although snow is rare.
places to go
key experiences
Amman
The young capital of Jordan has a busy core with spectacular Roman ruins, a good museum and the buzz of mosques, souqs and coffeehouses, all watched over by a citadel.
Jerash
One of the city of the Roman Decapolis, Jerash was known for its luxurious and lavish lifestyle. The ruins have an outstanding forum, colonnaded main streets, two theatres and an impressive temple of Zeus.
King's Highway
Meandering its way along lonely hilltops and through spectacular gorges, this picturesque historic route links the capital with the south.
Madaba
Madaba, best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, is home to a famous 6th century two million piece mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea has such a high salt content that almost no life survives in it. It is however impossible to sink and to float on its salty waters is a unique experience.
Mount Nebo
Mount Nebo is where tradition has it that Moses was shown the Promised Land before his death. The site has some beautiful mosaics.
Kerak Castle
Built on a rocky outcrop near the King's Highway, Kerak Castle is the best preserved and most famous Crusader castle in Jordan.
Petra
As you walk through the Siq to the Treasury at Petra, you cannot help but be in awe. Hand-hewn red sandstone buildings rise up into the clear desert sky, remembering ancient caravans of spice traders travelling far and wide to sell their wares. Walk on and discover tombs; climb up and find magnificent views and vistas over a surreal red desert landscape.
Wadi Rum
Described by T.E. Lawrence as "vast, echoing and God-like...", it is at Wadi Rum that red sandstone rocks reach up from the desert floor to the high desert sky. At its most dramatic early and late in the day, when the soft light and blue sky create a coppery effect on the sand, Wadi Rum is a must-see.
Dana Nature Reserve
Centred on the village by the same name, commanding spectacular views of the valley below, Dana is a hidden gem and home to sandstone escarpments sheltering numerous plants, animals and archaeological sites dating back 6000 years.
Aqaba
A small town on the Red Sea, Aqaba is Jordan's only resort town. It is here you can snorkel and dive the corals and fish just beneath the surface.
Discover ancient ruins
What now is modern Jordan once was at the heart of an extensive trade network, an importance reflected in its many historical sites such as Jerash, Umm Qais and Roman Amman. Explore them with a guide and imagine what it was like to live here in days gone by.
Feel like a Crusader
Once on the edge of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, Jordan has a rich collection of old castles. Roam their bulwarks, tunnels and halls and think about what life would have been like here, in the middle of the desert, constantly vigilant against hostile armies.
Float in the Dead Sea
Lay back and float in the Dead Sea, drink or newspaper in hand. Let your muscles relax - did you know you had that many?
Sunset at Wadi Rum
When the shadows lengthen and the sun begins to set, the desert sands at Wadi Rum take on a coppery hue while the red rocks seem to be ablaze. Walk to the top of a cliff and understand why T.E. Lawrence called it "vast, echoing and God-like..."
Hike Petra
Walking the desert floor at Petra is a must to see all the different sites. But spend a little longer and wander up and down half-forgotten staircases to the High Place of Sacrifice. Sit down and watch a magical sunset over the red-sandstone cliffs and canyons.
Petra by candlelight
If seeing the Treasury at Petra is not spectacular enough, seeing it lit by the flickering flames of more than 2000 candles, their warm glow seeming to make the red-rose rock light up from within, is an unforgettable experience.
Trek the high desert
Trek through deep canyons and ancient wadis, along the sandstone escarpmenst of the high deserts, stumble upon forgotten archaeological sites, and count the millions of stars at night. This is trekking at its finest.
Camp with the Bedouin
Stay overnight at Wadi Rum and enjoy traditional Bedouin hospitality and a splendid meal of mansaf. After dinner, the adventurous may even have the chance to sleep out under the stars.
4WD in Wadi Rum
Drive deep into the red desert at Wadi Rum and perhaps follow in the footsteps of T.E. Lawrence, driving all the way through spectacular desertscapes to emerge at Aqaba.
Food, glorious food
Dates and olives are staples in Jordan, but it is mansaf, a rich melange of rice, lamb and rehydrated yoghurt, which is considered Jordan's national dish. Another dish rooted in Bedouin culture is zarb, lamb or chicken, sometimes with herbs and vegetables, which has been buried with hot coals in the desert sand.
Enjoy traditional hospitality
Hospitality in Jordan is legendary and whether you are passing through a city, stopping at a viewpoint or walking in the desert, you are bound to be invited for tea, a meal, or even to stay the night.