Jordan as a Family
Desert & Red Sands 11 days classique

Jordan as a Family

Eleven days to cross Jordanian history, from Nabatean ruins to the salty waters of the Dead Sea.

From€1,050per person
18 years of local expertise4.51/5 (93 reviews including 92 Google)

Duration

11 days

From

€1,050/pers.

Ideal seasons

Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov

Style

Guided tour

Comfort

classique

Travelers

Family, Couple, senior

The spirit of travel

From ancient cities shaped by great civilizations to desert expanses with infinite colors, Jordan invites you on a timeless adventure. Throughout this journey, discover the country's emblematic treasures: the majestic ruins of Jerash, the mysterious waters of the Dead Sea, the mosaics of Madaba and the spectacular landscapes of the Kings Road. Hike through the heart of the Dana nature reserve, explore the legendary Nabataean city of Petra and let yourself be seduced by the magic of the Wadi Rum desert at sunset. Between authentic encounters, cultural experiences and moments of relaxation on the shores of the Red Sea and at the hot springs of Ma'in, this trip immerses you in the soul of a kingdom where every stone tells a story and every horizon promises wonder.
Stroll through the bustling souks of Amman, where tradition and modernity blend in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Savor Jordanian specialties, from generous mezze to the famous mansaf, a true symbol of local hospitality. Share privileged moments with residents, renowned for their sincere welcome, and discover a living heritage passed down through generations. Each stop reveals grand panoramas, from verdant valleys to canyons sculpted by time, offering a natural spectacle of rare beauty. This journey is an invitation to experience a rich emotional adventure, between historical discoveries, cultural immersion and unforgettable landscapes.

The stages of your journey

D1
AmmanNight in hotel
D2
JerashNuit en hôtel
D3
DanaNuit en hôtel
D4–5
PetraPetra canyon or similar
D6
Wadi RumPetra canyon or similar
D7–8
AqabaNuit en hôtel
D9
Sources chaudes de Ma'InNuit en hôtel
D10–11
AmmanNuit en hôtel

Highlights

Petra as a family
Wadi Rum Excursion
Dead Sea Relaxation
Madaba Mosaic Workshop
Dana Reserve Hike
Glass bottom cruise

Day-by-day itinerary

Jour 1
D1

Welcome to Jordan!

Amman → Madaba

35min25 km

Upon your arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport, you complete customs and visa formalities before meeting your driver, who will be waiting with a nameplate. You then drive towards Madaba, where you check into your hotel. You enjoy dinner on site before spending your first night in Jordan.

Night in hotelDinner
Jour 2
D2

Remains of the Decapolis and the road to the shores of the Dead Sea

Amman → Jerash

1h3070 km

Departure to Jerash, already called Gerasa, one of the most extraordinary cities of the Roman Decapolis and one of the best preserved in the Middle East.

It is the second major site in Jordanie after Pétra.

You will explore the city with an English-speaking local guide (private tour of approximately 2 hours). Then you will stop at a local family to have lunch in the nature of Jarash.

Founded over 6,500 years ago, Jerash was captured by the Romans in 63 BCE. The city is filled with remains testifying to a prestigious past, only yielding its fame to Petra as a major attraction in Jordan. Today, Jerash is considered one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the region, having been buried under sand for centuries before being rediscovered and restored over a period of 70 years.

Built entirely in rose-orange limestone, the city illuminates beautifully under the rising and setting sun. The heyday of Gerasa dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Jerash is a perfect example of Roman urban planning in the Middle East, with its paved streets lined with columns, its immense temples, charming theatres, vast public squares, baths, fountains and ramparts pierced with towers and gates.

Explore this fascinating city with an English-speaking local guide during a private visit of approximately two hours. Then, enjoy lunch in the open air at a local family home, with breathtaking views over the Dibbeen forests.
Next, you will head towards Ajloun to explore the majestic Ajloun citadel. Located at the top of a hill, it offers stunning panoramas over Tiberias and Judea. The city's flagship attraction is its fortress, also known as Qala'at ar-Rabad castle.

Thanks to its strategic position, it served to protect trade routes between Jordan and Syria, while defending the region against the Crusaders, whose attempts at conquest failed.

Jerash → Dead sea

2h30120 km

In the middle of the day, it's time to leave the hustle and bustle of the city for the mythical Dead Sea. At the borders of Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, welcome to the lowest point on Earth! The place is ideal for relaxing at the end of your stay, since apart from its exceptional altitude of -417m, its salinity is such (27.5%) that you float there! A unique experience in this immense body of water where no fish or even algae can survive. It is said that Cleopatra already came here for treatments to preserve her complexion and that certain biblical cities such as Sodom and Gomorrah once flourished on its shores.

Beach afternoon and night on the shores of the Dead Sea.

Nuit en hôtelDinner
Jour 3
D3

On the Kings' Road

Dead sea → Dana

4h30300 km

You leave the Dead Sea this morning heading south. Your first stop is Mount Nebo, where it is believed that Moses died and where his tomb is located. A short distance away, Madaba is home to numerous churches adorned with beautiful mosaics. The most famous of these is found in the Church of Saint George: it is the oldest known representation of the Holy Land, notably of Jerusalem and the Decapolis, aptly named the Map of the Holy Land. Mosaics are an integral part of Jordanian culture. You will have the chance to participate in a new artistic experience and activity with professionals in a Mosaic art workshop in Madaba. You continue south along the Kings Highway, along the Dead Sea. The views over the Jordan Valley are magnificent. Here you follow the presumed traces of Moses leading the Hebrews during their Exodus. In the Mujib Valley, a visit to Al-Karak Castle is a must, which overlooks the city and is said to be impregnable.
Arrival at your destination for the day, the Dana Nature Reserve

Nuit en hôtelBreakfastDinner
Jour 4
D4

Hiking at Dana - Shobak - Petra

The Dana Nature Reserve is a true paradise for nature lovers and those seeking wide open spaces. Its arid appearance conceals great biodiversity. From the rift valley to the desert expanses of Wadi Araba, steep mountains and valleys succeed one another, harboring exceptional fauna and flora. Millennial rock paintings testify to the very ancient settlement of the region. The morning is devoted to a long guided hike exploring the reserve. A wonderful moment of rejuvenation amid these immense majestic spaces. It is time to head back south. You stop a short distance north of Petra to visit the Shobak Fortress, built in the early 12th century, during the time of the Crusades, by the King of Jerusalem Baldwin I. Also called Krak de Mont Real, its position overlooking the Arabah valley made it a strategic location for controlling trade routes between Egypt, Arabia and the Red Sea.

Shobak → Petra

45min30 km

Arrival at your day's destination, the mythical Petra.

Optional: Visit to Little Petra and the Siq el-Barid site, a Nabataean caravan station and commercial hub, as well as the Neolithic remains of Beidah.

Check-in for dinner and overnight stay in a warm hotel in Wadi Moussa.

Petra canyon or similarBreakfastDinner
Jour 5
D5

Mythical city of Petra

The entire day is dedicated to exploring the Pink City, an icon of the country, a UNESCO World Heritage site, an exceptional place, monumental, shrouded in mystery, which will amaze you. You had breakfast very early to take advantage of the site as soon as it opens at 6 a.m.

Sometimes nicknamed the Lost City, built nearly 2000 years ago by the Nabataeans, "lost" to the West in the 14th century and then rediscovered in the early 19th century by a Swiss traveler disguised as an Arab claiming to want to honor the tomb of the prophet Aaron, Petra is filled with tombs, palaces, staircases, rock-cut temples…

The spectacle is everywhere and captivates lovers of beautiful stone, History and artists, explorers or simple travelers alike. The magic works and emotions run high !

Night in Petra.

Petra canyon or similarBreakfastDinner
Jour 6
D6

In the Heart of the Desert

Petra → Wadi Rum

2h120 km

After an early breakfast, a short excursion northward to Little Petra via a scenic mountain road. Discovery of the site and the Neolithic ruins of Beidha during a 1-hour hike.
Return to Petra.
You then head south toward Wadi Rum, also called the Valley of the Moon.

Installation at camp and free time to explore the surroundings. Dinner at camp.
Optional: guided hike on foot or by camel.

Visit to Little Petra and the Siq el-Barid site, caravanserai and commercial hub of the Nabataean times, as well as the Neolithic remains of Beidah. Abounds with Nabataean ruins. This site is an important stop on the route to Petra and is distinguished by its narrow canyon of 400 meters, the Siq, which opens between red sandstone rocks. On site, you will discover a temple-tomb and four tricliniums, the guest chambers where Bedouin merchants made stops. Little Petra, founded in the 1st century BC, was part of the great city of Petra, but was dedicated to residential and commercial dwellings rather than temples or royal necropolises.

Next, head to the desert of Wadi Rum, a stunning natural landscape where cliffs and valleys offer majestic beauty. Immortalized by T. E. Lawrence and the film "Lawrence of Arabia", Wadi Rum is a place steeped in serenity and grandeur. A Bedouin guide will accompany you to explore this fascinating desert, between pink sand dunes and stratified sandstone mountains. You will participate in a 3-hour 4x4 jeep excursion to discover desert sites such as Um-Ishrin, Wadi Um Ishrin, Mushroom Rock, and the Little Siq (Siq Um Al-Tawaqi – Umm-Fruth rock bridge). An optional camel ride will allow you to fully experience the desert. You can also admire a spectacular sunset before enjoying an authentic Bedouin evening.

For thrill-seekers, a one-hour quad adventure in the magnificent Wadi Rum desert is offered as an option.

Petra canyon or similarBreakfastDinner
Jour 7
D7

Heading to the coast

Wadi Rum → Aqaba

1h1570 km

Route to Aqaba located on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, an extension of the Red Sea. Free time at the end of the day to rest, take a walk, enjoy the beach and the sea full of colorful fish.

We recommend taking a cruise on a glass-bottom boat in the morning for 3 hours including lunch to discover the underwater treasure. This maritime excursion allows you to observe and discover up close the marine fauna with the help of SNORKELING KIT diving equipment and of course towels.

Night in Aqaba.

Nuit en hôtelBreakfastDinner
Jour 8
D8

Free day in Aqaba

Free day in Aqaba. For enthusiasts, possibility to organize diving trips, in this Red Sea so renowned for its marine life.


Night in Aqaba.

Nuit en hôtelBreakfastDinner
Jour 9
D9

relaxation at the Main hot waterfalls

Mid-day, it's time to leave the hustle and bustle of the city for an oasis of serenity in a natural setting of great beauty: the Ma'in Hot Springs. A stone's throw from the Dead Sea and at -264m altitude, people have been coming here since Roman times to relax, heal, and rejuvenate. Make the most of your time at Hammamet Ma'in (Ma'in hot springs). Very popular with the local population as well as tourists, the springs are located 264 meters below sea level, in one of the most breathtaking oases in the world. Thousands of bathers travel each year to enjoy the most mineral-rich waterfalls. Winter rains feed these waterfalls, then the 109 hot and cold springs in the valley. This water, which circulates along underground lava fissures, can reach a temperature of 63°C and flows into the Zarqa River.

On this extraordinary site you will find an exceptional thermal station offering a full range of professional services, including mud wraps, showers and invigorating jet baths. Welcome to the wellness paradise!

End of day, Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Nuit en hôtelBreakfastDinner
Jour 10
D10

Full day in Amman

Ma'in Hotsprings → Amman

1h3075 km

you head to Amman for a day dedicated to visiting the capital. A multi-millennial city, Amman blends history and modernity. History from the Roman era, evidenced by its theatre and citadel, modernity of its skyscrapers… The white city, spread over 19 hills, holds many treasures and a fascinating past.

The morning is devoted to a visit of ancient Amman, the former Philadelphia of the Roman Decapolis. Roman Theatre, temple of Hercules, colonnades, museums testify to the rich past of the city. The contrast is striking with the new city of Amman, which also deserves some time.

Nuit en hôtelBreakfastDinner
Jour 11
D11

Have a good trip!

Enjoy your last moments in Amman, Jordan's capital, before heading to the airport. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Breakfast

Price per person

2 pers.€1,350/pers.
3-4 pers.€1,135/pers.
5-6 pers.€1,050/pers.

Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.

This trip can be tailored to your preferences

This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.

Not included

  • Meals not mentioned
  • Tips, drinks and personal expenses
  • Additional and personal insurance
  • Flights and airport taxes
  • Everything that is not mentioned in the inclusions

Included

  • Welcome and assistance upon arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport
  • Entry visa to Jordania (for European nationals)
  • Transportation on site in a modern and air-conditioned vehicle
  • The services of a professional English-speaking driver for the duration of the tour
  • Accommodation in the mentioned hotels or similar on half board basis
  • Local English-speaking guidance at Petra (3h) and at Jerash (2h)
  • 3-hour jeep tour in Wadi Rum
  • mosaic experience in Madaba
  • Glass-bottomed boat cruise with meal in Aqaba for one day only
  • Hiking in Dana for 2 hours
  • Lunch at a local family's home in Jerash
  • jordan pass for adults only
  • Our 24/7 on-site assistance

Practical Information

Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.

The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.

See our specific terms of sale for full details.

In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:

  • Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
  • Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
  • Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total

We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.

The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Jordan for a tourist stay. Entry requirements may change, so we recommend verifying the information with the official authorities before your departure.

Passport

To enter Jordan, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country and have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).

Tourist stay: visa on arrival

Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport as well as at the main land and maritime entry points.

This visa allows a stay of up to 30 days. It is possible to request an extension from Jordanian immigration services on site to extend your stay duration.

The authorities may also request:

  • an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),

  • proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.

It is also possible to obtain a Jordanian visa in advance online via the official e-Visa portal (e-Visa) established by Jordanian authorities.

Jordan Pass

The Jordan Pass is an official package established by the Jordanian government that combines entry visa and access to over 40 tourist sites, including the archaeological site of Petra.

By purchasing the Jordan Pass before your arrival, visa fees are included in the pass price, provided you stay a minimum of three nights in Jordan. The pass must be purchased online before arrival in the country.

Traveling with children

Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.

In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an exit authorization from the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.

Health and vaccines

No vaccine is mandatory to enter Jordan from the EEA, Switzerland, or Canada. It is nevertheless recommended to ensure that routine vaccinations are up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and B).

Consult a doctor or international vaccination center before your departure for personalized advice.

Other nationalities

Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Concerned travelers should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Jordan in their country of residence.

To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have repatriation assistance and foreign medical expenses coverage.

Your local agency encourages you to review the specific contract developed with our partners CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.

CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!

Choose the plan that best suits you:

  • Explorer'Multirisque

  • Explorer'Annulation

  • Explorer'Assistance

  • Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire

Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims procedures is available on the insurer's website.

Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims notification procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.

Chapka — Cap Explorer

Our insurance partner

Travel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.

Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insurance

Frequently asked questions

A tourist visa is required. It can be obtained upon arrival at Amman Airport or included free of charge in the Jordan Pass if purchased before departure. The Jordan Pass is highly recommended. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date into the country. Before booking, check the entry requirements applicable to your nationality with the consular authorities or Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.

You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.

For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between €170 and €280 per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (€450-750 return) are additional. Jordan concentrates wonders (Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea) across a compact territory.

Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.

Absolutely. We tailor every itinerary to match our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize a relaxed pace, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories and anecdotes.

It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, your budget and your dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and depart with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your entire trip.

In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.

Payment is generally made in two installments.

Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.

Hossam, Jordan's Hidden Gems Guide
18years of expertise

Let's talk about your adventure — Archaeological North

Jordan's Hidden Gems Guide, based in Amman

“
Jordan is a country of hospitality and contrasts. You can move from desert canyons to ancient ruins or share tea with Bedouins all in the same day.

— Hossam

APST Guarantee Secure Payment 24/7 Assistance★ 4.51/5