Top Amman Day Trips

Found myself in Jordan and wanted to scratch off a once in a lifetime experience while by going to Petra. It lived up to the expectations and then some. My driver, Qutaibah (Q), picked me up promptly at my hotel and off we went. Drive took right around 3 hours with a 15 minute pit stop halfway where there were restrooms, food, and gifts. During the drive, Qutaibah went over the itinerary and presented options about lunch options (eat in Petra, have him put together a lunchbox for 10JOD, or stop briefly in town we I got back), when the jeep tour would be (either that afternoon or the next morning). He also presented some extensions to the trip in Aqaba if I so wanted. In Petra, we had five hours (and really five and an half since we got to Petra a little early) although Q said to let him know if I needed a little more time. But that was plenty of time to go through the Siq, see the Treasury, and major sites. I’d recommend getting a qualified tour guide but be careful of getting a random guide out front. Also, there are plenty of vendors in Petra selling various wares. Some can be a little pushy but just kindly say no thanks and move on. After Petra, met up with Q and wolfed down my lunch box. There are places inside Petra to eat and buy water, juice. But I wanted to focus on getting in as much as I could. Lunch box was a chicken shawarma wrap and fries. Drive to Wadi Rum took about 2 hours with a brief pit stop for rest room and drinks. At Wadi Rum, hopped on the jeep for 2 hour tour. This is also your transport to the encampment so your stuff goes in the back seat while you hop in the open air back. Drive was bumpy but fun. Made it challenging to take pictures and make sure your stuff (or you) doesn’t fly out the back. Saw plenty of camel along the way. Made 3 stops. Went to the arch where Q took my pic since I was traveling solo. Then saw petroglyphs in canyon. And finally sand dune that you can climb up and go to top of small rock hill. Then off to camp… or should I say glamp. I don’t think this is a traditional Bedouin housing unit - but it was decked out on the inside like one. Towels and shampoo were provided. Accommodations were nice. Would’ve been nice if they had prepped the ac in advance as the room was HOT and it took a while for the AC to cool the room down. I was basically the only guest (along with Q who stayed in a nearby cabin). Dinner was delicious - chicken and rice with various sides and sauces, along with pita bread and hummus. Camp was very quiet. Nice desert breeze and moderate temperatures. In the morning before breakfast, a small herd of camel wandered right by the encampment. Was so cool to see them. Breakfast was an egg crepe type thing, pita, hummus, and assorted vegetables. Jeep ride back to Q’s car and four hour drive to The Dead Sea with a quick stop for gas and another 15 minute pit stop for restroom, food/drink, and gift shopping. Arrived a little early at the hotel and had the lunch option which was buffet style and was ok. If you didn’t want to do that, you could probably get stuff at the pit stop to eat. Towel is provided. Changing rooms are half way down to the beach. Had about 3 hours total there. There are several pools (to include kid pools) along with the main event, the mud and salt scrub. Floating in the sea was incredible. But don’t get the water in your eyes. I was doing fine until right at the end when a little bit got into my eye… fortunately they had a shower nearby where I could wash off. Trudged up the hill back to the main hotel area, met up with Q for a lemon mint drink, and then the one hour drive back to the hotel. Q was great. He explained everything and made sure I had what I needed. He also seemed amenable to alterations within reason of you wanted to stop and see something along the way. Overall - don’t hesitate - book it now.

Omar was so friendly and knowledgeable as our driver and drop-offs at all the amazing sites we visited. He was even generous enough to take us out of our way to Pink Lake for a small price. He knew English extremely well, and was so friendly and personable! So great to meet you, and my two girls and I felt safe in your hands!

Jordanian hospitality is fantastic. My hosts were attentive and knowledgeable. Khalid was an excellent driver and an interesting conversationalist. Fatima was a tremendous guide. She was patient to answer my questions, and she has extensive knowledge of Petra and its history.