Traveling In Jordan over 8 Days/8 Nights
Traveling to Jordan was the trip of a lifetime! Visiting a foreign country can be an exciting adventure. It can also come with its own set of concerns, especially for female travelers. However, my recent trip in Jordan over 8 days with my female friend proved that it’s possible to have a safe and enjoyable trip even as women. The country is incredibly hospitable, and we felt safe throughout our journey. Our itinerary included several destinations, and we stayed at different accommodations that catered to our needs. In this blog post I highlight our itinerary, where we stayed and the activities we enjoyed!
Itinerary
- Amman for 2 nights
- Dead Sea day trip
- Wadi Musa for 2 nights
- Petra over 2 days
- Wadi Rum for 2 nights
- Aqaba for 1 night
- Amman for 1 night
Amman – 2 nights
Our first stop was in the capital city of Amman. We stayed at the Ambassador Boutique Hotel for two nights. The Ambassador Boutique Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Amman, Jordan. The hotel’s history dates back to 1963. Over the years, the hotel has undergone several renovations and changes of ownership, but it has always maintained its reputation as one of the most prestigious hotels in Amman. In 2014, the hotel underwent a major renovation and rebranding. Today, the hotel offers 62 guest rooms and suites, a rooftop terrace with stunning views of Amman, an indoor pool, a spa, and several dining options. The hotel’s elegant design combines traditional elements of Jordanian architecture with modern amenities and technology, providing guests with a luxurious and comfortable stay.
The hotel’s location was convenient as it was close to the city’s main attractions, many delicious eateries and bus terminals. During our stay in Amman, my friend and I simply enjoyed the wonderful hotel and it’s surrounding eateries. We arrived in the evening on day 1 and left early on day 3, utilizing day 2 as a day trip to the Dead Sea!
Dead Sea Day Trip
On the second day of our stay traveling in Jordan, we took a day trip to the Dead Sea. This was an experience like no other! We went to the lowest point on earth and had the chance to float in the salty waters. It was a surreal experience, and we even had a chance to try out the therapeutic mud. At the hotel, we started our day with the included breakfast. After we took a short local taxi to the tour meeting point which departed at 8:30am. We selected JETT as our tour operator (please see Transportation section for information about JETT).
About the dead sea
The Dead Sea is a saltwater lake that lies between Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. It is the lowest point on Earth, sitting 429 meters below sea level. It is famous for its high salt content, which makes swimming feel more like floating. The Dead Sea is also known for its therapeutic properties. The high salt content, as well as the minerals found in the water and mud, are believed to have many health benefits, including improving skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, as well as relieving pain and stress.
It’s important to note that visitors to the Dead Sea should take precautions due to the high salt content of the water. Swallowing the water can be dangerous, so it’s important to avoid getting it in your mouth or eyes. It’s also recommended to limit the amount of time spent in the water and to rinse off thoroughly afterwards to avoid irritation from the salt.
While it is possible to stay overnight at the Dead Sea and explore more of the surrounding area, a day trip is sufficient for most visitors. The drive from Amman takes around an hour and a half, and once at the beach, visitors can spend the day enjoying the water and facilities before returning to Amman in the evening.
Our Dead Sea Experience
We opted for this day trip experience, which included transportation to and from Amman, entrance to a Dead Sea beach resort (specifically the Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dead Sea), and use of the resort’s facilities.
Upon our arrival at 9:45am to the Ramada Resort, we made our way to the beach to begin our day. As we soon discovered, the beach was a bit of a distance from the hotel, requiring us to board a shuttle to reach the salty waters of the Dead Sea. From 10:00am to 4:00pm, we relished the opportunity to take full advantage of the resort’s amenities. This included a lunch and access to the therapeutic properties of the Dead Sea. We spent the majority of our day submerging in and out the buoyant waters, marveling at the magical sensation of the high salt concentration, and indulging in the rejuvenating qualities of the rich mud. Not only did we capture countless photos of our unforgettable experience, but our skin felt incredibly smooth and revitalized from the restorative powers of the saltwater.
We were picked up by shuttle bus at 4:00pm and arrived back to our hotel by 6:00pm. We enjoyed dinner at one of the local eateries near the hotel.
Wadi Musa – 2 nights
After our time in Amman, we headed to Wadi Musa, where we spent two nights at Nonna Aisha B&B. The Bed and Breakfast was a mere 10-minute walk from Petra’s visitor center. This made it an ideal location for exploring the ancient city. We dedicated two full days and one half-day to exploring Petra, and it was a trip highlight. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the world’s wonders. The ancient city’s architecture and structures are impressive, and the scenery is breathtaking. We took our time exploring the site. We were impressed by the hospitality and warmth of the locals.
Please see here a full breakdown of our Petra experience!
Wadi Rum – 2 nights
Our next stop was in Wadi Rum, where we stayed at Aladdin Camp for two nights. Known for its dramatic sandstone mountains and mesmerizing red sand dunes, Wadi Rum is a stunning desert valley in Jordan. It’s a place that should definitely be on your itinerary if you’re traveling in Jordan. To truly experience the beauty of Wadi Rum, many people choose to stay overnight in a traditional Bedouin-style tent. We opted for a unique experience and stayed in a dome tent at Aladdin Camp. Dome tents are becoming more and more popular among travelers due to their unique design and comfortable accommodations. Aladdin Camp offered affordable dome tents that are made with high-quality materials. They featured comfortable bedding and plenty of space to relax. The dome tents were also equipped with power outlets, which was a nice touch for charging our devices.
Our adventure in Wadi Rum spanned a full day and a morning, allowing us ample time to immerse ourselves in the stunning natural beauty of the region.
Wadi Rum Hike
As we began our full day, we indulged in an included delectable breakfast at Aladdin Camp before embarking on an exhilarating 2-hour hike with an experienced Bedouin guide. Our guide took us on a thrilling jeep ride to reach an incredible rock formation. We hiked to the summit and were rewarded with panoramic views of the breathtaking desert scenery below. The experience left us feeling invigorated and grateful to have witnessed such incredible natural wonders. We returned to Aladdin Camp for lunch before setting out in the afternoon on a jeep tour.
Wadi Rum Jeep Tour
One of the best ways to see Wadi Rum is by taking a jeep tour. We booked a four-hour tour (I highly recommend at least a 4 hour tour) that took us through the most stunning areas of the valley. Our guide was knowledgeable and pointed out various rock formations and historical sites along the way. Viewing the red sandstone cliffs, rock formations, and the desert scenery was breathtaking. We got a glimpse of what it was like to live as a Bedouin in this desert.
The highlight of our jeep tour was watching the sunset over the valley. Our guide took us to a remote area where we had a panoramic view of the entire Wadi Rum landscape. As the sun began to set, the sky changed colors from blue to orange to pink, making for an unforgettable experience. Our guide even made a fire and heated water to make us local Bedouin tea while we watched the sunset! This was truly a magical moment that we will never forget.
Wadi Rum Sunrise
While we did take a camel ride at sunrise in Wadi Rum the following morning, unfortunately it was not worth it. While the experience of riding a camel was something unique, it was also quite uncomfortable. There was a lot of jostling and swaying for the 1 hour to reach the sunrise point. In retrospect, we would have skipped this experience and just gone to watch the sunrise. We opted to walk back to camp due to the discomfort.
Overall, Wadi Rum is a must-visit destination if you are traveling in Jordan. Staying in a dome tent at Aladdin Camp is the perfect way to experience it. The jeep tour is a great way to explore the valley and witness the stunning sunset over the desert. We highly recommend booking a dome tent and taking a jeep tour during your visit to Wadi Rum.
Aqaba – 1 night
From Wadi Rum, we traveled to Aqaba, where we spent one night. We had a half-day of snorkeling in the Red Sea and spent some time relaxing on the beach. It was a nice break from our busy itinerary, and we enjoyed soaking up the sun and the sea breeze.
Aqaba is a coastal city located in the southern part of Jordan. It is known for its spectacular snorkeling spots in the Red Sea. With its warm, clear waters, abundant marine life, and stunning coral reefs, the Red Sea is a snorkeler’s paradise. My friend and I decided to spend a half day in Aqaba to experience snorkeling in this beautiful body of water.
Snorkeling
We started our day with a breakfast at our hotel in Aqaba before heading to the beach to meet our snorkeling guide. We chose to book our snorkeling group tour through a local tour company, which made the experience more convenient and enjoyable. Our guide provided us with all the necessary snorkeling gear, including masks, fins, and snorkels, and we boarded the boat and set out on the Red Sea.
Once we got in the water, we were immediately greeted by a vast array of colorful fish swimming around us. The vibrant shades of purple, blue, and green formed intricate patterns that seemed to go on forever. We spent a few hours exploring the snorkeling sites along the coast of Aqaba by both boat and in the water.
Overall, our snorkeling experience in the Red Sea was worth it. The water was warm and crystal clear, the marine life was diverse, and the coral reefs were lovely. It was the perfect way to spend a half day in Aqaba and a wonderful way to end our trip traveling in Jordan. If you’re planning on traveling in Jordan and love snorkeling, I highly recommend adding Aqaba to your itinerary – you won’t regret it!
Amman – 1 night
We returned to Amman where we spent our final night in Jordan before our flight to our next destination. We had a relaxing evening before our departure.
Transportation
We completed all our travel between cities with JETT. It was a fantastic way to get between destinations.
Taking the Jordan Express Tourist Transportation Company (JETT) buses is a convenient and affordable way to get between cities when traveling in Jordan. My friend and I used JETT to get from Amman to the Dead Sea, and from the Dead Sea to Wadi Musa, Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba, and back to Amman.
About Jett
The Jordan Express Tourist Transportation Company, commonly known as JETT, is a public transport company based in Amman, Jordan. Founded in 1992, JETT provides transportation services for tourists and locals alike, with a focus on comfortable, safe, and reliable travel. The company operates a fleet of modern air-conditioned buses and serves a wide range of destinations throughout Jordan. JETT also offers shuttle services to and from airports and border crossings, as well as private tours and customized transportation solutions for groups. With a reputation for quality service and punctuality, JETT has become one of the most trusted and popular transport providers for folks traveling in Jordan.
our JETT Experience
The JETT buses were comfortable and air-conditioned, and they ran on time according to the schedule. The buses had large windows that offered scenic views of the desert and the mountains. The drivers were professional and drove safely. The buses had space for luggage and each passenger was allowed to bring one carry-on and one larger piece of luggage, which was placed in the undercarriage of the bus.
To use JETT, we booked our tickets online before our trip. The website was easy to navigate and the booking process was straightforward. We received an email confirmation of our booking and were instructed to print the confirmation and bring it with us to the bus station. At the bus station, we showed our printed confirmation to the JETT staff, who directed us to the appropriate bus.
The cost of the JETT bus tickets was reasonable, especially compared to the price of private transportation or taxis. We paid between 5 and 8 Jordanian dinars (about $7 to $11 USD) per ticket, depending on the distance of the journey. Payment was made in cash at the bus station, either in Jordanian dinars or US dollars.
Conclusion
In conclusion, traveling in Jordan was an incredible experience! I would highly recommend it to anyone, including female travelers. Jordan is a country with a rich cultural history, beautiful scenery, and hospitable locals. The country’s safety and security measures made us feel comfortable and safe throughout our journey. Our itinerary included a mix of city visits, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities, making it a well-rounded trip. Our accommodations were comfortable, and we had no issues throughout our stay. Overall, it was a memorable trip, and we would love to return to Jordan someday.
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