Few first sights rival the moment the narrow Siq opens to reveal the Treasury at Petra, its rose-pink façade carved straight from the cliff two thousand years ago. The Nabataean city is vast — temples, tombs and a monastery reached by 800 rock-cut steps — and rewards far more than the day-trip most people give it.
We pair Petra with a night beneath the towering sandstone of Wadi Rum, where Bedouin camps and 4x4 drives across the desert floor make for one of the Middle East’s great experiences. Add the Dead Sea and old Amman, and you have a journey of remarkable range over short distances.
Trip highlights
The Treasury at dawn
Walk the Siq early, before the crowds, to see Al-Khazneh glow in the first light — or return for Petra by candlelight.
The Monastery climb
Ascend the rock-cut stairway to Ad-Deir, vast and serene, with views across the surrounding hills.
Wadi Rum
A 4x4 journey across the desert Lawrence of Arabia knew, ending at a camp beneath the stars.
A sample journey
A starting point, never a script — every day flexes around how you like to travel.
- Day 1
Amman
Arrive into Jordan’s capital; the citadel, Roman theatre and a first taste of Levantine food.
- Days 2–3
Petra
Two days to do the rose-red city justice — the Treasury, the Monastery and the quieter trails beyond.
- Day 4
Wadi Rum
A 4x4 desert journey and a night in a Bedouin-style camp under the stars.
- Day 5
Dead Sea
Float in the mineral-rich waters and unwind at a spa resort before your flight.
When to go
Mar – May
Spring — warm, clear days perfect for walking Petra and the desert. The prime window.
Sep – Nov
Autumn — comfortable temperatures and softer light, ideal for exploring on foot.
