Jordan

Complete 10 day Itinerary

Jordan

Complete 10 day Itinerary

We’ve built this itinerary to cover all the important things we think should be seen in Jordan. If you don’t have 10 days to explore you can easily break it down into fewer days by just picking what is most important for you to see. However, we recommend spending at least 5 days to visit the most essential parts of Jordan and not get overwhelmed. You can find at the end of the article a 5-day and 7-day suggested itinernary to help you get inspired.

Day 1: Amman - Citadel, Roman amphitheatre, the Jordan Museum

If you’re looking for a city that has it all, then you need to head to Amman. It’s the biggest city and the capital of Jordan. It’s a place that is always busy, yet always welcoming. From the amazing food to the friendly locals, there are so many reasons to fall in love with Amman.
 
Of course, one of the best things about Amman is the food. You can find just about any type of food you’re craving, and it’s all delicious. Whether you want to try traditional Jordanian dishes or something a little more familiar, you’ll be able to find them in Amman.
The highlights of Amman include:
  • The Citadel
  • The Roman Amphitheatre
  • The Jordan Museum

Read more: One Day in Amman: How to Spend 24 Hours in Jordan’s Capital City

Day 2: Jerash, Ajloun Castle, Umm Qais

Jerash

The ancient city of Jerash is a huge site which has been occupied by humans for over 6,500 years. In 63BC, it was conquered by General Pompey and was one of the ten great Roman cities of the Decapolis League. Nowadays, Jerash is thought to be one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world – and a must see!

Ajloun Castle

Ajloun Castle was built in the 12th century under the rule of the sultan Saladin. It is located right on top of Mount Auf and overlooks the historic town of Ajloun below. Although the castle has undergone many rebuilds and many of its original features no longer exist the castle has a small museum with information about the castle and a number of artefacts you can view as well as mosaics and interesting mediaeval weaponry on display.

Umm Qais

Very few tourists make it this far up north in Jordan and if you are one for escaping a crowd and seeing some ancient ruins then you will love Umm Qais. It is located 68 miles from Amman and takes 2 hours to drive here so if you are short on time this place might be a bit time-consuming to complete but it is worth the journey up north!

We’d recommend you take The Umm Qais, Jerash, Ajloun Castle Tour for the day to see them all.
 

Day 3: Madaba, Mount Nebo, Dead Sea

Madaba

Madaba is best known for its artistic beauty. It is called the ‘City of Mosaics’ and it lives up to its name. It is a colourful city with plenty of history to learn about and it is the perfect place to shop for your souvenirs or enjoy some local Jordanian food.

Mount Nebo

Only 10 km from Madaba city centre lies Mount Nebo which is a sacred mountain with stunning panoramic views. On a clear day, you can see the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, and even Jerusalem from the top.

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, and it’s also one of the most amazing sights in Jordan. The water here is so salty that you can float without any effort at all. The place is perfect for swimming or just relaxing while enjoying the soothing breeze that surrounds you.

 

You can take The Kings Highway Tour to see them all
 

Day 4: Mukawir Castle, Kerak Castle, Lot’s Cave

Mukawir Castle

Mukawir Fortress, also known as Qasr al-Mukawir, is located in Jordan overlooking the Dead Sea. It was once the fortified palace of Herod the Great, who was the king of Judea during the 1st century AD. The fortress is situated on a hilltop and is surrounded by a moat.
The castle has three levels, with the top level being the most heavily fortified. It has several rooms, including a chapel, a banquet hall, and a throne room. The castle was captured by the Crusaders in 1187 AD and was subsequently rebuilt by them. It was finally abandoned in the 16th century.

Kerak Castle

Kerak Castle is a large crusader castle located in present-day Jordan. It is one of the largest castles in the Levant and was an important strategic stronghold during the Crusades. The castle was built in the 12th century by Pagan V of Nablus and was later expanded by Baldwin I of Jerusalem.


The castle was besieged numerous times during the Crusades and was finally captured by Saladin in 1188. It remained under Muslim control until it was recaptured by the Crusaders in 1240. The castle was then slowly abandoned and fell into ruin.
Today, Kerak Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jordan. It is a well-preserved example of Crusader architecture and has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Lot’s Cave

Lot’s Cave is an archaeological site located in the Judean Desert of Israel. It is named after the Biblical figure Lot, and it is believed to be the site of the Sodom and Gomorrah.

The cave was first discovered in the 19th century, and it has been the subject of much excavation and research. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, and it has yielded a wealth of information about the ancient world.

They are all also included in The Kings Highway Tour, but we recommend you don’t do everything in one day since there is a lot of information to take in and a lot of walking included as well.

Day 5: Dana’s Biosphere Reserve

Dana Biosphere Reserve is Jordan’s largest nature reserve. It spans more than 320 square kilometers and is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. Dana is a great place for hiking and bird watching. The reserve also has a number of archaeological sites.

If you are into hiking, we recommend you save an entire day to explore Dana’s Biosphere Reserve.

Days 6-7: Petra

Petra is one of the seven wonders of the world and you will not be disappointed by visiting this magnificent place! The ancient ruins are spectacular to see with the intricate carvings into the rock face as well as the beautiful red-rose rock formations surrounding this ancient city. Every time you wander around this beautiful place you will spot new ruins or carvings that you haven’t seen before, and that is one of the most incredible things about this place.

Days 8-9: Wadi Rum

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, then the Wadi Rum desert is the place to be. You can go on camelback and explore the different valleys that make up this area. It’s a great way to get away from all of the crowds and have some alone time with yourself, not to mention the breathtaking views that will make you question whether you’re still on Earth or you somehow landed on Mars.

Read more: Wadi Rum Adventure Guide

Day 10: travelling back to Amman

If you have followed our suggested route at the end of day 9 you will find yourself on the other side of the country from where you started.
 
Don’t worry, Jordan is not that big so you can easily get back to Amman in one day and maybe even have time to enjoy a pleasant evening in the city.
 
If you have the option, you can fly out of Aqaba since it’s just 30 minutes away from Wadi Rum.
A few things you can do in Aqaba:
  • Visit the Aqaba Castle
  • Visit Ayla, a beautiful white and blue resort that reminded me of Greece
  • Have a lazy day at the beach

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Authors

  • Full-time doctor, part-time traveller. I am the kind of traveller who travels on a shoestring and somehow manages to pack two weeks worth of clothes, a tripod and all my books into a little rucksack.

  • Full-time software engineer, part-time traveller. I am the annoying person who slows you down because she saw a stray cat that “needed” attention.