Jordan
Complete 10 day Itinerary
Jordan
Complete 10 day Itinerary
Day 1: Amman - Citadel, Roman amphitheatre, the Jordan Museum
The highlights of Amman include:
- The Citadel
- The Roman Amphitheatre
- The Jordan Museum
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!
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.
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.
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.
Days 6-7: Petra
Days 8-9: Wadi Rum
Read more: Wadi Rum Adventure Guide
Day 10: travelling back to Amman
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
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Katie
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.
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Miruna
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.