Jordan - 04 Nights
In the last week of November 2023, we embarked on a 4-night journey through the breathtaking landscapes and ancient wonders of Jordan. Our adventure took us through the vibrant streets of Amman, the serene shores of the Dead Sea, and the vast desert expanses of Wadi Rum. We marveled at the timeless beauty of Petra, stood atop Mount Nebo with its sweeping views, and explored the Roman ruins of Jerash. Along the way, we also visited the historic Amman Citadel and the imposing Ajloun Castle, each offering a glimpse into Jordan’s rich and diverse history.
Jordan was part I of our 2 – part trip, the second part being Egypt, specifically Cairo and the Pyramids, which you can read about in the Egypt section here. After comparing the costs of both trips, we found that paying about 15% extra would completely remove our headaches regarding accommodation and transportation, which would be handled by the tour operator.
We had to book flights on our own, and Air Arabia was the most valuable choice. For the sim card, we also decided to opt for a roaming package, since we wanted the comfort of not having to change sim cards while changing countries.
Helpful Links
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Google Maps Itinerary List - https://maps.app.goo.gl/5xQn6CgmYfUJmBSB7
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Jordan Visa information - https://moi.gov.jo/EN/Pages/Visa_E_Applications
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Jordan Pass information - This is a better option if you are going to visit Petra as well. https://www.jordanpass.jo/
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Hotel - The Conroy Boutique Hotel Amman - Agoda Link
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Hotel - Ramada Resort Dead Sea- Agoda Link
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Hotel - Silk Road Hotel Petra - Agoda Link
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Hotel - Sinam Camp Wadi Rum - Check Google Maps itinerary list
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Flights - https://www.airarabia.com/en
Getting There
For our trip to Jordan, we chose to fly with Air Arabia, which offered a convenient and affordable option. To make the most of our time, we decided to book a comprehensive tour package that covered everything we needed for a hassle-free experience. This included our hotel stays, a personal car with a driver, tickets to all the major attractions, and even the visa. It was the perfect way to ensure a smooth journey, allowing us to focus on exploring the beauty and history of Jordan without worrying about the details. Of course, the cost of the trip got a bit pricey, but the hassle – free experience was worth it.
One advantage of having a driver is that we don’t have to worry about logistics. We were given a list of places before hand, and we could choose whether we wanted to proceed with that tourist spot or not.
The Jordanian Dinar (JOD) is a stronger currency compared to the UAE Dirham (AED). Typically, 1 Jordanian Dinar is equivalent to around 5.17 UAE Dirhams. This means prices in Jordan can seem higher when converting from Dirhams, so it's important to account for this difference when budgeting for your trip. For communications, we opted to go for our roaming package since the local sim cards were more expensive.
Accommodation
Since we went with a tour operator, hotels and transportation were taken care of. Below were the hotels selected for each day.
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The Conroy Boutique Hotel, Amman – "A cozy boutique hotel in the heart of Amman, offering modern comfort and easy access to the city's top attractions."
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Ramada Resort, Dead Sea – "An idyllic resort by the Dead Sea, perfect for relaxation with its private beach, spa, and stunning views of the world’s lowest point."
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Silk Road Hotel, Petra – "Conveniently located just a short walk from Petra’s entrance, this hotel provides a comfortable stay with panoramic views of the ancient city."
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Sinam Camp, Wadi Rum – "Experience authentic Bedouin hospitality under the stars in Wadi Rum, with traditional tents and unforgettable desert views."
Itinerary
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Day 1
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Arrive in Amman
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Pick up from Airport by our driver and head to Amman Citadel directly from the airport
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Visit Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre
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Dinner at Abu Mariam restaurant
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Overnight in Amman
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Day 2
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Breakfast at Hotel
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Visit the city of Jerash
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Visit Ajloun Castle
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Lunch at local restaurant
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Transfer to Dead Sea
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Dinner at Hotel
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Overnight in Dead Sea Hotel
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Day 3
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Breakfast at Hotel
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Swim in Dead Sea
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After a good swim, leave for Mount Nebo
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Drive towards Madaba
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Walk the streets of Madaba. Lunch at a local restaurant
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Drive towards Petra
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Overnight in Petra Hotel
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Day 4
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Early Breakfast at Hotel
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Head towards Petra
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Spend the entire day exploring Petra
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Lunch at Petra
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Drive towards Wadi Rum
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Dinner at Wadi Rum Hotel
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Overnight in Wadi Rum
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Day 5
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Early morning drive in Wadi Rum to view the sunrise and explore the desert
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Breakfast at Hotel
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Transfer to Amman Airport for Departure
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Cost
The Jordanian Dinar (JOD) is a stronger currency compared to the UAE Dirham (AED). Typically, 1 Jordanian Dinar equals around 5.17 UAE Dirhams. This means that when converting from Dirhams to Dinars, costs may appear higher, so travelers from the UAE should account for the difference when budgeting for their trip to Jordan.
We opted for a tour package for Jordan and Egypt together as one, below is the total cost of our trip in Jordan, broken down into an estimation to the best of our knowledge.
Final Thoughts, Tips and Advice
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Check whether you require a visa to travel. For us, both Jordan and Egypt required visas.
Jordan visa was taken care of by the travel agency, but we had to apply for Egypt visa ourselves. If you plan to apply for Jordan visa yourself and also plan to visit Petra, look up the Jordan Pass. It may be a good option for you. -
If you plan to deal in Cash, make sure to get your currency exchanged anywhere but the airports. Cards are accepted in majority of places, but we personally dealt in cash.
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Compare your roaming packages or opt for an e-sim if it is cheaper than getting a sim card in Jodan
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We went during the end of November, and Jordan was cold. Much cooler than U.A.E. Make sure you bring a decent jacket. And if you plan to visit Wadi Rum, you will need more than a jacket as temperatures drop to single digits.
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Since we had a tour guide, we had plenty of flexibility with selecting the attractions. If you want to broaden your search, do look up the plethora of resources on the internet regarding Jordan.
Overall Jordan was one of our favorite destinations in 2023.