Untold Jordan

Welcome to Amman, a city that, unusually for the Middle East, feels young. It’s a place where crumbling monuments stand amongst sparkling high-rises, art galleries and trendy cafes; a new era fuelled by the progressiveness of the next generation. It’s a safe and highly explorable city, so upon arrival at your hotel, we’ll equip you with the best insider tips for your free time here. Think bustling souks, bohemian tea rooms and the best kunafa in the city.  Having settled in and met your group as they arrive throughout the day or evening, you’ll dine together at an authentic local restaurant. Afterwards, you might have just enough time to bask in the hotel pool and sip a nightcap overlooking the city.

First up today: a back-street exploration of Amman. On this insightful walking tour, you’ll visit the spectacular citadel and Roman amphitheatre then forgo the tourists in exchange for a closer look at the inner workings of the city. From the din of locals haggling in vibrant souks to the delicious smells that will lead you to the best falafel in Amman; your senses will be in overdrive as you explore deeper and deeper into Jordanian life. This afternoon, you’ll be transferred to your beautiful hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea, where you’ll get to experience the incredible sensation of floating weightlessly in the salty water, and watch a vibrant sunset.  

You’ll be up early today to transfer to the vast nothingness of Wadi Mujib. Some 410 meters below sea level, Jordan’s answer to the Grand Canyon is a world of rugged gorges and river systems. The perfect spot then, for canyoning*; a challenge made easier by the camaraderie of your group. Expect to wade through water, scramble over rocks and slide down waterfalls. Once you’ve dried off, you’ll travel to lonely Shobak Castle – a 12th-century crusader stronghold rising dramatically out of the rugged landscape. Nearby, you’ll visit the world’s smallest hotel (a converted Volkswagen Beetle) and have lunch with a local family. Then, it’s time to begin your journey to Jordan’s most famous icon: Petra. But don’t expect the norm, you’ll be experiencing this beauty from a wholly unique perspective tomorrow…*If you’re travelling in May or October, there’s a chance that the water level will be too high for canyoning. But your foodie alternative won’t disappoint…

This morning, you’ll hike into Petra via its secret back door, a 15-kilometre route the world seems to have forgotten (or not yet found). Relish being the only group in sight as you ascend a steep stairway over the rocks and explore the labyrinth of caves, temples and tombs chiselled out of the dusty-pink cliffs. With huge drops alongside you and endless ruins to discover on this, at times, challenging route, there’s no doubt you’ll feel like Indiana Jones when you finally reach the impressive Monastery. Then it’s on to the Theatre, the Street of Facades and Petra’s famous postcard spot: the spectacular Treasury.  After an action-packed day in the Rose City, you’ll get to replenish your stores as the Bedouins do, but that’s all we’ll say, for now…

It’s time. The other-worldly rolling red dunes of Wadi Rum are calling. Jump aboard a fleet of desert jeeps and race through a landscape of jagged mountains and towering sand dunes. As dusk settles in, pick a spot to admire the sunset with your group before setting off to your remote desert lodgings for the night. There’s something almost martian about arriving to the view of futuristic looking pods scattered amongst the sand and mountains of the desert. And once you’re led to your own luxuriously kitted-out pod, it’ll feel even more otherworldly. With uninterrupted views across the desert and out to a blanket of stars – it doesn’t take too much imagination to feel like you’re on the red planet, millions of miles from earth. As the sun sets, you’ll get to take it all in on a spectacular 4×4 adventure.

Having woken to watch the sunrise over the desert, you’ll enjoy an al fresco camp breakfast before getting back on the road. Today, you’re headed for the small town of Aqaba, gateway to the Red Sea coast and Jordan’s only beach resort. Transferring to a boat, you’re in for a fun day out on the water. Just south of town, the Aqaba Marine Park is one of the world’s top snorkelling destinations, with crystal clear water, colourful marine life and unspoiled coral reefs. Having explored the underwater world, enjoy a BBQ and live DJ on board. Returning to shore, there’ll be time to freshen up before heading out to dinner with your group. 

Your final morning is yours to spend as you please. After a leisurely breakfast, you might choose to explore the impressive Aqaba Fort, destroyed by Saladin in 1187, or visit the nearby bird observatory. Alternatively, you might prefer to head back to the beach to swim in the warm clear waters, or try out one of the many watersports on offer, from jet skiing or banana boat rides to kitesurfing and kayaking. After lunch, it’s time to begin the long drive back to Amman. On arrival, you’ll check in at your hotel to get changed before heading out for your farewell dinner. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a meal of traditional Jordanian cuisine and a chance to toast an incredible adventure with new friends.

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s over to you to make your own way onwards. You’ve hiked across sand dunes, canyoned through rugged gorges, glamped beneath the stars and eaten arguably the best and most traditional food you could find. It’s been an adventure, and when those blues inevitably kick in, just let us know when you’re ready for the next one.

Welcome to Amman, a city that, unusually for the Middle East, feels young. It’s a place where crumbling monuments stand amongst sparkling high-rises, art galleries and trendy cafes; a new era fuelled by the progressiveness of the next generation. It’s a safe and highly explorable city, so upon arrival at your hotel, we’ll equip you with the best insider tips for your free time here. Think bustling souks, bohemian tea rooms and the best kunafa in the city.  Having settled in and met your group as they arrive throughout the day or evening, you’ll dine together at an authentic local restaurant. Afterwards, you might have just enough time to bask in the hotel pool and sip a nightcap overlooking the city.

First up today: a back-street exploration of Amman. On this insightful walking tour, you’ll visit the spectacular citadel and Roman amphitheatre then forgo the tourists in exchange for a closer look at the inner workings of the city. From the din of locals haggling in vibrant souks to the delicious smells that will lead you to the best falafel in Amman; your senses will be in overdrive as you explore deeper and deeper into Jordanian life. Your lunch today won’t disappoint. Situated in one of Amman’s oldest neighbourhoods, Beit Sitti has become something of an institution, and you’ll quickly understand why. The owners, all sisters, have opened the kitchen of their old family home to let people in on the secrets of their family cooking. Here you’ll be taught to cook traditional Jordanian cuisine, and then get to feast on the fruits of your labour. Later on, you’ll be transferred to your beautiful hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea, where you’ll get to experience the incredible sensation of floating weightlessly in the salty water, and watch a vibrant sunset.

This morning, you’ll transfer to your remote desert ecolodge, where you’ll welcome the cool towel and drink that’s waiting for you on arrival. Named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the world’s best eco-lodges, and one of the top-50 places to stay if you care about the planet; Feynan Eco Lodge is a destination in itself. You’ll have some free time this afternoon to relax and explore. You might choose to head out on a gentle tour with a local bedouin to discover the desert flora and fauna. Or how about a cooking class? On a clear night, you can expect to be led to the rooftop, mint tea in hand, and look on as you’re taken on an astrological journey, constellations and planets clearly pointed out to you with a futuristic laser.  

By the time you leave Feynan Eco-lodge, you’ll feel like you’ve experienced and understood true Jordanian desert living – and left barely a footprint on the planet, too. Saying goodbye to this unique accommodation, you’ll travel to Dana Biosphere Reserve, an area steeped in biodiversity bordering Israel and Palestine. The best way to explore the reserve is on foot, so together with your group you’ll set off on a moderate circular hiking trail through a breathtaking gorge, stopping for a picnic lunch amid the rocky sand dunes, pink valleys and open plains. Later, you’ll begin your journey to Jordan’s most famous icon: Petra. But don’t expect the norm, you’ll be experiencing this beauty from a wholly unique perspective tomorrow…

This morning, you’ll hike into Petra via its secret back door, a 15-kilometre route the world seems to have forgotten (or not yet found). Relish being the only group in sight as you ascend a steep stairway over the rocks and explore the labyrinth of caves, temples and tombs chiselled out of the dusty-pink cliffs. With huge drops alongside you and endless ruins to discover on this, at times, challenging route, there’s no doubt you’ll feel like Indiana Jones when you finally reach the impressive Monastery. Then it’s on to the Theatre, the Street of Facades and Petra’s famous postcard spot: the spectacular Treasury.  After an action-packed day in the Rose City, you’ll get to replenish your stores as the Bedouins do, but that’s all we’ll say, for now…

It’s time. The other-worldly rolling red dunes of Wadi Rum are calling. Jump aboard a fleet of desert jeeps and race through a landscape of jagged mountains and towering sand dunes. As dusk settles in, pick a spot to admire the sunset with your group before setting off to your remote desert lodgings for the night. There’s something almost martian about arriving to the view of futuristic looking pods scattered amongst the sand and mountains of the desert. And once you’re led to your own luxuriously kitted-out pod, it’ll feel even more otherworldly. With uninterrupted views across the desert and out to a blanket of stars – it doesn’t take too much imagination to feel like you’re on the red planet, millions of miles from earth. As the sun sets, you’ll get to take it all in on a spectacular 4×4 adventure.

Once the sun is up, you’ll enjoy a final breakfast, and then begin the drive back to Amman. On the way, you’ll stop in Aqaba, where you’ll get to experience snorkelling in the coral-rich Red Sea. Expect colourful marine life and crystal clear waters. Later on arriving in Amman, you’ll have some time to quickly freshen up before your final meal of traditional Jordanian cuisine and a chance to toast an incredible adventure with new friends.

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s over to you to make your own way onwards. You’ve hiked across sand dunes, canyoned through rugged gorges, glamped beneath the stars and eaten arguably the best and most traditional food you could find. It’s been an adventure, and when those blues inevitably kick in, just let us know when you’re ready for the next one.