Jordan Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
Uncover a modern kingdom with an ancient culture, on one of our tailor-made holiday or small group tours to Jordan. With unrivalled landscapes, magnificent ancient ruins and a traditional sense of hospitality, a Jordan holiday will guarantee lasting memories.
This is a land that has been inhabited throughout the centuries ...
Uncover a modern kingdom with an ancient culture, on one of our tailor-made holiday or small group tours to Jordan. With unrivalled landscapes, magnificent ancient ruins and a traditional sense of hospitality, a Jordan holiday will guarantee lasting memories.
This is a land that has been inhabited throughout the centuries by nomads, biblical prophets, merchants of the exotic and conquering armies of Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders and Ottoman Turks. All have left their mark on the country, from the Nabateans ancient city of Petra, carved from the very rock that surrounds it, to the beautifully preserved Roman city of Jerash, one of the ancient cities of the Decapolis.
Set against the majestic backdrop of Wadi Rum, the haunting desert landscape so beloved of T. E. Lawrence, Jordan is home to some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the region. It can also boast the saline waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, the spectacular Crusader fortress of Kerak and the site of Mount Nebo, the final resting place of Moses himself.
Following trails that lead back through the centuries, camp beneath the stars amongst the dunes of Wadi Rum, wander the cobbled streets of Jerash or discover for yourself the once lost city of Petra – and these are just a handful of highlights from our Jordan tours. Without a doubt, Jordan is one of the archaeological wonders of the Middle East.
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Group tours
Travel to Jordan with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect private tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF JORDAN
BEST EXPERIENCES
See Petra by candlelight
Experience Petra when it is at its most enchanting. Over 1,800 candles are set up to light your way through the Siq, leading you to the Treasury, where the facade glows with the soft light of hundreds of candles and echoes the sounds of Bedouin music.
Spend the night under the stars
Wild camping overnight in the dunes is the only way to experience the amazing quiet and stillness of this almost uninhabited landscape. See the sands change colour as the sun sinks before sitting around a beduoin fire and eating dinner prepared by your guide.
Float in the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is the lowest exposed point on the Earth's surface and lies 409m below sea level. The water is rich in mineral salts and contains so much sodium that plant and animal life cannot live here, but you can float on the surface and have a mud bath!
Enjoy a cooking class in Amman
Meet the sisters who set up Beit Sitti Restaurant and cooking classes in their grandmother’s beautiful old house in one of Amman’s oldest neighbourhoods - Jabal al weibdeh. They show you how to prepare a traditional Arabic meal, which you then enjoy together.
Explore Little Petra
Less-visited but equally charming, Little Petra was thought to have been a commercial area where caravans would have paused. The Bedouin are still able to sleep in the caves here, which they are not allowed to do on the main sight of Petra.
Discover Dana Nature Reserve
Walk through the old village of Dana and then follow one of the nature trails through the Wadi Dana and Wadi Feinan, soak up amazing views and learn about the flora and fauna - about 600 species of plants, 37 species of mammals, and 190 species of birds.
Ride camels through the desert
Discover the wonders of Wadi Rum by camel. The camel guides from the Zilabia tribe intimately know both the camels and the territory and will show you how to saddle, groom and command your camel to help establish the partnership between rider and mount.
Relax in the Ma'in hot springs
There’s no better way to recover from a walk then in the thermally heated, mineral rich falls at Ma'in. The hot springs are heated to 63 degrees Celsius by underground lava fissures, providing an ideal spot for an afternoon bathe.
Experience Bedouin life
Feynan Eco-Lodge has a fantastic relationship with the local Bedoin community who you can meet here. Learn about daily life like making coffee, baking 'Arbood' bread or weaving goat hair tents. You can even spend a full day with a local sheperd if you'd like.
Snorkel in the Red Sea
Dive beneath the surface and witness the array of marine life the Red Sea has to offer. Home to 44 species of sharks and 1,200 species of fish - 20% of which are native and unique to the area.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Below is a selection of our favourite places to stay, from 5-star hotels, Guesthouses to wild desert camps. Select a property to find out more.
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WHEN TO GO
Jordan has long dry, hot summers with chilly nights and during the winter you can still expect plenty of warm weather and sunshine. The best time to travel is during the autumn and winter, September to March. The most fertile part of Jordan is the hilly region in the northwest, which experiences high rainfall between November and March, when weather fronts blow in from the Mediterranean.
Best Time To Visit Jordan Guide
Meet the expert, Dan
Dan is our Middle East expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Daniel by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map of countries that criminalise LGBTQIA+ people, which highlights potentially dangerous regions and countries
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Jordan though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Jordan the official unit of currency is Jordanian dinar (JOD). To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our guided tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
In Jordan Muslim women's clothing often covers their arms, legs and hair. Western women are not subject to these customs, but very revealing clothing is never appropriate and conservative dress is advisable for both men and women in the old part of Amman (Downtown), and outside the cities. Shorts are rarely worn by either sex, and would be out of place in the downtown Amman area. Topless sunbathing is prohibited, and one-piece swimsuits are preferred, although two-piece swimsuits are acceptable at hotel pools.
Language & Religion
The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken - especially in the cities. Many Jordanians have travelled or have been educated abroad so French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent.
When Arabic is written in Jordan using the Latin alphabet, English spelling is applied however these spellings can be interpreted in various ways, the spelling for example of street addresses can vary widely. For this reason, the sound of the words is a much better guide than the spelling. Jordan is primarily a Muslim country, although the freedom of all religions is protected.
Time
Jordan is 2 hours ahead of GMT. A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Jordan is not as renowned for its cuisine as its neighbours Lebanon and Syria and this is unfair. Since antiquity, Jordan has been a highway between Europe, Asia, Arabia and Africa. Many different civilisations have come and gone and this influx and mixing of people over many centuries has led to a diverse food culture.
Ingredients include olives, cheese, spices, herbs, both dried and fresh fruit, these give the dominant flavours. Lamb and chicken are the meats of choice. In rural areas, particularly in the north, few of these ingredients travel far, sometimes merely from the nearby fields.
Jordan Travel FAQs
Do I need a visa?
If you have a European passport, you will require a visa for Jordan. To save money, we recommend applying ahead of time for a single-entry visa.
Can I drink the water in Jordan?
The tap water in Jordan is not safe to drink, so make sure you keep a stock of bottled water or invest in a bottle with a filter built-in.
Is Jordan safe to travel?
Jordan is considered a far safer location than other countries in the vicinity, but as with any form of travel, it still pays to be prepared – and cautious. In general, in comparison to the countries surrounding it, Jordan is often described as friendly and welcoming to all visitors.
What clothes do I need to wear, is it conservative?
As Jordan is a Muslim country, it will be expected that you dress modestly on your visit. For women, this means covering the shoulders, knees, midriff and cleavage. For men, this means a shirt must always be worn when out in public. Different rules may apply to attractions such as the dead sea, where swimming is encouraged.
Can I drink alcohol?
Yes – alcohol is widely accepted in Jordan, but it’s essential to be respectful of the country’s Muslim faith. So drink respectfully and moderately, and there will be no trouble.
Is it good for winter sun?
As a desert country, summer can be too hot for many visitors. As such, visiting between October-November is recommended, but the colder winter months are less suitable, and not ideal for winter sun.
What’s the food like?
Jordan is known for having a massive amount of variety in the cuisine they offer, meaning there’s something tosuiteveryone’s palette. While meat is a staple in the Jordan diet, plenty of vegetarian options are also available.
What is ATM access like?
Depending on where you travel, ATMs may be scarce – so your best bet is to stock up at the airport, especially if you plan to go to tourist-friendly locations suchasWadi Rum and Petra. More historical sites like these won’t have accesstoATMs, so planning ahead is your best bet.
Is tipping customary in Jordan?
There is a strong tipping culture in Jordan – it’s known as ‘baksheesh’. Tipping waiters, guides and porters is highly recommended, so ensure that you’ve always got a little extra cash on hand to meet the appropriate customs.
What is internet access like in Jordan?
Wi-Fi is offered as standard in many hotels,cafes and restaurants in major cities. However, beyond this service is not available in more remote locations and tourist attractions – and the same can be said when it comes to 4G mobile reception, too.
Travelling Solo In Jordan
All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.