9D8N Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum and the Life of the Bedouin (DJAG)

Step into the kingdom of Jordan and walk in the footsteps of past civilizations and modern culture as you explore the country’s abundant natural wonders and ancient sites. We welcome you to Amman, and to Jordan, and we invite you to see this beautiful country in a way that allows you to experience its culture, people and natural beauty.

Leave Amman for the day as you head north to explore ancient orchards and historical sites. Part of the fertile crescent, the region is rich with agricultural tradition and also home to incredible tales of Roman Invaders, Christian churches, the rise of Islam and Crusader attacks. Experiencing this part of the country will quickly give you a deep appreciation for what makes Jordan so unique.

Food and culture are one of the best ways to fully understand a city and its people, and you'll see why today in Amman. While historical sites allow you to hear stories of the past, it's the market stalls with freshly prepared dishes and coffee with a host family that allow you to experience the present. Prepare to be immersed in all the great stories Amman has to tell, both past and present.

From Mount Nebo it is said that Moses set sight for the first time on the promised land, how beautiful it must have been, and it still is. Wander into the Dana Biosphere Reserve, home to human settlement well before the earliest writing. Here set against the expansive semi desert landscape sits the Feynan Ecolodge, devoted to the protection of the country’s finest natural landscapes. Soak in the atmosphere of a forgotten time and spend an evening deep in the heart of the mountains in an idyllic candle-lit lodge.

One of the best gifts of travel is seeing the world from the perspectives of others. Born naturally curious, we search a special connection and an understanding of the larger world, and today you get to pick how you get that connection. Choose between walking with a Bedouin shepherd to immerse yourself in a truly unique way of life or meet with a Bedouin Family to learn more about their culture, with the opportunity to prepare traditional dishes together.

Sprawling over a hundred square miles, the city of Petra is one of the world's most iconic cultural sites-a New Wonder of the World. With only 15% of the site exposed, there are still mysteries and secrets that are destined to remain locked in time. We likely will never witness the site returned to its former glory, when over 20,000 people lived within the city, but that shouldn't stop you from harnessing your inner explorer and following the ancient back trail from Little Petra to Petra, a unique way to enter the site, leaving the crowds behind.

Witness the dawn of a new day in the red rose city as old as time itself. Watch as the sun awakens the enigmatic wonder of Petra in its warm golden light, and feel as if you are the one who discovered this carved city built by the Nabateans more than 2000 years ago. The sands of time are no match for this magnificent structure in the Middle-East. Head further south and continue your discovery of Jordan, entering the sandy valley of Wadi Rum.

Like travel, the power of water knows no bounds, which you will see evidence of even in the middle of a desert. Spend the day hiking through Wadi Himara, where water winds through the narrow canyon and creates verdant green gardens. Follow it up by submerging yourself in the Dead Sea, making you feel weightless in water that feels lighter than air.

Your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time today. You may be leaving Jordan behind, but no matter how many miles you travel home, your newfound connection to this Kingdom and your travel mates will never fade.