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Middle EastHistoryDesertAdventure

Petra & Wadi Rum
Jordan

The rose-red city at dawn. Wadi Rum at night. Jordan earns every superlative.

Middle East · Jordan

Why visit Jordan?

Walking through the Siq at dawn — the 1.2km sandstone canyon narrowing until the Treasury appears in the first morning light — is one of those travel moments that stays for life. Petra is genuinely one of the greatest archaeological sites on earth and the only criticism anyone can make is that one day is not enough.

Wadi Rum adds the second dimension: the red desert valley looks like Mars and offers the best stargazing accessible without specialist equipment. Jordan itself is one of the most welcoming countries in the Middle East.

Key Info
Jordanian Dinar (JOD)Arabic, English in tourist areasType B/D/F/G/JDrive Right
10% at restaurants — small JOD notes for guides and helpers
Weather
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Spring (Mar–May) — wildflowers in Wadi Rum, comfortable temperatures
June–August is very hot. December–February is cold at altitude in Petra.
Health
⚠️Stick to bottled water — tap water not recommended for visitors
No vaccines required
Transport
Shared taxiTour bus4WD tour
✈️ AMM Queen Alia Airport, 3 hours north of Petra by bus or shared taxi
Shared taxis (service taxis) between cities. JETT bus for Petra.
Emergency
👮 Police911
🚑 Ambulance911
🔥 Fire911
Who It's Perfect For
🏛️

History Lovers

Petra is one of the greatest archaeological sites on earth. Jerash is the best-preserved Roman city outside Italy. The Dead Sea is the world's lowest point.

🏜️

Adventure Travellers

Wadi Rum desert jeep tours, overnight Bedouin camps, the Wadi Mujib canyon wade and the Al Anbat rock climbing are extraordinary.

🌟

Stargazers

Wadi Rum has some of the least light-polluted skies in the Middle East — the Bedouin camps have no electricity and the Milky Way is visible every clear night.

The Highlights

Things to Do & See

01
Walk the Siq at 6am opening — reach the Treasury in early light before any tour groups
02
Spend 2+ days at Petra — the Monastery alone takes 2 hours from the main site
03
Petra by Night (Mon/Wed/Thu) — 1,500 candles illuminate the Siq and Treasury
04
Wadi Rum overnight Bedouin camp — jeep tour at sunset, stars at night, sunrise from the dunes
05
Dead Sea float — the lowest point on earth, completely effortless floating in the saltiest water
06
Jerash Roman ruins — one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy, 45 minutes from Amman
07
Wadi Mujib canyon wading trail — wade through a river between 300m walls to a waterfall
08
Try mansaf (lamb in yoghurt sauce) — Jordan's national dish at any local restaurant
Where to Stay

Base Yourself in Petra & Wadi Rum

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Wadi Musa (Petra Town)

Petra access, local restaurants

The town adjacent to Petra — stay here for 2+ days. Several excellent guesthouses.

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Wadi Rum

Desert camping, stargazing

The desert valley — stay in a Bedouin camp for the full experience.

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Aqaba & Dead Sea

Red Sea diving, Dead Sea float

Jordan's Red Sea town and the Dead Sea as a day trip from Amman or en route.

Insider Knowledge

What Most Guides Don't Tell You About Petra & Wadi Rum

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Things to book ahead

Curated activities worth booking in advance — via GetYourGuide.

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Travelling on a Budget?

Jordan Backpacker Guide — £30–£55/day

Daily budgets, hostel picks, transport tips and no-fluff advice.

Read the Guide →