Jordan 5-Day Itinerary: Travel Guide Including Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea & Jerash

Jordan 5-Day Itinerary: Travel Guide Including Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea & Jerash

We spent 5 days in Jordan and we 
managed to see everything we wanted, from world wonders to desert landscapes 
to roman ruins, and everything in between. So in this video, we’ll show you 
a suggested Jordan itinerary and the best way to see Petra, Wadi 
Rum, the Dead Sea, and Jerash. Our five-day journey kicked off in Amman, 
Jordan’s dusty but exciting capital. Our hotel was right across the 
street from the Roman Theatre, one of the city’s top landmarks, 
visible from our room balcony. So just minutes later, we were 
standing inside the 6,000 seat, 2nd-century amphitheater, constructed when 
Amman was a booming empire named Philadelphia. Unlike many other Roman theatres, this 
one is built in the heart of the city, surrounded by city life. It’s 
also carved into a steep hillside, offering a dramatic view of 
the stage and the city beyond… The city has lots of things to see, 
but because we arrived late afternoon, we only had time for one attraction today. For the rest of our Amman sightseeing, 
we’d be doing on day 4 and 5. By the way, we have a more detailed Amman travel 
guide video, do check it out on our channel. So for what’s left of our day, we 
decided to head to Amman’s Old Downtown, and try Jordan’s national dish, Mansaf, 
before calling it an early night. Because tomorrow, we would be up at the crack 
of dawn for the next leg of our adventure… To get around Jordan, we decided to 
hire a driver for the next few days. It was the only way to fit 
everything into our schedule, and although it’s pricey, it 
ended up being a good decision. Our driver Mohammed was very professional and even 
showed us a few hidden gems we didn’t know about. So our first stop was Mount Nebo, 
only an hour away from Amman. At first glance, it’s a simple hill, but it 
actually holds deep biblical significance. According to the Bible, this is where Moses 
stood to see the Promised Land before he died. To see the same view, find this platform 
with the serpent sculpture, and from here, you can look out to the Jordan Valley, the 
Dead Sea, and on clear days, even Jerusalem. I’m not religious by any stretch, but 
it was still a surreal experience. On top of Mount Nebo, there’s 
also the Moses Memorial Church, built over a 4th century 
monastery dedicated to Moses. Inside, you’ll find some amazing Byzantine 
mosaics, which date back to 530 CE. Next, Mohammed asked if we wanted to 
check out a mosaic workshop and we agreed. He brought us to a store where 
you can see craftsmen creating mosaics entirely by hand, piece by piece. Since they are handmade, the mosaics aren’t cheap. The smallest one we saw was 70 JOD, which 
is nearly $100 and totally above our budget. We didn’t end up buying anything, 
but the artwork was very beautiful. Just 15 minutes from Mount Nebo is Madaba, home to the Church of Saint George and 
its most famous treasure, the Madaba Map. This 6th-century mosaic shows a detailed layout of the Holy Land and is considered the 
oldest surviving map of the region. When we visited, the church 
was still under construction, which took away some of the mystique. That said, the mosaic itself was 
impressive and worth seeing up close! Next was a 2 hour drive through small towns, open desert, and endless blue skies 
to reach Petra, yes, that Petra. This is an entire ancient city carved into 
stone by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago, and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. To say we were really excited to finally 
see it would be an understatement. So after checking into our hotel, which was 
only a 2-minute walk from Petra’s entrance, and grabbing a quick lunch, we finally 
walked to the “Lost City of Stone”… Once at the ticket office, we 
found that we didn’t need a guide. There’re pamphlets with trail maps and 
explanations in multiple languages, which was really helpful. Now, getting to the heart of Petra is 
a masterclass in building anticipation. You enter through the Siq, a narrow 
gorge where cliffs soar up to 80 m (260 feet) and every twist and turn 
heightens your sense of excitement. Then comes the reveal: the Treasury, 
perfectly framed by the canyon walls, like a breathtaking, cinematic climax. This is the iconic view you’ll see 
in almost every photo of Petra. Legend says an Egyptian pharaoh hid 
treasure in an urn on top of the entrance. But in reality, evidence suggests the 
Treasury was more likely a mausoleum. It’s amazing how much of the 
intricate details are still intact, despite being more than 2,000 years old. But what makes Petra so mind-blowing is 
how it’s located in a desert canyon with no natural water sources or greenery for miles. Yet, the Nabataeans turned this harsh landscape 
into a thriving trade hub for over five centuries. By the way, we were repeatedly offered 
horse rides during our time in Petra. However, some locals had warned us about taking 
on “free” rides or offers of welcome tea, so we stayed cautious and politely declined. These rides can be helpful if you’re 
tired or have mobility issues, but just know there’s usually an extra 
hidden cost in the form of expected tips. Now, earlier in the day we had also bought 
tickets to Petra by Night, their evening show. So instead of exiting Petra and returning later, we stayed inside past closing 
time inside a cosy teahouse. They had instant noodles and hot tea, 
and allowed us to hang out for a while. Then, around 7.30pm, we walked, in 
the dark, back towards the Treasury. After the staff checked that we had tickets, we watched them line candles all over the 
ground and set up chairs for the show. Soon, the Treasury was bathed in a warm, 
orange glow from hundreds of candles. It was gorgeous. We were able to take our share of 
photos and videos before the crowd started strolling in from the visitor centre. But here’s where things started 
to go downhill, at least for me. First, the show started late, 
and lasted only 20 minutes, when the whole experience 
was supposed to be 2 hours. And it only consisted of people taking turns to 
sing and play the flute… for just 20 minutes! For the price, I felt like it was a rip off, although my wife said parts 
of it felt quite magical. So, if you’re into moody candlelight and don’t 
mind a short performance, you might like it. If not, I’ll skip it. The next day, we were ready to 
leave the town of Wadi Musa. There’s not much else to do here, aside from restaurants and some souvenir 
shops, so Petra is the main attraction. So after lunch, we made our way toward 
the wild, open desert of Wadi Rum… Nicknamed ‘Valley of the Moon’, Wadi Rum 
is famous for looking out of this world, so much so that films like Dune 
and The Martian were shot here. With towering cliffs, endless sand, and 
star-filled skies, it feels made for Instagram. But what we were most excited 
about was where we stayed. In the middle of the desert, these 
Martian-like tents are sight to behold. Inside, there’s a bathroom, 
Wi-Fi, hot water, as well as AC. The camp also has an on-site restaurant, 
which provides delicious Jordanian food. While choosing where to stay in Wadi Rum, 
we noticed some ultra-cheap camps online, but they only had a handful of reviews 
and didn’t even show up on Google Maps. So I think it’s worth paying a bit more for a 
reputable camp, so you know what you’ll get. For the afternoon, we booked a 
2-hour Jeep tour with the camp, which cost around 25 JOD per 
person, including dinner. Travelling in the jeep was, in a word, epic, amplified by the vast red sand and 
towering cliffs unfolding before us. We visited some scenic points nearby, such 
as the Alameleh Inscriptions – ancient rock carvings made over two millennia ago – as well 
as a giant rock that looks like a woman’s face. We also stopped at the filming location 
of the ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ movie. Today, it’s a rest stop serving 
hot tea and selling souvenirs. Finally, the tour ended at a 
viewpoint where we watched the sunset. As the sky changed colour, I couldn’t 
help but think of the ancient nomads who crossed this land long before us, 
watching the sun set just as we were… Early the next day, we were back on the 
road, this time to the lowest point on earth. The Dead Sea is about a 4 
hour drive from Wadi Rum, and our driver Mohammed initially 
suggested taking us to a Dead Sea resort. But since we only wanted a quick dip, we didn’t 
want to pay for a room or an overpriced day pass. So he recommended taking us to a public beach. Before that, he made a quick detour to show us a stone formation said to 
be the wife of Prophet Lot. Locals believe it’s a powerful place to 
make a wish, and according to Mohammed, many of his past clients had theirs come true. Other people seemed to be 
here for the same reason. So with nothing to lose, we too made our own 
wishes while walking across the parking lot… Eventually, our car arrived at a 
free beach just south of Wadi Mujib. It had a simple changing area, an open-air 
shower, and a bucket of Dead Sea mud. Entry to the beach is free, but the use of the 
mud and shower cost 10 JOD (~USD $14) per person. So while our driver waited, a friendly 
dog followed us down to the beach. The area was definitely quite 
messy, with litter scattered around. Something you won’t see at a fancy resort. Once at the bottom, we were met with 
sparkling salt crystals instead of sand, and it just looked so cool. We only had to walk into knee-deep water before we 
could float, and the buoyancy felt almost unreal. In my head, I kept thinking, wow, 
I’m floating in the Dead Sea! We also got a cup of Dead Sea mud from 
the vendor, and the thing to do is to slather it all over your body and let it 
sit for about 5 minutes before washing off. Rich in minerals, the mud is said to soothe 
skin conditions and relieve muscle aches. I’ll be honest, it didn’t seem to do 
anything for me. But I’m a healthy boy. Just a fair warning though, to get into the water, we had to wear socks because the salt 
crystals were too sharp on bare skin. Even then, we got a few small cuts on our 
hands just from touching the bottom of the sea. Another thing to take note is your skin may sting 
when exposed to the sun after leaving the water. But overall, for a free beach, 
the view of the Dead Sea and surrounding landscape was just amazing and 
totally worth the bucket list experience! Along the road by the Dead Sea, there are 
stores where you can buy Dead Sea products. Maybe the quality is better, but we 
did find some cheaper options in Amman, so that’s something to keep in mind. Anyway, we finally made the 
2-hour drive back to Amman, and after saying goodbye to 
Mohammed, we went to the Citadel. Set on a small hill, this ancient 
city gives you a panoramic view of Amman and is home to Roman ruins 
that date back thousands of years. Highlights include the massive Temple of Hercules, a 5th-century Byzantine church, 
and the beautiful Umayyad Palace. Honestly? The Citadel was pretty cool and as 
Amman’s most popular attraction, it’s a must see. But tomorrow, we’ll be visiting one of the 
best-preserved Roman cities in the world, and trust me, it’s on a whole different scale… The next day we found ourselves 
at the Amman North Bus Terminal, boarding a bus that’ll take us to Jerash. At only 1 JOD per person, these buses only set off when there are 
enough passengers, so be ready to wait. We found ourselves walking through 
entire streets lined with columns, temples, and a massive oval plaza that’s 
hard to capture even with a wide-angle lens. Built more than 2,000 years ago, Jerash was once part of the Decapolis, 
a group of ten important Roman cities. And it’s not just a few ruins here 
and there. This place is huge. Among the highlights is Hadrian’s Arch, a massive gateway built in 129 AD 
to mark Emperor Hadrian’s visit. Then there’s the Hippodrome, which once held 
up to 15,000 spectators for chariot races. And not to be missed is the Temple of Artemis. Its columns alone are 13m tall, and even now they 
tower over the ruins like they’ve barely aged… Everywhere we looked, it really felt like 
we’d stepped into a living Roman city… Now, we visited during the off-season, 
so there was barely a crowd. One thing to note though is at the South Theater, 
a man kept insisting to take photos for us. We declined many times but 
he kept saying it was free. So, we posed for a few photos, and at 
the end, he asked for a tip afterward. Was it annoying? Yes. But at least we have 
some quirky photos to remember the incident by. Back in Amman, we had some time before dinner, 
so we decided to check out Rainbow Street, an artsy neighborhood full of cafés, 
international restaurants, and street art. For dinner, we made our way to Hashem, one of 
Amman’s most famous street food restaurants. Cheap, fuss-free and delicious, it was a great 
way to end our whirlwind Jordan adventure. If you’re planning to follow 
our 5-day Jordan itinerary, getting the Jordan Pass is one of 
the easiest ways to save money. It covers over 40 attractions, including 
many of the places we visited in this video. We got the basic Jordan Pass for 70 JOD, and right 
away it waives Jordan’s 40 JOD entry visa fee. Then, Petra alone costs 50 
JOD, and with Jerash, Wadi Rum, and other attractions, the savings really add up. By the way, we actually did much more in Amman. If you want to watch our detailed “Things To 
Do in Amman” video, including must-try foods, how to get around and everything we wished we knew 
before going – click the thumbnail on the screen. Thanks for watching, and see you in the next one!

This Jordan travel guide shares our experience in Jordan, visiting the highlights such as Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea and Jerash. It includes things to do, where to eat and where we stayed in Jordan.

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How I afford to travel on a budget: https://travelforalmostfree.com/ref=tripswithowen

Layaali Amman Hotel: https://booking.tpo.lv/qOjQpYLg
Petra Agora Hotel: https://booking.tpo.lv/5tCi6Uwm
Hasan Zawaideh Camp: https://booking.tpo.lv/yEx7RhLV

Top-Rated Tours in Jordan:

3-Day Private Tour from Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, Dana, Aqaba, and Dead Sea: https://viator.tpo.lv/TUZHwt0K

From Amman: Private Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and Umm Qais Tour: https://www.getyourguide.com/amman-l1035/from-amman-private-jerash-ajloun-castle-and-umm-qais-tour-t510341/?partner_id=QE3VGN2&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=ytowen-Jordan

Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour: https://www.getyourguide.com/amman-l1035/petra-rum-dana-mujib-and-dead-sea-in-two-days-t56608/?partner_id=QE3VGN2&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=ytowen-Jordan
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We spent 5 days traveling through Jordan, visiting some of the country’s most famous landmarks, ancient cities, and natural wonders. In this video, we share our full Jordan itinerary, covering Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Jerash, Amman, Mount Nebo, Madaba, and more — along with practical tips, transport options, ticket prices, and advice for first-time visitors.

Our trip began in Amman, Jordan’s capital, where we stayed near the Roman Theatre, a 2nd-century amphitheater carved into a hillside. We also explored Old Downtown Amman and tried mansaf, Jordan’s national dish.

From Amman, we hired a driver to Mount Nebo, the biblical site where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land. We visited the Moses Memorial Church, with its well-preserved Byzantine mosaics. Next was Madaba and the Church of Saint George, home to the 6th-century Madaba Map.

We then made our way to Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Highlights included walking through the Siq, seeing the Treasury, and exploring the ancient Nabataean city carved into stone. We also experienced Petra by Night, a candle-lit event at the Treasury.

After Petra, we traveled to Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. We stayed at a desert camp with Martian-style tents and took a Jeep tour to sites like the Alameleh Inscriptions and the filming location of Lawrence of Arabia.

Next, we headed to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, where we floated in the salty water, applied Dead Sea mud, and took in views of the surrounding desert landscape.

Back in Amman, we explored the Amman Citadel, with landmarks like the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace.

On our final day, we visited Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. We walked through the Oval Plaza, Hadrian’s Arch, the Hippodrome, and the Temple of Artemis, with its towering columns.

We wrapped up our trip on Rainbow Street and had dinner at Hashem, a famous local restaurant. We also share details about the Jordan Pass, which can save money on visa fees and attraction tickets, including Petra, Jerash, and Wadi Rum.

Whether you’re planning a short Jordan itinerary or a longer trip, this video shows how to make the most of your time in this incredible country.

Keep watching to see the top things to do in Jordan, top attractions in Jordan, places to visit in Jordan and Jordan travel guides.

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00:00 – Jordan Itinerary
00:25 – Amman
00:40 – Roman Theatre
01:23 – Faisal Cafe – Restaurant
02:00 – Mount Nebo
03:13 – St. George’s Church, Madaba
03:47 – Petra
06:32 – Petra by Night
07:47 – Wadi Rum
08:14 – Hasan Zawaideh Camp
09:09 – Wadi Rum Jeep Tour
10:11 – Dead Sea
12:54 – Amman Citadel
13:42 – Jerash
15:31 – Rainbow Street
15:48 – Hashem Restaurant
16:01 – Jordan Pass