Jordan Itinerary 7 Days: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea

Seven days is the sweet spot for a first trip to Jordan. It is long enough to see the country's highlights (the Roman city of Jerash, the rose-red city of Petra, the desert of Wadi Rum, the Red Sea and the Dead Sea) without spending your holiday in the car.

This is the route our team in Amman recommends most often, refined over hundreds of trips. Below you'll find it day by day, with drive times, where to sleep and our local tips.

Day 1: Arrival in Amman

Land at Queen Alia International Airport, 30 minutes south of Amman. We meet you in the arrivals hall and drive you to your hotel. If you arrive early, walk up to the Citadel for sunset views over the city and the Roman Theatre below.

Night: Amman.

Day 2: Jerash, Ajloun and Amman

Drive 50 minutes north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world: Hadrian's Arch, the Oval Plaza, the colonnaded Cardo and two theatres. Continue to Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century Arab fortress with views across the Jordan Valley. Back in Amman, enjoy dinner on Rainbow Street or a taste of local street food downtown.

Drive: about 2.5 hours in total. Night: Amman.

Day 3: Madaba, Mount Nebo and the King's Highway to Petra

Head south to Madaba to see the 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in St George's Church. Next is Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land; on a clear day you can see the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. Continue along the scenic King's Highway, with an optional stop at Kerak or Shobak castle, and arrive in Petra in the late afternoon.

Drive: 4–5 hours with stops. Night: Petra (Wadi Musa).

Day 4: A full day in Petra

Enter at opening time, when the Siq is quiet. Walk through the canyon to the Treasury, then along the Street of Facades to the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street and the Great Temple. If you have the energy, climb the 800 steps to the Monastery, the most rewarding view in Petra. On selected evenings each week, you can add Petra by Night.

Walking: 8–10 km if you include the Monastery. Night: Petra.

Want to know whether one day is enough? Read our guide: Can you see Petra in one day?

Day 5: Little Petra and Wadi Rum

Start with Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), 15 minutes from Wadi Musa and usually very quiet. Then drive 1 hour 45 minutes to Wadi Rum, the red desert of Lawrence of Arabia. In the afternoon, a jeep tour takes you to sand dunes, rock bridges and canyons, ending with the sunset. Dinner is a traditional zarb, cooked under the sand, followed by a Bedouin evening around the fire.

Night: desert camp in Wadi Rum. Choose a tent with a private bathroom if you prefer more comfort.

Day 6: Aqaba and the Red Sea, or the Dead Sea

You have two good options:

• Aqaba (1 hour from Wadi Rum): snorkel or take a glass-bottom boat over the coral reefs of the Red Sea, then relax on the beach. Night in Aqaba, and on Day 7 a 4-hour drive to the Dead Sea.
• Straight to the Dead Sea (4 hours): arrive in the afternoon and float in the salty water at sunset. Night at a Dead Sea resort.

Day 7: The Dead Sea and departure

Float in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, and cover yourself in its famous mud. If time allows, visit the Baptism Site (Bethany Beyond the Jordan), 20 minutes away. The airport is only 45 minutes from the Dead Sea, so this is the perfect last stop.

Drive times on this route

How to adapt this itinerary

• Only 6 days? Skip Aqaba and go from Wadi Rum straight to the Dead Sea. This is our Best of Jordan tour (6 days / 5 nights, from $705 per person).
• The full 7 days with Aqaba: see our Jordan Highlights Plus tour (7 days / 6 nights, from $835 per person).
• More time in Petra? Our Nabatean Wonders Route (8 days / 7 nights, from $930 per person) gives you two full days there.
• Less time? Read how many days you need in Jordan for 3- and 5-day plans.

All our tours are private, with your own car and driver, and can be adapted to your dates, pace and hotel category.

Our tips for a 7-day trip

• Visa: with our packages, the Jordan tourist visa is free for eligible travellers staying more than two nights.
• Best seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Winter is fine too, but nights in Wadi Rum are cold.
• Pack: good walking shoes for Petra, a warm layer for the desert at night, and shoes you can wear in the water at the Dead Sea.
• Dress code: Jordan is relaxed, but covering shoulders and knees is respectful in towns and religious sites.
• Guides: a licensed local guide in Petra and Jerash makes a big difference. We can add one for any day.

Frequently asked questions

Is 7 days enough for Jordan?

Yes. Seven days is enough to see Amman, Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea at a comfortable pace, and even add Aqaba.

Should I do the itinerary in reverse?

If you fly into Aqaba, yes: start in Wadi Rum and finish in Amman. If you fly into Amman, ending at the Dead Sea is ideal because it is close to the airport.

Do I need a car to follow this itinerary?

Public transport between the sites is limited. Most travellers choose a private car with driver, which is included in all our tours.

Where should I sleep in Wadi Rum?

In a desert camp. Options range from simple Bedouin tents to tents with private bathrooms and "bubble" domes with views of the stars.

Can I add Israel or Egypt to this itinerary?

Yes. Many travellers combine Jordan with Jerusalem or Egypt. Ask us and we'll suggest the best border crossing for your route.

Prices are per person for 2 travellers in 3-star hotels. 4- and 5-star options available on request.