Our Experience in Jordan | A Road Trip Of A Lifetime

Our road trip to Jordan was a unique experience that will last forever! 

If you’re planning a road trip to Jordan, prepare yourself, as such a fantastic adventure awaits you! From extraordinary nights in the desert to floating in the Dead Sea. Jordan has everything to make your stay incredible.

This was our first time visiting a country in the Middle East, and we can assure you Jordan was the ideal country to start with. On our arrival at the airport, we knew we would love it! All passenger assistants and even random people welcomed us with the famous ‘Welcome to Jordan’ with the biggest smile.

In today’s blog, you’ll find useful tips to help you plan your best road trip to Jordan. 

The Incredible City of Amman 

Amman, the capital city of Jordan, has to be your first or last stop on your itinerary. 

We suggest staying for at least two days as there are many attractions you must see. In Amman, we were hosted by Sabri, a very kind local who took us around the city and made us feel at home at his place. 

Amman is a diverse city from the rest of the country. It gives you a vision of the country’s history. We loved walking inside the chaotic markets and observing the architecture and were delighted when tasting the mouth-watering food, especially the Mansaf!

Something impossible to miss in Amman is the Citadel. It’s one of the top attractions in the city. The Citadel is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places, with the Temple of Hercules being the most notable structure. There are a lot of information boards in Arabic and English, so it’s not necessary to hire a guide, but if you prefer, at the entrance, you can hire a guide to take you around.

One can see the King Abdullah Mosque from the Citadel, easily recognised by its blue dome. Unlike many other mosques in Jordan, even non-Muslims can enter the mosque. It can hold more than 7000 worshippers at a time.

Exploring Jerash 

Jerash is another city one must visit, known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman territory of Gerasa just beyond the modern city, including the Temple of Artemis. This city is one of the top attractions in Jordan.

Mount Nebo 

Mount Nebo is impressive and worth visiting during a road trip to Jordan. It’s significant because of its role in the Old Testament in the Bible, where they say Moses lived out his final days and saw the Promised Land. Although this has not been proven, some say Moses’ body is buried there.

When you reach the top of the hill, you’ll find a viewing platform to see a panoramic view over some parts of the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, and even Jerusalem.

Driving Along Kings Highway  

What a drive!!

When we planned our road trip to Jordan, Kings Highway was on our list. It has been on our bucket list for a long time!  

Kings Highway is the most scenic road you can take, one of two routes that run through the middle of Jordan. 

TIP: On Google Maps, you’ll find the route on Highway 35, which is 384km long. 

This spectacular route took us around six hours, but it was all worth it! Driving King’s Highway is seamless. Be prepared to make frequent stops along the way. It’s impossible not to want to stop and admire your surroundings!

We stopped several times to see the amazing views during our drive, which was one of our favourites!

Wadi Musa – The Magical Petra 

Wadi Musa is the closest town in Jordan nearest to the archaeological site of Petra. You’ll be amazed by its landscape and the red-sand desert, famous for its astonishing sunsets.

Petra 

Petra was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. It’s also called the Red Rose City because of the stone’s colour—Petra, as early as 400 B.C., was the Nabataean empire’s capital as early as 400 B.C. Today, it is the most-visited attraction in Jordan.

Most people visit Petra for one day; however, we suggest you stay for two or three days. Getting up early, around 5 a.m., is the best way to beat the crowds and the heat when visiting Petra.

It’s a large site where there’s a lot to see. Prepare yourself with lots of water (we took our water bladders) and good trekking shoes. There are a lot of beautiful sites in Petra that you need to focus more on. The walk up to the Monastery takes you around 45 minutes each way. 

Petra is one of the most beautiful archaeological places in the world. We suggest taking advantage of the opportunity to visit Little Petra and Petra by Night!

Little Petra 

Little Petra is much smaller than Petra, and you won’t find many attractions on site. However, we suggest you shouldn’t skip it. The entrance is free, which is an alternative entrance to Petra. It has so many impressive structures carved into the rock face; the views are amazing. Little Petra is open every day from 6 AM.

Petra By Night 

To complete your Petra experience, you must visit Petra by Night. You start by walking the entire Siq to the Treasury, where there will be over 1,500 lit candles everywhere. The show of this event is the best way to explore the city magically.

Petra by Night runs every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week. It starts at 20:30 from the Petra Visitor Centre and takes you back by a licensed guide to the Visitor Centre around 22:30. The entrance fee for Petra by Night is 17 J.D. Children under ten can enter for free.

If you’re still wondering if Petra is worth visiting, our answer is YES; it’s worth it!!

The Adventures of Wadi Rum 

Wadi Rum is paradise to all adventurers! All desert adventures are in this incredible place. You can go on a camel safari and see the sunrise, take a 4×4 jeep tour into the vast desert, sandboarding, rock climbing on the sandstone mountains, or go hiking and experience all that Wadi Rum offers.

We woke up at 4:30 a.m. and went on the camel tour for sunrise, and it was an incredible experience. Watching the sunrise from Wadi Rum isn’t like the ‘usual’ sunrises. It’s something much more special.

We chose The Jeep Tour for 4hrs, which amazed us with the limitless desert. The guides stopped us several times to wander around. We climbed the Burdah Rock Bridge and stopped taking photos of the Mushroom Rock. From the pictures, you can understand how it got its name. This Mushroom Rock stands out against the flat sandy valley surrounding it.

Desert Camping in Wadi Rum

We loved exploring the Wadi Rum desert, especially camping overnight. It was magical. At night, this place is like a fairy tale.

Even though you’re on a road trip to Jordan, we know you want to see most of the country, but stop for a little and go camping in the Wadi Rum desert.

All camps provide traditional food cooked underground, called a zarb. You’ll enjoy your evening with some Bedouin songs. Visiting Jordan without spending a night under the stars at Wadi Rum is impossible!

The Weather In Wadi Rum 

Expect a hot and dry atmosphere for most of the year since it’s a desert. However, in Winter, it can be freezing. We visited at the end of September, and the temperature was high but comfortable.  

Wadi Rum is one of our favourite places in Jordan. We got that authentic feel of the desert and the Bedouins.

Aqaba 

Aqaba is a Jordanian port city, inhabited since 4000 B.C., and it’s home to the Islamic-era Aqaba Fort. It’s an excellent beach destination and has something for everyone. We headed to Berenice Beach Club, where we spent a day relaxing and enjoying the views of the Red Sea and parts of Egypt.

Shobak Castle 

The Shobak Castle is in Shoubak, along the famous Kings Highway. It’s only 30km from Petra and about 150km from Wadi Rum. This ancient fortress is located on top of a hill, dominating the surrounding valleys from around 1000 meters altitude.

Exploring Shobak Castle makes you feel a world away from home.

You’ll immediately see men dressed in Ayoubi costumes, rock walls and several pavements through the entrance. Its remote, striking location in the desert gives you time to breathe and explore the historic ruins. You can also find a secret passageway leading you to a beautiful spring.

Along our walk in the Shobak Castle, while exploring every corner, we could notice the tranquillity of this place and its magnificent views. It’s a fascinating ruin leading you to the top of the castle with unbelievable views of the valleys all around.

If you wish to spend some nights in the Shobak Castle area, there are some excellent choices nearby – You can find them here.

Floating in the Dead Sea 

The Dead Sea welcomes you to the Lake you can’t drown in.

Floating on the Dead Sea is a surreal experience. Did you know that the Dead Sea isn’t a sea at all? It’s a lake made up of about 30% salt. This high salinity of the water makes it almost impossible to sink.

Jordan’s Dead Sea is one of the country’s top tourist attractions. So whether you’re planning to spend one week or two in Jordan, visiting the Dead Sea is an absolute must. 

When you enter the water, you feel like floating in a pool. The Dead Sea doesn’t have traditional beaches. It’s mostly mud and built-up salt as you walk in, so it’s not comfortable walking barefoot. 

Tips for Visiting the Dead Sea 

1. Go to a designated swim spot 

Don’t repeat our mistake! Go to a designated swim zone and pay the fee. Like that, you can access fresh water showers, Dead Sea mud, etc. If you go off the beaten path as we did, buy water from before so you can rinse off as soon as you get out. The salt is so thick that it feels uncomfortable sitting on your skin.

2. Bring Water Shoes 

Be sure to bring flip-flops or water shoes to walk and get in the water without hurting your feet.

3. Don’t splash the water 

Avoid getting water in your eyes or nose at all costs. Just float and enjoy the experience. If it gets in your eyes, wash them with fresh water immediately. 

4. Don’t stay too long in the water

Don’t exceed 15 to 20 minutes of swimming in the Dead Sea, as it can lead to dehydration. (Drink lots of water after)

5. Applying Dead Sea Mud 

If you apply Dead Sea mud directly on your body, let it sit for 15 minutes until it dries, and rinse it off with water. If you’re in public areas, you can get Dead Sea mud from the bottom of the water, while in private resorts, you’ll find buckets of mud in sheltered areas.

6. Visit around sunset 

The sun and the water are extremely hot at the Dead Sea, so the ideal time to go is around sunset. It’s also the perfect time of the day to take amazing photos.  

Interesting Fact about swimming/floating in the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is well-known for its healing powers! Its rich waters contain sodium, magnesium and bromide, which can soothe your skin, while the black mud is therapeutic as it includes more than 25 minerals.

It gives relief to people who suffer from chronic skin conditions. Floating in the Dead Sea helps anyone who suffers from cystic fibrosis, eczema, asthma and other conditions like heart disease.

Renting a Car in Jordan 

If you’re considering driving in Jordan, we suggest renting a car through Discover Cars. You can choose a car from over 36,000 different locations by searching through 100s of sites at once.

Where to stay in Jordan 

Jordan has been one of the most chosen destinations for travellers in the last few years. Whether you choose a luxury hotel or a tent in a Bedouin camp, you can find several accommodations in this amicable country. Benefit from great deals by booking through the search box below.

For all of you planning a road trip to Jordan, for more tips, including the advantages of the Jordan Pass, check out our other blog when visiting Jordan to find out what you need to know beforehand.

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