Day 1 Amman, Jordan ⭐Meeting day (free at leisure all day)
All day
The ancient Jordan National Trail, like a ribbon of history, leads explorers deep into the abyss of history and allows them to appreciate the wonders of nature. China-TravelNote has teamed up with the Jordan Tourism Board to create a complete new route. Let us unveil the mystery of Jordan and experience the unique charm of this land on this ancient trail.
Today is a gathering day for activities. Tourists from around the world, drawn by the call of the Indian Ocean, have gathered in Amman, Jordan's largest city and the "City of Seven Hills."
Amman (Arabic: عمان), the capital of the Western Asian nation of Jordan, is located in the north of the country. It is the largest city in Jordan and the capital of the Amman Governorate. Nestled in the foothills east of the Ajloun Mountains, it borders the Amman River and its tributaries. Because it sits atop seven hills, it is known as the "City of Seven Hills."
Note: For tourists gathering in Amman, this day is the gathering day. They will be free all day without any itinerary or tour guide service. The check-in time for the hotel is after 3:00 PM. Those who arrive early can store their luggage and then move freely.
Upon arrival, you will check in at the designated hotel at your own expense, check in, and rest.
How to get to Amman, Jordan (Amman International Airport, airport code AMM)
There are many flights to the meeting point Amman. There are connecting flights in Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou/Hangzhou/Chengdu, etc.
Flight options: Emirates Airlines, Turkish Airlines. You can also choose Ethiopian Airlines (more cost-effective)
Booking in advance will get you discounted fares. If you buy connecting flights, make sure there is a certain amount of time between them: usually more than 3 hours, to avoid missing your flight due to delays.
Materials required for a personal visa on arrival:
1. Passport valid for at least 6 months
2. Visa on arrival application form (obtained and completed upon arrival)
3. Departure air ticket (optional for travel from a third country)
4. 40 Jordanian dinars (China-TravelNote offers a complimentary visa on arrival for groups; please contact us in advance to inform us of your flight details)
If there are any changes in visa on arrival information, please refer to the official Jordanian website for details: http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcg/ljmdd/yz_645708/yd_648438/
How to get to the hotel
Our hotel is located in downtown Amman, about 40 kilometers from Queen Elizabeth International Airport. Please inform us in advance if you need to arrange airport transfer.
Fees: USD 50 per vehicle (2 people per car) per trip (four-seater car); USD 70 per vehicle (3-6 people per car) per trip (minibus or SUV)
Alternatively, you can choose to take an Uber (you need to download the APP in advance), but the amount is subject to actual payment, and you must pay attention to the safety of your property and personal safety.
丨About Amman itinerary recommendations
Please note that check-in is not until 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting. If you arrive early, you can store your luggage at the hotel. Here are some places you can visit on your own:
The Royal Automobile Museum
Abu Dervish Mosque, a quiet and elegant building, is only visible from the outside.
Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
Boulevard: A modern pedestrian street in the new city of Amman
Day 2 Amman → Jerash → Amman
All day
After breakfast, we'll drive to Jerash, north of Amman. This is Jordan's best-preserved Roman city and one of the best-preserved in the world. Known as "Rome Beyond Rome," its architectural style blends Greco-Roman influences with local Arab influences.
Afterwards, we'll return to Amman, where we'll first visit the King Abdullah Mosque, Amman's largest mosque. It's the largest I've ever seen, and it's the only mosque in Jordan open to non-Muslims. We'll then visit the National Museum of Jordan, where three exhibition halls showcase over 1.5 million years of regional history and archaeological discoveries, dating back to the Stone Age. The museum chronicles "The Story of Jordan" and explores nine key themes. Finally, we'll embark on a light outdoor urban hike through the Old City, ascending one of Amman's many hills: Citadel Hill, which shaped the city of Amman. 3,300 years ago, the Amunites, worshipping the sun god, established the Abbasid-Amun Kingdom here, establishing their capital on Citadel Hill and calling it "Amun," the forerunner of Amman. Citadel Hill boasts numerous historical sites, including the Jordan Archaeological Museum, which showcases a variety of precious artifacts. The summit also offers a viewpoint overlooking the sprawling Old City of Amman. Finally, in the evening, we went to Rainbow Street, a favorite among young people in Amman. There are many quality shops, bars, and restaurants here, which is a good place to start the nightlife.
Day 3 Amman → Madaba → Wadi Mujib Canyon → Dead Sea
All day
Hiking distance: 4km (approximately 2km one way)
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Depart for Madaba, the city of mosaics. As Jordan's oldest city, it was ruled by the Roman, Byzantine, and Arab empires, witnessing the rise and fall of several dynasties. We will visit St. George's Church, where we can see the world-famous Madaba Mosaic Map, a mosaic of over two million colorful stones.
Afterwards, we headed to the top destination of this trip, the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, to participate in the famous Canyon Trekking (estimated to take 2-3 hours). Unlike traditional trekking, this stream runs through the entire canyon and ends at a waterfall. Before reaching the waterfall, you will pass several high platforms, where you need to use your hands and feet, which is very exciting. After the end, you can lie in the stream and drift out.
Note: Due to the difficulty of tracing the Mujib Gorge, it requires high physical fitness. There is an age limit of 18 years old and no heart or blood pressure diseases. The opening time is affected by seasonal water flow. The opening time is roughly from April 1st to October 31st in the summer. The specific time is subject to site. If the water level is temporarily high, it will be cancelled.
Finally, we checked into a luxury resort hotel by the Dead Sea and went to float in the Dead Sea together to truly experience the joy of not being able to sink, and even being able to sit on the water, and even two people stacked on top of each other and still not sink, and then enjoy the magnificent Dead Sea sunset.
Day 4 Dead Sea → Dana Sanctuary → Little Petra
All day
Hiking distance: about 6km (for reference only, there are many ways to hike Dana, the actual route may vary greatly depending on the guide's arrangement on the day)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Wake up early and embark on the first hike of your adventure. Head to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan's largest nature reserve. Spanning 320 square kilometers, the reserve comprises mountains, valleys, and sand dunes, and boasts an exceptionally diverse flora and fauna. The reserve was established to protect the natural environment while creating jobs for the local community. Today's hike takes you into the reserve and its surroundings, guided by a professional local guide (estimated to be two hours). Keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife, including falcons, chameleons, foxes, porcupines, and over 700 plant species.
Kindly note: It is impossible to track the whereabouts of wild animals. Please understand that it is impossible to confirm what animals you can see.
After the hike, we'll depart for Little Petra. Archaeologists believe Little Petra served as a residence for visiting merchants along the Silk Road, and it's just as charming as Greater Petra (just much quieter!). Today, we'll explore the site with a local guide (estimated 1 hour), then settle into your camp for dinner and some stargazing.
Day 5 Little Petra → Petra
All day
Hiking route: Little Petra - Dales Monastery
Hiking distance: about 12 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
After breakfast this morning, we'll return to Petra. A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this enigmatic ancient city fascinates the world. Carved almost entirely out of rock, it's renowned for its vibrant colors. The landscape today is ever-changing, featuring sandy plateaus, Bedouin campsites, goat herds, and stone stairways. Your guided tour culminates at the Monastery, an impressive seven-story structure with an eight-meter-high doorway. While not as ornate as the Treasury, the sheer size of this building is awe-inspiring. It was reportedly used as a temple by Christians during the Byzantine period.
Return to your hotel in Petra town in the early afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day as you wish.
Day 6 Petra (Full Day)
All day
Highlights: Khazneh Temple + Deir Monastery Line
After breakfast, we will start our full-day tour of the ancient city of Petra. We will enter Petra for the second time.
Hiking route: Ad-Deir (the monastery) Dell Monastery line + main line
Hiking distance: 3 km + 6 km = 9 km
Hiking time: 5-8 hours
As we listen to historical stories and moving legends, we'll journey back into the city along the narrow, serpentine gorge. Whether it's the reappearance of the Al Khazneh Temple, the magnificent royal tombs, the 3,000-seat Grand Theater, or the once bustling markets, palaces, and temples, you'll feel a sense of being transported back to another world. Leaving the bustling tourist area behind, we'll climb 800 steps to the stunning, hidden Monastery of Deir. Just sitting there, overlooking the ancient city, will instantly calm your restless heart.
Note: There are many hiking trails in Petra. We recommend the Monastery of Dalesi.
Day 7 Petra → Wadi Rum
All day
Highlights: Wadi Rum starry sky + Bedouin dinner
Hiking route: Wadi Rum (walking on the surface of the moon)
Hiking time: 2 hours
After breakfast, we'll drive to Wadi Rum, a renowned extraterrestrial landscape. As one of only 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this stunning desert landscape is not only Jordan's, but also the world's. Its resemblance to otherworldly scenery has earned it the nickname "Valley of the Moon." The soft evening light casts a captivating rosy red across the desert, earning it the even more romantic, and tourist-favorite, name of "Rose Desert."
Because of its unique landscape, it has been favored by many Hollywood blockbusters, including "Lawrence of Arabia" (the story originally took place here), "The Martian", and "The Hurt Locker", which defeated "Avatar" and won an Oscar.
This is a typical pure sand desert, with huge, weathered rocks resembling castles, adding a touch of movement to the gentle contours. The traces left by the Bedouin, a nomadic desert people, over thousands of years ago, also make the exploration even more intriguing. We'll follow our Bedouin guide in an off-road vehicle into the heart of the desert, where we'll cross canyons, sled down sand dunes on foot, climb arches, and gallop across the desert.
At night, stay in a desert tent hotel, enjoy a sumptuous Bedouin meal, and then look up at the stars in this moon-like quiet desert.
Day 8 Wadi Rum → Aqaba
All day
We'll rise early and drive to Aqaba, a city on the Red Sea. This narrow stretch of water between the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent is known by its name, which derives from the ancient Greeks and translates to "Red Sea." The Red Sea isn't actually red at all; its striking blue contrasts beautifully with the surrounding yellow desert. We'll join the group on a boat trip to enjoy the azure sea, soak up the sun, or simply jump in the water to savor the azure afternoon before returning to our Red Sea resort for the night.
Day 9 Aqaba → Amman ⭐ Disbandment Day
All day
Drive back to Amman. If you still have time to spare, you can choose to continue strolling in Amman or take a taxi to the airport.
Today is the day of disbanding. We must hug and say goodbye. Let's all leave our contact information. Although our time together was short, everyone will remember this fate. With a tearful kiss, this event in the Kingdom of Jordan has come to a successful conclusion.
Note: Today afternoon is the disbanding day. It is recommended that you choose a flight around 18:00 in the evening and leave for the airport on your own.
