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Afternoon all.
We’re off to Jordan in October 2024 for 11 nights. We’ve pulled together a tentative itinerary based on a few other people we know who have visited, but wanted to float this out here for any further thoughts. We’re 2 adults and an 18 month toddler.
We have 2 ‘free’ days still in the plan, would welcome thoughts on what else we can do. (happy to move those two free days around too)
Day 1 – arrive in Amman very early (1:30am). Rest day
Day 2 – Amman exploring
Day 3 – Ajloun/Jerash/Amman exploring
Day 4 – Madaba/Mt Nebo/Kerak, travel to Petra and stay there
Day 5 – Little Petra and the back route to the Monastery
Day 6 – Petra exploring
Day 7 – Wadi Rum exploring
Day 8 – Dead sea relaxing (take it in turns to go to Siq as no u18s permitted)
Day 9 – Dead sea relaxing (take it in turns to go to Siq as no u18s permitted)
Day 10 – NO PLANS
Day 11 – NO PLANS
Day 12 – departI found the road journey from Amman to Petra tiring, not sure what time you are planning to arrive at Petra on day 4.
Are you planning an early morning on day 6?Hi Richie,
That’s good to know – we plan to arrive late afternoon on Day 4.
Day 6 will be an early morning start to Petra (we’ll be staying in Wadi Musa)
I think it’s a good itinerary. It’s a while since I’ve been but I’d recommend an early start into Petra to get there for when the gates open. Then at around lunchtime you’re climbing back out in the shade. Wish I’d known about the back route to the Monastery when I went, my guide walked me all the way there from the main entrance gate (apart from him taking a donkey to the top whilst I refused and walked it).
As Richie says it’a 3 hour boring drive to Petra from Amman and there will be multiple checkpoints on the road which will slow you down a little. I’d maybe use one of your spare days
Maybe use one of your spare days between 4 and 5 to give yourself more rest time around Petra. I was there 1.5 days and I felt I could have done with one more. But everyone likes different things. Personally I found it one of the most inspirational places I’ve ever been. The other I’d use for Wadi rum and spend a little more time there as it’s a long way down and back.
I agree it’s a good itinerary.
I would just make a couple of suggestions –
1. Try to include Petra by Night in your itinerary. It’s a really magical experience. But it happens on very specific days of the week – so try working around that. And definitely try to be at the front of the queue before it opens. It can really make a big difference.
2. When driving from Amman to Petra, I think there are multiple routes but try to take the King’s Road (or something similar with the word King in it). It’s probably a slightly longer route but totally worth it. Alternatively, you could also take that route from Petra to Wadi Rum. We did both, but definitely found Amman to Petra better since it was an uphill drive.
3. I am not sure when you intend to reach Wadi Rum. But I would suggest you try to include both sunrise and sunset your time there. Stay in one of the bubble tents (would highly recommend Luxotel!)I agree with @davefl on adding an extra day in Petra if you have that luxury. Covering the whole place on a single day can be tricky – would be much better to do it over two days.
Final tip – Definitely buy the Jordan Pass! It’s a steal deal.
It’s some time since we were in Jordan, but sounds like a good itinerary. We thought Jerash was amazing – so well preserved.
Definitely spend a couple of days at Petra and as others have said get there early. We liked Wadi Rum and spent a couple of nights there relaxing.
We also spent a couple of nights at the end in Aqaba before catching RJ flight back to UK via Amman so you could always spend a day there if you have free time. Although not much to see/do.
Hi all,
Thanks for the useful advice. The consensus seems to be to add an extra day in Petra. And yes, we’ll be getting the Jordan Pass – if anything, Petra and the visa costs are covered by it!
This looks a good itinerary and have considered similar with the kids. I’ve been to Aqaba/Petra/Dead Sea previously.
I’d build in more rest days early on so they are spread out – from experience with an 18mo you need to take everything slower (it helps you as well ;)) so I’d probably break up the early stages with a chilled day and look at 2 nights Wadi Rum staying at one the camps there as best ways to use your spare days
Thanks for the advice, I’ve added in a few rest days and a night in Aqaba at the new Westin. Will report back in November!
Am due to fly on BA312 to Amman on 24/10/24. Have noticed that all BA312 have been cancelled due to obvious reasons, and looking on the BA website at the flight status, they have cancelled them up to 14/10/24 (and similarly the returns have been cancelled too).
I’m fairly sure that ours will be cancelled due to the situation in the Middle East but haven’t received anything yet. Am I best to wait and try and get a rebooking on RJ which appears to be flying? It’s a reward flight if that changes anything.
I’m fairly sure that ours will be cancelled due to the situation in the Middle East but haven’t received anything yet. Am I best to wait and try and get a rebooking on RJ which appears to be flying? It’s a reward flight if that changes anything.
Assuming you still want to go on the same dates, I’d wait for the cancellation, and then wait a day or two longer. Sometimes rebooking arrangements are not sorted out as fast as the cancellations. After 48 hours I’d expect RJ to be available for rebooking.
Also check FCO guidance before rebooking; you may find places you want to visit are off limits. I’m delighted to read you’ve added Aqaba to the itinerary, but it is perilously close to Israel’s Red Sea resort, the name of which escapes me right now. But you can clearly see it from Aqaba.
I’m fairly sure that ours will be cancelled due to the situation in the Middle East but haven’t received anything yet. Am I best to wait and try and get a rebooking on RJ which appears to be flying? It’s a reward flight if that changes anything.
Assuming you still want to go on the same dates, I’d wait for the cancellation, and then wait a day or two longer. Sometimes rebooking arrangements are not sorted out as fast as the cancellations. After 48 hours I’d expect RJ to be available for rebooking.
Also check FCO guidance before rebooking; you may find places you want to visit are off limits. I’m delighted to read you’ve added Aqaba to the itinerary, but it is perilously close to Israel’s Red Sea resort, the name of which escapes me right now. But you can clearly see it from Aqaba.
Eilat is just over the border.
Check your travel insurance as FCDO current advice is against travel to Jordan.
So the current FCDO advice is against all travel to parts of Jordan (essentially the border with Syria) but it may change. Should it do so, we’d act accordingly.
Thanks for the advice @memesweeper
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