Why 14 days is Jordan at its most complete
Most Jordan itineraries concentrate on the southern triangle: Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba. The 10-day version extends north to Jerash and adds Dana Reserve. Fourteen days allows something rarer: the northern Decapolis cities, the UNESCO town of Salt, the thermal waterfalls of Hammamat Ma’in, and the remote Wadi Faynan copper-age landscape.
Umm Qais (ancient Gadara) sits at the northwestern corner of Jordan, where the Golan Heights, Sea of Galilee, and Jordan Valley converge in one panoramic view. The black basalt ruins of the Decapolis city are evocative and almost entirely unvisited.
Pella (Tabaqat Fahl) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world — occupied since the Neolithic. The tel rises above the Jordan Valley with layers of Bronze Age, Iron Age, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine remains. You’ll likely have it to yourself.
As-Salt is Jordan’s 2021 UNESCO-listed historic town — an Ottoman-era trading center of yellow-stone houses, graceful arched windows, and a craft tradition that survived modernization. Its Saturday souk is one of the most authentic in Jordan.
Hammamat Ma’in has waterfalls of thermal water (56°C) cascading into cool pools, 264 meters below sea level in a canyon below the King’s Highway. The spa complex here — Evason Ma’in Six Senses — is one of the most extraordinary wellness resorts in the Middle East.
Wadi Faynan is a pre-Neolithic copper-mining landscape in the Rift Valley, accessible from Dana’s bottom, managed by RSCN. The Feynan Ecolodge here is the only accommodation — completely solar-powered, completely dark at night, completely remarkable.
This is not a highlights tour. This is Jordan as a country, in depth.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Arrival in Amman + orientation
Arrival and first evening
Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport, collect your rental car (10–14-day hire, midsize recommended), get JOD from the ATM. Drive to central Amman (40 min).
Check in to your hotel in the Jabal Amman or Jabal al-Qala’a area. Evening walk through Rainbow Street, dinner at Sufra Restaurant (traditional Jordanian, 12–18 JOD) or the more casual Hashem for hummus at any hour.
Evening — Amman first impressions
Walk through the downtown Al Balad area — the Gold Souk, the fruit and vegetable stalls, the Roman Theatre floodlit at night. Amman is best understood on foot.
- Stay: Landmark Hotel Amman or Marriott Amman
Day 2: Amman Citadel + Jordan Museum + desert castles
Morning — Amman highlights
Jabal al-Qala’a (Amman Citadel): the Temple of Hercules, the Byzantine church, the Umayyad Palace, and the view over downtown Amman. Allow 1h. Then the Jordan Museum (3rd Circle) — the best archaeological collection in Jordan, including the Dead Sea Scrolls fragments, Ain Ghazal statues (7000 BCE, the oldest large-scale human sculptures known), and the Neolithic domestic displays. Allow 2h.
Afternoon — Desert castles (90 min east)
Drive east on the Airport Highway toward the Umayyad desert palaces:
- Qasr al-Hallabat (45 km east): Roman fort converted to an Umayyad palace
- Qasr Amra (85 km east): UNESCO-listed hunting lodge with 8th-century frescoes
- Qasr Kharana (100 km east): perfectly preserved caravanserai in the steppe
Return to Amman for the night.
- Stay: Landmark Hotel Amman (Day 2)
Day 3: Umm Qais + Pella (north loop, day trip or overnight)
Early morning — Drive north to Umm Qais (1h30 from Amman)
Umm Qais is ancient Gadara, one of the cities of the Decapolis league — where the New Testament records Jesus healing the Gadarene demoniacs. The black basalt ruins include a colonnaded street, a Western Theatre, a Northern Theatre, and a mausoleum converted to a Byzantine church. The site’s terrace café has the finest view in all of Jordan: the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, the Yarmouk River valley, and on clear days Mount Hermon with snow.
Private full day trip of Umm Qais and Pella from AmmanAllow 1h30–2h.
Midday — Pella (45 min south of Umm Qais)
Pella is reached via a small road through the Jordan Valley. The tel rises over the Jordan Valley with views to the Israeli hills. The site covers Bronze Age, Canaanite, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine layers — but the visitor infrastructure is minimal (a small signboard, scattered ruins, occasional shepherds). Entry is free. You’ll likely have the site entirely to yourself.
Afternoon — Drive south to Ajloun or Jerash (1h from Pella)
Continue south through the Jordan Valley to Jerash or Ajloun for the night.
- Stay: Ajloun Hotel or a guesthouse in Jerash area, or return to Amman (1h30)
Day 4: Jerash + Ajloun + Salt
Morning — Jerash (2–3h)
Jerash is the most complete Roman provincial city outside Italy. The Oval Forum, the Cardo Maximus, the Temple of Artemis, the South and North Theatres — allow at least 2h, ideally 3h if you walk slowly and read the interpretive panels.
From Amman: Jerash and Ajloun Castle private full day tripMidday — Ajloun Castle (30 min from Jerash)
Ajloun Castle — the 12th-century fortress of Saladin’s nephew — in one hour, then a walk through the Ajloun Forest Reserve if time permits.
Afternoon — As-Salt (45 min south of Ajloun)
As-Salt (UNESCO World Heritage Site 2021) is an Ottoman-era trading town of exceptional yellow limestone architecture. The historic center is compact and walkable: the old souk, the Abu Jaber Palace, the Beit Musa’ad Museum, the Saturday weekly market (the most authentic in Jordan). The city’s preserved 19th-century merchants’ houses with decorative arched windows and carved stone facades make it one of the most photogenic towns in the country.
Allow 1h30–2h in Salt. The Saturday market (farmers’ and craft goods) is worth planning around.
Evening — Drive to Dead Sea (30 min from Salt)
- Stay: Mövenpick Dead Sea or Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea
Day 5: Dead Sea + Hammamat Ma’in
Morning — Dead Sea float
The Dead Sea in the morning, before the heat, is at its calmest. Float, apply the mineral mud, photograph the crystalline salt formations, and rinse under the freshwater showers. Resort day pass (Mövenpick: 35–45 JOD) or use your hotel’s beach if you’re staying on-site.
Afternoon — Hammamat Ma’in (45 min south and down)
Hammamat Ma’in is where the Ma’in Hot Springs cascade from the canyon walls of Wadi Zarqa Ma’in — 56°C thermal waterfalls landing in cool pools at the bottom. The main waterfall complex is operated by the Evason Ma’in Six Senses resort. Day access costs approximately 25 JOD for non-guests (includes pool, waterfalls, changing rooms). An afternoon there — thermal pool, waterfall shower, poolside lunch — is one of Jordan’s most unusual pleasures.
From Amman/Dead Sea: half day tour to Ma'in Hot SpringsAlternatively, the Hammamat Ma’in natural springs (slightly further down the canyon, more basic, 3 JOD entry) are accessible without the resort fee.
- Stay: Mövenpick Dead Sea (Day 5) or Evason Ma’in Six Senses (premium)
Day 6: Wadi Mujib Siq Trail → King’s Highway south
Note: Wadi Mujib Siq Trail is open May–October only. In winter months, drive straight from the Dead Sea to Karak without this stop.
Morning — Wadi Mujib Siq Trail
The RSCN visitor center is 15 minutes south of the main Dead Sea resort area on the Dead Sea Highway. The Siq Trail enters a water canyon — you wade upstream through chest-deep water for 2km to a waterfall, then return. Allow 3–4h including the drive to the trailhead. Entry: approximately 21 JOD.
From Amman: Wadi Mujib Siq Trail private hiking tourAfternoon — King’s Highway: Dead Sea → Karak (2h)
The King’s Highway climbs dramatically from the Dead Sea floor to the Moabite plateau. Stop at the Wadi Mujib viewpoint on the highway (a pull-off with canyon views) before continuing to Karak.
Karak Castle in late afternoon — the underground galleries in fading light, the views over the valley, the almost-empty car park as the tour groups have long departed.
- Stay: Al-Mujib Hotel Karak (budget), or drive 1h30 to Dana
Day 7: Dana Biosphere Reserve (Day 1)
Morning — Drive to Dana (1h30 from Karak)
Dana Biosphere Reserve encompasses four distinct geographical zones — Mediterranean highlands, sub-Mediterranean slopes, semi-arid terrain, and desert wadi. It’s home to wolves, ibex, sand partridges, and over 200 bird species.
Check in to Dana Guesthouse (on the cliff edge above the wadi) or drive down to Feynan Ecolodge at the bottom (requires booking well in advance through RSCN).
Afternoon — Wadi Dana trail (first section)
The main trail from Dana Village into Wadi Dana descends through rocky slopes into the wadi floor. The first 2–3 hours of descent (to the first viewpoints and spring) and return is accessible without spending a full night at Feynan. Watch for ibex on the upper rock faces in the late afternoon.
- Stay: Dana Guesthouse (40 JOD) or Feynan Ecolodge (120+ JOD, full board)
Day 8: Dana Day 2 + Wadi Faynan
Morning — Rummana Campground trails
The Rummana Mountain trail (7km loop, 3–4h) starts from the RSCN campground above Dana village and passes through open woodland — the best trail for birds in Dana. Bee-eaters, eagle owls, and the rare sand cat have all been recorded here.
Afternoon — Wadi Faynan exploration
Wadi Faynan is one of the oldest mining landscapes on Earth — copper was extracted here over 6,000 years ago. The Feynan Ecolodge offers guided walks into the wadi toward the ancient copper-smelting sites and the Neolithic village of WF16. This is archaeology at its most elemental: no signage, no visitors, only the bronze-green staining on the ancient rock faces and the silence of the Rift Valley.
- Stay: Feynan Ecolodge (if second night booked) or drive north to Shobak/Petra area
Day 9: Shobak Castle → Petra arrival
Morning — Shobak Castle (45 min from Dana)
Shobak Castle (Montreal) was the first Crusader castle in Transjordan, built in 1115 by Baldwin I of Jerusalem. The ruins are extensive and the restoration more limited than Karak — making it wilder and more atmospheric. Entry is 3 JOD. Allow 1h.
Midday — Arrival in Petra (45 min from Shobak)
Check in early if possible. Petra by Night runs Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday — plan Days 9–11 so that at least one evening falls on these nights.
Afternoon — First Petra walk
First-day visit: Siq → Treasury → Street of Facades → Theatre → Royal Tombs. If energy permits, climb to the High Place of Sacrifice before sunset.
Petra by Night: show tickets and hotel pick-up- Stay: Mövenpick Resort Petra or Marriott Petra
Day 10: Petra full day (Monastery focus)
06:00 — Siq entry
The full day’s route: Siq → Treasury → (pass the morning crowds) → Colonnaded Street → Petra Church → Great Temple → Qasr al-Bint. Then: Monastery trail (800 steps, 45 min ascent). The Monastery (Ad Deir) is Petra’s second great monument — as tall as the Treasury, more isolated, reached after a climb that keeps casual visitors away.
Lunch at the Monastery terrace (basic tea stalls at the top, 2–3 JOD) or descend to the Basin Restaurant inside Petra (8–12 JOD).
Afternoon — Petra by Night if applicable
Return to hotel for rest (you’ll need it after the Monastery climb). Petra by Night at 20:30 if the day is Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
- Stay: Mövenpick Resort Petra (Day 10)
Day 11: Little Petra + Petra Back Door + rest
Morning — Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
Little Petra is 10 minutes by car from Wadi Musa, free to enter, and almost always quiet. The short canyon includes carved dining rooms (triclinia), a painted ceiling chamber (the Painted Room), and Nabataean cisterns. Allow 1–1h30.
Mid-morning — Beidha Neolithic Village
200 meters past Little Petra, a signed track leads to Beidha — a 7,000-year-old stone village, one of the earliest known permanent settlements in the Levant. Almost no one visits. The circular stone foundations are visible in the hillside. Free entry.
Afternoon — Rest or the Back Door trail
The Back Door trail from Beidha to Petra’s Monastery is 3km through open desert — unmarked but GPS-trackable. Arrive at the Monastery from behind, descend to the Petra city center, and exit via the main Siq. This requires a Petra ticket (Jordan Pass covers it). Allow 3–4h.
- Stay: Mövenpick Resort Petra (Day 11)
Day 12: Wadi Rum overnight
Morning — Drive Petra to Wadi Rum (1h45)
Leave by 10:00. The drive through the Ras an-Naqab pass, with views south into the Hisma Desert, is dramatic.
Afternoon and evening — Wadi Rum
Full jeep circuit + sunset + overnight camp. For a 14-day trip, consider upgrading to a 2-night Wadi Rum stay — the second night allows a longer day hike or camel trek into less-visited parts of the protected area.
Stars & Sand: Wadi Rum jeep, overnight and stargazing- Stay: Wadi Rum camp overnight (Day 12)
Day 13: Wadi Rum Day 2 (optional) or Aqaba
Option A — Second night in Wadi Rum
Morning camel trek or extended jeep tour to Burdah Rock Bridge (the world’s highest natural rock arch accessible by climbing) or the Lawrence’s House ruins in the far north of the protected area. Evening stargazing again.
Option B — Transfer to Aqaba (1h)
Aqaba’s reefs are most enjoyably explored over a full day. Day 13 in Aqaba: morning snorkel or dive, afternoon beach and rest, evening seafood dinner on the corniche.
Aqaba: Red Sea snorkeling boat trip with buffet lunch- Stay: Wadi Rum camp (option A) or Mövenpick Aqaba or Hyatt Regency Aqaba
Day 14: Aqaba + departure
Morning — Aqaba Red Sea
Final snorkel (South Beach area shore entry, no boat needed for decent coral), or a scuba dive if certified (Cedar Pride wreck is excellent).
Midday — Departure
Aqaba Airport (AQJ) for Royal Jordanian to Amman + international connections, or 4h drive up the Desert Highway to Queen Alia International Airport.
Transport
A rental car is mandatory for this itinerary. Total distance: approximately 1,100–1,200 km over 14 days. Budget for fuel: 65–85 JOD at current prices.
Alternatively, contact a private driver company for a 14-day custom itinerary — expect 800–1,200 JOD for the full trip plus accommodation.
Estimated budget (per person, mid-range, sharing, excluding flights)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Jordan Pass (2-day Petra + visa + sites) | 80 JOD |
| Accommodation (13 nights, mid-range, sharing) | 500–900 JOD |
| Car rental (14 days midsize) | 350–550 JOD total (÷2) |
| Wadi Mujib entry + activities | 40–60 JOD |
| Hammamat Ma’in day pass | 25 JOD |
| Meals (14 days) | 200–320 JOD |
| Activities (Petra by Night, snorkeling, Wadi Rum) | 80–120 JOD |
| Tips and miscellaneous | 60–90 JOD |
| Total per person | ~1,335–2,145 JOD (~1,880–3,020 USD) |
Variations
If you have only 12 days: Drop either Umm Qais and Pella (Days 3) or the second night in Wadi Rum (Day 13). The core itinerary from Day 4 onward remains intact.
If you want more hiking: Replace the standard jeep tours with guided trekking programs through RSCN (Ajloun reserve trails, Mujib ibex trail, Dana Wadi trail, Jordan Trail section from Dana to Petra).
Luxury variant: Upgrade to Four Seasons Amman, Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea, Evason Ma’in Six Senses, Mövenpick Petra, and Six Senses Wadi Rum. See the 7-day luxury Jordan itinerary for the concept.
Frequently asked questions about this 14-day Jordan itinerary
Is 14 days in Jordan too long? Will I run out of things to see?
No. Jordan has enough depth for 14 days if you go beyond the highlights and into the lesser-visited north, the King’s Highway corridor, and the nature reserves. The challenge is pacing — some travelers find the drive distances tiring. Build rest time into your plan, especially after Petra’s major hiking days.
What makes Umm Qais special compared to Jerash?
They’re completely different. Jerash is better preserved, larger, and more organized for visitors. Umm Qais is smaller, built from black basalt rather than limestone, and almost entirely unvisited — you’ll often have the site to yourself. Its panoramic view (Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, Yarmouk valley) is unique in Jordan. Visiting both in 14 days makes sense; they don’t feel repetitive.
Is the Jordan Trail the dana-to-Petra section hard?
The 4-day section from Dana village to Petra covers approximately 75 km through remote terrain — descending to Wadi Araba, crossing the ancient copper landscape of Faynan, and ascending through Wadi Nasla to Little Petra. It’s moderately challenging (basic trekking fitness required), fully supported by RSCN guides, and one of the best multi-day walks in the Middle East. See the Dana-to-Petra trek guide.
Can I combine a Jordan trip with Israel or Egypt?
Yes — this 14-day itinerary ends in Aqaba, which is 40 minutes by taxi from the Wadi Araba/Yitzhak Rabin crossing into Eilat, Israel. The Aqaba–Nuweiba ferry (Egypt) departs 3 times per week and takes 1h in good conditions. The Jordan–Israel crossing guide covers procedures in detail.
Is As-Salt (Salt) really a UNESCO site?
Yes, since 2021. As-Salt: The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality was inscribed as a World Heritage Site for its exceptional example of a 19th-century merchant town, reflecting a tolerance between different communities (Christian and Muslim). The yellow limestone architecture and the town’s role as a commercial hub between Nablus and the Hejaz makes it historically significant. It’s the most recent Jordan UNESCO inscription and still relatively unvisited by tourists.
How far in advance should I book Feynan Ecolodge?
Feynan has only 28 rooms and consistently high occupancy. Book 2–3 months in advance for peak periods (spring and autumn). Off-season (winter and summer) has more availability. Book directly through RSCN’s website.
What is the best time of year for a 14-day Jordan trip?
March–May is optimal: temperatures 15–25°C across all regions, wildflowers in the highlands, the Mujib trail opens in May, and the Dead Sea is pleasant. October–November is the second-best window: crowds thinner than summer, temperatures comfortable, Wadi Rum nights cold but bearable. Avoid July–August unless you’re heat-adapted — Petra can reach 42°C.
Plan your trip
Fourteen days is Jordan fully realized — the Roman north, the biblical corridor, the thermal valleys, the great rose-red city, the star desert, the Red Sea reef. The complete guide to Petra remains essential reading. The Dana biosphere guide covers all RSCN trails. The Umm Qais guide and Pella guide introduce the lesser-known north.
For travelers wondering whether the north loop is worth the detour, the answer is yes — Jordan without Umm Qais is Jordan with its most atmospheric view missing.
Private north tour to Jerash, Ajloun, & Umm Qais from Amman