My 3-Day Jordan Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Review
Getting Started: The First Morning from Amman
So, the first morning of the tour, you know, started really early. Our driver, who was actually a super friendly guy, showed up at our hotel in Amman just when he said he would, which was, to be honest, a nice start. We piled our bags into the car, and then, right on schedule, we were off. That initial drive out of Amman is sort of an experience in itself, really. You watch the city, with all its buildings and noise, just kind of melt away behind you. It’s almost like you see the landscape change in real-time. In a way, you trade the busy streets for this huge, open road they call the Desert Highway, which honestly felt a bit like the starting line for a proper adventure. I mean, the feeling in the car was pretty much pure excitement for what was ahead, just mixed with a little bit of sleepiness. We knew we had a seriously packed few days coming up, but that drive gave us a moment to just sit back and take it all in before the real action started. For more details on what you can expect on your own travels, you will find this post pretty useful.
Day 1: Walking Through Time in Petra
Arriving at Petra, you’re just immediately struck by the whole scene, you know? Actually, the first big part of the experience is the walk through the Siq. It’s this long, winding canyon that acts like a sort of natural hallway leading into the ancient city. I mean, the rock walls are these incredible shades of red and pink, and they tower over you, sometimes getting so close together you can almost touch both sides. Honestly, it’s pretty dark and cool in there, which is a nice break from the sun. The walk itself is arguably the best way to build up the suspense. You’re just walking, and with every turn, you sort of expect to see it. It makes the final moment so much more impactful, right? Then it happens. As a matter of fact, you come around this one last corner, and through a slim opening in the rock, you get your very first peek of Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury. It’s completely famous for a reason; the sight of it, all carved and grand and framed by the dark canyon, is seriously something else. It really makes you stop in your tracks for a second, just to absorb it.
Exploring Deeper into Petra’s Secrets
So, after you’ve spent a good amount of time just staring at the Treasury, you realize that Petra is, you know, way bigger than just that one building. It’s a whole city. You can spend hours just wandering through what’s called the Street of Facades, looking at all these tombs and structures carved right into the rock face. But, to be honest, the real highlight for me was making the decision to hike up to the Monastery, Ad-Deir. Okay, I need to be real with you; it is a serious hike. I mean, there are like 800 steps, or something close to that, and the sun can be pretty intense. But at the end of the day, it’s absolutely worth the effort you put in. The Monastery is even bigger than the Treasury and, because fewer people make the trek, it feels a little more peaceful and kind of yours, in a way. The views from up there are just completely stunning, stretching out over the surrounding valleys and mountains. My advice would be to get information from sources like this amazing travel resource, as a matter of fact, you need to bring way more water than you think you need, wear some seriously comfortable shoes, and just take your time on the way up.
Day 2: Red Sands and Alien Views in Wadi Rum
Leaving Petra behind felt a little sad, but then we started the drive to Wadi Rum, and the landscape, you know, just completely changed again. It’s almost like you’re driving onto the surface of Mars, or something you’ve only seen in movies. The sand is this deep, rich red color, and these massive rock formations, called jabals, just stick straight out of the desert floor. It’s seriously a dramatic shift. Pretty much the best way to see Wadi Rum is on a 4×4 jeep tour, which was, you know, part of our package. Our Bedouin driver, a really cool local guy, took us rattling across the sand in the back of an old pickup truck. Honestly, it was a blast. He stopped at all these amazing spots, like a huge natural rock bridge you could climb on for some incredible pictures, and ancient inscriptions carved into the stone thousands of years ago. Feeling the wind whip past you as you drive through this huge, empty, and silent place is a feeling that’s kind of hard to put into words. You just feel very, very small in the best way possible.
My Night in a Bedouin Camp: Food, Stars, and Stories
So, as the sun started to set, which, by the way, casts these incredible long shadows and turns the desert all sorts of orange and purple, our driver took us to our overnight camp. I mean, these camps are pretty much the only places to stay out in the protected area of Wadi Rum. They are basically a collection of sturdy tents set up around a central campfire and dining area. It’s not a luxury hotel, for sure, but it’s incredibly comfortable and has a real authentic feel. The highlight of the evening was definitely the dinner. They cook this meal called ‘zarb’, where they basically bury lamb, chicken, and vegetables in an underground oven with hot coals for hours. The whole reveal, when they dig it up, is a pretty cool ceremony in itself. The food was just delicious. After eating, we all just sat around the fire, drinking sweet Bedouin tea while our hosts shared stories and played music. Then, you step away from the firelight and just look up. Seriously, I don’t think I have ever seen so many stars in my entire life. With no city lights around, the sky is just this blanket of bright dots. You could even see the Milky Way so clearly. To gather more first-hand accounts about this part of the journey, many travelers share their stories online.
Day 3: The Strangest Swim of My Life at the Dead Sea
Alright, so on the final day, after a pretty simple breakfast in the desert, we hopped back in the car for the drive to our last stop: the Dead Sea. Now, the drive itself is kind of fascinating because you are literally descending to the lowest point on Earth. You can even see the elevation signs on the side of the road counting down to below sea level, which is a bit of a strange concept to get your head around, right? When you get there, you’re usually taken to one of the private beach resorts along the shore, which gives you access to showers and other facilities, which, honestly, you’ll be thankful for later. The water itself feels a little oily because it’s so incredibly dense with salt and minerals. And the moment you lean back in the water, it happens. You just pop right up to the surface like a cork. You can’t really swim; you just float there, effortlessly. You can lie back and read a book if you want. It’s just a completely bizarre and really fun sensation. One tip I learned the hard way: whatever you do, do not get the water in your eyes. It stings like crazy. After floating, you cover yourself in the famous Dead Sea mud, let it dry in the sun, and then wash it off. My skin felt amazingly soft afterwards, I mean, it was quite the experience.
The Practical Side: What I Wish I’d Known Before
Okay, so looking back on the whole three-day whirlwind, there are a few practical things that are probably good to know. This type of tour is, you know, very fast-paced. You see a ton of stuff in a short amount of time, which is great if you’re on a tight schedule. On the other hand, you don’t get to spend a huge amount of time in any one place. In Petra, for example, you more or less have to choose between really exploring the main area or doing a big hike like the one to the Monastery; doing both is pretty tough in the time you have. Also, you should definitely bring some smaller amounts of cash, specifically Jordanian Dinars, for things like tipping your drivers or guides, and for buying souvenirs or extra drinks. They really appreciate it, and it’s just easier than trying to use a card everywhere. It’s a really good idea to get some inspiration from what others found useful, like this list of essentials for a Jordan trip. At the end of the day, managing your own expectations is the key to having a really good time on a trip that is this packed.
Just go with the flow, be ready for early mornings and long drives, and just soak up every incredible moment, because the sights you see are honestly once-in-a-lifetime.
To give you a better idea, here’s a little breakdown of some takeaways:
- Pace Yourself: Seriously, this is a sprint, not a marathon. Know that you will be on the move a lot.
- Hydration is Key: In a way, you need to carry and drink water constantly, especially in Petra and Wadi Rum. The heat is no joke.
- Comfortable Shoes Are a Must: You will be doing a huge amount of walking, pretty much every single day. Good shoes will literally make or break your trip.
- Manage Your Time in Petra: Decide ahead of time if the Monastery hike is a priority for you, because, you know, it takes a significant chunk of your day.
- Embrace the Camp Experience: The Wadi Rum camp is basic but amazing. Just lean into the simple, authentic experience. It’s part of the charm.
- Be Careful at the Dead Sea: Honestly, protect your eyes and any small cuts from that super salty water. Listen to the advice they give you.
