Adventure holiday in Jordan
Highlights
Amman | Jerash | Madaba | King’s Highway | Petra | Shobak Castle | 4WD tour of Wadi Rum | Camel ride in the desert | Overnight in a traditional Bedouin camp | Aqaba | Snorkeling in the Red Sea | Float in the Dead Sea |Description of Adventure holiday in Jordan
Jordan is nothing short of extraordinary.This nine-day small group tour takes you along the King’s Highway from the capital, Amman, to the iconic rose-red city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved into the rocks. From there you’ll explore the magnificent Wadi Rum, once a base for ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, and stay overnight in a desert camp to experience true Bedouin hospitality. And to finish, a few days by the coast in Aqaba, during which you can snorkel over coral reefs in the Red Sea, then take a memorable float in the salty Dead Sea.
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Along the way you will visit ancient crusader castles and Roman ruins, including hilltop temples and a chariot-racing stadium. You will see the stunning Byzantine mosaics of Madaba, with its 6th century map of the Holy Land and Jerusalem.
Over two days in Petra you will take a guided tour around its must-see landmarks, including the renowned Treasury, a site that was kept secret by the Bedouins for centuries and remains remarkably well preserved. You can also trek up to the Royal Tombs and Monastery if you wish, to bask in some truly spectacular views.
In Wadi Rum, which T.E. Lawrence described as “vast, echoing and God-like”, learn about traditional Bedouin lifestyles in such a harsh environment, before dining on a feast cooked in the ancient way, beneath the sand. Then you can enjoy unparalleled views of the starry skies, and relax in the intimate, comfortable camp. What a place to spend a night.
Before returning to Amman, there’s time to cool down a little. In Aqaba, your tour leader can arrange optional activities for you such as snorkeling in the Red Sea, and you certainly won’t want to miss a chance to visit the Dead Sea. The high saline count in this water means no animal life can survive in it, but it is said to cure all manner of ills. And it’s practically impossible to sink!
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates, prices & availability
The leaders are not guides – they’re not there to shepherd you around. Instead, they’ll let you know which local restaurant serves great value food – without running the risk of travellers’ tummy. They’ll allow you to avoid hour-long queues at train stations and attractions.
We like to think of small group travel as the Goldilocks option. It is independent travel without the fuss, worry and bunk beds – and organised travel without the coaches. And it’s cheaper than a tailor made tour. It’s sits somewhere in the middle – and we think it’s just about right.
Have big, life-enriching experiences that would be impossible to organise without lots of time and insider knowledge.
Simplicity
Make the most of your holiday time by letting someone else do the hard work and boring logistics!
Peace of mind
Small group tours take care of the security aspects – and provide a safety net should anything unexpected happen.
If you don’t have three months to spend exploring, small groups trips let you cover more ground in less time. Your days are not spent queuing for tickets or finding hotels – so you can squeeze more into your holiday.
Solo travellers who’d like company
Likeminded travel companions plus peace of mind for those travelling alone. Single supplements are usually available – providing privacy if you want it.
Less confident travellers
Stray from the tourist trail without worrying about getting lost, and meet local people without dealing with the language barrier.
Couples and friends have private rooms, and you can choose to eat alone or not. Single supplements give solo travellers their own room.
“There won’t be any free time”
Free mornings or afternoons let you explore on your own, or just relax.
“The accommodation will be basic”
Trips are as high or low end as you like. Though off the beaten track destinations won’t have luxury hotels, this is all part of the adventure.
“I won’t like the other travellers!”
Tour operators try to create groups with a similar demographic – age, families, activity levels... Chances are, you’ll even make new friends.
“Will we be following an umbrella?”
No.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.

Our Tour Leaders are recruited locally and are trained by us in the importance of responsible tourism with guidance given on how they can make a difference. This then percolates down through those they deal with. A night's camping and optional camel ride takes our groups into the protected area of Wadi Rum where they learn about the Bedouin way of life and plants which are both rare and endemic to its ecosystem.
The money generated by tourism in this area goes to support the local Bedouin and reinforces amongst the local people the importance of protecting this unique area. The Gulf of Aqaba is a place of outstanding natural beauty whose existing marine ecosystems are fragile and in danger. Our groups are well informed about the impact of interfering with this ecosystem and our tour leaders help to promote wider awareness of this locally.
Conservation of water is actively promoted in Jordan. We work closely with our local suppliers to see how we can help them save water in the fragile desert environment. As there is no recycling in this area our clients are encouraged to carry water purification filters and water bottles.
In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.
The Impacts of this Trip
All accommodation is locally owned and this not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of distributing money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit.


Our Tour Leaders are recruited locally and are trained by us in the importance of responsible tourism with guidance given on how they can make a difference. This then percolates down through those they deal with. A night's camping and optional camel ride takes our groups into the protected area of Wadi Rum where they learn about the Bedouin way of life and plants which are both rare and endemic to its ecosystem.
The money generated by tourism in this area goes to support the local Bedouin and reinforces amongst the local people the importance of protecting this unique area. The Gulf of Aqaba is a place of outstanding natural beauty whose existing marine ecosystems are fragile and in danger. Our groups are well informed about the impact of interfering with this ecosystem and our tour leaders help to promote wider awareness of this locally.
Conservation of water is actively promoted in Jordan. We work closely with our local suppliers to see how we can help them save water in the fragile desert environment. As there is no recycling in this area our clients are encouraged to carry water purification filters and water bottles.
In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in.

The Impacts of this Trip
All accommodation is locally owned and this not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of distributing money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit.

16 Reviews of Adventure holiday in Jordan
Reviewed on 29 Oct 2019 by Emma Hall
The whole trip was brilliant and our guide Abdallah made it extra special with his kindness and effort to ensure we were always happy Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Sep 2019 by Andrew Emerson
The most exciting part of the holiday was walking down from the High Altar at Petra. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Apr 2019 by Alfred Heynen
Petra and Wadi Rum were the best parts. It was great to have 2 days in Petra- one with guide and one without to explore on our own. Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Mar 2019 by Natalie Fedeczko
Fantastic!...our guide was tremendous, Aladdin and made sure we understood the nuances of his country. Animal welfare is important Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Dec 2019 by Karen Exley
The most memorable part of the holiday was Wadi Rum. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Nov 2019 by Richard Knight
The most exciting part of the holiday was Petra. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Oct 2018 by Andrew Morris
There were so many highlights. Jerash was unexpectedly impressive; Petra was absolutely awesome - around every corner there was so many fantastic sights...Fabulous. Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Jun 2018 by Marion Krause
Discovering the amazing history of Jordan was, for me, one of the memorable parts of this holiday. In addition, the friendliness and warmth of the Jordanian people will always stay with me. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Oct 2018 by Anne Webb
A lovely way to see a beautiful island guided by a passionate and knowledgeable guide. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Nov 2014 by Julia Pallant
Do go! Jordan is a very friendly and safe country with amazing things to see and do. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Sep 2014 by Erica Lay
Outstanding....The whole holiday was excellent; great tour guide (Mo), who looked after us all from start to finish. Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Nov 2013 by Lois Barclay
Just take the plunge and go on this holiday. I had the best half term break ever! Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Apr 2013 by alan mcleod
Just what I needed - warm climate, good bunch of fellow travellers, excellent guide and wonderful country. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Apr 2013 by Mary Fry
The holiday was absolutely excellent. The guide, Mohammed was a font of knowledge and such a friendly guy with great inter personal skills. There was never a question he couldn't answer. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Nov 2012 by Sarah Wheatly
The most memorable parts of the holiday were the first view of the Treasury at Petra, the camel ride at sundown in Wadi Rum, sleeping under the stars in Wadi Rum & the lovely people of Jordan. Read full reviewOur travel guides
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