6 Day Tour: Amman Petra Jerash Baptism Site Karak Castle Wadi Rum Red & Dead Sea

Jordan packs an astonishing amount into six days, and this private tour reaches the big names without making you organize every hotel, transfer, and desert ride yourself. You move from Roman ruins and biblical sites to Petra and Wadi Rum, then finish floating at the Dead Sea.

I like the private vehicle and English-speaking driver, since the long drives are easier when your schedule belongs to your group. I also like the overnight in a Bedouin camp, complete with a sunset stop, dinner, breakfast, and a two-hour jeep safari. The main drawback is pace: several days run close to eight hours, and Petra gets only one day with no local guide included.

Key points at a glance

• Petra and Little Petra on consecutive days: You see the famous Nabataean city after visiting its smaller companion site.
• A real desert overnight: The Wadi Rum stay includes a Bedouin camp, sunset activity, dinner, breakfast, and a jeep safari.
• Private transport throughout: Your group travels in a modern air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver.
• A wide sweep of northern Jordan: Amman, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Bethany beyond Jordan, Umm Qais, and Jerash fill the first two days.
• Hotels and breakfasts are covered: Two nights are in Amman, one in Petra, and one at the Dead Sea.
• Entry fees and site guides cost extra: The Jordan Pass may help with visa fees and access to 41 sites, so check it before arrival.

What this six-day Jordan route gets right

This itinerary works because it links Jordan’s main sights in a sensible southbound run, with a northern loop added at the beginning. You start in Amman, reach the Roman ruins at Jerash and Umm Qais, then head south through Karak to Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, and the Dead Sea.

That route gives you variety almost every day. You are not spending six days looking at similar ruins. One morning may bring Roman columns, the next a Crusader castle, and the next red desert cliffs and open sand.

The private setup matters. You are not tied to the pace of a large coach group, and only your own party participates. The driver stays with you throughout, but this is not the same as having a trained guide at every archaeological site. At Petra in particular, the tour is self-guided, so you should be ready to explore with your own notes, an app, or a guide hired separately.

The tour costs $999 per person. That is not a bare sightseeing rate. It includes four hotel nights, one camp night, daily hotel breakfast, one camp dinner, private transport, a driver, and the Wadi Rum jeep excursion. You still pay site admission, local guides, most meals, and personal expenses, so the final cost will be higher. Even so, the package can offer solid value if you want one booking to handle the route and lodging rather than arranging five separate stays.

Day 1: Amman, Madaba, Mount Nebo, and Bethany

The opening day starts at 8:00 a.m. in Amman, with the Roman Theater and Citadel as the first major stops. This is a useful introduction to the capital because the two sites show different sides of the city. The theater gives you a Roman-era setting in the middle of modern Amman, while the Citadel places ancient remains above the city.

After lunch, you head toward Madaba. The city is known for its mosaics, and the Map Church is the key stop. The famous mosaic map gives useful visual context for the region, especially if you are about to spend the next several days moving through biblical and Roman sites.

Mount Nebo follows. The stop adds religious and geographic meaning to the trip, and it also breaks up the drive before Bethany beyond Jordan, the Baptism Site. The itinerary groups a lot into one day, so you should expect a full schedule rather than long, unhurried visits.

The day ends with a hotel drop-off in Amman. Two nights in the capital are included overall, with breakfast at the hotel. Since admission tickets are not included at the sites, confirm which tickets you want before setting out.

Day 2: Umm Qais and Jerash from Amman

Day two begins with an 8:00 a.m. hotel pickup and heads north to Umm Qais. The visit is scheduled from 10:00 to 11:30, followed by lunch and then a longer afternoon at Jerash from 2:00 to 5:00.

Umm Qais is a strong choice for the northern route. Its ruins offer a different feel from Amman and Jerash, and the site helps you see how broad Jordan’s ancient connections were. The short visit means you will need to keep moving, but it fits well with Jerash later in the day.

Jerash deserves the longer block. Its Roman remains are among the major attractions on this route, and the afternoon timing gives you several hours to walk through the site before returning to Amman. Wear shoes suited to uneven ground and plan for sun exposure. The tour requires a moderate level of fitness, and this is one of the days when that matters.

You return to Amman around 6:00 p.m. The day is efficient, but it is also one of the more tiring sections of the trip. If your group includes people who dislike early starts and extended road time, the packed northern loop is worth considering before booking.

Day 3: Kings Highway, Wadi Al Mujib, and Karak Castle

The third morning starts at 8:00 a.m. and sends you south along the Kings Highway. The road passes through Wadi Al Mujib, adding scenery and a sense of movement to the transfer toward Karak.

Karak Castle is the main stop. The castle gives you a look at Jordan’s medieval military past, with stone corridors and defensive spaces that feel very different from the Roman ruins of the first two days. The schedule allows a visit around late morning before continuing toward Petra.

The plan then includes Little Petra at about 3:00 p.m. Little Petra is smaller and less demanding than the main Petra site, making it a useful preview of the Nabataean setting. Seeing it before Petra can help you recognize the carved stone architecture and understand that the famous main site is part of a wider area.

You check into a hotel in Wadi Musa, the town beside Petra. One night in Petra is included, with breakfast. That overnight is important because it places you close to the next morning’s start instead of sending you toward Petra from Amman.

The listed schedule contains a timing typo for the transfer from Karak, but the intended order is clear: Karak, Little Petra, then the Petra-area hotel. Confirm the exact pickup times with the operator before departure.

Day 4: Petra by day, Wadi Rum by sunset

Petra begins early, with pickup at 7:00 a.m. The visit is self-guided and admission is not included. This is the day when preparation pays off. Read about the site before you go, download any notes you plan to use, and ask the driver to clarify the meeting time and transport plan.

Petra is not a quick roadside stop. You need time to walk through the site and see its major features, and the schedule keeps you there until about 4:00 p.m. in summer, or 2:00 p.m. in winter according to the supplied timing. A moderate fitness level is important because the visit involves walking over uneven surfaces.

The lack of a local guide is both a saving and a limitation. You can set your own pace and pause when you wish, but you will need to supply the historical explanation yourself or pay for a guide separately. The English-speaking driver is with you for transport, not necessarily for detailed interpretation inside each monument.

After Petra, you drive to Wadi Rum. The group reaches the desert area around 6:00 p.m., then continues about 12 kilometers from Rum Village to the Bedouin campsite. A sunset stop is planned at one of the desert viewpoints, with the exact timing changing between summer and winter.

Dinner is a Bedouin zarb, described as chicken, grilled vegetables, and salads. You spend the night at camp and have breakfast there the next morning. One room or tent is provided for up to three people, while a single supplement applies if you want a private room or tent alone.

This overnight is one of the tour’s most distinctive features. It turns Wadi Rum from a short jeep ride into an evening and morning experience. Keep in mind that the camp is a basic desert stay rather than a conventional hotel, and ask about the exact accommodation category if comfort level matters to you.

Day 5: Wadi Rum, Aqaba, and the Dead Sea

Breakfast at camp comes at 7:00 a.m., followed by the included two-hour jeep safari at 8:00. Bottled water is provided. The ride visits several notable spots in Rum Valley and gives you the open desert view that a vehicle transfer alone cannot provide.

The jeep tour is a good use of the morning because it adds an active element after several days of walking through ruins. You should still expect an early start. The itinerary moves on at 11:00 a.m., so there is not much spare time at the camp.

Next comes the Gulf of Aqaba, with a city and public beach visit. This part is seasonal. From November through March, Aqaba may be skipped because the schedule is shorter. If seeing Aqaba matters to you, ask the operator to confirm whether it is included during your dates.

The day ends at the Dead Sea, where you spend the night in a four-star hotel. The Dead Sea is a fitting change of pace after Petra and Wadi Rum. The water’s buoyancy is the main attraction, and the hotel stay gives you a more comfortable evening after the desert camp.

The supplied schedule gives about two hours to the Wadi Rum portion on this day, separate from the overnight and previous evening. Confirm the exact sequence, since the sunset activity, camp transfer, and jeep safari are spread across two days.

Day 6: A flexible finish in Amman

The final day is intentionally open. A selected activity can be added based on your group’s choice, and the tour provides up to eight hours for the day. This gives you some flexibility after the fixed route, but the exact activity is not specified.

That flexibility can be useful if your group wants more time in Amman, needs a slower morning, or has a particular site in mind. It can also create uncertainty, since you need to agree on the plan with the operator rather than expecting a fixed final-day program.

The tour begins from Amman at 8:00 a.m. overall, with pickup offered. Confirm the location and timing for the final day, especially if you are connecting to a flight or another booking.

Private transport and the driver experience

The modern air-conditioned vehicle is one of the package’s practical strengths. Jordan’s route includes long drives, especially between Amman, Karak, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. Air conditioning and a private vehicle make those transfers easier than arranging separate public transport connections.

Your English-speaking driver remains with you throughout the trip. Driver quality can shape a private tour, and the supplied feedback specifically highlights Murad and Jafar by name. Jafar is described as explaining the sites and handling a group with different ages, while Murad is associated with coordinating drives and trip details. If one of these drivers is important to you, ask whether a specific assignment can be requested, since the booking information does not guarantee a particular driver.

Remember the difference between a driver and a site guide. The package does not include local guides at the monuments. That keeps the base price lower, but you should budget for admissions and any guided visits you want.

What the $999 price really includes

At $999 per person, the value depends on how much you value convenience. Included are:

• Two nights in Amman
• One night in Petra
• One night at a Dead Sea hotel
• One night at a Bedouin camp
• Breakfast at the hotels and camp
• Dinner at the Wadi Rum camp
• Private air-conditioned transportation
• An English-speaking driver
• A two-hour Wadi Rum jeep safari
• Bottled water during the jeep safari

Not included are entry fees, local guides, most meals, and other personal expenses. Site admissions can add up across Petra, Jerash, the Baptism Site, Madaba, Karak, and other stops. The Jordan Pass is worth checking before arrival because it can waive Jordan visa entry fees and includes access to 41 sites. The package specifically recommends checking Jordanpass.jo.

The room arrangement also affects the final price. One room or tent covers up to three people. Single supplements apply, so solo visitors should ask for the exact extra charge before paying.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this route to someone visiting Jordan for the first time who wants the main sights arranged in one private trip. It suits couples, families, and small groups that prefer their own vehicle and do not want to coordinate several hotels.

It is also a good match for people who want variety. You get city ruins, Roman sites, religious landmarks, a medieval castle, Petra, desert scenery, a public beach, and the Dead Sea in one compact journey.

I would be more cautious if you want long, slow visits at each site. The schedule is active, with early pickups and several eight-hour days. Petra is self-guided, and the tour does not include local site guides, so independent planning is important.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, well-connected introduction to Jordan and place high value on having transport and lodging arranged. The best parts are the route, the Wadi Rum overnight, the included jeep safari, and the chance to travel with only your own group.

Think twice if you need a relaxed pace, detailed guiding at every monument, or a fully all-inclusive price. Before booking, confirm the hotel categories, exact entry costs, the final-day activity, whether Aqaba operates during your dates, and whether a single supplement applies. For a first visit with limited time, the $999 base price can be sensible, provided you budget for the extras.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately six days and begins at 8:00 a.m.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the tour uses a private vehicle.

Is an English-speaking driver included?

Yes. An English-speaking driver accompanies you throughout the trip.

What accommodation is included?

The package includes two nights in Amman, one night in Petra, one night at the Dead Sea, and one night at a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum.

Is food included?

Breakfast is included at all hotels and at the camp. Dinner at the Wadi Rum camp is also included. Other meals and expenses are not included.

Is the Petra entrance fee included?

No. Petra admission and entry fees at the sites are not included. Local site guides are also not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least six full days before the experience start time. Cancellations made two to six full days in advance receive a 50 percent refund. Less than two full days in advance is nonrefundable, and changes follow the same time limits.