Itinerary Amman, Petra & Wadi Rum

April is a superb time to visit Jordan: days are warm and sunny (average highs 22-28°C), nights are cool, and the country is lush after winter rains. Expect perfect conditions for exploring ancient sites, hiking, and desert adventures.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1,600 USD
🏨 Accommodations	1,610 USD
🧳 Gear	150 USD
🗺️ On-site	960 USD
Total	4,320 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇯🇴 Amman - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Amman Citadel (Jabal al-Qal’a) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Ancient hilltop with Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad ruins; great city views — arrive early for fewer crowds.

• [ ] 🏛️ Roman Theatre ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Well-preserved 6,000-seat amphitheatre from the 2nd century — check for cultural performances.

• [ ] 🏚️ Downtown (Al-Balad) walking tour ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Bustling markets, spice shops, Roman Nymphaeum, lively atmosphere — wear comfy shoes.

• [ ] 🏺 Jordan Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • National museum with Dead Sea Scrolls, archaeological treasures — high-quality exhibits in English.

• [ ] 🏜️ Rainbow Street ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Trendy area: art galleries, cafés, souks, great for mingling with locals.

• [ ] 🕌 King Abdullah I Mosque ⭐ (~1h)

  • Striking blue-domed mosque — respectful attire required.

• [ ] 🏛️ Darat al Funun ⭐ (~1h)

  • Contemporary art in historic buildings — relaxing gardens, city views.

• [ ] 🏘️ Jabal Weibdeh neighbourhood ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Bohemian quarter: artisanal cafés, street art, indie boutiques.

• [ ] 🌳 Al Hussein Public Parks & Royal Automobile Museum ⭐ (~2h)

  • Collection of classic cars, aviation exhibits, landscaped gardens.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 U Roof Lounge (Amman) ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Panoramic sunset views, creative cocktails — smart casual.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Hashem Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐

  • Legendary for falafel, hummus, and mezze — ~10 USD/person.

• [ ] 🍜 Sufra Restaurant ⭐⭐

  • Authentic Jordanian home-style cuisine on Rainbow Street — ~20-30 USD/person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Children’s Museum (~1h)
  • Interactive exhibits (skippable for adult-only groups).

🇯🇴 Petra (Wadi Musa) - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏜️ Petra Archaeological Park: The Siq & Treasury ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Walk through dramatic canyon (the Siq) to iconic Treasury; go early/mid-afternoon for best light.

• [ ] 🛕 Monastery (Ad Deir) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2.5h)

  • Hike up 800+ steps for jaw-dropping views and monumental facade; bring water and hat.

• [ ] 🏛️ Royal Tombs ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Majestic rock-cut tombs — good photo ops at sunset.

• [ ] 🏛️ High Place of Sacrifice ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Panoramic viewpoint over Petra — moderately challenging hike.

• [ ] 🌳 Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Smaller but atmospheric site with frescoes — less crowded.

• [ ] 🏞️ Colonnaded Street & Roman Ruins ⭐ (~1h)

  • Stroll ancient main road, check out Temples and markets.

• [ ] 🏠 Bedouin Tea Tents ⭐ (~0.5h)

  • Stop for sweet tea and meet local Bedouins.

• [ ] 🏞️ Beydah Neolithic Village ⭐ (~1h)

  • One of the oldest farming villages; tours available on request.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🌠 Petra by Night ⭐⭐ (~2h, Mon/Wed/Thu)

  • Candle-lit experience at the Treasury, with local music — book in advance.

• [ ] 🍸 Cave Bar ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Atmospheric bar in a 2,000-year-old Nabataean tomb.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Al Qantarah Restaurant ⭐⭐

  • Jordanian lamb dishes, mezze — ~20-30 USD/person.

• [ ] 🍜 My Mom’s Recipe Restaurant ⭐

  • Cozy, home-cooked specialties — ~15-25 USD/person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🎨 Petra Museum (~1.5h)
  • Modern museum on Petra’s history — great as a midday cool-down.

🇯🇴 Wadi Rum - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏜️ Wadi Rum Jeep Tour ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h)

  • Visit Lawrence’s Spring, Mushroom Rock, Khazali Canyon — book guided adventure with a local Bedouin.

• [ ] 🏞️ Hiking in Al Barrah Canyon ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Sandstone gorge with red cliffs and views; moderate difficulty.

• [ ] 🏜️ Camel Trekking ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Discover the desert at sunrise or sunset for magical light.

• [ ] 🕌 Bedouin Camp Experience ⭐⭐⭐ (~overnight)

  • Sleep in a traditional tent, stargaze, sample Bedouin zarb (barbecue).

• [ ] 🏞️ Sandboarding on Dunes ⭐

  • Fun activity, easy to try with guides.

• [ ] 🏜️ Jebel Umm ad Dami Climb ⭐

  • Jordan’s highest peak; advanced hikers only.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🌌 Stargazing in the desert ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Crystal-clear skies, guided astronomy sessions available.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Bedouin Camp Dinner ⭐⭐⭐
  • Traditional goat/chicken slow-cooked in sand (“zarb”) — included with most stays.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏞️ Hot Air Balloon Ride (~2h, early morning)
  • Breathtaking views — often waitlisted, expensive.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇯🇴 Amman

• [ ] 🎬 Theeb (2014) — ⭐ 7.2 — Bedouin boy’s desert odyssey set in Ottoman-era Jordan — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 Captain Abu Raed (2007) — ⭐ 7.5 — Touching story of an Amman janitor — Apple TV
• [ ] 📺 Queen Sono (2020) — ⭐ 6.2 — Action-thriller with Middle East segments — Netflix

🇯🇴 Petra

• [ ] 🎬 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) — ⭐ 8.2 — Iconic Petra Treasury finale — Paramount+
• [ ] 🎬 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) — ⭐ 6.0 — Action scenes in ancient Petra — Amazon Prime

🇯🇴 Wadi Rum

• [ ] 🎬 Lawrence of Arabia (1962) — ⭐ 8.3 — Epic filmed in Wadi Rum — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 The Martian (2015) — ⭐ 8.0 — Mars filmed in Wadi Rum — Disney+
• [ ] 🎬 Prometheus (2012) — ⭐ 7.0 — Sci-fi highlights Wadi Rum’s otherworldly landscape — Amazon Prime

🍜 Local specialties

🇯🇴 Amman

• [ ] Mansaf (lamb cooked in fermented yogurt sauce)
• [ ] Falafel & Hummus
• [ ] Kunafa (sweet cheese pastry)

🇯🇴 Petra

• [ ] Maqloubeh (layered rice, meat, vegetables)
• [ ] Sayadieh Samak (spiced fish and rice)
• [ ] Bedouin tea (sage, cardamom)

🇯🇴 Wadi Rum

• [ ] Zarb (meat and vegetables cooked underground)
• [ ] Shrak bread (Bedouin flatbread)
• [ ] Mint tea

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇯🇴 Amman

1. Amman Citadel
2. U Roof Lounge
3. Souk Jara (seasonal market)
4. InterContinental Amman
5. Hashem Restaurant

🇯🇴 Petra

1. Petra Archaeological Park (Treasury, Siq, Monastery)
2. Cave Bar
3. Petra Night Market
4. Mövenpick Resort Petra
5. Al Qantarah Restaurant

🇯🇴 Wadi Rum

1. Lawrence’s Spring
2. Bedouin Camp
3. Wadi Rum Visitor Centre
4. Sun City Camp (or similar)
5. Bedouin Camp Dining Tent

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Amman Queen Alia (direct or via Istanbul)
• [ ] 🚙 Private transfer/taxi Amman → Petra (Wadi Musa)
• [ ] 🚙 4x4 transfer Petra → Wadi Rum
• [ ] 🚙 Private transfer Wadi Rum → Amman (or Queen Alia Airport)
• [ ] ✈️ Amman → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Amman	2	InterContinental Amman (5⭐)	420 USD
Petra	3	Mövenpick Resort Petra (5⭐)	900 USD
Wadi Rum	2	Sun City Camp (Luxury Tent)	290 USD
Total	7		1,610 USD