Things to do in Aqaba Governorate

Discover the site that UNESCO described as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage.” One of the 7 New Wonders of the World, Petra was constructed in the 3rd century BC. It encompasses a series of massive temples, tombs, and structures carved into the red desert mountains. There are no other locales on earth that compare to the immensity, ancient craftsmanship, and sheer beauty of the ruins at Petra. Begin your tour with pickup from your hotel in Aqaba, at which point you’ll be driven directly to the site. After ambling through the vast rock formations that form a canopy above the desert sky, you’ll get your first glimpse of the ancient city. Tour the monolithic treasury, mourning halls, caves, tombs, temples — and more breathtaking sights of this one-of-a-kind locale.  After your visit concludes and you stop at the gift shop, you’ll stop for lunch at a restaurant specializing in local delicacies. You’ll return at around 7:00 PM to your hotel, in perfect time to digest the sights over dinner.

Explore some of Jordan's most spectacular sites on a 2-day, private tour from Amman.  Day 1: Amman - Petra Depart Amman and travel south to Petra. Founded by the Nabateans, Petra is considered one of the wonders of the world. Located 139 miles (225 kilometers) from Amman, Petra was carved in stone more than 2,000 years ago. It dominated the trade routes of ancient Arabia. Upon arrival, walk the narrow path of the Siq to discover the main entrance to the city. At the end of the Siq, see the Treasury (al-Khazneh), which was believed to hold countless treasures. Continue to the monastery and Altar of Sacrifice. Then, transfer to Wadi Rum in the afternoon. Spend the night in a Bedouin camp and enjoy dinner and some nighttime activities. Day 2: Wadi Rum - Dead Sea After breakfast, drive to Wadi Rum by 4WD jeep. Wadi Rum ("Valley of the Moon") is where the legendary film "Lawrence of Arabia" was filmed. Marvel at the unique shape of the mountain as it rises from the rose-red sand of the desert. See towering cliffs of brownish, reddish, and golden colors.  Then transfer to the Dead Sea, famous for the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Located 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is one of Jordan's most spectacular sites. Marvel at the calm waters glinting in the scorching sun. Legendary for its high concentration of salt and minerals, the Dead Sea is therapeutic and provides for a unique swimming experience. After some free time to swim, return to your hotel in Amman.

Discover the highlights of Jordan on a 3-day trip with a driver-guide from Amman. Marvel at the monuments of the rock-carved city of Petra, witness the sunset over the Dead Sea and experience Bedouin life at a camp in Wadi Rum. After pickup from your hotel in Amman, Visit Mount Nebo, and Madaba city Churches, then travel along the desert highway toward Petra. Stop at the Dana Reserve and marvel at the beautiful scenery. Continue to Shobak Castle, visit Little Petra, and admire the cut-out rock tombs. Be dropped off at your 3-star hotel in Wadi Mousa for your overnight stay. Spend the day at Petra and marvel at this well-preserved archaeological city. Take your time to explore this architectural feat before heading to Wadi Rum, where you will spend the night in a Bedouin camp. Explore the valley on a Jeep safari and admire the stunning landscapes. Then depart for a Dead Sea beach, passing through the Great Rift Valley to Aqaba City. Arrive in time to watch the sunset at the Dead Sea. Return to Amman in the evening.

Day 1: Start your tour from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Eilat, depending on the option selected. Cross the border into Jordan and travel to the port city of Aqaba. Enjoy some time to relax in the city, before continuing to Wadi Rum. Arrive at the Bedouin campsite accommodation in Wadi Rum and take in your new surroundings and the scenic views. Once settled into the campsite, head out on a jeep safari tour in the afternoon as the sun begins to set and the air becomes cooler. Enjoy an overnight stay in the camp where you will indulge in an authentic Jordanian meal for dinner. Day 2: As the sun rises in the morning, enjoy breakfast and the view before traveling to Petra. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of this iconic site and get a deeper insight into the history of the ancient Nabatean city. See the most important structures of the site including the famous treasury, the Khazneh. Stay overnight at a hotel in Petra. Day 3:  Depart from Wadi Rum in the morning and explore Petra at your own pace. Revisit sites from the previous day, or uncover new ones. Hike to the Monastery and explore some lesser-visited parts of the complex. After the final day of sightseeing, travel back to the border and return to your original starting point.

Begin with a pickup from your accommodation in Amman and head off on the 225-kilometer journey to the ancient city of Petra. Upon arrival, take a stroll through Al-Siq, a narrow and deep pathway that acts as the main entrance into Petra. Inside, admire the Al-Khazneh, where elegant remains of antiquity can be found carved deep into the rocks. See the monastery, Altar of Sacrifice, Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, and more. After soaking up all the sights, continue the tour towards Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. Next, head to Wadi Rum, the filming location of blockbuster movies such as Lawrence of Arabia and The Martian. Allow yourself to be transported into this other-worldly landscape. Embark on an adventurous 4x4 safari ride through the desert and visit several sites including Nabatean Temple. Later, stop at a picturesque Bedouin for a refreshing cup of Arabic tea or coffee and the opportunity to mingle with the locals. Finally, gaze upon a breathtaking sunset across the silky desert plains before beginning the return journey to Amman.

Meet your guide at the central pickup point in Tel Aviv. Start your trip at 3:00 AM so that you can arrive in Petra early enough to enjoy a full day of sightseeing. Travel to the Arava Border. At the border, your guide will assist you with entering Jordan.  Drive from the border to Petra in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. Enjoy the ride across the vast highway known as the “desert way.” Journey down a scenic mountain route along the mountainside. Arrive at Petra at approximately 11:30 AM and embark on a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the 7 wonders of the world. Explore the sandstone city built in the 3rd century by the Nabataeans.  Discover the palaces, temples, tombs, storerooms, and stables that were all carved into the soft stone cliffs. Marvel at the Greek-style pillars of the Treasury – a masterpiece of masonry work. Walk through the tombs known as the Street of Facades. Visit the 7,000-seat theater. Journey back towards Aqaba at 4:30 PM. Stop along the way at observation points and take in the beautiful landscape of Wadi Rum. At 7:30 PM return to Israel.

Start your tour with pickup at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. Then, drive through the desert in a comfortable vehicle until you reach the Arava Border. Cross the border with assistants, a procedure which may take up to an hour.  At 8:30 AM, transfer from the border to Petra in a new air-conditioned vehicle. This ride takes approximately 2-3 hours.  Enjoy the scenic route along the mountainside before arriving at Petra's historical site, known as one of the New7Wonders of the World.   At approximately 11:30 AM, begin your tour of Petra at the entrance to the site with a maximum group size of 25 people. Explore the highlights of this impressive site with your guide. Next, start your journey towards Aqaba at 4:30 PM. Make a few stops at certain observations points along the way to appreciate the beautiful landscapes that Wadi Rum has to offer.  At 7:30 PM, return to the Israeli territory with the assistance of your guide and arrive back at the pickup location in Jerusalem by midnight.

Discover Wadi Mujib and the Dead Sea on a private day trip from Aqaba. Take in sweeping views of the area's natural scenery and explore one-of-a-kind landscapes. Enjoy plenty of free time to swim, sunbathe, and savor a buffet lunch. Start your excursion from Aqaba with a visit to Wadi Al Mujib, the lowest nature reserve in the world (closed during the winter). Admire the scenery that stretches along the east coast of the Dead Sea. Marvel at the views of the deep Wadi Mujib Gorge. Continue on to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Located in the Jordan Valley southeast of Amman, it is one of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and the richest source of natural salts. It also hides treasures that accumulated over thousands of years. Take advantage of three hours of free time to spend swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying a buffet lunch at a 5-star hotel (included). After your free time, head back to Aqaba for drop-off.

The tour departs from Eilat and heads towards Petra, crossing the Aravah border along the way. Ride through the dusty desert landscapes, and marvel at the vast sandy scenery that stretches out all around you. Follow the scenic route alongside the mountains before arriving at Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Upon arrival, explore the highlights of the site with your expert guide and listen to fascinating stories and legends about the people who once lived here. As you amble around, admire the vibrant hues of the rocks from which most of the buildings here were carved, earning Petra the nickname ‘red-rose city.' Following your tour, enjoy some free time to wander around the site at your own leisure and focus on the areas that interest you most. After the tour, start the return journey to Eilat in the direction of the port region of Aqaba. Along the drive, stop at a selection of observation points to marvel at the breathtaking landscape of the Wadi Rum desert, where the red rocky mountains blend into the sunny horizon.

Petra is the most famous tourist site in Jordan today. Petra was once occupied by the Nabateans, and almost everything in Petra was constructed by them. Visiting Petra, you'll be able to see over 800 objects, including the famous treasury, temples, mourning houses, caves, and more. Wadi Rum is everything you'd expect of a quintessential desert: extreme in heat in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter. It is violent and moody as the sun slices through the chiseled canyons at dawn or melts the division between rock and sand at dusk. It is exacting on the Bedouin who live in it and vengeful on those who ignore the dangers it presents. Experience its power and beauty with your expert guide. Your tour will begin with a pick up from your hotel in Eilat at 08:30 AM. After crossing the Arava border, you will drive to Wadi Musa Petra and tour the site. After the tour, you will eat lunch in Petra and drive to Wadi Rum and stay overnight at an authentic Bedouin camp. Along the way, you will learn all about the Nabataeans, their history, their art, gods, and the Bedouin way of life. Upgrade your experience in the desert to a 4-star tent with a private bathroom which includes a shower and a toilet in the tent.