IS IT SAFE?
our jordanian-palestinian tour organizer, yasar malhas, responds
ⵙ WHAT’S THE JOURNEY?
Welcome to Jordan, our first love and a beautiful country in the Levant region of the Middle East. With fascinating neighbors, a millennia-old history, amazing cuisine, diverse landscapes, and welcoming people, Jordan is sure to capture your heart and your mind. In 10 days and 9 nights, we will explore most of the country from the North to the South: from the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea to the highest mountains, from the lush Dana Valley to the arid desert, from the capital of Amman to the countryside villages, and everywhere in between.
Yalla = ‘let’s go’ in Arabic
Read Yulia’s Article about Traveling to Jordan in 2024
ⵣ TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Yulia has curated an itinerary filled with incredible sights, experiences, and people
Taste Jordan’s award-winning flavors at Carob House, a community farm & restaurant
Stay at the best Bedouin camp in the Wadi Rum desert, run by Yulia’s friends
Meet & support communities like the Dar Nemeh women cooperative
ⵆ WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR?
Our travelers come from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, but what unites them is humility, curiosity, an open mind, love for travel, and a sense of adventure.
Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Hike in Jordan’s largest nature preserve, Wadi Dana, and explore its many canyons and valleys.
Experience Childlike Wonder
See the ruins of Petra (both during the day and at night!) and hike from the Little Petra to the main Petra site (a route taken by few!).
Explore a New, Beautiful Culture
Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin camp in the Wadi Rum desert and engage with the local tribes.
Find a Sense of Stillness
Float in the incredible Dead Sea while relaxing at a premier resort.
Unplug from Your Daily Routine
Visit Amman and explore this bustling metropolis from the Roman Citadel in downtown to the hip art galleries in Jabal Al-Weibdeh.
A solo traveler?
Meet interesting people with stories to tell from all over the world and leave the countless hours of planning to us, expert travelers and organizers who have an insider knowledge of Jordan and its best, untrodden paths. Our deep relationships with people who live and work in Jordan will give you a close look into this country we love.
“You will have a magical, awe-inspiring, unforgettable experience with memories to savor from the trip of a lifetime.”
ⴾ TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1
We arrive to Amman airport where a car awaits to take us straight to the Dead Sea Spa Hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea (transfer included). We get to know our fellow travelers during our first dinner together.
Overnight: Dead Sea Spa Hotel
Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2
We have a free day in the Dead Sea — the lowest point on Earth — to relax after our long journey. We wash off our travel fatigue in the incredible Dead Sea waters and float for as long as we want. We travel to Bethany (Al-Makhtas) on the Jordan River to the site where John the Baptist is believed to have baptized Jesus. We return to the Dead Sea Spa Hotel and watch the sun fall behind the calm sea waters.
Overnight: at Dead Sea Spa Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 3
After breakfast, we leave for Madaba, a small town in central Jordan known for its Christian heritage and Umayyad mosaics. We visit Carob House, an inspiring farm & community restaurant in Madaba with a mission to restore Jordan’s lands. Later, we continue on the ancient highway, King's Way, which takes us through some of the lowest valleys and the highest plateaus of southern Jordan. We arrive to Wadi Dana, Jordan’s largest nature preserve with 320 square km of spectacular mountains and valleys. We check-in and relax at the Dana Trail hotel and take in the incredible views.
Overnight: Dana Trail Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4
After breakfast, we set on a hike around Wadi Dana, stopping for occasional sage tea breaks and letting herds of rowdy goats pass us by. Our first hike of the trip is the Shaq Al Reesh Trail (moderate / 8 km / 4 hours).
In the afternoon, we set off to The Lost City of Petra, an ancient kingdom of the mysterious Nabateans. We settle into Petra Icon Hotel before a special treat of witnessing Petra by Night — a breathtaking event when Petra shines with the light of a thousand candles...
Overnight: Petra Icon Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5
We get up early because today we will go on a special hike from Little Petra to the Monastery in Petra (status permitting). Back roads that at times will be nothing more than a ledge will open up to sweeping vistas of this incredible mountain landscape. Prepare to be awed at every turn. This is our second (and final) hike of this trip: Al-Beidah Trail (moderate to difficult / 15 km / ~ 8–9 hours). This is a route that 95% of Petra visitors will never see. Instead of entering Petra with the crowds through the main gate, we (literally) take the path less traveled via a back road trail. As we hike through this stunning landscape, we will see marvelous views over Wadi Araba and pass by multiple Bedouin homes, meeting shepherds and their families going through the daily routine on the way. We will also have a donkey with us who will carry our provisions.
Overnight: Petra Icon Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6
Right after breakfast we head to the desert! Upon arrival, we get into our 4x4 and drive several hours deep into Wadi Rum, passing whimsical landscapes of sand dunes and stone. We have a beautiful traditional lunch in the desert (gallayeh, anyone?) and get ready to find the best spot for sunset amid the dunes, cup of bedouin tea in our hands. When it gets dark, we retreat to our camp and stay up until 2 am (optional 😊) to catch the incredible star show with Milky Way and other galaxies in attendance.
Overnight: Bedouin camp run by a local family
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7
We rise up extra early for a special experience (it's a surprise!). After breakfast, we visit a local desert Bedouin family and learn how they cook traditional meals and make the Shraak bread. We have lunch with the family and enjoy the rest of the day free at the camp.
Overnight: Bedouin camp run by a local family
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 8
In the morning, we say goodbye to the desert and head for the capital city, Amman, an incredible megapolis full of bustling souks, soulful mosques, and modern hi-rises. We have lunch at Dar Nemeh, a community tourism project empowering Jordan’s women, visit the Roman Citadel with breathtaking views of the city and the Roman Amphitheater, wander through the busy downtown streets, and explore the downtown souk.
Overnight: Canary Boutique Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 9
After breakfast, we’ll explore the robust Amman art scene. There are many wonderful galleries in the city. We visit several, such as Darat Al Funun and Dar al-Anda, and try our hand at Arabic calligraphy. After, we walk to the famous Rainbow Street where the best falafel in Amman awaits. In the evening, we'll ride to Shams al Balad restaurant for a farewell dinner together and return to the hotel before we go back to our respected homes.
Overnight: Canary Boutique Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 10
Today we leave Jordan (transfer to Amman airport included) and prepare to miss it as soon as the plane takes off.
Meals included: Breakfast
“With NOMAD + JULES, you don’t just visit the beautiful sites of Jordan and rush from one place to another, you truly experience the country.”
ⵆ TRIP DETAILS
DepartureS:
Sun, Oct 27 - Tue, Nov 5 2024
Travelers coming from the US would need to depart on Sat, Oct 26 to arrive in Jordan on the 27th
Journey price:
$3,684 per person if paid by ACH transfer / Venmo / Zelle
$3,794 per person if paid by credit card / PayPal
$155 deposit is required to hold your spot
Payment plans are available; contact us for details
All accommodations are in three-star hotels or higher (double-occupancy rooms; if you'd like some privacy, single-occupancy rooms are available for an additional lump sum payment of $457 which you can book here).
The last day to book is Mon, Aug 26, 2024.
What's included:
✔ 9 nights accommodations in three-star hotels or higher, including 2 nights in a desert Bedouin camp (double-occupancy rooms; if you'd like some privacy, single-occupancy rooms available for an additional lump sum payment of $457). Please note: deluxe tents at the Bedouin camp have one double bed only (all other double-occupancy accommodations will have two single beds).
✔ 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 9 dinners (including a traditional farewell dinner on Day 9)
✔ All in-country transportation (we will have our own driver and explore the wonders of Jordan at our own pace!), including airport transfers on days of arrival and departure
✔ A professional driver to accompany us throughout the trip
✔ All entrance fees to all sites we will visit
✔ All excursions:
Hiking with a local guide in Wadi Dana
Local Petra guide to take us through secret passages and backroads of Petra
Access to Petra by Night
Six-hour 4x4 trek in the Wadi Rum desert (we will get to see a vast swath of that land!)
An hour-long camel ride at sunset in Wadi Rum
Sunset and Bedouin tea ceremony in Wadi Rum
A Bedouin family experience in the desert
Amman city tour
A two-hour Arabic calligraphy workshop or a two-hour Arabic cooking class
What's not included:
Airfare to/from Amman
Personal expenses + drinks
Lunches on Days 1-2, 9-10
Tips for service personnel (driver, local guides, etc)
Mandatory travel insurance
Explore Jordan with our founder, seasoned travel journalist Yulia Denisyuk
Yulia is the founder of NOMⴷD + JULES and an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, writer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. She was born in Kazakhstan, grew up in Estonia, and now lives in the United States. Yulia has traveled the world extensively and turned to a travel journalism career after spending more than ten years in large organizations — first as a Navy Sailor, then as a brand manager at Fortune 500 companies. Yulia's work appears in TIME, Conde Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, Afar magazine, National Geographic Traveller, BBC Travel, and others. Yulia started NOMⴷD + JULES because of one question: Is it safe to travel to Jordan now?
OUR GROUPS ARE INTIMATE.
OUR JOURNEYS ARE INTENTIONAL.
OUR EXPERIENCES (WE HOPE!) WILL BE TRANSFORMATIVE FOR YOU.
READY TO JOIN US?
To hold your spot, book your $155 non-refundable deposit below.
Spots are limited.
BOOKING POLICY
All payments are non-refundable (in the event of trip cancellation by NOMAD + JULES, payment will be refunded). The remaining balance is due within 30 days of booking request but not later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip.
Please note: mandatory travel insurance is required to take this trip. We encourage you to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellations. We recommend Travel Insured. See more here.
View our full booking terms and conditions here.
Optional Add-On: Four Days In Lebanon
We’re so close, we might as well go to Lebanon!
Beirut, Chouf, Keserwan
One-hour flight from Amman will take us to Beirut. We’ll spend four days and three nights in Beirut and its vicinity. In that time, we will:
– Get to know Beirut inside and out, with visits to Ras Beirut, Hamra, and The Green Line
– Walk in the forest of Chouf where we’ll learn how to bake a “mankouche”
– Travel to the traditional villages of Keserwan and meet the last silk artisans
COUNTRY RESOURCES
In Jordan, a Community Disrupted Awaits Travel’s Return
Yulia Denisyuk, a long-time Jordan traveler returns to find a people striving to make ends meet in the absence of visitors.
WANDERER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to be a photographer (or a social media influencer) to join you on this tour? No. Our focus is on making sure we travel at our own pace and getting to know the places and people around us. We have a passion for photography and we want to share this passion with the group - but it is not mandatory by all means to be a professional photographer or have an interest in photography/social media. All we ask is that you come with an open mind and heart.
Who fulfills the trip on the ground? We've partnered with a wonderful tour company in Jordan that has a passion for same things we do to make this happen. We have used this company's services in the past and can attest that they are amazing, care about their people, and genuinely care for the wellbeing of their guests (plus have more than 30 years of experience with groups visiting Jordan).
What gear do I need to bring? Whatever gear you are comfortable with or want to learn more about: your phone, your DSLR, or no gear at all - all options are just fine (see #1). If you want to learn more about astrophotography, we'd recommend bringing a DSLR and a tripod.
How much cash do I need on the ground? You should expect to need a total of 200 JOD for the trip (that's ~$280). This would cover tips, lunches, and any small miscellaneous expenses. We suggest you exchange ~20 JOD at the airport upon arrival. We will exchange the rest in Madaba due to better rates.
Do I need to arrive and depart at a specific time? We have included transfers to/from airport as part of the trip, so you will have flexibility in choosing the flights that work for you. Afternoon arrival and morning departure are ideal - but we can work with other schedules as well.
What about visas? For US citizens: we will not need a visa to enter Jordan (US citizen traveling individually do need to get a visa on arrival, but since we are traveling as a group, that requirement is waived). If you will be traveling with any other passport, please email us so we can advise on visas.
What about travel insurance? Travel insurance is required to take our trip. All travelers will be asked to provide proof of current and adequate travel insurance 30 days prior to departure. We strongly recommend that travel insurance addresses COVID-related claims and trip cancellation coverage. The bookings (including the deposit and the remaining payment) are non-refundable; Trip cancellation insurance may be the only means of receiving reimbursement for flights and other non-refundable travel expenses should the trip be canceled for any reason by you. There are many options for travel insurance. We recommend Travel Insured; see more here.
Is it safe to visit Jordan right now? Yes. Our founder, Yulia, is keeping in touch with our partners there and it is safe. The situation on the ground is often less extreme than what the media portrays. We will of course take every precaution to travel safely, as we should anywhere we go on the planet. Read more about this here.
What about traveling during Ramadan? Ramadan is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic faith and a holy month of fasting, reflection, and coming together as a community. Traveling during Ramadan is not an issue. Shops and restaurants will be open, but quieter than usual. The villages and cities will come to life during the nighttime hours when the fasting breaks.
More questions? Reach out to us at any time at info@nomadandjules.co.
Photographer Angus Reed remembers his experience hitchhiking through Jordan for a month.