Jordan and Saudi Arabia Expedition Tour 2024 || Holiday Planner
Our 9 day Jordan & Saudi Arabia trip starts in Amman and ends at Al Ula Airport. After experiencing the Dead Sea, we take you along the King’s Way to Dana Nature Reserve. You see the area on a half day hike and continue to Petra where you spend the next 3 nights. You have plenty of time to discover with your guide the landmarks and hike in the higher parts of the fantastic rock city. After crossing into Saudi Arabia you will stay one night in Tabuk before you proceed to the wonder of Al Ula. See Madain Saleh, the rock inscriptions of pre-Islamic time and the Elephant Rock. All arrangements are private.
Tour Types: Private
Runs: October to April
Accommodation: 4* Hotels, Camp
Minimum Age: 12
Highlights
- Explore the UNESCO WorldHeritage Site Madain Saleh.
- Camp 2 nights in Al Ula under a canopy of stars.
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Madain Saleh.
- Hike and relax at the Dana Nature Reserve.
- Two days to discover the Nabataean capital Petra.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Amman Airport – Dead Sea
1 Stop
Amman Airport
Welcome to Jordan! Our representative meets you in front of the immigration Amman Airport and assist you with the procedure. In just an hour reach the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. Check into your hotel, the rest of the day at leisure. Float on the salty waters, cover your body with the dark mud from the shores.
- 1 hour
- Holiday Inn Dead Sea or similar
Day 2
Dead Sea – Mt Nebo – Madaba – Kerak Castle – Dana
5 Stops
Mt Nebo
A tour of several hours along a scenic route lies ahead of you, ending in Petra. Your chauffeur takes you to Mt Nebo. From here overlook the Jordan Valley and parts of the Holy Land. According to the Bible this is the place where Moses was granted to see the Promised Land before he died and alleged to be his burial place.
- 45 mins
Madaba
Short ride to the town of Madaba. See the famous 6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St. George’s Church as well as the other mosaics in the Archaeological Park.
- 30 mins
Wadi Al Mujib
Travel along the famous ancient caravan route of the King’s Way. Short photo stop in Wadi Al Mujib, a great wide valley with magnificent geological formation, identical with the Arnon River of the Hebrew Bible.
- 10 mins
Kerak Castle
Then to the remains of the Crusader castle Kerak. Explore the underground passageways, enjoy the view, and imagine how the forces of Salah ad-Din besieged this stronghold several times.
- 1 hour
Dana Reserve
Dinner and overnight in the tiny village of Dana.
- 2 hours
- Dana Guest House or similar
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3
Dana Reserve Hike 3-4 hours – Little Petra – Petra
3 Stops
Dana Reserve
Get to know your local guide and set off from Dana Village to see more of the second largest nature reserve in Jordan. Pass by terraced gardens, walk along dramatic mountains and valleys with changing colours and always great views of Wadi Dana.
- 4 hours
Little Petra
Back in the village we make our way to Little Petra, which most likely served as caravan stopping point for Petra. Enter the small site through a narrow gorge, known as Siq Al Barid, where to see temples, tombs and water channels carved in the sandstone. One of the caves shows the remains of a Nabatean fresco painting.
- 1 hour
Petra
Proceed to your hotel in Petra for check-in and a relaxed evening.
- 15 mins
- Old Village Resort or similar
- Breakfast & Lunch Box
Day 4
Petra Back Route Hike to El Deir – Petra
1 Stop
Monastery Ad Deir
Petra offers several trails to explore more of the vast, ancient city. Today we take the back route from Little Petra to the Monastery El Deir. We start from Little Petra, once a caravan stopping point, where you see sandstone façades to a much smaller scale than Petra. We pass by the remains of the Neolithic village Beidah, walk across open farmland before we enter mountainous area. The path opens up to see the impressive façade of the Monastery El Deir, 45 meters high, cut in the sandstone rock. Explore the monument and its surrounding areas with great views over the Wadi Araba. Follow the around 800 stairs down to the lower parts of Petra, where you recognize the main trail ending at the main gate. The hike is moderate and takes about 4 hours to reach the Monastery. There is just one exposed area where it might be a little challenging for people being afraid of heights. Overnight at your hotel in Petra.
- 8 hours
- Old Village Resort or similar
- Breakfast & Lunch Box
Day 5
Petra Visit with Al Madras Viewpoint – Petra
1 Stop
Petra
Meet your local guide and hike / scramble the Al Madras path to the Treasury Viewpoint. Back on the main trail pass the narrow canyon, the so-called Siq, with its colourful sandstone. At the end you will be rewarded with a view of the most beautiful monument, the Treasury. Continue via the Street of Facades to the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh’s Castle. After around 2 hours the guide says farewell to you at the restaurant area. You have free time to explore Petra on your own. The young at heart for instance, have the chance to climb the stairs to the High Place of Sacrifice. Overnight Petra.
- 7 hours
- Old Village Resort or similar
- Breakfast
Day 6
Petra – Al Muddawara Border – Tabuk
2 Stops
Al Muddawara Border
08:00 pickup hotel lobby and we head about 2 hours to the Al Muddawara Border to cross into Saudi Arabia.
- 2 hours
Tabuk
After crossing the border we drive through northern Saudi Arabia till we reach after about 2 hours to the city of Tabuk. Check into your hotel. If you wish visit the Castle in Tabuk, the vibrant Souq and if you are interested in trains the Hejaz Railway Museum. Dinner including a nice seating area and serving Saudi traditional cuisine.
- 2 hours
- Swiss In or similar
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7
Tabuk – Dedan – Jabal Ikmah – Al Ula
3 Stops
Dedan
Hit the road for 3 hours to Al Ula. As soon as we arrive we will go to a farm with a campsite, where we spend the next two nights. Then we start our tour to the oasis city of Dedan, known also as Lihyan, located 25 kilometers to the south. Dedan was once the capital of two old Arabian kingdom in the 1st millennium BCE, close to the trade routes. Excavations revealed remains of large fortified cities. East of the city you find the famous Lion Tombs carved into the cliff of Jabal Dedan.
- 4 hours
Jabal Ikmah
A short ride takes us to Jabal Ikmah, an open library of Aramaic, Dadanitic and Nabataean inscriptions in a beautiful desert landscape.
- 2 hours
Al Ula
Return to the campsite to rest and relax.
- 45 mins
- Camp
- Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Day 8
Madain Saleh – Elephant Rock – Ad-Deerah – Al Ula
4 Stops
Madain Saleh
The day starts with a visit to the most popular historical site in Saudi Arabia, Madain Saleh. Known before as Hegra, it is the first attraction in Saudi Arabia to be listed as a UNESCO Word Heritage Site. Madain Saleh was the second largest city of the Nabatean kingdom, whose capital Petra we visited a few days ago. In Madain Saleh 111 tombs can be found, many with numerous inscriptions. The area called Jabal Ithlib leads to a Triclinium, Diwan in Arabic, dedicated to councils and rituals.
2 hours
Elephant Rock
We also see the interesting 52 meters high Elephant Rock, known as Jabal Al Fil, one of Al Ula’s many geological marvels created by wind and water erosion.
- 1 hour
Ad-Deerah
Then to Ad-Deerah, the old village of Al Ula. This is the traditional village where people of the oasis moved some 8 centuries ago and you have to time to walk the labyrinth of narrow shaded streets.
- 1.5 hours
Al Ula
Return to your campsite for a relaxed evening.
- 45 mins
- Camp
- Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
Day 9
Al Ula – Al Ula Airport
1 Stop
Al Ula Airport
Today where we say goodbye to beautiful Al Ula, we will be drop you off at the airport according to your flight schedule.
- 45 mins
- Breakfast
Inclusions
- Meet & greet at the airport.
- 1 night at simple hotel with breakfast and dinner in Dana.
- Departure tax Jordan land border.
- 1 dinner in Tabuk.
- Lunch meals like stated.
- English speaking guide on tour days in Saudi.
- English speaking spot guide in Petra on day 5 (3.5 hours).
- English speaking spot guide in Petra on day 4 (4.5 hours).
- English speaking spot guide in Dana (3-4 hours).
- Entrance fees to mentioned sites.
- 2 nights camping with breakfast and dinner in Al Ua.
- 1 night at hotel with breakfast in Tabuk.
- 3 nights at hotel with breakfast in Petra.
- 1 night at hotel with breakfast at the Dead Sea.
- 1 airport transfer upon departure.
- 1 airport transfer upon arrival.
- Private transportation in a/c vehicle with English speaking driver.
Exclusions
- Airfare.
- Travel insurance.
- Entry visa Jordan (free of charge possible, see Practical Info).
- Entry visa Saudi Arabia.
- Meals and beverage not stated.
- Tips, portage and private expenses.
Practical Info
- For entry visa regularities see our blog Visa and Passport Requirements.
- Check in time at hotels is 14:00, check out time at hotels 12:00 noon.
- Dress Code: Men and women need to dress modestly, cover shoulders and knees and avoid tight fitting clothes.
- Please pack comfortable walking shoes, warm clothes for the cooler nights and depending on season sun protection.
