10-Day Jordan & Dubai: Ancient Petra to Modern Marvels

Tour Overview

Duration	10 Days / 9 Nights
Countries	Jordan, UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)
Route	Amman → Petra → Wadi Rum → Dead Sea → Dubai → Abu Dhabi
UNESCO Sites	2 (Petra, Wadi Rum Protected Area)
Tour Type	Private Tour
Price	From US$1,149 per person

Data source: aroundegypttours.com — verified real itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Amman, Jordan

Welcome to Jordan! Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Amman — one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, where ancient ruins sit alongside modern cafes and galleries. Evening at leisure to explore the vibrant Rainbow Street area.

Day 2: Amman City Discovery & Desert Castles

• Amman Citadel — Perched on the highest hill in Amman, this archaeological site spans the Bronze Age through the Umayyad period. See the Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace, and the Jordan Archaeological Museum. The panoramic views over Amman’s sprawling cityscape are spectacular
• Roman Theatre — A beautifully restored 2nd-century amphitheater seating 6,000, still used for performances today
• Desert Castles — Afternoon excursion to the eastern desert to visit Qasr Amra (UNESCO), an 8th-century bathhouse with astonishingly well-preserved frescoes depicting hunting scenes, zodiac signs, and bathing women — rare examples of figurative Islamic art

Day 3: Madaba, Mount Nebo & Drive to Petra

• Madaba — The “City of Mosaics.” Visit St. George’s Church to see the famous 6th-century Madaba Map — the oldest surviving cartographic representation of the Holy Land, composed of over two million pieces of colored stone
• Mount Nebo — Where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death. The Memorial Church of Moses houses exquisite Byzantine mosaics, and the viewing platform offers a breathtaking panorama across the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and on clear days, Jerusalem
• Drive south to Petra (3hrs) through the dramatic King’s Highway

Day 4: Petra — The Rose-Red City

The highlight of your Jordan journey — a full day exploring Petra, the 2,000-year-old Nabataean capital and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

• The Siq — The 1.2km narrow gorge, with walls soaring 80m on both sides, that serves as the dramatic entrance to Petra. The play of light on the rose-colored rock is mesmerizing
• The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) — The moment you emerge from the Siq to see the Treasury’s magnificent facade is one of travel’s greatest reveals. This 40m-high tomb carved entirely from the cliff face is even more breathtaking in person
• Street of Facades & Royal Tombs — Walk past dozens of Nabataean tombs carved into the cliffs, each with distinctive architectural styles
• The Monastery (Ad-Deir) — For the energetic: climb 800 steps to Petra’s largest monument. Less visited than the Treasury but equally spectacular, the Monastery’s facade is 50m wide and 45m high
• Petra by Night (Optional) — Experience the Siq lit by 1,500 candles, leading to the Treasury illuminated against the starry desert sky, accompanied by Bedouin music

Day 5: Wadi Rum — Mars on Earth

Drive 1.5hrs to Wadi Rum (UNESCO) — the Valley of the Moon. This surreal desert landscape of towering sandstone mountains and red sand dunes has served as the backdrop for “Lawrence of Arabia,” “The Martian,” and “Dune.”

• 4×4 Jeep Safari — Explore the desert’s highlights: Lawrence’s Spring, the Khazali Canyon with its ancient Thamudic inscriptions, and the massive red sand dunes
• Sunset in Wadi Rum — Watch the sun paint the mountains in shades of red, orange, and purple from a panoramic viewpoint
• Bedouin Camp Dinner — Traditional Zarb — chicken and lamb slow-cooked underground in a sand oven. After dinner, stargaze in one of the world’s clearest night skies

Overnight: Wadi Rum desert camp.

Day 6: Dead Sea & Fly to Dubai

• Dead Sea — The lowest point on Earth (430m below sea level). Float effortlessly in the hypersaline water — reading a newspaper while floating is a mandatory photo! Cover yourself in the mineral-rich black mud for a natural spa treatment. The Dead Sea’s therapeutic properties have been famous since Cleopatra’s time
• Transfer to Amman Airport. Fly to Dubai (3hrs). Arrive in the glittering futuristic city-state. Transfer to your hotel

Day 7: Dubai — Modern Marvels

• Burj Khalifa — Ascend to the 124th/125th floor observation deck of the world’s tallest building (828m). The views of Dubai’s skyline, desert, and Persian Gulf are staggering
• Dubai Mall — One of the world’s largest shopping centers with the Dubai Aquarium, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and over 1,200 stores
• Dubai Fountain Show — The world’s largest choreographed fountain system, shooting water 150m high to music and lights
• Dubai Marina Walk — Evening stroll among the glittering skyscrapers and luxury yachts

Day 8: Old Dubai & Desert Safari

• Al Fahidi Historical District (Bastakiya) — Dubai’s oldest neighborhood with traditional wind-tower architecture, art galleries, and the Dubai Museum in the 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort
• Abra Ride on Dubai Creek — Cross the creek on a traditional wooden boat (1 AED) — the pulse of old Dubai
• Gold Souk & Spice Souk — Wander the glittering gold market and fragrant spice lanes of Deira
• Desert Safari — Afternoon dune bashing in a 4×4, camel ride, sandboarding, henna painting, and a BBQ dinner with belly dancing and Tanoura shows under the stars at a Bedouin-style camp

Day 9: Abu Dhabi Day Trip

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — One of the world’s largest mosques, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture with 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24-carat gold chandeliers, and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. The white marble and reflective pools are breathtaking in any light
• Louvre Abu Dhabi — Jean Nouvel’s architectural marvel beneath a floating dome that creates a “rain of light” effect. The museum’s collection spans human history across civilizations
• Corniche Drive — Along Abu Dhabi’s stunning waterfront with views of the Emirates Palace and Etihad Towers

Day 10: Departure from Dubai

Free morning for last-minute shopping or a visit to the Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis. Transfer to Dubai International Airport. You’ve journeyed from ancient Nabataean tombs carved 2,000 years ago to the world’s tallest building — from the silence of the desert to the buzz of a city that never sleeps. The Middle East is a land of contrasts, and you’ve experienced its full spectrum.

Inclusions

• ✅ 9 nights accommodation (5 in Jordan, 4 in UAE)
• ✅ Professional English-speaking guides in Jordan and Dubai
• ✅ All entrance fees to listed attractions
• ✅ Airport transfers in Amman and Dubai
• ✅ Private vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing
• ✅ Daily breakfast
• ✅ Wadi Rum 4×4 jeep safari (3hrs)
• ✅ Wadi Rum Bedouin camp with dinner
• ✅ Dubai desert safari with BBQ dinner
• ✅ Burj Khalifa “At the Top” (124th floor)
• ✅ Flight: Amman to Dubai

Exclusions

• ❌ Jordan and UAE visa fees
• ❌ International flights
• ❌ Travel insurance
• ❌ Lunch and dinner (except those specified)
• ❌ Tips and gratuities
• ❌ Personal expenses