Current as of: November 12, 2025 - 21:28

Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands

Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group
  • Programmes: Culture
  • Activity Level:

    2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate

  • 9 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 18+
  • Trip Code: LJS
  • Carbon Footprint: 86.5kg CO2e

Trip Overview

In the hush of the Jordanian desert and the glow of stars, uncover a world shaped by faith, time, and light

Across rose-red canyons and starlit deserts, Jordan reveals its heart: carved in stone, shaped by stories, and shared in warmth. Led by your Signature Guide, trace history from Amman’s Roman avenues to the once-lost city of Petra and the vast stillness of Wadi Rum. Share family-hosted feasts in Wadi Musa, taste Jordan’s terroir at a hillside vineyard, and rest beneath desert skies in glass-domed rooms. This is Jordan at its most intimate and extraordinary – a land where every encounter feels personal, every horizon timeless, and every journey written in sand and stone.

Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.

Signature Experiences

  • Uncover Madaba’s ancient artistry in a private mosaic-making workshop, then join a local family at Hekayet Sitti to cook and share a traditional Jordanian feast
  • Journey through Petra on the quieter Backdoor Trail with a local archaeologist, revealing hidden tombs and temples before the Treasury emerges in full glory
  • Experience true Bedouin hospitality through a private coffee-making ritual, where music, rhythm, and ceremony combine
  • Spend an evening in Wadi Rum with an expert astronomer for a private stargazing session that brings Bedouin lore and desert constellations to life

Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between a walk through Al-Salt’s UNESCO-listed streets, a reflective visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, an adventurous hike through Wadi Al Mujib and more

Signature Stay: Experience tranquil seclusion at Feynan Ecolodge, a solar-powered desert retreat in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, where candlelight, Bedouin warmth, and wilderness meet in quiet harmony

Signature Guide: Let your handpicked Signature Guide lead you to the country’s soul – sharing their home, heritage, and heart

Is This Trip for You?

We have graded this trip Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.

Driving times: The longest travel time takes place on Day 3 (four hours), Day 6 (four hours) and Day 7 (five hours). All other journeys are under two hours.

Group

When it comes to unlocking a destination, your Signature Guide is the key holder. Hand-selected for their extensive experience and unrivalled local knowledge, they ensure your experience runs effortlessly thanks to their exceptional organisational skills. Our Signature Guides are named on our website, so you can begin your journey with complete confidence and anticipation of the wonders each day will bring.

Adult min age: 18

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

  • Start City: Amman
  • End City: Amman

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Settle into Amman’s rhythm | Welcome reception and private after-hours museum visit
Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands

Welcome to Amman, where limestone hills cradle centuries of history and rooftop terraces hum with modern life.

Complimentary arrival transfers are provided today. For those arriving early, an optional walking tour connects Rainbow Street with Jabal al-Weibdeh (available on request). Along the way, more than 30 murals reveal Amman’s stories of culture, language, and women’s rights amid historic streets and independent cafés.

As evening descends, meet your Signature Guide and fellow travellers for a welcome reception, followed by an exclusive after-hours visit to The Jordan Museum. In the quiet glow of the galleries, a specialist host brings Jordan’s history to life, from prehistoric relics to the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The night continues on Rainbow Street, where your first taste of Jordan awaits at Sufra Restaurant. Seated in a private area, taste Levantine dishes as the local chef presents each course, a feast served with a side of warm hospitality.

Overnight at The House Boutique Suites

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2
Wander the Roman streets of Jerash | Enjoy an intimate vineyard dinner in the hills

Journey north to Jerash, where ancient stone streets whisper of Roman grandeur. Walk beneath Hadrian’s Arch and follow the Cardo Maximus to the Oval Plaza, tracing the rhythm of a once-thriving city.

Pause midday for a home-cooked lunch, hosted by a local family. Over shared dishes and conversation, experience the simplicity and sincerity of Jordanian hospitality.

Return to Amman and continue to JR Wines, where a third-generation family member leads a private tour of the winery. Sample bold local varietals before sitting down to a dinner of traditional Jordanian dishes, thoughtfully paired with the estate’s wines.

Second night at The House Boutique Suites

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3
Discover stories of stone and spice | Connect with Jordan’s spiritual and culinary soul
Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands

Travel to Mount Nebo, where wide skies and sacred ground meet. Gaze across the Jordan Valley from the spot where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land.

In the quiet of the church, the resident priest shares a rare perspective on Christianity in Jordan and the country’s spirit of coexistence.

Signature Experience: Journey to Madaba, where sixth-century mosaics mark the city’s ancient soul. View the famed map at St George’s Church, then try mosaic-making in a private workshop guided by local artisans. At lunch, warm aromas invite you into the kitchen at Hekayet Sitti, a beloved local home, where you’ll learn to cook traditional Jordanian dishes with your hosts. With simple, soulful connection shared around the table, everyday life in Madaba comes to light.

Later, follow the King’s Highway south through ever-changing landscapes, arriving in Petra for dinner at your heritage-inspired retreat.

Overnight at Hayat Zaman Hotel & Resort

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4
Hear whispers of the Nabataeans | Rediscover Petra through the eyes of an archaeologist
Petra Jordan

Signature Experience: Morning light reveals the rose-red cliffs of Petra, a city carved into stone and history. To explore this New World Wonder, we either take the Backdoor Trail, a quieter, more immersive route, accompanied by an archaeologist from Wadi Musa, or the Main Trail accompanied by our Signature Guide.

As evening settles, share a private dinner with a welcoming family in Wadi Musa, where stories of Bedouin life and Petra’s past unfold over traditional dishes.

Later, return to the site for Petra by Night, a magical finale where candlelight and projection bring the Treasury’s sandstone glow to life beneath a star-filled sky.

Second night at Hayat Zaman Hotel & Resort

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5
Among shifting sands and starlit skies | Spend a day among Wadi Rum’s wonders
Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands

After breakfast, journey south to Wadi Rum, a vast wilderness of red sands and towering cliffs.

Those craving adventure can take to the desert on two wheels, cycling across sunlit dunes and open flats as Wadi Rum’s vast beauty unfolds. Others can head to the Valley Resort, where glass-domed rooms and sweeping sands blur the line between comfort and wilderness. Take a dip in the pool, stretch out in the gym, or relax with a quiet game as sandstone cliffs glow in the midday sun.

After a traditional Bedouin lunch, climb aboard a 4×4 for a guided journey through canyons, arches, and towering sandstone formations. Along the way, learn about Bedouin life, desert lore, and the resilience of those who call this place home.

Signature experience: As night falls, you are invited to join a private astronomy session under Wadi Rum’s vast, starlit sky. Guided by an expert, trace constellations, learn how Bedouins once navigated by the stars, and listen to legends that bring this celestial desert to life.

Overnight at Valley Resort in a Martian Bubble Room

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6
Witness traditions in motion | Journey to our Signature Stay, Dana Biosphere Reserve
Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands

Begin with a traditional breakfast shared with a local Bedouin family. Gather around the fire for bread-making, tasting warm, freshly baked flatbread while stories of desert life unfold.

Leaving Wadi Rum, the journey north passes through rugged landscapes that gradually soften into the rolling hills of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Along the way, pause for tea with locals before continuing to our Signature Stay, Feynan Ecolodge, a pioneering retreat powered by renewable energy. Lunch at the lodge celebrates organic, locally sourced ingredients.

Signature Experience: Discover true Bedouin hospitality with a private coffee-making ritual, where music, rhythm and ceremony come together in the roasting, grinding and serving of coffee: a symbol of respect and friendship.

Then, as the light fades, join Feynan’s local guide on a private sunset hike through the mountains, where the desert gives way to wilderness and silence settles over the valley.

Overnight at Feynan Ecolodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7
Uncover trails and traditions | Join a guide or shepherd to see Feynan through a local’s eyes
Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands

Dawn breaks softly over Feynan, painting the sandstone in rose and gold. Today, you decide how to greet the day. Walk with a local guide along ancient copper trails, taking the chance to bake arbood bread, the staple of shepherds. Alternatively, join a shepherd, tracing his route across the desert with his goats, sharing fire-cooked bread and tea beneath the open sky.

After lunch, the road north returns toward Amman, pausing at the Museum at the Lowest Place on Earth and the Wadi Mujib viewpoint, where the land drops to the shimmering Dead Sea. Return to Amman for an evening at leisure, where city lights replace the desert stars.

Overnight at The House Boutique Suites

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8
Signature Day | Explore, reflect or revel in Amman

Today is your Signature Day, where you can select an authentic, curated experience to connect deeply with Jordanian culture. You could:

  • Explore the city of Al-Salt, where honey-hued houses, Ottoman lanes, and open-door hospitality tell stories of coexistence and craft. Stroll the Harmony Trail, visit local museums and markets, and share a home-cooked lunch in a restored heritage house.
  • Delve into Amman’s contrasts on a city highlights tour, from the Citadel’s panoramic ruins to the Roman Amphitheatre and royal museums.
  • Trace faith and history at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where ancient baptismal pools and tranquil riverbanks invite quiet reflection.
  • Board a private helicopter to hover above Amman for a bird’s-eye view of the iconic landmarks, ancient sites, and modern skyline − a perfect blend of adventure and elegance (supplement applies).
  • Embrace adventure in Wadi Al Mujib, a sandstone gorge where you hike, wade and climb through narrow canyons to a hidden waterfall – a thrilling communion with nature.
  • Trace Jordan’s early Islamic heritage on an exclusive journey through the Desert Castles, where ancient lodges and fortresses reveal stories of artistry, ambition, and desert life.

As dusk falls, gather for a private farewell dinner at Dara Dining by Sara Aqel. In this elegant villa hideaway, Chef Aqel reimagines Jordanian cuisine through an artful tasting menu, paired with regional wines and softly lit ambience.

Overnight at The House Boutique Suites

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9
Bid a fond farewell to Jordan

Before taking your complimentary departure transfer to the airport, watch the morning light spill over Amman’s hills – the city quietly waking beneath the desert sun. This journey ends, yet Jordan’s spirit remains: in its warmth, its silence, and its endless horizons.

Alternatively, extend your stay and continue your journey of discovery. Speak with your Signature Collection travel expert to explore the possibilities.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Experience the best of Jordanian hospitality

Every aspect of the Signature Collection is meticulously planned to take you deeper into the destination. That means your accommodation is a refined showcase of local hospitality, whether you’re staying in a pioneering luxury hotel or enjoying privileged access to a characterful stay designed to fully immerse you in the local culture.

Below are the accommodations we use on this adventure:

Amman: The House Boutique Suites (nights 1-2 and 7-8)

Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands
A calm, contemporary haven in the capital, The House Boutique Suites blends modern comfort with understated Jordanian warmth. Near Rainbow Street, it features elegant suites, a rooftop pool with skyline views, and a welcoming ambience that reflects Amman’s effortless balance of tradition and modernity.

Petra: Hayat Zaman Hotel & Resort (nights 3-4)

Set within a restored 19th-century village overlooking the mountains of Petra, Hayat Zaman combines heritage charm with modern comfort. Stone-built rooms, courtyards, and views across the desert create a sense of timeless authenticity, a tranquil retreat after exploring the ancient city’s rose-red wonders.

Wadi Rum: Valley Resort, Martian Bubble Room (night 5)

Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands
Sleep beneath a canopy of stars in a glass-domed Martian Bubble Room at Valley Resort, surrounded by the iconic red dunes of Wadi Rum. With desert panoramas and access to a pool and stargazing terrace, it’s a surreal stay where wilderness meets wonder.

Feynan: Feynan Ecolodge (night 6)

Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands
Your Signature Stay. A solar-powered sanctuary deep in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Feynan Ecolodge glows by candlelight and thrives in harmony with nature. This off-grid retreat invites immersion in Bedouin hospitality, from coffee-making rituals to guided sunset hikes. Expect peace, authenticity, and a true connection to the desert.

  • Enhance your stay: Personalise your experience with curated room upgrades and additional nights tailored to your travel plans.

Food & Drink

This journey is designed to deepen your connection to Jordan through its food and drink. Enjoy home-cooked lunches shared with local families, intimate vineyard dinners in Amman’s hills, and traditional feasts beneath the desert sky. A private cooking class in Madaba adds a personal touch – learning to prepare Jordanian classics before tasting your own creations. The journey culminates with a refined tasting menu by Sara Aqel at Dara Dining, celebrating Jordan’s evolving culinary spirit.

Transport

From the moment you land to the moment you depart, all transport is taken care of for you. On this adventure, you’ll travel in comfort by private vehicle throughout, with every detail managed seamlessly by your Signature Guide.

Weather & Seasonality

Jordan has a predominantly Mediterranean and desert climate, with warm, dry summers and mild, sunny winters. Spring and autumn are ideal for exploration, bringing pleasant days and clear light across Petra, Wadi Rum, and the highlands. Summer heat peaks in the desert but stays comfortable in Amman and the north, while winter brings cooler evenings and crisp, bright days perfect for sightseeing.

Joining Instructions

As with all adventures in the Signature Collection, we take care of your arrival and departure transfers, allowing you to fully relax and immerse yourself in the local culture.

  • Arrival airport: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
    • Your adventure begins with a welcome reception at 6pm on Day 1 at our first accommodation.
  • Departure airport: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
    • Your adventure concludes after breakfast on the final day.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Amman
Location end: Amman

What To Take

Essential Equipment

There’s no specialist equipment you need for this trip. For more information on what you might need to pack, please see our packing guide.

Practical Information

Visa

Jordan

Visas are required by most nationalities and can be obtained at the border or Amman airport.

We will arrange a free visa (usually 40 Jordanian dinars) for travellers booking a tour and any pre-tour arrangements through us, provided we receive full passport and flight details at least two weeks before arrival.

You will need to pay for the visa if we do not have these details two weeks before arrival or you are making your own pre-tour arrangements (ie extra nights before the tour that are not booked through Exodus).

Our airport representative will meet and assist you with obtaining the free visa on arrival in Jordan at Customs & Immigration. They will be carrying an Exodus sign.

Vaccinations and Health

Jordan

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. Please confirm all requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Jordan's time zone: Asia/Amman (UTC +03:00)

Electricity

Jordan's electricity: Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands

Money

Jordan's currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Tipping

On this adventure, tipping for any local support staff is included and will be taken care of locally by your Signature Guide (this includes porters, local guides, drivers, waiting staff and any guest speakers). Tips for your Signature Guide are not included. We recommend around US$50 to US$60 per group member, to be given at the end. This is discretionary and you may wish to tip a different amount, depending on the service you have received.

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

We also weave Signature Legacy moments into your itinerary, so the positive impact of your trip lasts long after your stay. These are moments to remember which help people and nature thrive, ensuring you build a harmonious, positive connection with the places you visit.

On this journey, you can:

  • Walk beside a local shepherd in the wilds of Feynan, sharing fire-baked arbood bread and supporting community-led conservation within the Dana Biosphere Reserve.
  • Join Jordanian families around their tables – from a home-hosted lunch in Jerash to a cooking class in Madaba and a private dinner in Petra, celebrating travel that empowers local communities and preserves cultural heritage.

Signature Jordan | Stars and Desert Sands