Self-drive tour - Jordan in complete freedom
Desert & Red Sands 8 days classique

Self-drive tour - Jordan in complete freedom

A self-drive tour among Nabataean remains, Crusader fortresses and hypersaline waters of the Dead Sea

From€690per person
18 years of local expertise4.51/5 (93 reviews including 92 Google)

Duration

8 days

From

€690/pers.

Ideal seasons

Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov

Style

Self-drive tour

Comfort

classique

Travelers

Couple, Solo, With friends, senior

The spirit of travel

Embark on an 8-day circuit in Jordanie, between historic sites, desert landscapes and biblical locations. Your itinerary takes you to discover Amman, the ancient Roman city of Jérash, the mosaics of Madaba and Pétra, inscribed on the world heritage list. The journey continues in the Wadi Rum desert, whose rocky landscapes you explore during a 4x4 excursion. You also discover Bedouin traditions and enjoy encounters with local inhabitants, an opportunity to experience Jordanian hospitality and culture.

Throughout the stages, rocky canyons, desert expanses and fertile valleys testify to the diversity of landscapes in the country. After cultural and natural discoveries, you reach the shores of the Dead Sea for a moment of relaxation.

Between ancient sites, local traditions and wide open spaces, this itinerary offers a complete discovery of Jordanie and the different civilizations that have shaped its history.

The stages of your journey

D1
AmmanRetaj / Sulaf Luxury
D2
JerashRetaj / Sulaf Luxury
D3
MadabaPetra Palace or Edom / Petra Canyon
D4
PetraPetra Palace or Edom / Petra Canyon
D5
Wadi RumHarir camp / Mazayen camp
D6
Mer morteRamada hotel / Dead Sea Spa hotel
D7–8
AmmanRetaj / Sulaf Luxury

Highlights

Total freedom on a self-drive tour
Petra and Little Petra
Night under the stars
Jerash the Ancient City
Dead Sea Floating
Biblical Kings Route

Day-by-day itinerary

Jour 1
D1

Welcome to Amman, the capital of Jordan

Upon arrival at Amman airport, obtain your visa before being welcomed by your driver at the exit. You will then be transferred to your hotel to settle in comfortably.
A representative from our agency will meet you at the hotel to provide you with detailed explanations about your itinerary. They will also hand over your rental car as well as a mobile phone equipped with Google Maps to facilitate your travels.

Retaj / Sulaf LuxuryDinner
Jour 2
D2

Discovery of Jerash, the Preserved Roman City

Amman → Jerash

1h50 km

After breakfast at the hotel, departure for a visit to Jerash (Gerasa), one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Near East, nicknamed "the city of a thousand pillars". After Petra, Jerash is the second major tourist destination in Jordanie.

Jerash → Ajlun

40min25 km

Route towards Ajloun, through stunning natural landscapes and olive groves. You will discover the Qala'at ar-Rabad fortress, perched on a hilltop and offering spectacular views over Tiberias and Judea. Built to protect trade routes between Jordanie and Syria, it played a key role in defending the region during the Crusades.

Ajlun → Amman

1h3070 km

Return to Amman at the end of the day and night at the hotel.

Retaj / Sulaf LuxuryDinner
Jour 3
D3

Discovery of Madaba, the City of Mosaics

Amman → Madaba

35min25 km

After breakfast, departure towards the King's Road to visit Madaba, famous for its Byzantine mosaics. This city, which once had 14 churches, housed a renowned school of mosaicists whose art reached its peak in the 5th and 6th centuries. Visit to the Church of Saint George, where the famous "Map of Palestine" is located, a 6th-century mosaic discovered in 1898. With an original size of 25 meters by 5 meters and composed of two million tesserae, it represents the geography of Byzantine Near East.

Madaba → Mont Nebo

15min10 km

Continuing towards the Mount Nebo, an iconic site offering panoramic views over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. This promontory is famous for being the place where Moses is believed to have seen the Promised Land before his death. Opportunity to visit Kerak, renowned for its impressive Crusader fortress.

Mont Nebo → Petra

4h280 km

After this discovery of Jerash, you head back on the road towards Petra.

Petra Palace or Edom / Petra CanyonDinner
Jour 4
D4

Petra, the rose city of the desert

The full day is dedicated to exploring the Pink City, an icon of the country, UNESCO World Heritage Site, an exceptional and monumental place shrouded in mystery, which will amaze you. You have an early breakfast to take advantage of the site as soon as it opens at 6 am. Sometimes nicknamed the Lost City, built nearly 2000 years ago by the Nabataeans, "lost" to the West in the 14th century and then rediscovered in the early 19th century by a Swiss traveler disguised as an Arab claiming to want to honor the tomb of the prophet Aaron, Petra is full of tombs, palaces, staircases, rock temples…

The spectacle is everywhere and captivates lovers of beautiful stone, History, artists, explorers and simple travelers alike. The magic works and emotions run high!

The day includes a guided tour of 2:30 hours with a specialized English-speaking guide. The rest of the day is free.

Night in Petra.

Petra Palace or Edom / Petra CanyonBreakfastDinner
Jour 5
D5

From Little Petra to the Stunning Landscapes of Wadi Rum

Visit to Little Petra and the Siq el-Barid site, a Nabataean caravan station and commercial hub, as well as the Neolithic remains of Beidah. Abounds with Nabataean ruins. This site is an important stop on the route to Petra and is distinguished by its narrow 400-meter canyon, the Siq, which opens between red sandstone rocks. On site, you will discover a temple-tomb and four tricliniums, the guest chambers where Bedouin merchants made their stops. Little Petra, founded in the 1st century BC, was part of the great city of Petra, but was dedicated to residential and commercial dwellings rather than temples or royal necropolises.

Next, head to the Wadi Rum desert, a stunning natural landscape where cliffs and valleys offer majestic beauty.
Immortalized by T. E. Lawrence and the film "Lawrence of Arabia", Wadi Rum is a place steeped in serenity and grandeur. A Bedouin guide will accompany you to explore this fascinating desert, between pink sand dunes and stratified sandstone mountains. 4x4 exploration in the desert. You board a 4x4 to explore Jordan's perfect desert on a two-hour excursion, where you will admire the sunset.

Evening dinner with typical Bedouin cuisine and overnight stay in a Bedouin camp at Wadi Rum.

Harir camp / Mazayen campBreakfastDinner
Jour 6
D6

Unique Experience on the Shores of the Dead Sea

Wadi Rum → Dead sea

4h30350 km

Breakfast at the Bedouin camp, then departure for a relaxing getaway to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, located 400 meters below sea level. Free time to enjoy the facilities of a well-equipped private beach on the Dead Sea, including swimming pools, cabins, showers, as well as restaurants and cafés.

The Dead Sea coast, partially inhabited, remains very peaceful today. Its landscapes, virtually unchanged since antiquity, offer an ideal setting for scenic drives. You can sunbathe, swim, dine, or relax in the water, enjoying the strange yet delightful experience of "floating" on the surface of the waters, nine times saltier than ordinary seawater.

Feel free to take a therapeutic mud bath or enjoy a spa treatment to soothe your skin and relax your muscles.

Ramada hotel / Dead Sea Spa hotelBreakfastDinner
Jour 7
D7

Relaxation and Return to Amman

Dead sea → Amman

1h55 km

After breakfast, you enjoy a free morning on the shores of the Dead Sea, perfect for relaxation. In the afternoon, you head back towards Amman to discover the Jordanian capital. Dinner and night in Amman.

Retaj / Sulaf LuxuryBreakfastDinner
Jour 8
D8

See you soon in Jordan!

After breakfast, you are transferred to the Queen Alia International Airport (Q.A.I.A.) to take your departure flight and leave Jordan.

Breakfast

Price per person

2 pers.€850/pers.
4 pers.€780/pers.
5-6 pers.€690/pers.

Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.

This trip can be tailored to your preferences

This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.

Not included

  • International flights
  • Beverages and Personal Expenses
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Lunch Meals

Included

  • Modern and air-conditioned rental car 2020-2024
  • Entrance fees to sites to visit, according to visits and excursions mentioned in the program. Jordan Pass
  • Our 24/7 on-site assistance and airport pickup.
  • Accommodation in 3*, 4* hotels as mentioned or similar, depending on availability, in double room, on a half-board basis
  • The free entry visa to Jordan to be taken care of by us, on site at Amman airport.
  • Local English-speaking guide at Petra for 2h30
  • Jeep 4x4 Excursion in Wadi Rum Desert for Two Hours.

Practical Information

Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.

The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.

See our specific terms of sale for full details.

In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:

  • Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
  • Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
  • Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total

We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.

The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Jordan for a tourist stay. Entry requirements may change, so we recommend verifying the information with the official authorities before your departure.

Passport

To enter Jordan, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country and have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).

Tourist stay: visa on arrival

Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport as well as at the main land and maritime entry points.

This visa allows a stay of up to 30 days. It is possible to request an extension from Jordanian immigration services on site to extend your stay duration.

The authorities may also request:

  • an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),

  • proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.

It is also possible to obtain a Jordanian visa in advance online via the official e-Visa portal (e-Visa) established by Jordanian authorities.

Jordan Pass

The Jordan Pass is an official package established by the Jordanian government that combines entry visa and access to over 40 tourist sites, including the archaeological site of Petra.

By purchasing the Jordan Pass before your arrival, visa fees are included in the pass price, provided you stay a minimum of three nights in Jordan. The pass must be purchased online before arrival in the country.

Traveling with children

Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.

In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an exit authorization from the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.

Health and vaccines

No vaccine is mandatory to enter Jordan from the EEA, Switzerland, or Canada. It is nevertheless recommended to ensure that routine vaccinations are up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and B).

Consult a doctor or international vaccination center before your departure for personalized advice.

Other nationalities

Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Concerned travelers should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Jordan in their country of residence.

To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have repatriation assistance and foreign medical expenses coverage.

Your local agency encourages you to review the specific contract developed with our partners CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.

CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!

Choose the plan that best suits you:

  • Explorer'Multirisque

  • Explorer'Annulation

  • Explorer'Assistance

  • Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire

Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims procedures is available on the insurer's website.

Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims notification procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.

Chapka — Cap Explorer

Our insurance partner

Travel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.

Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insurance

Frequently asked questions

A tourist visa is required. It can be obtained upon arrival at Amman Airport or included free of charge in the Jordan Pass if purchased before departure. The Jordan Pass is highly recommended. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date into the country. Before booking, check the entry requirements applicable to your nationality with the consular authorities or Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.

You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.

For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between €170 and €280 per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (€450-750 return) are additional. Jordan concentrates wonders (Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea) across a compact territory.

Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.

Absolutely. We tailor every itinerary to match our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize a relaxed pace, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories and anecdotes.

It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, your budget and your dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and depart with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your entire trip.

In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.

Payment is generally made in two installments.

Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.

Hossam, Jordan's Hidden Gems Guide
18years of expertise

Let's talk about your adventure — Archaeological North

Jordan's Hidden Gems Guide, based in Amman

“
Jordan is a country of hospitality and contrasts. You can move from desert canyons to ancient ruins or share tea with Bedouins all in the same day.

— Hossam

APST Guarantee Secure Payment 24/7 Assistance★ 4.51/5