Jordan Family Adventure: Petra, Desert Camps & the Dead Sea

Today the family explores the magnificent Roman city of Jerash and the highlights of Amman, where history comes alive. You journey north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, walking its colonnaded streets, standing in its vast oval forum, and exploring its temples and theatres, where children can imagine chariots racing and gladiators in the arena (there is sometimes a chariot and gladiator show). Returning to Amman, you explore the ancient Citadel atop a hill, with its Roman temple and sweeping views, and the magnificent Roman theatre. The sense of stepping into the ancient world captivates all ages. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, the children full of Roman adventures. This evening, savour Amman's delicious, family-friendly food. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey to the rose-red city of Petra, stopping at a mighty Crusader castle.

Today the family journeys south to Petra, stopping at a mighty Crusader castle. You travel along the scenic road, stopping at the great Crusader castle of Kerak, dramatically set on a hilltop, exploring its towers, dungeons and secret passages, thrilling for children, with your guide bringing its knights-and-Crusaders history excitingly to life. You take in the beautiful landscapes along the way. You arrive at Petra in the afternoon, settling into your hotel near the ancient city, the anticipation of exploring the lost city building. This evening, if it is a Petra by Night evening, the family might experience the magical candlelit walk through the Siq to the Treasury glowing in the light of thousands of candles, an enchanting experience. As the day ends, you rest near the rose-red city. Rest well, ready to explore the wonder of Petra tomorrow like true explorers.

Today the family explores the extraordinary lost city of Petra, one of the wonders of the world, like true explorers. You walk through the Siq, a narrow, winding gorge over a kilometre long, its towering walls looming overhead building excitement, until it opens dramatically upon the Treasury, its magnificent facade carved into rose-red rock, an unforgettable 'wow' moment for all ages. You explore the vast lost city, its tombs, theatre, temples and colonnaded street carved from rock, perhaps riding a horse or donkey part of the way, feeling like real explorers or adventurers from the movies. The energetic older children can climb to the great Monastery. The adventure and wonder captivate all ages. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, the children awed by the rose-red city. Rest well, ready for the desert adventure of Wadi Rum tomorrow.

Today the family explores more of the Petra area, then journeys to the desert of Wadi Rum for a great adventure. In the morning you might visit Little Petra, a smaller carved site fun to explore, or return to Petra. You then journey to Wadi Rum, the 'Valley of the Moon', one of the most spectacular deserts on earth, where you meet your Bedouin hosts and set off into the vast desert for an exhilarating adventure, racing across the sands by 4x4, weaving among towering red mountains and dunes, scrambling up rocks and dunes, and riding camels across the sands, watching a spectacular desert sunset. As night falls, you arrive at your Bedouin desert camp, dining on a traditional feast beneath a canopy of brilliant stars. As the day ends, the family settles into the magical desert, sleeping under the stars. Rest well beneath the star-filled skies of Wadi Rum.

Today the family enjoys a desert sunrise, then journeys to the extraordinary Dead Sea. You wake to a spectacular sunrise over the desert mountains and dunes, perhaps with a final short camel ride or 4x4 exploration and a Bedouin breakfast, savouring the magical morning in Wadi Rum. You then journey north to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, arriving at your family-friendly resort with pools and beaches. There the whole family floats effortlessly in the warm, intensely salty water, bobbing like corks, an extraordinary, giggly experience, and coats themselves head to toe in the famous therapeutic black mud, huge, messy fun for all. As the day ends, you relax at your resort, the family delighted by the extraordinary float. Relax this evening by the Dead Sea, perhaps with a spectacular sunset over the water. Rest well, savouring the fun of the day.

Today the family enjoys a relaxed, fun day at the Dead Sea. The whole day is yours to relax at your beautiful family-friendly resort, floating and bobbing in the extraordinary mineral-rich sea, coating yourselves in the therapeutic mud, splashing in the resort pools, relaxing on the beach, and soaking up the sun and the stark beauty of the desert shore. It is the perfect fun, relaxing finale to your family adventure, with plenty for children to enjoy. You might also take a gentle nature walk in the nearby Wadi Mujib reserve (the adventurous can do the wet 'Siq Trail' through a river gorge, a thrilling splash for older children). As the sun sets over the Dead Sea, you savour the beautiful setting. This evening, enjoy a final family dinner, reflecting on your extraordinary adventure through Jordan. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final, relaxed morning at the Dead Sea, perhaps a last giggly float, you journey back to Queen Alia Airport for your onward international departure. The family leaves having shared an extraordinary and varied adventure, exploring the magnificent Roman ruins of Jerash and the rose-red lost city of Petra, racing the sands and riding camels in Wadi Rum, sleeping under desert stars, and floating in the Dead Sea. The memories stay vivid long after you land, the 'wow' of the Treasury at the end of the Siq, the camel rides and desert races, the star-filled desert night, the giggly float in the Dead Sea, and the warm welcomes and delicious food. Jordan offers a safe, varied and exciting family adventure through an extraordinary land, and you depart together, treasuring the shared memories, and already dreaming of a return to this welcoming and adventurous country.