Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to the Middle East. Your adventure begins in Jordan's capital city – Amman. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, but until then, you’re free to hit the streets. Why not make a beeline for Rainbow Street for a falafel and a shisha – it’s what the locals do! After something more substantial? Maybe have a cultured afternoon at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts or sweat it out in a hammam. After your meeting, why not get a group together and head out for the night – your trip leader will know all the best little bars and restaurants. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, take a walking tour with your leader around Amman, beginning at the hilltop Citadel, then following the edge of the walls down into town to the Roman Theatre. Maybe stop in at some nut shops or a souq for some snacks along the way. Then visit the Royal Automobile Museum – a collection showcasing King Husseini’s private vehicles. After lunch, drive to Wadi Rum. When you arrive, you'll meet your Bedouin hosts, who'll show you around camp and offer you many rounds of ‘Bedouin whisky’ (mint tea), so settle in for a night of traditional hospitality. This evening, you'll be dining on traditional cuisine and sleeping in Bedouin-style tents. If you choose, you can even sleep in the open air, surrounded by the Mars-like mountains in the background. Fall asleep under a desert blanket of an undisturbed night sky, rich with stars. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Tonight, you’ll be sleeping in permanent tents that are simple but comfortable. Expect single beds with all bedding, including a nice thick blanket for those cool desert nights. During the colder months (October to March), temperatures can get as low as 5°C at night, so you may want to bring a warm jacket. The camp has no wi-fi, but it does have flushing toilets and showers and is powered by solar panels, so it's not as 'rough' as you may think!

You won’t want to miss this – Wadi Rum rarely looks as fine as she does in the early morning. Wake up early to take in the sunrise, then it’s time to head on a 4WD safari. Jump in one of the jeeps and begin driving around the curious landscapes, passing by Lawrence Spring – a rocky landscape contrasted by a freshwater spring with panoramic views over the valley. You’ll also stop at Lawrence House – supposedly the house where Lawrence of Arabia lived and stored his equipment. Continue to one of the largest sand dunes in Wadi Rum and check out some of the famous rock bridges. The deserts around Wadi Rum have got a real otherworldly feel to them, and many Hollywood blockbusters have been shot in and around where you’ll tour today. Later in the afternoon, return to your camp and enjoy a second night of Bedouin hospitality.

Today, farewell your Bedouin mates and journey to Petra – one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World. You’ll have two full days exploring Petra and its surroundings, so be sure to take your time exploring this archaeological site. Take a guided tour where you’ll learn about its thousands of years of history and the many films that have used this as a backdrop. You'll get to follow in the footsteps of movie stars as you head through the site's narrow siq (a narrow crack in the mountain) to Petra's tombs, temples and rock-hewn amphitheatre. For those wanting to admire the 'rose-red city' from a different angle, there's tonnes of hikes to do in the area - just ask your leader for the best trails to tackle. After a day of exploration, the cave bar is a good place to relieve your parched throat and put your feet up. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. A two-day entrance fee to Petra is included with this trip. A horse ride is offered as part of the ticket price (not including tip) from the entrance point down to the Siq. Tuuur doesn't recommend that passengers take this option due to the safety and insurance liability involved.

Today, you’ve got another day to explore Petra at your own pace. Maybe walk the road to Al Khanzneh (the Treasury) – one of the most impressive structures in the whole site. Or, if you didn’t make it yesterday, head up the stairs to El Dier (the Monastery) – this is a decent climb, but well worth it for the views. Other great options today are to hike to the royal tombs or visit the incredible Byzantine mosaics. Your leader will know all the good things to do, so feel free to ask them for help.

This morning after breakfast, drive down the King’s Highway towards Madaba. You’ll stop along the way to check out the famous Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth – where you’ll go for a swim (or float) in its salty waters. If you’re feeling a bit sore after your Petra expedition, the Dead Sea’s mud has known healing properties and will be sure to bring back your youthful good looks! After, swing past Mt Nebo, where you’ll have the opportunity to view the Promised Land, just like Moses did. Arrive in Madaba – the city of mosaics – and take a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings. This afternoon, visit St Georges Church, where you’ll see the intricate mosaic map containing the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. Later, maybe head out with the gang for dinner – there are some awesome places to eat in this city and your leader knows all the best spots. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Your Jordan exploration ends in Madaba after breakfast today. There’s plenty more to see and do in Madaba and Amman! If you would like to spend more time here, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. Madaba is a satellite city of Amman and transfers to the airport are really easy from here and often quicker due to traffic. You can reserve a private transfer with Intrepid, grab a taxi or check with your leader about how to catch the local bus.