Everyone kept telling us how great Jordan is, so we went to see for ourselves. On the itinerary: hikes in the wadis, historic sites, a night in the desert, diving and snorkelling…
Day 1: Arrival in Jordan#
- Flight from Brussels Charleroi at 06:30
- ETA 12:20; we landed at noon. Delayed take-off, four hours in the air. A passenger felt ill.
- Changed money near Europcar. Avoid the first exchange counter before the Jordan Pass desks.
- Black automatic Europcar Geely.
- Grocery stop on a boulevard in Amman plus a bakery.
- Arrival at the villa — settling in, pool.
- Dinner at FAI with valet parking.
- First Lemon’nanas of the trip.
- Kofta with tahini, kofta with tomatoes, sambousek, hummus and pesto hummus, tabbouleh, mixed grill.
Day 2: Umm Qais & As-Salt#
- Umm Qais in the morning — about 1 h 50 drive
- GPS glitch: Cairo or Beirut airport (Israel–Palestine war context).
- A guide at the entrance pitches his services (15 JOD → 35 JOD in the end).
- Theater, temple, nymphaea, shops, Roman road.
- View over Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee).
- Lookouts over Syria.
- A drink at the Resthouse — great view.
- As-Salt. Pool in the afternoon.
Day 3: Jerash & Ajloun#
- Jerash in the morning
- They tried to sell us keffiyehs and veils. We’re all dressed up…
- Huge site: theatres, Oval Plaza, Temple of Zeus
- Dinner at Um Khalil restaurant: tabbouleh, mutabbal, shanklish.
- Ajloun Castle in the afternoon — quick visit, juice stands. Pool.
Day 4: Salt & Amman#
- Salt
- Amman
- Mount Nebo
- Bethany site
- Amman cooking experience
Day 5: Dead Sea#
- We decide to pull over along the Dead Sea Highway at the recommended spot.
- Four 10-litre jugs.
- Pool
Day 6: Ma’in & Madaba#
- Change of plans: hot springs at about 65 °C in August, plus paid entry.
- Zarqa Ma’in hike instead.
- Madaba.
- Pool
Day 7: Dana#
- Wadi Bin Hammad
- Karak
Day 8: Dana#
- Wadi Ghuweir
- Activities at Feynan Ecolodge.
- “Pulling into Feynan feels like a tea blended from six herbs.”
- Only one room rented out of 26.
- Stargazing and tea.
- Slept on the roof under open sky.
Day 9: Petra#
- 4x4 back to the wadi entrance.
- Checking in and pool in Petra
Day 10: Petra#
- Hikes.
- “Petra Siq by night?” Nope.
Day 11: Wadi Rum#
- Jeep Tour
Day 12: Red Sea#
- Pool.
- Dinner at Shinawo.
Day 13: Red Sea#
- Dive with Hugo (09:30, 10–12).
- Seven Sisters / M42 tank.
- Pool.
- Dinner at Busha (TripAdvisor #1).
Day 14: Shobak & Madaba#
- “Pool — not enough time left for snorkelling.”
- We skip Shobak and head back up Highway 65 from the Dead Sea.
- Wadi al-Hasa — packed with locals.
- Madaba.
- Nearly empty hotel.
- Dinner at Carob House.
Day 15: Back to Belgium#
- Breakfast on the terrace.
- Return to the airport.
- Drop off the car.
- 25 JOD fine in Ajloun.
- Return flight 12:55.
- Land Brussels Charleroi 16:45.
