Uncover Jordan: Deserts, Petra & The Dead Sea — Self-Launched
7 days · Jordan
G Adventures charges £680
No-markup version: ~£375 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Same epic Jordanian highlights — Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and Madaba — at a fraction of the group tour price. This self-launched itinerary swaps the guided 18-to-Thirtysomethings package for independent travel using local transport, self-bookable tours, and budget-friendly guesthouses and camps. You'll still float in the Dead Sea, sleep under the stars in Wadi Rum, and wander the ancient rose-red city of Petra — just on your own terms, with more flexibility and a lot more cash in your pocket. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive Amman & Head to Jerash
Amman / Jerash
Arrive in Amman and get settled at your hostel or budget hotel in the Downtown (Al-Balad) area. Head north to Jerash independently — JETT buses and minibuses run regularly from Amman's North Bus Station (Tabarbour) for around £1.50 each way. Spend 2–3 hours exploring one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy: colonnaded streets, hilltop temples, theatres, and city gates. Return to Amman in the evening and explore the lively streets of Rainbow Street or grab a falafel in Downtown.
🚌JETT bus or public minibus from Amman North Station (Tabarbour) to Jerash — ~£1.50 each way, journey ~1 hour
🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in Downtown Amman, e.g. Jordan Tower Hotel or Amman Pasha Hotel — approx. £15–20/night
- →Jerash archaeological site entry (self-guided or hire a local guide on-site for ~£10)
- →Wander the Oval Plaza, the Temple of Artemis, and the South Theatre
- →Evening stroll through Amman's Downtown souk
Amman to Petra
Petra / Wadi Musa
Take an early morning JETT bus from Amman's Abdali station directly to Wadi Musa (the gateway town for Petra). Buses depart around 6:30am and cost roughly £7–9 one way, with the journey taking around 3–3.5 hours. Check into your guesthouse in Wadi Musa and spend the afternoon doing an introductory walk into Petra — arrive in the late afternoon for beautiful golden light through the Siq. The entry fee covers multiple days, so consider a 2-day pass for better value.
🚌JETT bus from Amman Abdali station to Wadi Musa — ~£8, approx. 3.5 hours
🛏Budget guesthouse in Wadi Musa, e.g. Valentine Inn or Rocky Mountain Hotel — approx. £15–20/night
- →JETT bus Amman to Wadi Musa
- →Afternoon walk through the Siq to the Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
- →Explore the Street of Facades and Royal Tombs at sunset
Full Day in Petra
Petra
Spend a full day exploring Petra at your own pace — one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological sites. Hike up to the Monastery (Ad Deir) for sweeping views, explore the Colonnaded Street and the Great Temple, and discover quieter corners away from the crowds. Pack snacks and water as food inside the site is pricey. In the evening, consider the optional Petra by Night experience (Mon, Wed, Thu — ~£12), where the Siq is lit by thousands of candles.
🚌Walking within Petra (horse rides and donkeys available inside for extra cost)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Wadi Musa — approx. £15–20/night
- →Hike to the Monastery (Ad Deir) — roughly 850 steps, ~1.5 hours up
- →Explore the Colonnaded Street, the Nymphaeum, and the Great Temple
- →Optional: Petra by Night candlelit experience (~£12, check availability)
Petra to Wadi Rum — 4x4 Desert Adventure
Wadi Rum
Travel south from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum by local minibus or shared taxi (change at Aqaba junction if needed — total cost ~£5–8). At Wadi Rum village, arrange a half-day or full-day 4x4 jeep tour with a local Bedouin operator directly at the visitor centre — this is widely available and highly competitive. Tours typically cover red sand dunes, rock arches, ancient Nabataean inscriptions, Lawrence's Spring, and Khazali Canyon. Spend the night in a Bedouin desert camp under an extraordinary starry sky.
🚌Minibus or shared taxi from Wadi Musa towards Aqaba/Rum junction, then local transport to Wadi Rum village — approx. £6–8 total
🛏Bedouin tented desert camp in Wadi Rum (dinner and breakfast often included) — approx. £20–30/night
- →Half-day or full-day 4x4 Bedouin jeep tour of Wadi Rum — book directly at the visitor centre (~£25–35/person)
- →Drive up red sand dunes and view dramatic rock formations
- →Visit rock art and ancient inscriptions at Khazali Canyon
- →Stargazing from your desert camp
Wadi Rum to Aqaba — Red Sea Snorkelling
Aqaba
After breakfast at camp, take a short shared taxi or minibus from Wadi Rum to Aqaba (Jordan's Red Sea resort town) — around £4–6. Aqaba has some of the most accessible coral reefs in the world, reachable directly from shore or via a short boat trip. Book a snorkelling boat trip through a local dive centre such as Aqaba International Dive Centre or Red Sea Dive Centre — significantly cheaper than pre-booking through a tour operator. Spend the afternoon on the water, then relax on the beach or explore Aqaba's souk.
🚌Shared taxi or minibus from Wadi Rum to Aqaba — approx. £5, journey ~1 hour
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Aqaba, e.g. Darna Village Beach Hotel or Captain's Hotel — approx. £18–25/night
- →Snorkelling boat trip on the Red Sea — book locally (~£20–25/person)
- →Explore Aqaba's waterfront corniche and souk
- →Optional: Glass-bottom boat trip or scuba intro dive
Dead Sea Float & Madaba Mosaics
Dead Sea / Madaba
Take a JETT bus or shared service taxi northward toward the Dead Sea (you may need to go via Amman or arrange a shared taxi directly). The public beach at Amman Beach or the free-access spots near the resort area allow you to experience the famous float without paying resort fees — bring your own water and snacks. Afterwards, continue to Madaba, a town famous for its stunning Byzantine mosaics. Visit St George's Church to see the famous 6th-century mosaic map of the Middle East — entry is just £1. Explore the town's other mosaic workshops and archaeological park.
🚌JETT bus or shared taxi northward — approx. £8–12 depending on route; local taxi between Dead Sea and Madaba ~£8
🛏Budget guesthouse in Madaba, e.g. Mariam Hotel or Mosaic City Hotel — approx. £18–25/night
- →Float in the Dead Sea at a public access beach — entry ~£8–12 at Amman Beach
- →Cover yourself in therapeutic Dead Sea mud along the shore
- →Visit St George's Church in Madaba to see the 6th-century mosaic map (~£1 entry)
- →Explore the Madaba Archaeological Park and local mosaic workshops
Madaba & Departure
Madaba / Amman
Enjoy a final morning in Madaba — visit the Mount Nebo viewpoint (where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, ~£2 entry) and browse the local souk for souvenirs. If time allows, return to Amman for last-minute wandering through the Citadel or the Roman Theatre before heading to Queen Alia International Airport. Public buses run regularly from Madaba to Amman (around £1), and from Amman the Airport Express bus runs to the airport for ~£3.
🚌Public bus from Madaba to Amman (~£1), then Airport Express bus to Queen Alia Airport (~£3)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Morning visit to Mount Nebo viewpoint (~£2 entry)
- →Browse Madaba souk for ceramics and mosaic souvenirs
- →Optional return to Amman: Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre
- →Airport Express bus from Amman to Queen Alia International Airport (~£3)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£375 | £680 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £305 per person (45%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£375
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Uncover Jordan: Deserts, Petra & The Dead Sea — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £375 per person for 7 days in Jordan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £680 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £375 — a saving of roughly £305 (45%) per person.
How long is the Jordan trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Jordan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, budget trip through Jordan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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