Jordan's Ancient Wonders by Car

Overview

This 10-day luxury family road trip follows Jordan's iconic scenic corridors—the winding King's Highway and the smooth Dead Sea Highway—linking millennia of archaeological wonders with spectacular desert landscapes. Navigating Jordan by car is remarkably straightforward outside the bustling centre of Amman, and having your own vehicle allows your family to arrive at world-famous sites ahead of tour coach crowds, stop for fresh mint tea at roadside viewpoints, and unwind in top-tier desert lodges and thermal spas.

Getting There

• Direct Flights: Royal Jordanian operates non-stop flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Amman Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes.
• Connecting Options: Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), Austrian Airlines (via Vienna), and Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) offer frequent one-stop connections from Amsterdam, taking around 6.5 to 8 hours total travel time.
• Car Pick-up: Collect your premium full-size SUV (such as a Toyota Prado or similar 4x4) directly at Queen Alia International Airport terminal counters for a seamless transition onto the highway.

Day-by-day

Day 1: Arrival in Amman

Land at Queen Alia International Airport, pick up your rental SUV, and drive roughly 35 minutes into western Amman. Settle into a luxury 5-star hotel in the diplomatic quarter. Spend the late afternoon resting by the pool before enjoying a welcome family dinner featuring traditional mezze and grilled meats on an outdoor terrace overlooking the city hills.

Day 2: The Colonnades of Jerash & Ajloun Forest

Drive 50 minutes north along Route 35 to Jerash, home to one of the best-preserved Decapolis Roman cities on earth. Walk among towering Corinthian columns, explore the oval forum, and let kids test the whispering acoustics of the South Theatre. Continue 30 minutes northwest to Ajloun Castle, an impressive 12th-century Muslim fortress perched above olive groves. Return to Amman for dinner in the historic Rainbow Street area.

Day 3: Scenic King's Highway to Petra

Depart early along the legendary King's Highway. Stop in Madaba to admire the 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, then drive up to Mount Nebo for sweeping vistas over the Jordan Rift Valley. Wind down through the colossal gorge of Wadi Mujib (the Grand Canyon of Jordan) and stop to explore the crusader stronghold of Kerak Castle. Arrive in Wadi Musa (Petra) in the late afternoon and check into a luxury hotel right beside the park entrance.

Day 4: Full Day Exploring Petra

Beat the morning heat by entering Petra through the dramatic 1.2-kilometre Siq slot canyon at opening time, watching the sun hit the sandstone façade of the Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Spend the day walking the Street of Facades, exploring the Royal Tombs, and hiking up the shaded mountain staircase to the grand Monastery (Ad-Deir). Arrange a private local guide to bring ancient Nabataean engineering and culture alive for the kids.

Day 5: Little Petra & The Red Dunes of Wadi Rum

Take a morning drive to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), an uncrowded Nabataean trading outpost with preserved ceiling frescoes. In the afternoon, drive 1.5 hours south across the desert plains into Wadi Rum Protected Area. Leave your rental vehicle at the secure visitor gate and transfer via local Bedouin 4x4 into a secluded luxury glamping camp. End the day watching sunset turn the sandstone monoliths vivid crimson, followed by traditional zarb (barbecue cooked in subterranean sand ovens) and stargazing under pristine desert skies.

Day 6: Wadi Rum 4x4 Safari & Drive to the Red Sea

Embark on a private morning 4x4 Bedouin tour across the desert to see ancient rock petroglyphs at Khazali Canyon, sandboard down towering red dunes, and visit natural rock bridges. After lunch, take the 1-hour drive southwest to Aqaba / Tala Bay on the Red Sea. Check into a beachfront resort, unwind by the sea, and enjoy fresh seafood at the marina.

Day 7: Red Sea Marine Discovery

Spend a relaxing family day on the Red Sea. Charter a private glass-bottom yacht or catamaran for snorkeling among pristine coral reefs, clownfish, and shallow shipwrecks in the Aqaba Marine Park. Enjoy beachside dining, watersports, and relaxed resort amenities.

Day 8: Dead Sea Highway & Mineral Floating

Drive north along Route 65 (Dead Sea Highway) for about 3.5 hours, tracing the arid beauty of the Wadi Araba desert straight to the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest elevation on Earth. Check into a world-class wellness and spa resort. Spend the afternoon floating weightlessly in the buoyant saline water, coating yourselves in natural therapeutic black mud, and swimming in infinity freshwater pools overlooking the water.

Day 9: Canyon Adventures & Baptism Site

Take a short 15-minute drive to explore Bethany Beyond the Jordan (the archaeological site of Jesus' baptism). In the afternoon, older children and parents can hike or wade into the lower trails of the dramatic Wadi Mujib gorge (seasonal conditions permitting) or spend the afternoon enjoying rejuvenating spa treatments, mineral baths, and sunset dining on the Dead Sea promenade.

Day 10: Amman Citadel & Departure

Take an easy 45-minute drive up to Amman to visit the ancient Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) and the Temple of Hercules, taking in 360-degree panoramic views across the city. Pick up authentic spices and artisanal souvenirs in Downtown Amman before driving 30 minutes to Queen Alia International Airport, dropping off the rental car, and catching your return flight back to Amsterdam.

Where to Stay

• Amman (2 nights): Five-star international luxury hotels located in the 5th Circle or Abdoun districts, featuring family suites, outdoor swimming pools, and secure on-site parking.
• Wadi Musa / Petra (2 nights): High-end heritage-style resorts situated immediately adjacent to the Petra visitor gates, allowing you to walk into the park at dawn without needing morning transfers.
• Wadi Rum (1 night): Exclusive luxury desert dome camps (such as Martian-style bubble tents or high-end Bedouin canvas suites) complete with en-suite bathrooms, king-sized beds, climate control, and stargazing skylights.
• Aqaba / Tala Bay (2 nights): Private beach resorts offering family suites, multiple private pools, yacht moorings, and direct reef access in the quiet resort enclave south of central Aqaba.
• Dead Sea (2 nights): Expansive 5-star spa resorts on the northern shores of the Dead Sea, offering private mud/beach access, kids' clubs, thermal water circuits, and fine dining.

Budget

Estimated for a family of 4 travelling on a splurge / luxury tier (10 days):

• International Flights (Amsterdam–Amman round-trip): €2,400 – €3,800 (economy to premium cabins on Royal Jordanian/Lufthansa)
• Car Rental (Full-size luxury 4x4 / SUV with comprehensive insurance & GPS for 10 days): €1,000 – €1,500
• Fuel & Highway Tolls: €120 – €180
• Luxury Accommodations (9 nights in 5-star hotels, resorts, & luxury desert domes): €3,800 – €6,000
• Activities, Private Guides & Jordan Passes (Petra entry, Jerash, 4x4 safaris, private boat charter): €1,200 – €1,800
• Fine Dining, Mezze, & Meals: €1,200 – €1,800
• Total Estimated Budget: €9,700 – €15,000 (approx. 7,400 – 11,400 JOD)

Know Before You Go

• Jordan Pass: Purchase the Jordan Explorer or Jordan Expert Pass online before departure. For stays of 3+ nights, it waives the entry visa fee (40 JOD) and covers admission to Petra and over 40 other historical sites nationwide.
• Driving Realities: Driving outside Amman is stress-free on well-paved two-lane highways. However, watch out for unmarked speed bumps (dosha) entering small towns, roaming livestock on rural roads, and avoid driving long desert stretches after dark due to unlit hazards.
• Desert Navigation: Rental vehicle agreements strictly forbid driving non-authorized rental cars off-road into the sand dunes of Wadi Rum. Leave your car at the gated visitor parking lot and let your camp arrange 4x4 transport.
• Family Dress Codes & Modesty: Jordan is hospitable and tolerant, but covering shoulders and knees when exploring local towns, churches, and mosques shows cultural respect. Pack sturdy broken-in walking shoes for Petra's rocky paths.
• Currency & Payments: The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Credit cards are widely accepted at luxury hotels, but carry cash (JOD) for highway fuel stations, Bedouin tea stops, and tips for local guides.