Jordan in 10 Days: Complete Itinerary from North to South

From north to south

Jordan's main sights line up neatly from north to south, so a ten-day trip can follow one direction with very little backtracking. You begin with three days based in Amman, exploring the Roman north and the eastern desert, then descend to the Baptism Site and the Dead Sea. From there, the King's Highway carries you south through Madaba, Kerak and Dana to Petra, before the desert of Wadi Rum and finally the Red Sea at Aqaba. Each day has a clear focus.

Ending in Aqaba

Finishing in Aqaba has practical advantages. The city has its own airport, with domestic flights to Amman and some international and seasonal flights, so you may not need to drive back north. If you do return by road, the Desert Highway brings you to Amman and Queen Alia International Airport in about four hours. If you rent a car, check before booking that it can be returned in Aqaba. The warm sea also makes the final days restful after a week of walking.

Pace and rest

Ten days of travel can be tiring, especially in warm weather. The plan includes slower moments at the Dead Sea and in Aqaba, but you may also want a free afternoon in Amman or Wadi Musa. Start sightseeing early each day, rest during the hottest hours, and save shorter visits for the late afternoon. This rhythm follows local habits, and it makes long walks in Petra, Jerash and Dana far more enjoyable.

Other places to consider

If you prefer a lighter northern day, visit Umm Qais on its own and move Ajloun to another day. Keen walkers can add a second night in Dana for a longer trail down into the valley, or enter Petra by the trail from Little Petra to the Monastery with a licensed guide. In the warmer months, the water trail of Wadi Mujib can be added on the morning of Day 5, before the climb back up to the King's Highway.

The plan

Day 1

Arrive in Amman

Settle into Amman and explore its historic heart. Climb to the Citadel for views over the hills of white stone, then walk down to the Roman Theatre and the old markets of downtown. Visit the Jordan Museum for an introduction to the country's long history, and spend the evening in the cafes and restaurants of Jabal Amman.

Amman

Day 2

Jerash, Ajloun and Umm Qais

A full day in the green north. Start early in Jerash, about an hour from Amman, and walk its colonnaded streets and temples before the day grows warm. Continue to Ajloun Castle in the wooded hills, then drive about an hour north to Umm Qais, the basalt ruins of ancient Gadara, for late afternoon light over the Jordan Valley. The return to Amman takes about two hours.

Jerash Ajloun Umm Qais

Day 3

The desert castles

Drive east from Amman into the open desert to see the early Islamic desert castles. Qasr Kharana rises like a fortress from the gravel plain, Qusayr Amra holds rare painted frescoes in its small bathhouse, and the black basalt fort at Azraq stands near a wetland oasis. The loop takes about half a day, leaving a quiet afternoon in Amman.

Desert Castles Amman

Day 4

As-Salt, the Baptism Site and the Dead Sea

Drive about 40 minutes west to As-Salt and walk its stairways and honey-coloured stone houses. Then descend into the Jordan Valley to the Baptism Site, a peaceful place of churches and ancient remains near the river, about an hour away. Continue a short distance to the Dead Sea for a float at sunset, and spend the night by the shore.

As-Salt Baptism Site Dead Sea

Day 5

Mount Nebo, Madaba and Kerak

Climb from the Dead Sea to Mount Nebo, then visit the mosaics of Madaba, including the famous mosaic map. Join the King's Highway south as it crosses the vast canyon of Wadi Mujib, and explore Kerak Castle in the afternoon. Continue through Tafila to Dana for the night. This is the longest driving day of the trip, so start early.

Madaba and Mount Nebo Wadi Mujib Kerak Castle Dana

Day 6

From Dana to Petra

Walk a morning trail along the edge of the Dana valley, where cliffs fall toward the desert and birds circle overhead. Drive about one and a half hours south to Wadi Musa, stopping at the medieval castle of Shobak if you wish. Spend the late afternoon at Little Petra, a smaller and quieter Nabataean site just north of Wadi Musa.

Dana Petra

Day 7

Petra: the heart of the city

Give a full day to Petra. Walk through the Siq to the Treasury, then follow the main path past the Street of Facades and the theatre to the Royal Tombs and the colonnaded street. Climb the rock-cut steps to the Monastery in the afternoon, when its facade is lit by the sun. On selected evenings, you can return for Petra by Night.

Petra

Day 8

Petra trails and Wadi Rum

Spend a second morning in Petra on a quieter path, such as the High Place of Sacrifice or the viewpoint above the Treasury. After lunch, drive about one and a half to two hours to Wadi Rum. Take a jeep tour through red valleys and canyons, watch the sunset from a dune, and spend the night in a desert camp under brilliant stars.

Petra Wadi Rum

Day 9

Wadi Rum to Aqaba

Enjoy the desert in the cool of the morning with a short hike or a camel ride among the sandstone cliffs. Around midday, drive about one hour to Aqaba on the Red Sea. Spend the afternoon by the water, walk along the seafront and try fresh fish in the town centre as the sun sets over the gulf.

Wadi Rum Aqaba

Day 10

Aqaba and the Red Sea

Spend the morning snorkelling or diving among the coral reefs south of the city, or take a glass-bottom boat if you prefer to stay dry. In the afternoon, fly from Aqaba, or drive north on the Desert Highway to Queen Alia International Airport, which takes about four hours. If your flight leaves from Amman, consider one more night there.

Aqaba

Frequently asked questions

Is 10 days too long for Jordan?

Not at all. Jordan is compact, but it has far more to see than most visitors expect. Ten days lets you include the north, the desert castles, the King's Highway, Dana and Aqaba as well as the famous highlights, without rushing. Travellers who enjoy hiking can easily fill even more time with longer trails in Dana, Petra and Wadi Rum.

Should I travel from north to south or the other way?

Starting in the north is usually easiest, because most international flights arrive at Queen Alia International Airport near Amman. Travelling south also means the trip builds toward the desert and the sea and ends somewhere relaxing. If you fly into Aqaba, simply reverse the route and finish with a few days in and around Amman.

Can I follow this itinerary without a car?

Partly. Intercity buses link Amman with Petra and Aqaba, and taxis or minibuses reach Jerash, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum. However, the desert castles, Ajloun, Umm Qais, Dana and the King's Highway are hard to reach by public transport. Many travellers hire a private driver for the more remote days and use buses for the main routes.