8 Days in Jordan: Highlights Itinerary with Dana & Umm Qais

Duration	8 days · 7 nights
Best for	Curious travelers with eight days who enjoy a mix of major sites, hiking and quieter ruins, and don’t mind a couple of fuller driving days.
Best season	Spring & autumn
Routing	Logical north–south loop

Day-by-day

The schedule

Every day is adjustable, and you choose your preferred start time when booking. Tell us your pace and we will tune the route.

Day 1: Arrive Amman

Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Amman.

Major attractions: Amman welcome

Optional experiences

Rainbow Street evening

Driving distance	30 km
Driving time	≈ 45 min
Walking	Light

Day 2: Jerash, Ajloun & Umm Qais

A full northern day — Roman Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and the basalt ruins of Umm Qais overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in Amman.

Major attractions

Jerash ruins
Ajloun Castle
Umm Qais (Gadara) panorama

Optional experiences

Lunch in Umm Qais overlooking the Sea of Galilee

Driving distance	130 km loop
Driving time	≈ 2 h 30 min total driving
Walking	Moderate — 5–6 km

Day 3: Madaba, Mount Nebo & Bethany → King’s Highway to Dana/Petra

Madaba, Mount Nebo and the Bethany baptism site, then the King’s Highway via Karak to Wadi Musa. Overnight in Wadi Musa.

Major attractions

Madaba Map
Mount Nebo
Bethany baptism site
Karak Castle

Optional experiences

Shobak Castle

Driving distance	270 km
Driving time	≈ 5 h with stops
Walking	Light to moderate

Day 4: Dana Reserve hike → Petra

A morning hike in Dana Biosphere Reserve — from plateau to canyon edge — then a short drive to Wadi Musa to rest before the Petra day. Overnight in Wadi Musa.

Major attractions

Dana Biosphere Reserve
canyon viewpoints

Optional experiences

Longer Dana-to-Feynan trek (for fit hikers only)

Driving distance	50 km to Dana, 50 km on to Petra
Driving time	≈ 1 h each leg
Walking	Moderate to strenuous — 4–8 km on canyon trails

Day 5: Petra full day

A full day inside Petra. Overnight again in Wadi Musa.

Major attractions

The Siq
The Treasury
Royal Tombs
Monastery

Optional experiences

High Place of Sacrifice
Back Trail to the Monastery

Driving distance	On foot
Driving time	No driving
Walking	Strenuous — 8–12 km

Day 6: Little Petra → Wadi Rum

Little Petra in the morning, then a Wadi Rum 4×4 safari and overnight in a Bedouin camp.

Major attractions

Little Petra
Wadi Rum jeep safari
desert sunset

Optional experiences

Camel ride
Stargazing

Driving distance	9 km to Little Petra, 110 km to Wadi Rum
Driving time	≈ 1 h 45 min total
Walking	Light to moderate

Day 7: Wadi Rum → Aqaba Red Sea

A final morning in the desert, then a relaxed Red Sea afternoon in Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba.

Major attractions

Aqaba beach
Red Sea

Optional experiences

Snorkelling
Diving
Boat trip

Driving distance	60 km
Driving time	≈ 1 h
Walking	Light

Day 8: Dead Sea float → Amman departure

Drive north to the Dead Sea for a float and resort afternoon, then transfer to Amman airport.

Major attractions

Dead Sea float
mineral mud

Optional experiences

Mujib Siq Trail (seasonal)

Driving distance	330 km to the Dead Sea, 60 km to Amman
Driving time	≈ 3 h 30 min + 1 h
Walking	Light

Who this suits

Curious travelers with eight days who enjoy a mix of major sites, hiking and quieter ruins, and don’t mind a couple of fuller driving days.

Seasonal considerations

Spring and autumn best for the Dana hike. Avoid the Mujib Siq Trail outside April–October.

Practical advice

Seven nights: Amman (2), Petra/Wadi Musa (2), Wadi Rum camp (1), Aqaba or Dead Sea (2).
The Dana hike can be shortened to a viewpoint walk for less active travelers.
Umm Qais pairs naturally with Jerash and Ajloun as a northern day.
Jordan Pass covers all major entrances.

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