The south of Jordan boasts inky seas, rose-tinted wadis, and rust-colored deserts scattered with traditional Bedouin camps. Here’s how to enjoy five adventure-filled days in Aqaba, Petra, and Wadi Rum. The south of Jordan, crisscrossed by ancient caravan routes and pilgrim trails, has always been a region for exploration. Some things have changed — travelers now traverse the desert via a network of modern highways — but the Bedouin tradition of never turning away a traveler persists. Jordan’s Golden Triangle, starting just over 120 miles south of the capital, Amman, and extending to the coast, encapsulates the country’s cultural and natural diversity — from the ancient rock-carved cities in Petra to the crystal-clear waters off the coast of Aqaba. Spread over five action-packed days, this itinerary brings together all that Jordan’s Golden Triangle has to offer.
Day 1: Aqaba
The Gulf of Aqaba slices through the desert like a blue shard of glass, with Aqaba perched at its tip. As Jordan’s sole coastal city, Aqaba serves as the gateway to adventures along the country’s narrow stretch of the Red Sea coast. To maximize a day in Aqaba, dive into the clear, warm waters of the Aqaba Marine Reserve for snorkeling or scuba diving. This reserve is one of the world’s northernmost reef systems and features must-see sites like the Japanese Garden and the Cedar Pride shipwreck, which host over 150 species of coral and marine life, including turtles and dugongs. Both sites are accessible from South Beach, a seven-mile stretch of golden sand just a 30-minute drive from the airport.
Palm trees line the coastline of Aqaba, with boats docked in the marina and mountains providing a scenic backdrop. Beyond its shores, Aqaba is a vibrant port city with a history dating back to 4000 BCE. Enjoy the sunset at Aqaba Castle before indulging in a dinner of grilled seafood and sayadieh (a fish and rice dish with cumin) at Mirwas, part of the Royal Yacht Club.
Days 2-3: Petra
Leaving the Red Sea behind, travel two hours via the King’s Highway to Wadi Musa, the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra. Start your exploration at the Petra Museum to learn about the Nabataeans, an Arab tribe dating back to the sixth century BCE. Originally nomads, the Nabataeans became prosperous traders, controlling vital routes for spices and incense from Arabia to Egypt and the Mediterranean. Petra emerged as a crucial stop for Nabataean and foreign traders.
Tourists stand before the Treasury in Petra, carved into the rock. After the museum, embark on the Main Trail from the visitor center, which covers the essential sights in three to four hours. Meander through the high walls of Siq Canyon until The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) appears. This first-century CE mausoleum, carved from a sandstone cliff, is Petra’s most iconic and photographed landmark (featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as the resting place of the Holy Grail). But it’s just the beginning: continue along the five-mile trail to explore the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, and Qasr Al-Bint palace. After building up an appetite, visit Petra Kitchen culinary school for a quick lesson in Jordanian cuisine, followed by a feast of hot and cold mezze.
The next morning, either return to the Lost City for more tombs, theaters, and temples, or head north to Siq al-Barid (Little Petra), featuring similar rock-hewn architecture. The Painted House, with its original Nabataean mural fragments, is a must-see. End your Petra visit with Petra by Night (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays), where the path to The Treasury is lit by 1,800 lanterns, accompanied by Bedouin music. Conclude your day with a glass of Mount Nebo wine at Cave Bar, a 2,000-year-old tomb touted as the world’s oldest drinking establishment.
Days 4-5: Wadi Rum
Travel south of Petra along the Desert Highway, a scenic route flanked by mountains, valleys, and canyons. In just over two hours, you’ll reach Wadi Rum, a 183,000-acre desert landscape with ochre sand and granite mesas. Stay in one of the desert camps scattered throughout the area, ranging from traditional black goat-skin tents to luxurious geodesic domes. Head to Wadi Rum village to meet your camp guide, who will take you the rest of the way in a 4×4 vehicle.
Spend your first afternoon on a Jeep safari, navigating the dunes to visit Lawrence’s House (where T.E. Lawrence lived during the Arab Revolt), the Khazli Canyon petroglyphs, and the Um Fruth stone bridge. In the evening, return to your camp for a feast of zarb—a Bedouin dish of meat, rice, and vegetables slow-cooked underground—beneath a canopy of stars.
Camel trekking, sandboarding, and rock climbing are among the adventures available in Wadi Rum.
Start your final day with a hot air balloon ride over Wadi Rum, taking in the desert’s contours and colors from 3,000 feet. Sunrise packages, available through Balloons Over Rum, include transfers from most camps. Your accommodation can also arrange camel trekking, sandboarding, and rock climbing, or you can hire a guide to hike the southern valley’s Jebel Al-Hash ridge. When night falls, use a telescope at RumSky Stargazing to explore the heavens and learn about Bedouin mythology.
After your five-day journey through Jordan’s Golden Triangle, you can either return to Aqaba for more seaside adventures (about an hour’s drive from Wadi Rum) or head north to the capital, Amman (approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes by car), to explore historic sites, vibrant souks, and traditional Jordanian cuisine.
Plan Your Trip
Daily international flights arrive at Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport, located about a 15-minute drive from Aqaba’s city center. Consider purchasing a Jordan Pass, which provides prepaid access to over 40 attractions across the country, including Petra and Wadi Rum. Additionally, the pass waives visa fees for stays of at least three nights. For more details, visit visitjordan.com.