Trip Overview
Departures
Coming Soon
Duration
10 Days
Activities
Boating/Rafting
Camel Riding
Cultural
Hiking
Snorkeling
Physical Rating
Moderate
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Embark on a Transformative Journey
Ready for an all-encompassing adventure? From mesmerizing camel rides at sunrise, to Dead Sea salt scrubs, to snorkeling in the Red Sea, this itinerary includes environmentally responsible, low-impact stays like the solar-powered Feynan Ecolodge and the Red Valley domes (that are akin to sleeping on Mars). Get your fill of falafels, biospheres bursting with biodiversity, old Roman roads, henna art and a little natural Kohl eyeliner for good measure.
Wander Through Archaeological Wonders
Meet Local Changemakers
We participate in a lively Levant-style cooking lesson at Beit Sitti and visit Beit Khayrat Souf, a unique women-owned and managed cafe. At Iraq al-Amir Cooperative, we join in on a paper-making or weaving project with local women of all ages who are gaining confidence and financial independence by creating and selling their handmade artisan projects. Here, yesteryear and modernity merge in lessons deeply steeped in culture and tradition.
We loved our Jordan trip! It was a trip of a lifetime and one we’ll not forget. The accommodations were beautiful and it was such a nice balance between being active and enjoying scenery and learning about the culture. The food was healthy and delicious. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone!”
Sandy W.
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Jordan
The Gateway to Jordan
Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Amman, the uber modern capital of Jordan! From the get-go, experience the country’s deeply carved history—it’s visible in the hillside juxtaposition of ancient ruins, stone amphitheater and contemporary buildings like the Jordan Museum, touted as the best in the Middle East.
A smiling Wild Women representation will welcome you at the Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). On the transfer to the hotel, you will travel through Amman, the largest city in Jordan—take in its buzzing density. While Amman is a popular launching pad for the red carpet stars (Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea) it’s a necessary mood-setting experience of its own accord.
Tonight we gather for our first dinner together at a local restaurant in Amman.
Included Meals
Dinner
Accommodations
Ambassador Boutique Hotel or similar
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Day 2
Jerash Ruins
A Feel Good Cafe
After breakfast, we drive north to Jerash (31 miles/50 km). It’s known as one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture outside of Italy. The Greco-Roman ruins and ancient walled town are a remarkable (and resilient) evocation of life 2,000 years ago.
We have a traditional lunch at Beit Khairat Souf, a unique women-owned and managed cafe in Souf. Established as a creative solution to women’s unemployment, the project continues to inspire a sturdy community of women leaders to network and propel the cafe’s success.
Back in Amman, we join a Levant-style cooking class and have dinner at Beit Sitti. In Arabic, Beit Sitti translates to “in my grandmother’s house.” The three entrepreneurial sisters who started the cooking school will introduce us to the“Big Guns” trio: tahini, za’atar and sumac. We will leave satiated with a few fool-proof recipes up our sleeves.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Ambassador Boutique Hotel or similar
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Day 3
Amman
A Solar-powered Stay
At the Royal Stables, we meet the noble Arabian horses of HRH Princess Alia Al Hussein. This muscular regal breed is a big bragging right of Jordan’s cultural heritage and valued for its speed, stamina, intelligence and gentle demeanor. Next, we explore Amman on a city tour before heading to Iraq al-Amir Women’s Cooperative to share lunch with the members. Founded in 1993, the co-op encourages women of all ages to learn how to create artisan products which are then sold in the gift shop and online. We can participate in a paper-making or weaving project and then support the co-op by checking out the store’s shelves for meaningful souvenirs.
Tonight we dream big at the Dana Guest House (121 miles/194 km drive), panoramically located on the cliffs of Wadi Dana and the Dana Nature Reserve. Each room has a terrace for premium, uninterrupted stargazing.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Dana Guest House
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Day 4
Dana Biosphere Reserve
The Wilds of Wadi Feynan
En route to Feynan Ecolodge, we share the path with local Bedouin tending to their goats. Over this challenging nine-mile (15 km) walk, we experience the four radically different biogeological zones and rare flora and fauna of Dana Biosphere Reserve. In this sprawling reserve, more than 700 plant species, 190 bird species, 37 mammal species and 36 reptiles species have been documented.
Snuggled deep in the beating heart of the mountainous Dana Biosphere Reserve, the solar-powered Feynan Ecolodge has been named as one of the best 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine. Its concept was inspired by the camel caravans and roadside inns that peppered the historic Silk Route.
Enjoy every dreamy wink, but first take a moment to visit the Ecolodge’s rooftop, where a telescope allows for an even closer inspection of the dazzling constellations.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Feynan Ecolodge
The Hike
There’s an alternate shorter hike and shuttle option for women who would prefer not to walk all the way to Feynan. The nine-mile (15 km) hike is rated moderately difficult due to length and steep downhill at the beginning (with undulating hills for the remainder); it can be technically challenging in places due to wash-out and loose stones.
For the alternate hike option, the climb is still challenging and steep with some rocky scrambling, but shorter. Our guide will thoroughly describe both options for those who are concerned but be prepared to sweat—it will be a hot and challenging walk!
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Day 5
Feynan Ecolodge
Connecting by Disconnecting
We spend the first half of the day exploring the dynamic area around Feynan. Depending on the ecolodge’s daily activity calendar (which is subject to change and availability) there will be additional active and cultural pursuits to consider.
Feynan partners with Bedouin families, providing them with a reliable means for financial security. Bedouins are typically a wandering community, however they are often found in this valley because there is a school for the children. The Ecolodge’s remote location allows travelers to completely disconnect from the world, recharge and support the Bedouin community in an empowering way.
Later today we have a 1.5 to 2 hour shuttle (40 miles/64 km) out of the valley and transfer to the city of Petra where we will be staying for the night.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Petra Moon
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Day 6
Petra
Reveling in the Red Rose City
We strike off on a casual 1-mile (1.6 km) guided walk between the towering towers of rock. Al Khazna, or “the Treasury,” is the single most striking sight of the entire region with its 131-foot (40 m) facade, Corinthian columns, friezes, intricate carvings, cavernous chambers and funerary urn.
It’s a slow and steady three-hour hike to a bird’s eye view of the Treasury. Later, we see the old Roman road, amphitheater and several ancient tombs of the Red Rose City (so-named for the color of its stone).
Returning to our hotel late afternoon, we have free time to explore Petra before dinner and may have the option of participating in the Petra by Night candlelight tour (8:30–10:30 p.m.). The tour involves walking the entire Siq to the Treasury, which is aglow with over 1,500 candles (Note: this experience is only run three times a week).
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Petra Moon
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Day 7
Petra
Petra’s Back Door
After an early breakfast we make our way to the site of Little Petra, which is the starting point of a 5-mile (8 km) hike that will loop us back to Petra. The first half of the hike is flat but it does become gradually steeper.
Upon arrival, a local guide will lead us through the sandy plateaus to stone staircases, past Bedouin campsites and goat herds to the Monastery. This impressive seven-story structure has a doorway that’s 26 feet (8 m) high. Though less ornate than the Treasury, the sheer scale of this building painstakingly carved into a mountainside is a marvel.
We stop for lunch in the nearby town of Wadi Musa and then transfer (2 hours) to our next anticipated destination—Wadi Rum. High on the WOW factor, tonight’s incredible posh stay is 100% opulent. It’s otherworldly. The Red Valley dome site is akin to a Mars colony.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Memories Aicha Luxury Camp
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Day 8
Wadi Rum
Moon Walking in Wadi Rum
It’s usually the early bird who gets the worm, but today the early birds get camels! We get to absorb a spectacular sunrise from the best seat in the house–on a camel! Camels are often referred to as “the ships of the desert” as they have been historically instrumental in transporting awkward and heavy loads. We then jump in a Jeep for a four hour ride in Wadi Rum, stopping for a desert BBQ lunch. Wadi Rum means “Valley of the Moon,” and we spend the morning exploring this lunar landscape from the vantage point of the Jeep, with several selfie stops.
After climbing sand dunes, poking around Bedouin caves and marveling at the 12,000-year-old hieroglyphs, we have the evening to relax—enjoy some quiet time in your sleek geodesic dome or hang out in the camp’s phenomenal cafe pocketed in the side of the sandstone cliffs.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Memories Aicha Luxury Camp
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Day 9
The Red & Dead Seas
Get Your Float On
We depart the clutches of Wadi Rum for Aqaba on the mesmerizing Red Sea. Kick back and relax. It’s a one-hour drive to Aqaba where we take advantage of one of the warmest and saltiest bodies of water on earth and pull on some fins and snorkel masks to see what lurks below.
Please note: The four-hour boat journey on the Red Sea is not an exclusive charter and we will be sharing this boat with other co-ed passengers.
In the bathtub warm waters we see the genuine rainbow of Red Sea life—this is one of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs.
Lunch will be on the high seas and upon reaching land, we have a super scenic three-hour transfer to the Dead Sea. Once we arrive and refresh, we can regroup for a farewell dinner (sigh) conveniently located at our hotel.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
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Day 10
Departure
Ma’asalama (Goodbye)
After a reflective breakfast we have a memorable morning lolling about in the Dead Sea. Soak, float and then enjoy a purifying mud and salt scrub. This is the perfect send-off.
Scrubbed and rejuvenated, we can take a group shuttle (one hour) to the Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman in the early afternoon. Prepare for big hugs and heavy-hearted goodbyes. Departure flights out of AMM should be booked after 5 p.m.
Note: For those heading to Egypt on the extension or full tour, we recommend an evening flight to Cairo so that you can enjoy some time at the Dead Sea, but you must book to leave by the evening of the last day of this tour in order to arrive on time for Day 1 of the extension. If you are extending your stay at the Dead Sea, a later airport transfer can be arranged for you at your own expense.
The only unanswered question is, where next?
Included Meals
Breakfast
Take a Deeper Dive
Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary here.
What’s Included
- Nine breakfasts, eight lunches and nine dinners (most meals will be buffet-style)
- Nine nights’ accommodation in sweet guest houses, solar-powered ecolodges and dreamy desert domes
- Air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout
- Awesome and energetic English-speaking female guide
- Activities referenced in full itinerary
- Entrance and admission fees where applicable with included activities
- Stress-free airport transfers (arrival and departure) are included on a group basis
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
Optional single private room upgrade, subject to availability.
Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.
5-Day Highlights of Egypt Post-Trip Extension (2024 Only)
Starting at $1,495 USD
Departure Dates: Apr 11 – 15, 2024 | May 10 – 14, 2024 | Sep 30 – Oct 4, 2024 | Oct 14 – 18, 2024 | Nov 2 – 6, 2024 | Nov 14 – 18, 2024
We will not be offering this extension in 2025.
The Highlights of Egypt extension seamlessly follow the Ultimate Jordan trip, making it super convenient and easy to visit Egypt after your Jordan experience.
Immerse yourself in all things royal and ancient in the long shadows of the Queens, goddesses and female pharaohs before us. See all the staples: the Giza Plateau, the recumbent Sphinx, the Temple of Luxor and the stirring Valley of the Kings.
Dig deep into the archives of the legendary Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and be in the company of an Egyptologist guide throughout this trip. This five-day break is a big taste of Egypt from an Islamic Cairo walking tour to opulent hotel stays–right on the mighty Nile in Luxor.
What’s Included
- All authentic meals from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast Day 5
- 4 nights of luxe accommodation in 5-star hotels
- Awesome English-speaking female Egyptian Egyptologist guides
- Airport transfers for both arrival and departure
- All entry fees to museums, temples and activities listed in the itinerary
- Your domestic flight (Cairo–Luxor–Cairo), which will be arranged by Wild Women Expeditions
What’s Excluded
Flight from Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan (AMM) to Cairo International Airport, Egypt (CAI). Plan to arrive in Cairo before noon on Day 1 of the extension if you would like to participate in the walking tour of Islamic Cairo, followed by a late lunch at a local restaurant.
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
Tips for your main guide are not included.
The group will check into the hotel after the walking tour. Alternatively, you can choose to join the group at the welcome dinner at 5 p.m. (the welcome dinner/rendezvous point will be included in a bulletin sent 30 days prior to the trip). This would allow you to relax a little longer in Jordan at the Dead Sea before flying to Cairo.
Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrival
Arrival
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport (CAI), retrieve your luggage and proceed to the Arrivals area. Look for a driver holding a sign that says “WILD WOMEN EXPEDITIONS”. They will assist you in obtaining your Visa and luggage.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Sofitel Al Gazeerah, Cario or similar
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Day 2
Cairo
Discover Islamic Cairo
After breakfast at the hotel is a walking tour of Islamic Cairo. In this pocket of the city, marvel at ancient monuments constructed by the Fatimid caliphs who founded the city of Cairo in the 11th century. It’s a bustling and buzzing center of worship, sweet shops, mopeds delivering fast food, distracted pedestrians with bundles of cotton being wheeled by.
Witness the collision of modern expansion and heritage in the centuries-old Islamic architecture. Our walk will include old medieval city gates like Bab al-Zuwayla and Bab Al Fetouh (‘The Gate of Conquest’) which was built in 1087. The flanking towers are an imposing 23 m (75 ft)! Bab al-Zuwayla was constructed a few years later (1091-92)–these gates are two of the three remaining gates of Fatimid Cairo.
We linger over lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy our first big taste of Egypt.
After lunch we tour the Cairo museum in Tahrir Square. The collection is incredible–we’ll be sure to visit the treasures of the young pharaoh Tutankhamon.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodations
Sofitel Al Gazeerah, Cario or similar
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Day 3
Pyramids of Giza
Wonders of the Ancient World
We take advantage of a less-crowded early morning visit to the celebrated Pyramids of Giza which include Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinu. The Pyramid of Cheops (also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza or Pyramid of Khufu) is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.
We will have the opportunity to climb inside one of the pyramids, a truly intimate and overwhelming experience, and visit the regal Great Sphinx (the famous limestone lion’s body with a pharaoh’s head adorned in royal headdress). It’s one of the world’s largest sculptures measuring 73 m(240 ft) long and 20 m (66 ft) high.
Our adrenaline levels will continue to operate on HIGH as we observe the unearthly presence of the pyramids of Giza by camel. On this short camel ride, we’ll feel the unforgettable gentle sway of the “ships of the desert”.
We visit the former mortuary Valley Temple which belongs to the Pyramids of Chephren. The fourth dynasty and impossibly intact burial temples bring ancient Egyptian civilization alive in a way that your encyclopedias never could.
We swap stories over lunch in a local restaurant, and then head to the Cairo airport for a quick hopper domestic flight to Luxor. After checking into our hotel, take five before gathering for dinner. Be sure to take in the awesome panoramas of the mighty Nile from the hotel’s terrace or go for a dip in the outdoor heated pool.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Sonesta Luxor or similar
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Day 4
Luxor
Royal Roaming
In the morning, we explore the West Bank of Luxor with visits to the tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings and the rock-cut tombs of the Princes & Queens in the Valley of the Queens. We visit the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut and tour the unbelievable Colossi of Memnon.
After lunch we return to the hotel for a rejuvenating sweet mint tea fix or a bracing shower. This afternoon is all about the red carpet legends: the Temples of Luxor and the Temples of Karnak, Egypt’s greatest compound of temples.
Later, we feast like Queens and have a royal sleep in Luxor, our last precious night in Egypt’s embrace.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accomodations
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Day 5
Farewell
Until Next Time
After breakfast, we return to the airport for your flight back to Cairo and connecting flights home.
Hug your amateur Wild Women Expeditions/Egyptologist-in-training group goodbye–but be sure to make plans for your next destination together!
The flight out of Luxor on Day 5 is subject to change, to accommodate this, please book your departing flight from Cairo International Airport (CAI) after 10 p.m. on Day 5 to account for travel time from Luxor.
If you would prefer to book yourself a night at an airport hotel on Day 5, we recommend: Le Meridien Cairo Airport
Included Meals
Breakfast
Take a Deeper Dive
Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary here.
Know Before You Go
Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
Trip Details
Know Before You Go
Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
This trip starts in Amman, Jordan (airport code: AMM) and finishes in Amman, Jordan (airport code: AMM).
Day 4 Hike
Today’s 9-mile (15 km) hike is rated moderately difficult due to length and the steep downhill at the beginning (with undulating hills for the remainder). It can be technically challenging in places due to wash-out and loose stones. As noted, a shuttle option is available.
For the alternate hike option, the climb is still challenging and steep with some rocky scrambling, but shorter. Our guide will thoroughly describe both options for those who are concerned but be prepared to sweat! It will be a hot and challenging walk.
The Wild Women Way
If you’re wondering how we roll, it’s together. The Wild Women Way is our modus operandi, our mantra and our rock solid foundation. You can learn more about our Wild Ways HERE.
How We Support You
Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this trip, we travel by boat and by camel, hike uneven terrain and brave the heat. Yes, it can be a challenge, but you’re never alone. Like thousands of women before you, you’ll draw on strength you didn’t know you had and come out feeling like the goddess you are.
Like all our trips, this trip can be scaled to suit different abilities and comfort levels. If you have concerns or reservations about your ability to complete or enjoy this trip due to any physical or medical reasons, please contact us and let’s talk about it.
What the Trip Entails
This is an all-encompassing adventure. We would like you to be comfortable with the following:
- Walking on ever-changing terrain with no shade for up to 9 miles (15 km)
- Certain days involve long drives of 3–4 hours
- Mounting and riding a camel with assistance
- A 4-hour co-ed boat ride
- Snorkeling from the back of a boat
- Expect extreme heat and a lot of time on your feet
- Be prepared for unfamiliar flavors and spices
- Most meals are buffet-style
- Physical Rating: Moderate (Good level of fitness required. Trips are moderately challenging with an average of 4 to 6 hours of activity each day.)
