Gazing up at the rose coloured carvings of the Petra Treasury —  my neck craned to take in the full height of its mighty pillars, intricate details and legendary treasure-filled urn perched on top — I knew I’d made the right decision to join the Highlights of Jordan tour, even if it ended right there.

Thankfully, it didn’t. We spent the entire day exploring the vast network of buildings carved into towering rock faces and exploring mighty canyons as old as time. We walked through more than 2,300 years of Nabataean, Roman, and Bedouin history, where Roman temples, ancient monasteries, and hidden pathways unfolded one after another. 

Everything from the geology to the history to the archaeology was on a scale difficult to comprehend until you see it with your own eyes. By the end of the day my feet ached, but my imagination felt utterly alive. I had no doubt why Petra has earned its place among the world’s most extraordinary wonders.

Discovering ancient artistry and spirituality 

Jordan’s mosaic traditions were on a scale I’ve never seen before too, where ancient traditions, spirituality and spectacular artistry combined to create a window to the past. 

The Madaba Map took my breath away, not only for its immense size and intricate detail, but for the story it preserves. Created in the early 6th century from over 2 million mosaic pieces it is the earliest known map of the Holy Land, offering a fascinating glimpse into how early Christians understood the region — from Lebanon to the Nile Delta.

Equally fascinating was seeing how these traditions continue to evolve today. At a local mosaic cooperative, we met artisans who are preserving this ancient craft while shaping new futures for themselves and their communities. 

Women and people with disabilities were creating one-of-a-kind mosaic works and delicate micro-mosaic jewellery. This jewellery was so beautiful that one of the group bought a ring and proposed to his girlfriend! 

Moments to unwind 

Amid the excitement and constant sense of discovery, Jordan also offered space to slow down. With every detail meticulously planned and thoughtfully handled by Firas (our Chief Experience Officer), it was easy to switch off and be fully present in each experience. 

For me, this is the real gift of a group journey — the freedom to immerse yourself fully in the present moment, knowing everything is being taken care of. And, to be guided by a true expert of the region, who brings each place to life through local insight and storytelling. 

When it came to relaxation, it also helped that Jordan is home to the Dead Sea — famous since ancient times for the restorative and youth-enhancing qualities of its salt-rich waters and mineral-rich therapeutic mud. The buoyancy of the water felt bizarre (it was impossible to sink!), but allowed us to float effortlessly whilst taking in the rocky landscape which surrounded us. 

Legend tells that fifteen minutes in the Dead Sea’s healing waters also knocks fifteen years off your visible age. Whether or not that’s true, each person in our group made sure they got a full twenty! 

Desert and stars 

Of course, no journey through Jordan would feel complete without time in Wadi Rum, where we spent 24 hours immersed in vast desert wilderness. Towering formations of granite and red sandstone rose around us as we explored in 4x4s. The landscape was so stark and sculptural it could easily be mistaken for Mars — an illusion which dissolved only when we spotted a dromedary and her calf in the distance. 

One experience which was truly otherworldly, however, was the delicious Bedouin meal prepared for us beneath the sand. Zarb, a slow-cooked dish of marinated meat and vegetables, is buried underground for hours, allowing the heat to create a smoky, tender richness. When it was finally uncovered, we gathered together to share the meal alongside vibrant dips and fresh salads.

With full bellies, we made our way outdoors where the night sky revealed heavenly constellations. Far from any light pollution, a vast canopy of stars emerged with striking clarity, making it easy to pick out the shapes of ursa major, ursa minor, cassiopeia and pleiades — leaving us with a sense of awe and refreshed sense of perspective. 

My final take away 

Having spent a week exploring Jordan, I now realise how misunderstood the country is. Its geographical position between some of the world’s most war-torn nations undoubtedly can make travellers cautious of visiting. However, ironically, I felt safer there than many of the other places I’ve been. 

People living in Jordan are happy to talk to you and a surprising amount speak excellent English making it easy to converse. Vendors are polite and without the aggression I’ve experienced in many other destinations. Exploring in February (and visiting many of the key sites earlier in the morning) it was also easy to avoid big crowds of other tourists. 

The final highlight of our trip was talking to Jordanians from more remote communities, as part of one of G Adventures’ Planeterra initiatives. Al Safi Kitchen provided a farm to table experience for us where we could meet some of the local community and feast on delicious homegrown food, whilst learning about how they also plan to invite more guests to their farm in the future and to employ more and more people from their village. 

For me, this was a perfect way to end the trip — to understand what it’s like living not only in the tourist hotspots, but in remote regions too. It also reminded me why I chose to travel with G and some of the positive aspects of tourism.

Who is this tour suited to? 

If you’re looking for an action-packed itinerary which includes plenty of stop-off points and the chance to see one of the seven wonders of the world, this trip is for you. 

There's quite a lot of travel time, because of the number of places we visited (some of which are over 300km or 186 mi) apart) — however, I found this the perfect time to relax and read or listen to Firas share more stories about Jordanian history and culture. 

Other than Petra, there isn’t a huge amount of walking, so the Highlights of Jordan tour suits most fitness levels.

Read more:

Jordanian culture: travelling ins and outs.

10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites you can explore on tour.

10 can't-miss dishes to try in Jordan.