All Around Jordan: Self-Launched 11-Day Adventure
11 days · Jordan
Booking Tours charges £1,468
No-markup version: ~£690 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Booking Tours' popular 11-day Jordan circuit covers every major highlight — Amman, the Desert Castles, the Dead Sea, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Little Petra, Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba — at a fraction of the guided tour price. Instead of a private guided vehicle, you'll travel by public JETT buses, shared minibuses, and local taxis between destinations, and swap the included guide for self-bookable tours via GetYourGuide or direct at each site. Accommodation moves to well-rated budget hotels and guesthouses. All cost estimates are approximate per-person figures based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Amman
Amman
Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport. Take the Airport Express Bus (line 701) to downtown Amman for around £1.50 — far cheaper than a taxi. Check into a hostel or budget guesthouse in the Jabal Amman or Rainbow Street area. Spend the evening exploring Rainbow Street's cafés and restaurants, grab a falafel wrap, and get your bearings. Pick up a local SIM card at the airport for mobile data.
🚌Airport Express Bus 701 from Queen Alia Airport to downtown Amman, ~£1.50
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Jabal Amman/Rainbow Street area (e.g. Farah Hotel or Sydney Hotel), ~£18-25/night
- →Airport Express Bus to downtown Amman (~£1.50)
- →Check in and settle into budget accommodation
- →Evening stroll along Rainbow Street
- →Grab a street food dinner — falafel, hummus, and shawarma
Desert Castles & the Dead Sea
Amman – Desert Castles – Dead Sea – Amman
This route is best done as a day trip by renting a car for the day (~£35-45) or joining a shared GetYourGuide day tour. Drive east to the haunting Desert Castles: Al Kharraneh, Qasr Amra (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and Azraq Castle. Return via the Dead Sea — entry to a public beach such as Amman Beach costs around £18 and includes a sun lounger. Float in the famous salt waters and slather on the mineral-rich mud. Return to Amman for the night.
🚌Hire a car for the day (~£35-45 inc. fuel) or book a shared day tour via GetYourGuide (~£45-55pp)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Amman, ~£18-25/night
- →Visit Al Kharraneh Castle (free to enter)
- →Explore Qasr Amra UNESCO World Heritage Site (~£2 entry)
- →Visit Azraq Castle (~£2 entry)
- →Float in the Dead Sea at a public beach (~£18 entry with lounger)
Madaba, Mount Nebo & Little Petra
Amman – Madaba – Mount Nebo – Little Petra – Petra
Check out of your Amman hotel and head south. Take a shared minibus or JETT bus from Amman's south bus station to Madaba (~£1.50, 45 min). Visit the Church of St George to see the remarkable 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land — entry is free. From Madaba, take a taxi to Mount Nebo (~£6 return), where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, with sweeping views across the Jordan Valley. Continue south by shared taxi or minibus to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid, free entry) before arriving in Wadi Musa (Petra) for the evening. Book accommodation here for two nights.
🚌Shared minibus Amman to Madaba (~£1.50); taxi Madaba to Mount Nebo (~£6 return); shared taxi/minibus to Little Petra and Wadi Musa (~£5-8)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Wadi Musa, e.g. Petra Guest House or Valentine Inn, ~£18-25/night
- →Visit Madaba's Church of St George and the 6th-century Mosaic Map (free entry)
- →Taxi to Mount Nebo for panoramic views over the Jordan Valley (~£6 return from Madaba)
- →Explore Little Petra / Siq al-Barid (free entry)
- →Arrive and check in at Wadi Musa (Petra)
Full Day in Petra
Petra
An early start is essential — the gates open at 6am and morning light in the Siq is magical. Buy your Petra entry ticket directly at the visitor centre (1-day ticket ~£50). Walk the 1.2km Siq canyon to reach the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh), then continue deeper into the ancient Nabataean city: the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnade Street, and the Qasr al-Bint temple. For the full experience, hike up to the Monastery (Ad Deir) — 800 steps but worth every one. Optionally hire a local guide at the gate (~£25 for a half-day) for context and history. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace before returning to your Wadi Musa guesthouse.
🚌Walk from Wadi Musa guesthouse to Petra gate (~10 min)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Wadi Musa, ~£18-25/night
- →Enter through the Siq canyon at sunrise
- →Visit the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) and Royal Tombs
- →Explore the Colonnade Street and Qasr al-Bint temple
- →Hike up to the Monastery (Ad Deir) — 800 steps
- →Optional: hire a local guide at the gate (~£25 half-day)
Petra to Wadi Rum
Petra – Wadi Rum
Check out after breakfast and take a shared minibus or JETT bus from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum village (~£5-8, 1.5 hrs). At Wadi Rum, book a 2-hour jeep tour directly with one of the many Bedouin operators at the visitor centre (~£20-30pp) — this covers the classic highlights including red sand dunes, ancient rock inscriptions, and Lawrence of Arabia canyon. Spend the night in a Bedouin camp under a jaw-dropping starlit sky. Many camps include dinner and breakfast in the price — a brilliant and authentically affordable desert experience.
🚌Shared minibus/JETT bus from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum (~£5-8)
🛏Bedouin desert camp in Wadi Rum (often includes dinner & breakfast), ~£30-45/night
- →Travel from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum by shared minibus (~£5-8)
- →2-hour Bedouin jeep tour of Wadi Rum desert (~£20-30pp, book at visitor centre)
- →Watch sunset over the red dunes
- →Sleep in a Bedouin tent camp under the stars
Wadi Rum to Aqaba
Wadi Rum – Aqaba
After a Bedouin breakfast, take a shared taxi or minibus from Wadi Rum to Aqaba (~£5-8, 1 hr). Check into a budget hotel near the beach. Aqaba sits on the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba and is one of the world's top snorkelling destinations — the reefs are easily accessible from shore. Rent snorkel gear at the beach (~£5-8) or book an affordable snorkelling boat trip via GetYourGuide or local operators (~£18-25). The beach area around the South Beach and Marine Reserve is free or very low cost to access.
🚌Shared taxi/minibus Wadi Rum to Aqaba (~£5-8)
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Aqaba city centre (e.g. Al Shula Hotel), ~£20-30/night
- →Travel by shared taxi/minibus from Wadi Rum to Aqaba (~£5-8)
- →Check in and head to the Red Sea beach
- →Snorkelling from shore or on a budget boat trip (~£18-25)
- →Optional: glass-bottom boat trip to coral gardens (~£15)
Aqaba – Red Sea & Relaxation
Aqaba
A free day to explore Aqaba at your own pace. Morning snorkelling or a scuba diving taster session (many operators offer beginner dives from ~£45). Visit the Aqaba Fort and the Aqaba Archaeological Museum (both low-cost entry). Browse the lively souq for spices and souvenirs. In the evening, head to the waterfront for fresh fish and meze at a local restaurant — seafood in Aqaba is excellent and affordable.
🚌Walking and local taxis within Aqaba (short rides ~£1-2)
🛏Budget hotel in Aqaba, ~£20-30/night
- →Snorkelling at South Beach Marine Reserve (gear hire ~£5-8)
- →Optional: introductory scuba dive with a local dive school (~£45)
- →Visit Aqaba Fort and Archaeological Museum (~£2-3 entry each)
- →Browse the local souq
- →Fresh seafood dinner at a waterfront restaurant
Aqaba – Water Sports & Beach Day
Aqaba
Another day to enjoy Aqaba's Red Sea coast. Consider booking a kayaking or paddleboarding session (~£10-15) or a boat trip to more remote snorkelling spots. Alternatively, take a water taxi across to the public beach areas. This is a great rest day after the intensity of Petra and Wadi Rum — slow down, read, swim, and enjoy the warm waters. Pick up any last gifts from the souq in the afternoon.
🚌Local taxis and walking within Aqaba
🛏Budget hotel in Aqaba, ~£20-30/night
- →Kayaking or paddleboarding on the Red Sea (~£10-15)
- →Snorkelling at a different reef spot by local boat (~£10-15)
- →Relaxed beach afternoon
- →Souvenir shopping in Aqaba souq
Aqaba to Amman
Aqaba – Amman
Take the JETT bus from Aqaba bus station back to Amman (departs several times daily, ~£8-10, 4-4.5 hrs). The bus is comfortable and air-conditioned, passing through stunning desert scenery on the King's Highway. Alternatively, take the faster Desert Highway route. Arrive in Amman in the afternoon. Check back into a budget guesthouse in the city centre or Jabal Amman area. Spend the evening revisiting your favourite Amman spots or trying a restaurant you missed on day one.
🚌JETT bus from Aqaba to Amman (~£8-10)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Jabal Amman or downtown, ~£18-25/night
- →JETT bus from Aqaba to Amman (~£8-10, ~4.5 hrs)
- →Arrive in Amman and check in
- →Evening in Amman — dinner on Rainbow Street or in the old city
Jerash, Ajloun & Amman
Amman – Jerash – Ajloun – Amman
An action-packed day trip from Amman. Take a shared minibus from Amman's north bus station (Tabarbour) to Jerash (~£1.50, 1 hr). Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world — entry is ~£10 and you can easily spend 2-3 hours exploring the colonnaded streets, temples, and theatres. From Jerash, take a shared taxi or local bus to Ajloun (~£2), where the 12th-century Muslim castle offers panoramic forest views (entry ~£3). Return to Amman by shared minibus (~£1.50) and spend the evening on a self-guided walk through Amman's old city: the Roman Theatre, Gold Souq, and Abdoun neighbourhood.
🚌Shared minibus Amman–Jerash (~£1.50); shared taxi Jerash–Ajloun (~£2-3); shared minibus back to Amman (~£1.50)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Amman, ~£18-25/night
- →Shared minibus from Amman to Jerash (~£1.50)
- →Explore Jerash Roman city — Hadrian's Arch, Oval Plaza, colonnaded streets (~£10 entry)
- →Shared taxi to Ajloun Castle (~£2-3) and explore the 12th-century fortress (~£3 entry)
- →Return to Amman by shared minibus (~£1.50)
- →Self-guided walk: Roman Theatre, Gold Souq, and Rainbow Street
Departure from Amman
Amman
Final morning in Jordan. If time allows before your flight, grab a last breakfast of Jordanian fuul (fava beans), hummus, and mint tea at a local café. Take the Airport Express Bus 701 from downtown Amman to Queen Alia International Airport (~£1.50, allow 45-60 min). Check in and depart, taking with you incredible memories of ancient ruins, desert landscapes, and some of the world's most welcoming people.
🚌Airport Express Bus 701 from downtown Amman to Queen Alia Airport (~£1.50)
- →Final Jordanian breakfast at a local café
- →Airport Express Bus 701 to Queen Alia International Airport (~£1.50)
Self-launched vs. Booking Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Booking Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£690 | £1,468 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £778 per person (53%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Booking Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£690
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does All Around Jordan: Self-Launched 11-Day Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £690 per person for 11 days in Jordan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Booking Tours?+
Yes — Booking Tours charges around £1,468 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £690 — a saving of roughly £778 (53%) per person.
How long is the Jordan trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Jordan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, hiking trip through Jordan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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