Wadi Rum | Jordan
FROM: AUD $2,565 pp
New Year's in Wadi Rum - 8 Days map

NEW YEAR TOUR: Celebrate a festive Bedouin New Year’s Eve in the heart of the Wadi Rum Desert. Add the fascinating Lost City of Petra, bobbing in the Dead Sea, exploring Roman ruins, and you'll be kicking off your New Year in style!

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Reviews

Trip Highlights

Amman - Explore this Ancient hilltop citadel with its fascinating Archaeological Museum and the bustling souqs
Umm ar-Rasas - Visit this ancient city and important stop on the caravan route between east and west with breathtaking views
Mt Nebo - Stand at one of the most sacred sites in Jordan with views across the Promised Land
Petra - Say hello to the UNESCO-listed Nabataean city that was all but lost to the modern world until its rediscovery in 1812
Shobak Crusader Castle - Explore this magnificent castle perched dramatically on a hill top
Jerash - Roam the ruins of the ancient Roman city
Umm Qais - See the Roman Decapolis City, once a cultural centre and home to poets and great philosophers
Madaba - Stop into the Christian market town, Church of St George and Jordan’s finest Byzantine mosaics
Wadi Rum - Witness this vast red desert landscape with rolling dunes and dramatic rock formations
Dead Sea - Float in the warm and buoyant mineral-rich waters

Included

Breakfast daily and 2 dinners, plus New Year’s Bedouin Party at the Wadi Rum Desert Camp
1 night Wadi Rum desert camp - en suite tents with beds and bedding
Dead Sea - Free time to swim and detox
Escorted by a licensed Jordanian tour guide and English speaking specialist guides at some local sights
All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
6 nights 4 star hotels
Wadi Rum - 4x4 desert safari through the sand dunes
Touring - Amman, Jerash, Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Shobak, Umm ar-Rasas, Mt Nebo and Madaba
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer is offered on day 8 at 23:00 (day 7), 04:00, 07:00, 09:00, 12:00 and 16:00 only

Not Included

International flights and visa (see Trip Notes for further information about visas)
Entrance Fees: USD$140-160pp, paid in local currency
Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$5-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture
Tipping Kitty: USD$40-60pp, paid in local currency

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Jordan!

27 December. Once you arrive in Amman you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure.
Overnight: Amman

Day 2

Jerash & Umm Qais

Amman - Jerash - Umm Qais - Amman. Today we tour Jerash, arguably the world’s best-preserved Roman provincial city with whisper-perfect acoustics in the South Theatre, chariot-wheel marks in the paving stones of the Cardo and an exciting chariot race in the 2,000-year-old Hippodrome. Drive to Umm Qais (Biblical Gadara) to visit a dramatic black-basalt Roman Decapolis city, featuring great views over the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Later this evening, we head out for a meal and a stroll along Rainbow Street to experience modern Amman with its hip bars, rooftop restaurants, art studios, bookshops and curious.
Overnight: Amman  |  Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

Mt Nebo & Umm ar Rasas

Amman - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Umm ar Rasas - Petra. Today we tour the citadel and Archaeological Museum of Amman before we take a walk through the bustling local souk to enjoy typical Jordanian street treats of falafel and hummus at the country’s most popular local street stand. As the pictures on the wall will prove, the unglamorous food stand was a great favourite of the late King Hussein.

Leaving Amman we’ll stop first at Mt. Nebo, the site from which Moses saw the Promised Land. Having led the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, Moses finally saw them from this impressive vantage point. This amazing panorama includes the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho and the spires and domes of the Mt. of Olives and Bethlehem on the Judean Hills just across the wide valley. Later, we visit Madaba en route to Petra where we see the Church of St George, the Madaba Archaeological Park, Apostles Church and Madaba Museum.

Our next port of call is Um ar-Rasas, one of Jordan’s World Heritage sites and once an important stop on the busy caravan routes. The impressive mosaic floor of the St. Stephen Church features medallions commemorating all the early Christian pilgrimage sites of the region, and the extensive ruins also include one of the area’s earliest Stylite towers, where a Byzantine hermit lived atop the tower and preached to the pilgrimage visitors.
Overnight: Petra  |  Breakfast

Day 4

The Rose City of Petra

Begin the day with a walk through the mysterious mile-long Siq, the narrow gorge with towering sandstone walls which leads into the ancient capital city of the Nabatean trading empire. Explore the Khazneh (the temple of Indiana Jones fame), Theatre, colonnaded street and museum. After lunch, climb to ad-Deir (the Monastery), Petra’s largest carved façade. Travelling in 2024? Consider the Petra by Night excursion available to book locally (approx. USD$25), for a tantalizing candlelight stroll through Petra’s Siq. NOTE: Not available on our 2023 New Year tour
Overnight: Petra  |  Breakfast

Day 5

New Years Eve in Wadi Rum

Petra - Wadi Rum. This morning we have the opportunity to join our guide for a return visit to Petra, along the “secret way” of al-Madras, with visits to the High Place of Sacrifice and Wadi Farasa. At mid-day we’ll make a stop in the Wadi Musa souk to pick up shawarma sandwiches and fruit and veggie snacks from the local produce souk before making the scenic drive to Wadi Rum. We board our after 4x4 jeeps and tour the moonscape desert terrain, arriving to our remote camp site, deep in the heart of the Wadi Rum Protected Area.

See out the old year at a Bedouin NY party featuring folkloric dancing, Bedouin musicians, hands-on demonstrations of traditional Bedouin coffee and bread making, fireworks and more….along with a lavish buffet dinner and champagne toast at midnight.
Overnight: Wadi Rum  |  Breakfast, Dinner

Days 6-7

Shobak Castle & the Dead Sea

Wadi Rum - Shobak - Dead Sea. Happy New Year! After breakfast at our campsite on day 6, we head north along the Desert Highway to visit Shobak Castle, which is perched dramatically on a hill top and was built by the Crusader King Baldwin I in 1115. After exploring the castle we descend some 1300 meters to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth’s surface. More than 400 meters below sea level, the mineral-rich Dead Sea is the world’s original health and beauty spa. Bob in the waters and slap on some of the famous black Dead Sea mud to give your skin an invigorating boost.

Day 7 is free to further relax and pamper yourself at the Dead Sea. Enjoy this natural phenomena, whiling away the time bobbing in the mineral rich buoyant waters and lathering up with a detoxifying mud bath.
Overnight: Dead Sea  |  Breakfast x 2

Day 8

Dead Sea

03 January. Dead Sea - Amman Airport. Hotel check out and included onward transfer to the airport in Amman. Departure transfers are offered on day 8 at 23:00 (evening of day 7), 04:00, 07:00, 09:00, 12:00 and 16:00. If you would like a departure transfer at any other time or a transfer with post tour accommodation this can be arranged, please enquire.

If you have extra time and wish to head back to Amman, why not book our 2 day end in Amman add on? Perfect for those who wish to spend more time in Jordan's ancient capital, Amman.

For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our travel guide.
Breakfast

Prices & Dates

All dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. Room sharing is not available on this tour.

Guaranteed Departure

Extra Prices

Twin Share
Single Room

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

Al-Qasr Metropole, Amman

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

Recently refurbished, the Al Qasr Metropole is a modern and chic boutique hotel. Guest rooms are beautifully furnished and include free Wi-Fi connection and luxury en suite facilities. All guests at the Al Qasr gain free access to the on site Fitness First gym as well as a complimentary breakfast. The rooftop restaurant has fantastic panoramic views of Amman and is a great place to spend the evening. The hotel is well located in Shmeisani, one of Amman's most prestigious neighbourhoods.

Old Village Resort, Petra

Our Category: Deluxe   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel

Located above Wadi Mousa, Old Village Resort has a wonderfully traditional feel about it with open stonework and original architecture. Rooms are full of character, some with delightful archways and all directly accessed from the outside. The hotel boasts an indoor swimming pool and sauna and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. For dinner why not dine al fresco at the restaurant overlooking the mountains. Well located in forested wadis facing Petra’s mountains.

Petra Moon Hotel, Petra

Our Category: Standard   |   Regional Category: 4 Star Hotel

Just 300 ft from the entrance gate to Petra, the Petra Moon hotel features spacious rooms with private balconies and flat-screen TVs. It also has a roof garden with a seasonal outdoor pool. The soundproofed rooms and suites at Petra Moon come with satellite channels, a DVD player and extra-long beds. Each has air conditioning and a private bathroom. The hotel's restaurant serves a delicious selection of international meals in both buffet-style and a la carte.

Desert Seasons Camp, Wadi Rum

Our Category: Standard   |   Regional Category: Superior Camp

Desert Season Camp, nestled in the heart of Wadi Rum, offers a serene desert retreat with breathtaking mountain vistas and a range of comfortable accommodations, including tents equipped with air conditioning and ensuite bathroom. Campsite facilities include complimentary WiFi in communal areas. Guests can explore the quiet, secluded canyon surroundings, climb a nearby mountain to witness stunning sunsets, and even experience local camel races on the camp's flat sand area. The evenings come alive with traditional music performances by local musicians, complemented by the inviting ambiance of the outdoor seating area.

Sharah Camp, Wadi Rum

Our Category: Standard   |   Regional Category: Superior Camp

Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of Wadi Rum, Sharah Camp promises a desert retreat with a modern touch. Each tent is equipped with air conditioning and en suite facilities. There is complimentary WiFi in communal areas at the campsite. With stunning mountain views, a charming terrace, and a host of modern conveniences, this camp offers a perfect blend of luxury and tradition in the heart of the desert.

Holiday Inn Resort, Dead Sea

Our Category: Superior   |   Regional Category: 5 Star Hotel

Graced with interconnecting palm fringed swimming pools leading to the Dead Sea, the Holiday Inn is an Arabesque style hotel. Guest rooms are elegantly furnished and benefit from complimentary high speed internet. The hotel also has an on site fitness centre and a fine choice of Spa facilities. The 24 hour sleek bar is the perfect place for a tipple at any time of the day or night. The accommodation is located on the shores of the world famous Dead Sea.

Reviews

Travellers have rated this tour as 4.88 out of 5 based on 8 recent reviews

1  |  2

Incredible Jordan discovery!

The New Year in Petra tour was a wonderful discovery of the extraordinary Ancient and Biblical history of this region. Our guide was exceptional in the way he delivered his extensive knowledge. Highly recommended!

• Submitted 20 Apr 2020
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Lovely new year break, hits all the 'must see' sights - Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Fireworks in the desert on New Years Eve will live long in my memory. Would only wish for less mosaic stops on the way down to Petra on day two, there was 4 of them! I'd prefer to skip one and arrive at the beautiful Old Village resort in Petra earlier in the day.

I learnt a lot from our guide, He's very knowledgeable about the history each of each site and about his country in general. He also has a very clear and memorable way of presenting all this information, I retained a great deal.

• Submitted 12 Jan 2019
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Mohammed was excellent. His historical knowledge of the sites that we visited was extensive and detailed. He went above and beyond to cater for the wishes and needs of individual members of the party in terms of the itinerary and was very open and informative in terms of answering questions of a general nature about Jordan and Islam. All our accommodation was excellent and the facilities and hospitality at the 'Rainbow camp' at Wadi Rum were excellent. My only slight disappointment regarding the itinerary would be that there was not more emphasis on visiting sites relevant to the culture and history of Islam....you can only do so much in 8 days tho I guess. It was slightly odd having a day at the Dead Sea at the end of the tour without a guide...but it worked out fine....our group had bonded and we continued to meet in the evenings and we organised our own excursion from the hotel to the baptism of Jesus site. A really excellent experience.

• Submitted 23 Jan 2018
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Another excellent trip from On the Go. Always impressive logistics management, very warm welcome from all the personnel involved. Felt well looked after, the tour guide Ogla had a great approach to interact with everyone in the group and it was a very big group, but he mastered to remember everybody's name. He gave his personal touch to the sights we were visiting with background information for better understanding.

• Submitted 05 Jan 2017
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The tour and the tour guide were exceptional. I cannot rave more about both the tour and the tour guide. Ogla was always ready with advice of where to go after hours, what to eat and advice on the optional extras. He also showed the cuisine of his country. he went out of his way to always include everyone and was always helpful.

Great tour had had a great time.

5 stars for Ogla.

• Submitted 09 Jan 2015
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Was a good trip, guide was well informed and knowledgeable.

made the trip fun adn enjoyable.

was able to help out in the time of need. and had good contacts to make it efficient.

enjoyable part of the trip was seeing petra by candle light and by day and soaking in the dead sea.

tour of petra, guide should have indicated about some of the other possible routes that could have been taken to see petra from alternative routes. was only aware of these different routes on the morning before we left to the next destination.

flyer that was handed out did not have this information on it. so did not manage to get to those locations.

pickup and dropoff transfers were great. one less thing to worry about when arriving in a new country. transfers went smoothly.

• Submitted 07 Jan 2015
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Dear Go on Tour!

That was the most incredible week in my life. Perfect hotels, everything organised extremely well - transfers, food etc.

Most of it was the tour guide Ogla. Wonderful person, knowledgeable, carry, funny and entertaining the same time. He has a remarkable knowledge about the history and the culture of Jordan and Middle East. He made my stay in Jordan like living a dream. All the time he goes far beyond just doing his job, it is his passion being a tour guide. Everybody felt looked after all the time. Constantly he was on a full alert for our comfort. wellbeing and safety. Five stars are just nor enough to rate him. The best tour guide ever!

• Submitted 05 Jan 2015
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Greatest ever holiday I had. Touring around Jordan and celebrating New Year in Wadi Rum desert in Bedouin camp. We visited many places - Umm Qays, Jerash, Karak, Petra and Amman. We had the greatest tour guide - Ogla Nawafleh. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to visit Jordan.

Krassimir Vassilev • Submitted 05 Jan 2015

Dear Go on Tour!

That was the most incredible week in my life. Perfect hotels, everything organised extremely well - transfers, food etc.

Most of it was the tour guide Ogla. Wonderful person, knowledgeable, carry, funny and entertaining the same time. He has a remarkable knowledge about the history and the culture of Jordan and Middle East. He made my stay in Jordan like living a dream. All the time he goes far beyond just doing his job, it is his passion being a tour guide. Everybody felt looked after all the time. Constantly he was on a full alert for our comfort. wellbeing and safety. Five stars are just nor enough to rate him. The best tour guide ever!

Anjela Vassileva • Submitted 05 Jan 2015

Greatest ever holiday I had. Touring around Jordan and celebrating New Year in Wadi Rum desert in Bedouin camp.

We visited many places - Umm Qays, Jerash, Karak, Petra and Amman.

We had the greatest tour guide - Ogla Nawafleh.

Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to visit Jordan.

• Submitted 04 Jan 2015
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1  |  2

At a Glance

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Amman
Ends
Amman
Departs
27 Dec 2022
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 24
Hotel Rating
4 star hotels & 1 night deluxe desert camp in Wadi Rum
Tour Guide
Yes, escorted by a tour guide
Meals
Breakfast: 7, Dinner: 2
Countries
Minimum Age
15 yrs, accompanied by an adult
Arr. Transfer
Yes
Dep. Transfer
Yes
Click to play videoHouses piled one on top of the other on the hills of Amman, Jordan's capital city
Click to play videoSunset painting the sand of Wadi Rum a vivd pink
Click to play videoSalt encrusted rim of the Dead Sea at sunset

Tour Add-ons

Enhance your trip with these amazing added extras and add-ons

Roman Ruins | Amman | Jordan
AUD $ 275 / 2 days
Cooking lesson | Petra | Jordan
AUD $ 105

Incredible Jordan discovery!

The New Year in Petra tour was a wonderful discovery of the extraordinary Ancient and Biblical history of this region. Our guide was exceptional in the way he delivered his extensive knowledge. Highly recommended!

Peter Traverna
OTG000204New Year's in Wadi Rum - 8 DaysMiddle East & North AfricaSignatureMiddle East & North Africafalse0Jordanhttps://www.onthegotours.com/au/Jordan/New-Years-in-Wadi-Rum-8-Dayshttps://www.onthegotours.com/repository/Wadi-Rum-at-sunset--Jordan-Tours--On-The-Go-Tours-copy-238611405937756_crop_flip_300_300_f2f2f2_center-center.jpgGroup_Tours