Through the helpful reviews and recommendations from TripAdvisor, I opted for Jordan Select Tours to take care of our Jordan vacation. I wanted to make everything well planned, hassle free and in order since it was our first out of the country leisure trip. The price was reasonable and the JST team (arranged by Ms. Ola Farraj) did an excellent job for me and Angelo (my husband). But what shaped our entire trip extra amazing, enjoyable and awesome, were the people whom we've met and made friends with; Mr. Ibrahim Smadi and his family (hospitable host), Mr. Firas Beool (temporary driver and Mr. Ibrahim's cousin), Mr. Fadi (airport representative), Mr. Hamdan (Wadi Rum driver), Mr. Ashraf (Petra guide) and Ms. Caroline Madi (Amman & Jerash guide). See also: JORDAN VISA INFORMATION FOR FILIPINOS IN GCC If you have any plans of visiting Jordan for 5 Days & 4 nights, our customized itinerary might be of help. Though the country has a lot to offer and requires at least 2 weeks to explore, you can maximize your escapade by using this route depending on your preferred arrangement. You can make it DIY kind of trip as well but I strongly suggest that you get a tour operator to help you all the way (will be a bit costly but worth it!). Here is a summary of our full trip. You can also view our photos here. 5 Days/ 4 Nights Itinerary Flight details (Emirates Airlines): Day 1 - Nov. 20, 2015 (Dead Sea) Hotel: Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea (5*) It was around 9:00 AM when we arrived in Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. And for a good service start from JST, the airport representative Mr. Fadi was 30 mins ahead of time to meet and assist us with the visa processing. We felt like we were VIPs since there was no need for us to fall in line at the immigration to have the visa stamped in our passports, it only took us 10-15 mins and voilà! We're done! Mr. Fadi then introduced us to Mr. Firas Beool, our temporary escort (since the assigned driver for us was on leave) for that day to drive us to our hotel. It was an informative ride going to Dead Sea. Mr. Firas made sure that we'll feel energetic and awake though we were so drained already since we don't have enough sleep yet (unfortunately, we were not able to have a picture with him). After a little rest, we started to explore the Hotel and had our floating at Dead Sea, and of course, my mud bath! For our dinner, we had sizzling seafood fajita and angus beef burger (best so far) at Below 393 Restaurant. Day 2 - Nov. 21, 2015 (Dead Sea, Wadi Rum) Hotel: Petra Guest House (4*) After breakfast, Mr. Ibrahim Smadi, the originally assigned driver by JST, picked us from the hotel to start our day 2 exploration. We did a stop at Wadi Mujib for a picture taking and part of the Dead Sea to collect rock salts (literally) as requested by my colleagues. We even had a chance to see the pillar of salt which was believed to be Lot's wife; still standing in the mountainside near the dead sea. We then proceeded south to Wadi Rum, had a quick stop at Aqaba to get shawarma and Turkish coffee for lunch. Before reaching the entrance of Wadi Rum Desert, Mr. Ibrahim showed us the Hejaz Railway, this was used to transport pilgrims for Hajj in Saudi, but was suspended when the outbreak of conflict in Syria started. Upon arriving in Wadi Rum, Mr. Ibrahim introduced us to Mr. Hamdan (driver for Wadi Rum) for our Jeep Tour in the desert until sunset. After our fun desert trip and before Mr. Ibrahim dropped us in Petra for overnight, he brought us to Sun City Camp to have **Zarb for dinner; **a local Bedouin dish (with vegetables, chicken, lamb) cooked underground for 4-5 hours, the lamb was the best one we've tasted so far, 'twas also Angelo's first lamb experience and he really loved it. Day 3 - Nov. 22, 2015 (Petra) Hotel: Petra Guest House (4*) We were sure excited for our day 3 as this is one of the best reasons why everyone should visit Jordan. I woke up very early to prepare since we're going to start walking at 7:00 AM, while Angelo was feeling lazy because of the cold weather. After breakfast, we met our very informative guide (for 3 hours), Mr. Ashraf. He is a local Bedouin who spends 20 years of his life sharing great stories and history about Petra to everyone he meets, we really felt his passion and love for his job. His father was one of the first and oldest guides in Petra. This city of stone was destroyed and covered after the earthquake in 363AD. As per Mr. Ashraf, 85% of the whole city is not yet discovered, there's still a lot to excavate underneath. Before our guide left, he suggested us to climb the 900 steps going to the Al Deir at the top of the mountain, which we really did! When Angelo and I were already half-way, we almost gave up, the 1 hour hike was a no joke! But all those steps were beyond worthy when we finally reached the massive Monastery. After the unforgettable hike, we had our buffet lunch at The Basin Restaurant located in the heart of Petra (our hotel gave us a complimentary 20% discount coupon for each). We spent the whole day exploring the wonders of Petra, but it wasn't enough though. It is a very large city and a day or 2 won't be enough. Well at least, we were able to reach the main points. We then had ciabatta sandwich, pasta and 4 seasons fruit juice for dinner in The Cave Bar (one of the oldest bar in the world), and ordered vodka and beer before the evening ended. Our experience in Petra was indeed amazing, it was the highlight of our trip. Day 4 - Nov. 23, 2015 (Shoubak Castle / Madaba Mosaic / Mt. Nebo) Hotel: Larsa Hotel (3*) Day 4, we proceeded to our first stop, Shoubak Castle, the original plan was Karak. Mr. Ibrahim suggested Shoubak instead of Karak which we're glad we changed. On our way, we were able to meet Mr. Ibrahim's dinosaur! Shoubak Castle was formerly called the Royal Mountain and was built by the Crusader King Baldwin I in 1115AD. We then headed to the Christian Town of Madaba, "The City of Mosaics". We visited the St. George Church with its mosaic map of the Holy Land from the Byzantine churches, including the amazing mosaics of the Church of the Virgin. On our way to Mt. Nebo, we had a quick stop at the La Storia Tourism Complex to visit the Museum and see how the mosaics are made, then continued our way to Mt. Nebo; where God showed Moses the Promise Land and was believed to be the place where he died. We left to Amman after Mt. Nebo to have Mansaf for dinner at Tawaheen Alhawa Restaurant (visit my instagram for the mansaf video). Then, Mr. Ibrahim dropped us in Larsa Hotel Amman for overnight. Day 5 - Nov. 24, 2015 (Amman City Tour / Jerash / Airport) Our last day in Jordan! Mr. Ibrahim picked us in the hotel at 11:00 AM (we had more time to rest) considering that we will be having our flight back to Doha at late night. Our guide for the day was Ms. Caroline Madi, she is also a local of Jordan and a singer! (visit my instagram for her video) We then proceeded to Roman Theatre, the Citadel (Temple of Hercules) and Umayyad Palace in Amman. The trip also includes visits to the Archaeological and Folklore Museums. Mr. Ibrahim also gave us the **kunafa treat! (**delicious sweet in Amman) After Amman, we headed north to visit the massive Greaco-Roman City of Jerash; it is one of the most preserved in the Middle east. We had more time left when we completed the itinerary. And what did we had for dinner before leaving Jordan? Well, our very kind escort, Mr. Ibrahim, prepared a surprise for me and Angelo; dinner with his family in his home! We were able to meet his beautiful wife and his 4 wonderful children; Hayyat, Donya, Mahmoud and Mohannad. His wife cooked for us the delicious 'maqluba' (arabic term for upside down, a layered pot of meat, vegetables and rice. Cooked all together and then flipped over a serving big flat platter, making this beautiful cake-like form). We also had tea, turkish coffee and some fruits before leaving. It was an enjoyable trip for us. Though 5 days was just a short visit, but the warm welcome we received from everyone was more than enough to say that Jordan is really an amazing country. It is a safe place and we didn't feel threatened at all though Syria and Iraq were just a border away. Where you able to visit Jordan? How was your experience? If you wish your trip to be featured, email us your story. Additional info: TOURISM IN JORDAN AMIDST TURMOIL: AFTER THE LEBANON AND PARIS ATTACKS LIST OF THE BEST LUXURY HOTELS & RESORTS IN DEAD SEA, JORDAN 12 USEFUL FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JORDAN
20 Comments
9/3/2016 08:42:16 am
I love watching travel channel and reading travel blogs because they make me feel like touring the place while I save up for the actual trip. You've got nice photos and you make me want to go to Jordan! May I know how much this trip cost?
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Jordan is indeed amazing, pictures can't give justice to its real beauty in actual.
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Subha Natarajan
9/3/2016 10:15:58 am
Very well covered..great itinerary!!! Good guide for travelers
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9/3/2016 01:15:04 pm
Ahhhh I envy you guys! Jordan is one on my bucket list :)) Saw how expensive your trip was and I'm like whoa, I need to save like a year or two to check Jordan off :)) Thanks for this! It makes me want to go to Jordan even more
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9/3/2016 07:47:53 pm
Oh wow, you have explored so many on a span of five days and I really envy your adventure..
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Georgia
10/3/2016 03:47:19 am
I've been wanting to visit Jordan for some years now, I desperately want to see the Petra, it's one of those places that just have me in awe! Also the Dead Sea is on my bucket list too, it looks amazing. Your photos are incredible and I felt like I was right with you!
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10/3/2016 09:36:21 am
Dear Pia, This is a perfect travelogue i must say. lovely description of Jordan and to visit list is fanatastic.
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10/3/2016 12:24:40 pm
Thank you, thank you thank you!! I have been wanted to visit Jordan for a very long time, but I had no idea you could do so much in such a short time. I really want to get to Petra and now you have just completely confirmed to me that I HAVE to go and soon!!!
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mloveet
25/1/2017 12:19:11 pm
Hi, I just want to confirm if we filipinos who reside in a gcc country are allowed to have an on arrival visa?
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10/5/2017 08:35:30 am
So beautiful place Jordan is these picture are awesome you guys really enjoyed it a lot.Jordan select tours you rock your tour of 5 days and 4 nights is excellent.I am glad to see this post.I enjoyed it a lot and the post were truly adventurous.
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Grace
11/9/2017 09:14:09 am
Hi! I just want to ask did u avail the Jordan Pass when you went to Jordan? Thank you! :)
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12/9/2017 09:31:58 am
Your dream tour to the Holy Land of Israel would be a unique experience that would be cherished by you throughout your lifetime. Every year hordes of tourists make Israel tours for purposes that would serve their holy reasons as well as to discover the historic and natural beauty of the place.
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The Author❤PIE TAN❤
Zealous Writer | Wander Blogger | Eager Traveler | Striving Singer | Tea Lover | Happy Partner *** A full-time expat and part-time lakwatsera. An optimist who is not willing to give up her dream to travel and see amazing places as far as she could. A crazy main character of her own Theatrical Show who is exaggeratedly dramatic and annoying. A Leo full of dreams, ambitions and SURPRISES! Donate with PayPal
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