Wanderful’s 2024
Jordan Women’s Expedition
Amman, Wadi Rum, Petra, and Madaba
27 September – 4 October 2024
Get out and see the world with other amazing traveling women.
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Are you ready for your next adventure?
We’re taking you on an exclusive, private expedition to Jordan — hosted by, and made for, women.
Explore authentic local culture in a sustainable, experiential way during this eight-day adventure.
Why Travel with Wanderful?
Community-centered and woman-led
You’ll travel in a small group of 15 Wanderful women who will feel like besties by the time the trip is over.
Plus, on this special Women’s Expedition, the entire trip will be focused on connecting with and hearing the stories of women.
Connection before and after the trip
All Wanderful travelers are added to an exclusive chat group and invited to two virtual pre-trip meetings in order to build even stronger connections and a valuable support network.
Wanderful guides along the way
A Wanderful team member will always join to help center your experience and provide all the support you need (whether logistical or emotional!)
Special perks for Wanderful members
Get an exclusive sign-up period, a trip discount, and a new charm for your Wanderful bracelet, just for being a Wanderful member.
About the trip.
Where We’ll Go
Starts in Amman and ends in Madaba, with stops in Wadi Rum, Petra, and more.
What’s Included
Includes six hotel nights and one night at desert camp, seven breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners, plus arrival and departure transfers and a daily activity itinerary with free admission to many experiences.
Highlights Include
Meet a local matchmaker in Amman
Henna art
Visit with Bedouin women
Tour of Petra
Swim in the Dead Sea
Bani Hamida Women’s Weaving Project
Who’s Coming
One Intrepid Travel leader and one Wanderful co-host will be there to accompany you along the way, plus 13 other new best travel friends.
Itinerary.
Day 1
27 September
Amman
Welcome to Amman! Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, you’ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel. Join your guide for a welcome meeting at 6pm.
Enjoy dinner at Beit Sitti cooking school, run by three sisters who continue their grandmother’s legacy. Learn their stories as you cook and enjoy an authentic meal under the sisters' supervision. On the menu you’ll find maqluba, a dish that literally translates to “upside down.” It's a hearty casserole with rice, vegetables, and chicken that's cooked, flipped, and served with yogurt or a salad and tahini.
Arrival Transfer: Included (on an individual basis)
Included Activities: Welcome meeting
Accommodation: Art hotel or similar / selected room
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2
28 September
Amman
Join us for a walking tour of Amman, starting with the citadel, Roman Odeon, and the Roman Theatre. Afterwards, head over to Rainbow Street, the heart of Amman’s arts and shopping scene and home of the city’s best falafel. A stroll along this lively street takes you past cafes, arts venues, and galleries. Check out the Rainbow Theatre, admire 1920s villas, and take in Mango Street, Malouf Street, and the Souk Jara market.
In the early afternoon, we’ll leave Amman for a short drive north to Jerash, a city famed for its Greco-Roman ruins. Reaching its zenith as a favorite of the Emperor Hadrian, it has a striking collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings, and colonnaded streets to explore.
Returning to Amman in the late afternoon, we’ll head to the home of a local matchmaker for a cup of tea while learning about her work and the important tradition of arranged marriages in Jordan.
Included Activities: Amman city tour, Amman testing tour, matchmaker meeting, Jerash Ruins
Accommodation: Art hotel or similar / selected room
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3
29 September
Wadi Rum
Today, we’ll wake up early and drive approximately four hours to the rugged sandstone mountains of Wadi Rum. After a quick stop in the small village of Rum, it's off to see some of the world’s most stunning desert scenery. Great mountains of rock around Wadi Rum have been eroded by wind and ancient water into fantastical gnarled shapes. Aboard Jeeps operated by local Bedouin community members, ride through swathes of desert until you see a Bedouin camp, a group of dark tents low-pitched to the ground. In traditional Bedouin culture, a huge onus is placed on taking in and feeding any visitor, so a very warm welcome is assured.
Later in the evening, when our drivers depart camp, we’'ll be joined by some local Bedouin women. This is an honor, as they can be reluctant to mix with visitors (note that it will be necessary for one man to be present in the camp, as per local culture). In the evening, we’ll learn the ancient art of henna and how to apply it just right, then fall asleep under a huge expanse of stars.
Included Activities: Henna, desert Jeep tour
Accommodation: Panorama Camp or similar (standard tent)
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4
30 September
Wadi Rum & Petra
After waking up in the unique surroundings of your Bedouin camp, enjoy a walk before scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy sensational views of the surrounding area. Keen photographers will be delighted.
We’ll depart mid-morning to the “Rose City” of Petra. In 1985, Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and rightfully so. It is truly one of the most remarkable places on the planet. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring Petra on a guided tour, squeezing through a mile-long narrow path known as the Siq to get our first glimpse of the iconic Treasury, which was amazingly hand-carved out of rock. Later in the evening, if the dates align, you may also be able to experience Petra by night with an optional add-on. Seeing the Treasury Plaza lit up by candlelight while Bedouin music plays is a truly memorable experience.
Included Activities: Petra tour
Accommodation: Amra Palace Hotel or similar / selected room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5
1 October
Petra
Enjoy a free day of self-discovery as you explore Petra on your own. The site is surprisingly big, and you can explore the old Roman road, temples, and several old tombs, as well as the rock-hewn amphitheater. For those interested, there's also the challenging but highly rewarding walk up the steps to the monastery (approximately one hour).
Included Activities: Petra visit (unguided)
Accommodation: Amra Palace Hotel or similar / selected room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6
2 October 2024
Madaba
Today, we’re traveling to the Dead Sea, stopping along the way at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Al-Maghtas Bethany baptism site, where it is believed Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
Continue on to the Dead Sea and head for the shores of this famously salty sea that marks the lowest point on Earth (420 meters below sea level!). The Dead Sea isn’t actually a sea, but in fact an extremely salty lake, and it's called “dead” because of the lack of life in it. The density of the water makes it beautifully easy to float in; you'll be going for more of a float than a swim. The mud here is also said to have healing properties, so make the most of your time by covering yourself from head to toe in a nutrient-rich natural mineral mud bath. Later, we’ll head to a Dead Sea beach resort for the afternoon. The locals are most often found around the pool, which on Saturday is open and available for women only. Meet some new friends, relax, and enjoy.
Later in the day, we’ll travel onwards to Madaba for the night.
Included Activities: Dead Sea swimming, Al-Maghtas Bethany Baptism site, Dead Sea resort visit
Accommodation: Mariam Hotel or similar / selected room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7
3 October 2024
Madaba
We’ll start our morning with a visit to St. George’s Church, home to the 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. A short drive from here is Mount Nebo, the spot where the prophet Moses is said to have seen the promised land and is believed to be buried. Explore this sanctuary and view the remarkable mosaics of the 4th-century church.
Later, pay a visit to the Bani Hamida Women’s Weaving Project. Founded by Save The Children in 1985, this social enterprise provides employment for women while teaching them valuable skills and preserving traditional weaving techniques. Since its inception, the project has benefitted more than 1,600 Jordanian women. Find a common thread with the women who work here as you swap stories over lunch.
Later, we’ll return to Madaba, where we’ll spend the evening and enjoy a picnic dinner of local Arabic mezze.
Included Activities: St. George’s Church, Mount Nebo, Bani Hamida Women's Weaving Project
Accommodation: Mariam Hotel or similar / selected room
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8
4 October 2024
Madaba
Today ends our trip to Jordan. After breakfast, catch a transfer to Queen Alia International Airport, and head home with a lifetime of memories.
Departure Transfer: Included (on an individual basis)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Don’t Forget Your Wanderful Perks!
When you travel with our Wanderful community, you also get:
1 year free access to Wanderful membership so you can connect with other travelers around the world
2 virtual pre-trip meetings to chat face-to-face with other travelers before you depart
Access to an exclusive Whatsapp Group so you can chat and plan with other Wanderful travelers, starting 2 weeks before your trip
A special gift to remember your time in Jordan (spoiler alert: it’s a custom charm for your Wanderful bracelet or keychain)
The comfort and support of a Wanderful group leader in addition to your Intrepid tour guide for any additional support you require
Friendships that will last a lifetime
Additional Notes.
A note on events happening in Israel and Palestine: We are keeping on top of events happening in Israel and Palestine and our hearts ache for those suffering violence. The safety of our travelers is of utmost importance and we are communicating regularly with our colleagues at Intrepid, especially those on the ground, so we can make the best choices for our travelers possible.
Deposits are non-refundable. Final payments are due by no later than 15 June, 2024. Final payments are non-refundable after 1 April, 2024.
This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a moderate level of fitness.
There is a lot of walking without shade, especially in Petra and Wadi Rum, so please bring comfortable shoes and a hat to make the most of your time at the sites.
In Wadi Rum, we will stay in permanent Bedouin-style tents with ensuite bathroom facilities. Tents are complete with comfortable king or twin beds, a Bedouin sofa, mirrors, lamps, and linens. Ensuite bathroom facilities are modern and comfortable.
Travel insurance is required on all Intrepid trips for those traveling internationally. Intrepid requires that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. You will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number have been shared with your leader.
Once you book, you must provide your contact information and other personal details including name as it appears on your passport, passport number and expiration date, nationality, date of birth, gender, dietary requirements, and medical concerns at least 40 days prior to departure of the trip.
JORDAN VISA REQUIREMENTS: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and USA passport holders all require visas to enter Jordan, which are available upon arrival. Single entry visas are valid for 14 days and can be obtained by most passport holders on arrival at the airport in Amman or at the Jordanian border for approximately 40 JOD (approximately $56 USD). It can be significantly more expensive to acquire your visa from the embassy in your home country. If you require a stay longer than 14 days, a visa obtained from the embassy in your home country will be valid for two months. Please note that although there are ATMs in Amman airport, there are currently no ATMs in the immigration terminals of Amman airport (but there are currency exchanges), so ensure you have some foreign currency on hand if you do not have your visa in advance.
What’s not included.
Flights (domestic or international).
Airport departure tax.
Any required visas.
Services, including meals and drinks, not mentioned in the itinerary.
Drinks with included lunches and dinners.
Late check-out at hotels.
Tips for leaders, guides, and drivers.
Personal expenditures.
Personal travel insurance.
Optional activities.
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Shared Twin Room
SOLD OUT!
Price $2,900 USD
Deposit $750 USD
Final payments will be due by 15 June, 2024.
Private Single Room
SOLD OUT!
$3,200 USD
Deposit $750 USD
Final payments will be due by 15 June, 2024.