Welcome to Jordan

Your adventure awaits!

Step off your plane in Amman, the capital of Jordan, and look around: you’re in the thriving Middle East. As your driver takes you to your hotel, soak up the city’s dichotomy – from lively, cultured Western Amman to its conservative, more laid-back Eastern counterpart, all amidst rolling hills, Roman ruins, mosques and local souk markets everywhere you turn. Unwind in our hotel for a bit; then it’s time for our group welcome dinner. Let’s celebrate life, friendship and the start of a new journey together with local Arabic and Jordanian favorites, like baba ganoush, tabouli , falafels, tahini hummus, fresh olive oils and more.

Exploring Amman

Take in all the beauty this marvelous city offers

On our first full day in Jordan, we’ll wake up to the sound of morning prayers that are sung by the Imams from the local mosques before heading out to photograph the Roman Amphitheater and local fruit and spice market.

Our Adventure Continues

Roman Ruins and Local Hospitality

We’ll start and end our day in the capital city of Amman (formerly Philadelphia), where we’ll take pictures of the city’s most iconic structures and photograph the Citadel at sunrise and we have it all to ourselves for nearly two hours before opening to the public. This is thanks to our connections with the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, who is eager to give our group a better understanding of Jordan’s culture and the nation’s friendship with the Western world.

During the day, we’ll have one of our most authentic culinary experiences. Thanks to a family owned restaurant, we’ll have a special lunch in the ancient capital and indulge in Mansaf, the national dish of Jordan, a traditional plate of spiced lamb cooked in yogurt and served over a bed of rice. On this day, we’ll experience life in Jordan as it really is: relaxed, friendly, and a direct result of its beautiful natural surroundings.

We end the day with equal privilege in Jerash, where we’ll see the Greco-Roman ruins of the Ancient city of Gerasa and stay after closing hours to capture the blue hour over some of the best preserved Greco Roman ruins in the world.

Arrive at the Dead Sea

Bathe in the mud, float in the sea

Have you ever been so buoyant in water, that you almost felt like you could sit up in it? Today, you will. There’s no place on Earth quite like the Dead Sea, and we’ll take our time to enjoy its Jordanian coast. After bathing ourselves in the soft mud that surrounds its crystallized shores, we’ll step into these mystic waters and float around its emerald edges . That night, we’ll rest at our sumptuous Hotel and Spa, right on the shores of the Dead Sea, and let the magic of the day sink in.

Into the Desert

Get lost in the fiery red Wadi Rum

Today, we’ll get lost in the Wadi Rum desert, roaming through the Mars-like terrain as we snap exclusive shots of flat water, the Dead Sea and endless views of sweeping red sand basins. To get to the heart of it, we’ll hop on a rugged jeep tour led by Bedouin locals, the indigenous people of Jordan, learning about the region’s customs, cultures and history as we wind our way off Jordan’s beaten path. Channeling Lawrence of Arabia, we’ll go even deeper on camel-back. It’s then that we’ll take enchanting photos of the glowing sunset over Wadi Rum – when its red sands are bathed in the sun’s golden rays – we’ll return to that night’s abode: rustic, luxurious, Bedouin tents, right in the desert, where our new friends will cook authentic Jordanian “Zarb” in an oven beneath the sand, all while regaling us with tales of Bedouin life.

Discovering the Lost City

Revel in the beauty of the forgotten city of Petra

Wake up with the sun and get ready for a life-changing experience you’ll never forget. After an optional hot air balloon ride over the mystical desert, we’ll slowly make our way to the historic town of Petra. As the hidden city appears, you will the see the red, white and pink-hued faces of the sandstone cliffs that the city is carved into. Here, it’s easy to see why, aside from its history, Petra is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. As we explore its deepest corners, follow the local Bedouins into their dwelling caves, let them make you a cup of tea, and picture yourself wandering through Petra nearly 2,000 years ago. It was then that these samples of Jordanian grandeur were first built.

Petra by Night

Under the stars with the soft glow of candles

When the sun goes down, the real magic begins. We’ll experience and photograph Petra by Night, an evening ceremony right in front of the Treasury, where a sea of candles lights up the otherwise moonlit canyons, and take it all in as we sit on mats on the ground, listen to traditional Bedouin music played on their special instruments, and sip that sweet tea they love to share. After everyone has left, we’ll have the unique opportunity to stay an extra 30 minutes to photograph the candlelit Treasury without all the spectators obstructing your view.

Escape From Civilization

Off the grid in a world class ecolodge

Use this day to sleep in – after five days of roaming through the Jordanian desert, your body will thank you for it. Today, we’ll leave the inspiring city of Petra and journey to our next heavenly destination, which just happens to be a world-class ecolodge. We’ll traverse the rough gravel “roads” as local Bedouins drive us through Dana’s rugged terrain, eventually winding our way to our temporary home, the idyllic Ecolodge: a candle-lit escape where authentic Bedouin hospitality beckons, natural beauty reigns and electricity ceases to exist. Sitting deep in the heart of the rugged Dana Biosphere Reserve, this hotel is completely green and locally sourced. Together, we’ll enjoy a traditional Bedouin tea ceremony, complete with sweet, minty black tea, and follow our new Bedouin friends on a leisurely sunset hike, taking photos of the sun setting over Ma’in. For the evening meal, we’ll enjoy a succulent organic vegetarian dinner, and reflect on our opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and connect with one another.

Relax and Unwind

Be ready to let your mind, body and soul indulge in the luxury of a decadent spa resort, one with relaxing vibes, delicious food, luxurious rooms and a thermal pool with an incredible hot waterfall. There are no planned shots this day; purely time to relax. While there, we’ll enjoy each other’s company and authentic Middle Eastern cuisine – like spiced lamb steeped in oil and herbs, meats cooked in an underground oven and local Jordanian wines. A perfect day to prepare to return to the real world!