In-Depth Jordan Self-Drive Grand Loop
Rent a car to explore northern ancient cities, desert castles, the King's Highway, Dana, Petra, and the Red Sea.
Spend four nights in Amman to thoroughly explore the north, then head south slowly along the King's Highway, hike in Dana, spend three nights in Petra, and finally head to the desert and the Red Sea. The pace is much more relaxed than conventional routes, making it perfect for history buffs and in-depth travelers who love road trips. To avoid military facilities, Qasr al-Azraq is omitted, and Umm Qais near the Syrian border is also skipped.
Wadi Mujib canyon trail is typically open only from April to October; mountain sections of the King's Highway may experience rain and snow in winter.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival & Amman Citadel
Amman（Amman Citadel、Roman Theatre (Amman)、Downtown Amman (Al-Balad)）
The drive from the airport to the city center takes about 40 minutes. It is recommended to pick up your rental car on the second day; the Old Town is best explored on foot.
Stay: Jabal Amman (Rainbow Street)
Day 2 · Eastern Desert Castles Loop
Amman（Qasr Kharana、Qusayr 'Amra、The Jordan Museum）
Drive east along Highway 40. It takes about 1 hour to Qasr al-Kharanah, another 20 minutes to Quseir Amra, and return via the same route.
Do not continue east to Azraq, as there is an air force base in the area. Please respect and follow military exclusion guidelines.
Stay: Jabal Amman (Rainbow Street)
Day 3 · Jerash & Ajloun Castle
Amman（Jerash (Gerasa)、Ajloun Castle）
It takes about 1 hour from Amman to Jerash, another 30 minutes to Ajloun, and about 1 hour for the return trip.
Stay: Jabal Amman (Rainbow Street)
Day 4 · As-Salt Old Town & Iraq al-Amir
Amman（As-Salt Old Town、Iraq al-Amir & Qasr al-Abd、Rainbow Street）
Drive west from Amman to As-Salt (approx. 40 minutes), then head south to Iraq al-Amir (approx. 40 minutes), returning to Amman in the evening.
Stay: Jabal Amman (Rainbow Street)
Day 5 · Madaba & Mount Nebo to the Dead Sea
Amman（Madaba Map (St. George's Church)、Mount Nebo） → Dead Sea (Jordan)（Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghtas)）
It takes about 50 minutes from Amman to Madaba. Drive via Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site to the Dead Sea, taking about 2 hours in total.
Stay: Sweimeh Resort Strip
Day 6 · Dead Sea Float & Ma'in Hot Springs
Dead Sea (Jordan)（Dead Sea、Dead Sea Panorama Complex、Ma'in Hot Springs）
It takes about 20 minutes from the hotel zone to the Dead Sea Panoramic Complex, and 40 minutes to Ma'in Hot Springs along mountain roads.
During the open season from April to October, you can swap the hot springs for the Wadi Mujib canyon trail. Be sure to confirm with the reserve beforehand.
Stay: Sweimeh Resort Strip
Day 7 · King's Highway to Dana
Amman（Wadi Mujib Viewpoint (King's Highway)、Kerak Castle） → Petra
Drive up to join the King's Highway, passing through Wadi Mujib and Kerak to Dana. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours.
A shooting incident occurred in Kerak in October; verify local travel advisories before departing. Avoid driving on mountain roads at night.
Stay: Dana
Day 8 · Hiking in Dana Biosphere Reserve
Set off from Dana Village for a half-day or full-day hike in the reserve. Some trails require a local guide.
Confirm which trails are open for the season with the reserve in advance and book a guide.
Stay: Dana
Day 9 · Shobak Castle & Little Petra
Petra（Shobak Castle (Montréal)、Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)、Beidha Neolithic Village）
It takes about 1 hour from Dana to Shobak Castle, another 40 minutes to Little Petra, and you will reach Wadi Musa by evening.
Stay: Wadi Musa
Day 10 · Petra Main Trail to the Monastery
Petra（Petra: Siq & Al-Khazneh (Treasury)、Street of Facades、Royal Tombs, Petra、Colonnaded Street、Ad Deir (Monastery), Petra）
Walk into the park from Wadi Musa. The round trip along the main trail to the Monastery is about 20 km; no driving is required.
Enter the park as soon as it opens at 6:00 AM. There are about 800 steps to the Monastery; bring your own water and sun protection.
Stay: Wadi Musa
Day 11 · High Place of Sacrifice & Petra by Night
Petra（High Place of Sacrifice、Petra Museum、Petra by Night）
Walk into the park to hike the High Place of Sacrifice loop. Return to the Visitor Center in the afternoon to visit the museum, and re-enter the park at night.
The Petra by Night candlelight show runs only from Sunday to Thursday; tickets must be purchased separately.
Stay: Wadi Musa
Day 12 · South to Wadi Rum Camp
Wadi Rum（Wadi Rum、Lawrence's Spring、Khazali Canyon、Burdah Rock Bridge、Red Sand Dune）
It takes about 2 hours from Wadi Musa to Rum Village. Park your car in the village or at the Visitor Center, and transfer to a 4x4 jeep to enter the desert.
Rental cars are generally not allowed inside the protected area. Please park your car securely and transfer to a jeep.
Stay: Desert Bedouin Camps
Day 13 · Red Sea Snorkeling & Aqaba City
Aqaba & Red Sea Coast（Aqaba Marine Park (Japanese Garden)、Aqaba Fortress、Aqaba Archaeological Museum）
After breakfast, return to the parking spot. Drive from Wadi Rum to Aqaba's South Beach (approx. 1 hour), and head to the city center in the afternoon.
Stay: Aqaba City Centre
Day 14 · Desert Highway Back to Amman
Drive via the Desert Highway to Queen Alia International Airport (approx. 4 hours). You can return your rental car at the airport before departing.
It is recommended to book a flight departing in the evening or later. Confirm whether flights are affected by the regional situation before setting off.