Jordan's Golden Triangle

Petra, Wadi Rum's Valley of the Moon and the Red Sea port of Aqaba in southern Jordan, each one to two hours apart by road, form the core of Jordan travel.

Jordan's Golden Triangle is a concept promoted by the Jordan Tourism Board, referring to three nearby destinations in the south: the Rose City of Petra, the Wadi Rum desert (Valley of the Moon) and the port city of Aqaba at the northern tip of the Red Sea. All are within 1–2 hours of one another by road, and together they make up Jordan's best-known tourist area. Highlights: in Petra, the Siq canyon, the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), the Royal Tombs and the Monastery, reached by climbing more than 800 steps, plus the candlelit "Petra by Night" and Little Petra; in Wadi Rum, the red desert, sandstone arches and Lawrence's Spring, explored by jeep or camel, with nights in Bedouin tents or transparent "Martian" bubble camps, a landscape also used to film The Martian and Dune; and in Aqaba, snorkeling, diving and wrecks on the Red Sea reefs. A classic itinerary is 4–5 days: 2 days in Petra → 1 night in Wadi Rum → 1–2 days in Aqaba, and to the north you can continue along the King's Highway or to the Dead Sea and Amman. Aqaba has an international airport and ferries to Sinai in Egypt; it's about 3 hours from Amman to Petra along the Desert Highway, with a daily JETT bus in both directions. The Jordan Pass waives the visa fee and includes Petra admission, provided you stay at least 3 nights in Jordan; Petra involves a lot of walking, so allow at least 1.5 days.

Destinations

• Petra
• Wadi Rum
• Aqaba & Red Sea Coast

Itineraries

• Classic Jordan: North to South – Travel south from Amman to the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Red Sea—the standard route for first-time visitors.
• 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.
• Israel and Jordan: Tel Aviv to Amman – Cross from the Mediterranean through the Holy City and the Red Sea, then explore Petra, Wadi Rum, and Amman.
• Sinai Crossing to Petra, Jordan – Explore Dahab and Mount Sinai, cross the Gulf of Aqaba from Nuweiba, and connect to Wadi Rum, Petra, and Amman.
• Petra & Wadi Rum Express – A short holiday itinerary heading straight to Petra upon landing, spending a night in a desert camp, and wrapping up in…
• Jordan Trail: Dana to Petra Trek – A classic trekking route along the Jordan Trail, spending five days in the wilderness and entering Petra's Monastery vi…