Day 1 – Arrival in Amman

Welcome to Jordan! Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your Sky Vacations ambassador who will assist you through customs and transfer you to your hotel. Later this afternoon, begin your culinary journey through Jordan by learning the basics of traditional cuisine. Cook your way through the evening and then sit down to enjoy the meal at Beit Sitti, which is Arabic for “my grandmother’s house.” Set in a traditional house in Amman, you will work with your group to make appetizers, a main, and Jordan’s favorite dessert, Knafeh. 

Day 2 – Travel to Ajloun

Today, head north to Ajloun for a walk through the ancient olive groves, passing local villages. You’ll visit the soap house where local women make olive oil soap by hand, incorporating traditional herbs and oils. Next, stop by the Biscuit House to try some home-baked olive oil and molasses biscuits. Enjoy a traditional meal where local women make dishes typical to the area such as Makmoura, and, depending on the season, take part in the olive harvest. Spend the night at the Ajloun Nature Reserve, a breathtaking stretch of preserved forest.

Day 3 – Travel to Madaba and Dead Sea

Depart to Madaba, stopping on the way at an olive press to learn about the process and enjoy a special tasting. You’ll be served fresh mana’eesh for breakfast, made with Jordanian olive oil. In Madaba, see the Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land and other historic sites. For lunch, it’s Arabic mezze (a variety of small, delicious plates) on the way to Mount Nebo. After lunch, continue to Mount Nebo for a visit, then wind your way down to the lowest point on earth and spend the night at the Dead Sea. 

Day 4 – Travel to Aqaba

In the early afternoon, depart to the village of Ghor Mazra’a, famous for their tomatoes. Here you’ll meet the community, learn about their customs, and help them make gallayeh, a traditional tomato dish which will also be your lunch! After lunch, transfer to Aqaba.

Day 5 – Travel to Wadi Rum

Today, explore the beautiful corals of the Gulf of Aqaba with a morning snorkeling trip that includes lunch on the boat. In the late afternoon, head to Wadi Rum, the magnificent red desert that recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll watch the sunset as you sip on some traditional Bedouin sweet tea. Spend the night at a campsite and enjoy a Bedouin zarb for dinner.

Day 6 – Travel to Petra

Tour the spectacular desert of Wadi Rum and enjoy lunch in a Bedouin tent, followed by the traditional cup of Bedouin coffee made from freshly-roasted coffee beans and cardamom. Following lunch, depart for Petra. 

Day 7 – Explore Petra

This morning, tour the ancient city of Petra, which was built by the Nabataeans more than 2000 years ago. For dinner, you will be honing your local cooking skills at the Petra Kitchen, where you’ll be hands-on preparing and then enjoying a delicious meal. 

Day 8 – Return to Amman

After breakfast, enjoy a morning visit to Beidha to see ancient wine presses and learn about the significance of wine to Nabataean rituals. Travel along Kings Highway with a stop at the vegetable markets in Tafileh for tea before continuing to Karak, the heart of Jordan’s national dish – mansaf. Learn about jameed (traditional yogurt) and then dig into some mansaf for lunch. Return to Amman and spend the evening at the Winemaker for dinner and a tasting of local wines produced by St. George winery, several of which have won international awards. 

Day 9 – Explore Amman

Begin your morning with a tour of the Amman Citadel, where civilizations have resided going back thousands of years. Then head downtown for a walking trail, tasting various street foods along the way including fresh fruit cocktails, shawerma, falafel, knafeh and other sweets. 

Day 10 – Departure from Amman

Today, your private driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your onward journey.