Standard "historical Jordan" tours mean Jerash, Petra, and Mount Nebo. Our Hidden Civilizations itinerary keeps Petra but reframes the rest of the trip around six sites that rarely make it onto a group itinerary.
1. Qusayr Amra
A UNESCO World Heritage Umayyad bathhouse with startlingly intact 8th-century frescoes, including an early zodiac ceiling — part of a private Eastern Desert Castles loop most agencies don't run at all, alongside Qasr Kharana and Qasr Azraq.
2. Umm el-Jimal
The "Black Gem of the Desert" — an entire Byzantine and early Islamic town built from black basalt, remarkably intact and virtually unvisited.
3. Umm Qais
A Decapolis city with Roman theatres and colonnades looking out over the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the Yarmouk Valley — one of Jordan's best views, rarely on group itineraries.
4. Iraq al-Amir
Qasr al-Abd, a 2nd-century BCE Hellenistic palace carved for the Tobiad noble family, set in a quiet valley west of Amman that most itineraries never reach.
5. Pella
An archaeological site with continuous occupation from the Neolithic through Islamic periods, excavated but lightly visited.
6. Shobak Castle
Crusader Jordan's first fortress, more remote and dramatically sited than Karak — usually a rushed 20-minute photo stop elsewhere, given proper time on our route via the King's Highway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this itinerary less impressive than a Jerash/Petra-only trip?
No — Jerash and Petra are both included. This route adds depth rather than replacing the essentials.
How long is the full itinerary?
7 days / 6 nights, with a licensed archaeological guide for the entire trip rather than a different guide at each stop.