Taste of Jordan

Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to Amman. Your Jordan Real Food Adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:00 pm. This journey places Jordan’s remarkable culinary heritage at its heart—a gastronomy shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, migration, and shifting empires across the Levant. Each wave of influence has enriched the country’s kitchens, leaving behind a vibrant blend of spices, cooking traditions, and ingredients that define Jordanian cuisine today. Among the most beloved techniques is slow roasting, often paired with bold, aromatic sauces that have been perfected over generations.

Jordan is also renowned as one of the region’s leading producers of olives, making rich, golden olive oil a cornerstone of everyday cooking. Alongside it, staples such as garlic, onions, tomatoes, fresh lemon, and the iconic za’atar—a fragrant blend of thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt—bring unmistakable depth and character to many dishes you will encounter along the journey.

Following the welcome meeting, enjoy your first authentic taste of Jordanian cuisine at Hashem Restaurant, a legendary Amman institution that has long welcomed everyone from locals and travellers to royalty and diplomats. Here, savour freshly prepared falafel—crispy on the outside and light and fluffy within—alongside warm bread dipped into silky hummus and smoky moutabel, a creamy eggplant dip blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic, accompanied by a fresh Arabic salad.

After this satisfying introduction to Jordan’s flavours, continue the evening with a sweet tradition at the historic Habibah Sweets, one of Amman’s most beloved dessert shops. Enjoy a warm serving of knafeh—a decadent pastry layered with soft cheese, golden shredded dough, and soaked in fragrant sugar syrup—a perfect ending to your first night in Jordan.

This morning, look out for locals enjoying one of Amman’s favourite breakfast traditions—hot sesame ka’ak sandwiches fresh from the oven at Salaheddin Bakery, a beloved neighbourhood spot. Choose a warm loaf and fill it with eggs, cheese, spices, or other delicious toppings from the counter for a simple but satisfying start to the day.

After breakfast, travel to Madaba, famous for its Ottoman-era houses and remarkable Byzantine mosaics, including the renowned 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St. George’s Church. Continue to the Dead Sea (approximately 45 minutes), where the mineral-rich waters—nearly ten times saltier than the ocean—create the unique sensation of effortless floating during an optional swim.

Later, enjoy a traditional mezze-style picnic lunch, with favourites such as kibbeh, manakish with za’atar and olive oil, spinach pastries, and local cheeses, followed by a refreshing cup of shaneeneh and a sweet serving of hareeseh for dessert.

In the afternoon, continue to Petra (approximately 3 hours). Join a local family to learn how to prepare mansaf, Jordan’s national dish of lamb served with rice and fermented dried yoghurt (jameed), before settling in for the night at your hotel near the ancient city.

Today you’ll explore the ancient city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Hidden within towering sandstone cliffs, this extraordinary archaeological site reveals its most iconic landmark—the magnificent Treasury, carved directly into the rock face and reached through the dramatic Siq.

Petra is vast, and discovering its many treasures involves a fair amount of walking. A reasonable level of fitness will help you fully enjoy the experience as you wander among monuments such as the Roman theatre, royal tombs, temples, and the Petra Museum.

This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Visit the main highlights, discover quieter corners of the site, or stop by the visitor centre for maps and recommendations. After a full day uncovering Petra’s wonders, return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure.

Rise early this morning and enjoy breakfast surrounded by Jordan’s striking desert landscapes. A traditional Jordanian breakfast is simple yet abundant, centred around fresh breads and flavourful accompaniments. Expect a spread of hummus, falafel, salads, pickles and khubz (pita-style bread), along with the beloved ritual of dipping warm flatbread into golden olive oil and fragrant za’atar.

After breakfast, travel to Wadi Rum (approximately a 3-hour drive), often called the Valley of the Moon. This vast desert is known for its red sand dunes, towering sandstone mountains and the famous Seven Pillars of Wisdom rock formation. Explore the dramatic landscape on a 4-hour jeep safari, experiencing the scenery that famously inspired the story of Lawrence of Arabia.

Later, return to your desert camp for a traditional Bedouin zarb dinner. One of the staples of Bedouin culture, zarb is prepared in underground ovens where marinated meats and vegetables are slow-cooked over hot coals beneath the sand. Once the earth oven is opened, enjoy this hearty meal before settling in for a peaceful evening beneath Wadi Rum’s star-filled skies.

This morning begins with a traditional Bedouin breakfast—a simple yet flavourful spread typically including labneh (strained yogurt drizzled with olive oil), zait (olives), za’atar, fresh tomatoes and local cheeses. You may also be offered a cup of “Bedouin whiskey”—a playful nickname for sweet tea infused with sage, a favourite drink across the desert.

Later, begin the scenic 3.5-hour drive back to Amman, travelling through Jordan’s striking desert landscapes and stopping along the way to enjoy a freshly prepared falafel sandwich, one of the country’s most beloved street foods.

This evening, your Real Food Adventure concludes with a hands-on Jordanian cooking class. Under the guidance of local hosts, you’ll prepare and enjoy an authentic meal together, learning how to make maqluba—literally meaning “upside down.” This classic dish layers rice, vegetables and chicken, which is cooked in a pot and dramatically flipped before serving, accompanied by yogurt or a fresh Arab salad with tahini sauce. Savour this final meal with your fellow travellers before the journey comes to an end tomorrow morning.

No activities are planned for today, and you are free to depart at any time.