There’s something magnetic about Jordan, a land where ancient wonders, sun-scorched deserts, and welcoming traditions blend into an unforgettable rhythm.
The best time to visit Jordan isn’t only about weather or temperature, it’s about how each season shapes the way you experience this extraordinary country.
From the rose-red cliffs of Petra to the sweeping sands of Wadi Rum, from the lively streets of Amman to the tranquil shores of the Dead Sea, every moment here tells a story.
When you travel with us on our Small Group tours in Jordan, you’ll not only see the highlights, you’ll live them, guided by local experts who open doors to places most travellers never find.
Jordan is a destination that stirs the senses and captures the imagination.
From vibrant cities to serene landscapes, travelling here is about more than sightseeing, it’s about diving into the traditions and flavours that make this country so compelling.
Our Small Group tours in Jordan are designed to do just that, weaving together iconic landmarks with authentic, community-based encounters.
Here are the best times and the best ways to experience them.
Spring (March to May): The Season of Colour and Discovery
Spring is arguably the best time to visit Jordan, when the land awakens from its winter slumber in a burst of colour.
The desert wildflowers bloom across Wadi Rum, the air is fresh and clear, and the daytime temperatures sit comfortably between 18°C and 25°C.
On our Small Group tours, this is the season when you can hike, wander, and explore without the extremes of summer heat.
In Amman, you’ll feel the city buzzing with energy.
Cafés spill onto pavements, and locals gather at rooftop terraces as the call to prayer drifts across the skyline.
During your first days in Jordan, we guide you through Jerash, one of the most beautifully preserved Roman cities in the world.
Imagine walking down its collonaded streets, the scent of pine carried by the breeze, sunlight striking the honey-coloured stone.
Later, you’ll experience something few travellers ever do, the As-Salt Daily Life Trail, where we meet artisans, bakers, and shopkeepers going about their day.
You’ll share a traditional meal with a local family, tasting fresh Shrak bread and fragrant spiced dishes, and discover the deep sense of hospitality that defines Jordanian culture.
Spring Festivals in Jordan
Spring also brings a line-up of events that add colour to your journey.
The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts, held in late spring or early summer, transforms the ancient ruins into a stage for music, poetry, and dance.
In Amman, you might stumble upon the Al Balad Music Festival, where performers from across the Middle East fill the old streets with rhythm and emotion.
Why Spring Is Ideal
For photographers, hikers, and explorers, spring is perfection.
The air is crisp, and the light softens the landscape.
You can trek through Petra’s canyons, climb to the Monastery, or take an optional Wadi Mujib siq trail without the summer sun bearing down.
It’s a season of growth, both for the land and for travellers who come seeking connection and meaning.
Summer (June to August): Heat, Heritage & High Spirits
Summer in Jordan is dry and hot, with temperatures often reaching 35°C or more in the desert.
Yet, for those drawn to adventure and culture, this season has its rewards.
In Amman, the evenings come alive as locals escape the heat, filling the city’s lively restaurants and coffee shops.
We’ll take you to the Wild Jordan Centre, an inspiring space that supports eco-initiatives and local artisans.
From its terrace, you can look out over the Old City as twilight paints the limestone buildings gold.
Further south, in Wadi Rum, the desert heat gives way to cool nights under a million stars.
On our Small Group tours in Jordan, you’ll spend a night at a Bedouin camp, dining on slow-cooked dishes and sharing stories beside the fire.
The vastness of the desert, the silence, and the endless constellations overhead create a sense of peace that stays with you long after you’ve left.
Summer Festivals and Cultural Events
Despite the heat, summer is festival season.
The Jerash Festival often continues into July, while Amman’s Citadel Nights bring pop-up food markets and music to ancient sites.
You can experience Jordan’s modern culture set against its ancient stones, a reminder that this country thrives on contrast.
Summer Travel Tips
If you travel in summer, plan your outdoor adventures early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Most hotels and vehicles are air-conditioned, and our guides ensure plenty of rest stops for comfort.
The Dead Sea is perfect this time of year, its mineral-rich waters warm enough for a relaxing float even at night.
While crowds thin in the desert and ancient sites, this is the season for travellers who thrive on stillness and wide-open horizons.
Autumn (September to November): Golden Light and Ancient Echoes
As the heat softens and the days turn golden, autumn reveals another side of Jordan.
This is when seasoned travellers return, drawn by the balance of pleasant weather, smaller crowds, and vivid landscapes.
Temperatures hover between 20°C and 30°C, ideal for hiking, sightseeing, and outdoor dining.
In Madaba, the mosaic city glows in the soft afternoon sun.
We’ll guide you through the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, where the famous 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land still shimmers under the candlelight.
Then, as you ascend Mount Nebo, you’ll stand where Moses is said to have viewed the Promised Land, looking out over the Jordan Valley to the haze of the Dead Sea.
Down south, Petra is magnificent in autumn light.
Walking through the Siq, you’ll feel the temperature drop as sandstone walls rise around you, streaked with pink, orange, and deep red.
When the canyon opens suddenly to reveal the Treasury, you understand why this ancient Nabataean city is a true Bucket List experience in Jordan.
Our Small Group tours allow you to explore at your own rhythm, with time to climb to the Monastery or visit the High Place of Sacrifice for sweeping desert views.
For an unforgettable night, you can join the optional Petra by Candlelight event, where 1,500 flickering lanterns transform the site into something ethereal.
Why Autumn Is One of the Best Times to Visit Jordan
Autumn is the perfect season for those who want it all, comfort, atmosphere, and authentic encounters.
The Wadi Rum Jeep Safari is particularly rewarding now, as the lower sun creates dramatic shadows on the red dunes.
Evenings are cool enough for campfires, storytelling, and stargazing.
This is also harvest season across the country, from olive groves in the north to date palms near the Dead Sea.
You might find roadside stalls selling fresh figs, pomegranates, and honey, a taste of Jordan’s seasonal abundance.
Winter (December to February): Serenity and Reflection
Winter in Jordan surprises many travellers.
The highlands around Amman can see cooler temperatures and even occasional snow, but further south, in Petra, Aqaba, and Wadi Rum, days remain mild and bright.
This is the quietest time of year, ideal for those who prefer solitude over crowds.
Imagine exploring Jerash’s Roman ruins with barely another visitor in sight, or floating in the Dead Sea as mist rises from the warm, mineral waters.
Winter’s soft light gives the desert a cinematic beauty.
In Wadi Rum, the sand turns deep amber at sunset, while crisp nights are perfect for astronomy experiences beneath the clearest skies imaginable.
Winter Festivals and Celebrations
Jordan celebrates Christmas and New Year with understated warmth.
In Madaba and As-Salt, churches hold special services, while in Amman, festive lights decorate cafés and hotels.
For cultural travellers, it’s a wonderful time to experience the blend of Muslim and Christian heritage that defines Jordan’s inclusive spirit.
Why Visit in Winter
If your idea of a Jordan adventure holiday is about peace, reflection, and slow discovery, winter is a dream.
Fewer tourists mean easier access to iconic sites, while accommodation prices are at their most reasonable.
The Dead Sea resorts are especially inviting, offering spa treatments and thermal pools that feel extra indulgent in cooler air.
Festivals Through the Year: Jordan’s Cultural Pulse
No matter when you visit, Jordan’s festivals offer insight into its soul, a blend of ancient heritage, modern creativity, and heartfelt hospitality.
Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts
Held annually between July and August, the Jerash Festival transforms the ancient Roman amphitheatre into a stage alive with music, poetry, and dance.
Imagine standing beneath the colonnades as Arabic drums echo through the night, their rhythm mingling with the scent of roasted coffee and sweet kunafa.
Travelling on our Small Group tours in Jordan, you’ll have access to local guides who know where to find the best vantage points and authentic experiences away from the crowds.
Amman Design Week and Al Balad Music Festival
For travellers drawn to creativity, Amman Design Week in autumn showcases Jordan’s growing art and design scene.
Meanwhile, the Al Balad Music Festival brings musicians from across the Arab world to the heart of downtown Amman, filling the streets with melodies that celebrate unity and resilience.
Both events highlight Jordan’s vibrant cultural identity, where ancient cities meet modern vision, and where every note and brushstroke tells a story.
Ramadan and Eid Celebrations
During Ramadan, the rhythm of daily life shifts, offering a deeper, more reflective experience.
After sunset, the streets come alive with families sharing iftar meals of lentil soup, hummus, and sweet qatayef pancakes.
Travelling during this time means seeing a more intimate side of Jordanian life, one defined by generosity and connection.
Our expert guides will ensure you navigate local customs respectfully, helping you find the best places to share in the evening festivities.
Balancing Weather and Crowds: Choosing Your Perfect Season
When planning your Jordan adventure holiday, timing makes all the difference.
For Comfortable Temperatures
The most pleasant months are March to May and September to November, when temperatures range between 18°C and 28°C across most regions.
These shoulder seasons allow for long days of exploration without the discomfort of extreme heat.
For Quiet Exploration
If you crave space and solitude, winter is the time to go.
Sites like Petra, Jerash, and Mount Nebo are wonderfully uncrowded, giving you the chance to linger, photograph, and absorb their atmosphere in near silence.
For Festival Lovers
Visit in summer or autumn, when cultural events light up the calendar, from Jerash to Amman.
Evenings are cooler, and local markets stay open late, filled with colour and laughter.
Our Small Group tours are designed to maximise your experience in any season.
We balance sightseeing with rest, ensuring you see iconic landmarks at the right time of day, avoiding peak crowds and harsh sunlight.
How Small Group Tours Bring Jordan to Life
Travelling in a Small Group is about more than convenience, it’s about depth, connection, and discovery.
With groups kept intentionally small, you’ll have more access to guides, more time at each site, and more genuine encounters with local communities.
When we take you through As-Salt, for instance, it’s not a quick stop but a slow exploration.
You’ll meet bakers preparing traditional Shrak bread, watch jewellers craft intricate designs, and share tea with families whose stories give Jordan its warmth.
At Petra, your guide brings the stones to life, revealing not just the history but the craftsmanship, beliefs, and resilience behind the carvings.
In Wadi Rum, our Bedouin hosts welcome you with open arms, their laughter carried on the desert wind as you dine beneath a starlit sky.
Every detail is curated for authenticity, from the Wild Jordan Centre supporting conservation efforts to the Dead Sea resort where you unwind after days of adventure.
This balance of activity and comfort, heritage and hospitality, is what makes our Small Group tours in Jordan so memorable.
You’ll not only visit world-famous sites but also touch the living culture that sustains them.
Unforgettable Bucket List Experiences in Jordan
A journey through Jordan offers moments that linger long after you return home.
Here are just a few of the unique experiences in Jordan that our travellers love most.
Walking Through the Siq to the Treasury
Few experiences compare to your first glimpse of the Treasury in Petra.
As the narrow canyon opens, sunlight illuminates the pink sandstone façade, and for a moment the world stands still.
This is more than a photo opportunity, it’s a communion with history, artistry, and nature in perfect harmony.
Camping Under the Stars in Wadi Rum
Spend an evening in the vast silence of Wadi Rum, where the sky unfolds like an infinite tapestry of stars.
Around the campfire, the smell of spiced lamb fills the air, and your Bedouin hosts share tales of the desert.
For many, this night becomes the emotional heart of their Jordan adventure holiday.
Floating in the Dead Sea
There’s nothing quite like floating effortlessly on the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.
The surreal buoyancy, the warmth of the sun, and the views of distant mountains create an experience that feels both ancient and timeless.
Exploring the Streets of Amman
Amman is a city of contrasts, modern yet deeply rooted in history.
Wander through Downtown Amman, where the call to prayer echoes from mosques, the aroma of falafel and fresh sugar cane juice fills the air, and the hum of local life surrounds you.
Travelling Sustainably and Meaningfully
At Encounters Travel, we believe that adventure should uplift both travellers and communities.
That’s why our Small Group tours in Jordan are built around sustainable experiences, whether it’s supporting local families in As-Salt, dining at the Wild Jordan Centre, or staying at eco-conscious camps in Wadi Rum.
By choosing responsible travel, you help preserve Jordan’s fragile ecosystems and cultural traditions, ensuring that the same beauty you witness today will still inspire generations to come.
Sustainability also means travelling with intention, taking the time to listen, connect, and reflect.
Each meal shared, each story exchanged, becomes part of a collective journey toward understanding and respect.
A Journey of Seasons and Soul
The best time to visit Jordan is ultimately the time that speaks to your spirit.
Whether it’s spring’s blossoms in the desert, summer’s star-filled nights, autumn’s golden light, or winter’s quiet calm, each season reveals a new facet of this remarkable country.
Travelling with us, you’ll go beyond the postcard views to find meaning in every step, from ancient mosaics to bustling souqs, from windswept dunes to serene salt shores.
Our Small Group tours in Jordan are designed not only to show you the country’s famous landmarks but to connect you with its heart, its people, its stories, and its unshakable sense of wonder.
Jordan is not just a destination, it’s an experience that transforms you.
Ready to turn dreams into reality? Embrace the moment, pack your sense of wonder, and dive into these ultimate, unique Jordan experiences. Your Jordan bucket list awaits. Start by exploring options with trusted providers today!
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Don’t wait, Jordan’s timeless wonders and majestic landscapes are calling, Safe travels!
