Why book the Jordan and Lebanon Express tour?
Jordan and Lebanon Express is an 11-day small-group journey from Amman to Beirut, combining two of the Middle East's most compelling destinations. In Jordan you'll visit the Roman ruins of Jerash, explore Amman's citadel and street food scene (Kunefa, Sugar Cane Juice, Falafel), see the Byzantine mosaics of Madaba and the view from Mount Nebo, explore Petra for a full day (Siq, Treasury, Monastery, High Place), and spend a night in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum with a jeep safari included. In Lebanon you'll visit Jeita Grotto, the Cedars of God, Qadisha Valley (with a monastery stay), Ksara Winery, Baalbek's massive Roman temples, and Byblos. Jordan Pass covering visa and entrance fees is included. Maximum 18 travellers.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Jordan and Lebanon?
Absolutely. Jordan and Lebanon Express is designed as a comprehensive first encounter with both countries. Jordan's greatest sites (Petra and Wadi Rum) are covered in depth, and Lebanon's combination of Roman heritage, Phoenician history, religious diversity, and natural beauty gives you a genuine sense of what makes this country so distinctive.
What's the difference between this and your other Jordan and Lebanon tours?
Jordan and Lebanon Express (11 days) is the efficient circuit covering both countries' essential highlights. The Lebanon and Jordan Encounters (16 days) is a longer version that goes deeper into both countries. If you have 11 days and want to cover the most ground, Express is the right choice. If you have more time and want a more relaxed pace, the 16-day tour is worth considering.
What's the best time of year for the Jordan and Lebanon Express?
Spring (March to May) is ideal: pleasant temperatures, wildflowers in the Jordanian highlands, and perfect hiking weather in Petra. October and November are also excellent. Summer in Jordan is very hot, particularly in Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Lebanon has a more Mediterranean climate with cooler mountain areas. Avoid July and August for comfort at the desert sites.
Why does this tour cost what it does?
We get it, you can find cheaper Middle East tours floating around. Jordan and Lebanon Express includes the Jordan Pass (covering your Jordanian visa and entrance fees to Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum, and over 40 other sites), a Bedouin camp night in Wadi Rum with jeep safari, an internal flight from Amman to Beirut (not included but flagged clearly), and accommodation in 4-star hotels plus a Wadi Rum Bedouin camp and a Qadisha Valley monastery. The depth of the experience justifies the price.
What's actually included in the price?
Included: all accommodation (10 nights in 4-star hotels plus Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum and monastery guesthouse in Qadisha Valley), Jordan Pass (covering Jordanian visa and entrance fees including Petra and Wadi Rum), a Wadi Rum jeep safari, all transport and transfers in Jordan, services of a local guide, meals as indicated (10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner). The internal flight from Amman to Beirut is NOT included. Lebanon entrance fees are generally low and paid locally.
What's NOT included and how much extra should I budget?
Not included: international flights to Jordan and from Lebanon, the Amman to Beirut flight (required to join the Lebanon portion; cost varies with airline and booking timing), travel insurance, meals not listed in the itinerary, drinks and personal expenses, and tips for your guide and driver. Your guide will brief current tipping amounts at the start of the tour. Lebanon visa on arrival is free for most nationalities.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Pay a deposit to secure your place and the balance is due 8 weeks before departure.
How physically demanding is the Jordan and Lebanon Express?
Moderate. Petra is the main physical day: a full day on foot along the Siq, up to the Monastery and High Place. The path to the Monastery involves around 850 rocky steps. Jerash and Baalbek are walking tours on uneven ancient ground. Wadi Rum is a jeep safari, not a hike. The Qadisha Valley in Lebanon involves some walking in a valley. Good walking shoes are essential.
What if I'm older than the rest of the group?
Many older travellers love this tour. The main challenge is the Petra Monastery climb, which is optional. The essential sites (Treasury, Siq, Colonnaded Street) are very accessible. The Bedouin camp stay is relaxed. Lebanon's sites are all manageable. Many of our Jordan tour groups include travellers in their 60s and 70s.
What if I have mobility issues or a medical condition?
Petra has donkey and horse rides available for the Siq section, but the Monastery requires a significant uphill climb on rocky stairs which is not accessible for limited mobility. Jerash and Baalbek both have some uneven ground. If you have specific mobility concerns, contact us before booking.
Is Jordan safe to visit right now?
Jordan is one of the more stable and safe countries in the Middle East and is visited by large numbers of international tourists annually. The sites on this tour, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, are well-established tourist areas. Check your government's current travel advice before booking.
Is Lebanon safe to visit right now?
Lebanon's security situation is complex and can change. At the time of this writing, the areas covered on this tour (Beirut, Byblos, the Qadisha Valley, Baalbek, the Cedars) are established tourist areas. We always recommend checking your government's most current travel advice for Lebanon before booking and again before departure. Our local team monitors the situation closely.
Is this tour safe for women travelling solo?
Jordan is a relatively safe destination for solo female travellers, particularly with a group and guide. Modest dress is respectful and reduces unwanted attention. Lebanon's tourist areas are also generally manageable. The group format with an experienced local guide provides good support.
What happens if I get sick on tour?
Amman and Beirut both have good private hospitals. In Jordan, the guides are experienced with accessing medical care in the tourist areas. Travel insurance covering medical expenses and emergency repatriation for both countries is compulsory.
Will I be hassled by vendors and touts?
Around Petra there is vendor and guide activity. Your guide will manage this. The Wadi Rum experience is naturally a Bedouin-operated environment and your guide will set expectations in advance.
What's the accommodation actually like?
4-star hotels in Amman, Madaba, Petra, and Beirut/Lebanon. The highlights are the Wadi Rum Bedouin camp (a night under the stars in a desert setting with a proper camp dinner) and the Qadisha Valley monastery guesthouse in Lebanon (a unique overnight in one of the most sacred Christian valleys in the Arab world). All hotel rooms are en-suite with air conditioning.
What's the Wadi Rum Bedouin camp like?
Wadi Rum camp accommodation consists of private tents or simple desert cabins within a Bedouin camp setting. Facilities are basic but you'll have a bed, blankets, and shared bathroom facilities. The evenings are spent around a fire, eating Bedouin-style food (zarb, a slow-cooked meat and vegetable dish), and looking at some of the most star-filled skies you'll ever see in the desert.
What's the Qadisha Valley monastery stay like?
The monastery guesthouse in the Qadisha Valley is a simple but peaceful stay in one of Lebanon's most sacred sites. The Qadisha (Holy) Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage area home to some of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. It's a genuine off-the-beaten-path night, and a very different experience from a city hotel.
Will I have Wi-Fi?
4-star hotels in Amman and Lebanon have reliable Wi-Fi. The Wadi Rum Bedouin camp and Qadisha Valley monastery guesthouse will have limited or no internet access. A local SIM card with data is practical for Jordan.
What kind of food will we eat?
Levantine cuisine is magnificent. In Jordan expect falafel, hummus, ful, mansaf (Jordan's national slow-cooked lamb dish), Kunefa (a sweet cheese pastry), fresh juices, and a Bedouin zarb dinner in Wadi Rum. In Lebanon you'll find some of the best food in the Middle East: mezze spreads, fresh fish in Byblos, makroudh (date pastry) in Kairouan, and a wine tasting at Ksara Winery, Lebanon's oldest winery.
Can you cater for vegetarian
vegan
Is it safe to drink the water?
Stick to bottled water in both Jordan and Lebanon. In Wadi Rum, ensure you have sufficient water for the day's activities. A Water-to-Go filter bottle is recommended to reduce plastic waste.
Is the Jordan and Lebanon Express tour good for solo travellers?
Yes. The small group format (maximum 18) and the range of shared experiences, Petra, Wadi Rum, Baalbek, the Cedars, create strong group bonds. Solo travellers regularly join this tour.
Do I have to share a room?
The price is based on two people sharing. Solo travellers can pay a single supplement for private rooms. Note that the Wadi Rum Bedouin camp and the monastery guesthouse may have limited single accommodation; discuss this when booking.
What's the group size and who else will be on the trip?
Minimum 2, maximum 18 travellers. This tour attracts historically curious travellers with an appetite for the less obvious corners of the Middle East.
Can I book this as a private tour?
Yes. Jordan and Lebanon Express can run as a private departure. Contact us for a quotation.
Is this tour suitable for kids?
Petra is unforgettable for older children and teenagers. The Wadi Rum Bedouin camp is a hit with younger travellers. The source doesn't specify a minimum age. Contact us if you're travelling with children.
Do I need a visa for Jordan and Lebanon?
The Jordan Pass, which is included in the tour price, covers your Jordanian tourist visa. Lebanon visa on arrival is free for most nationalities (including UK, EU, US, Canadian, Australian, and South African). Confirm your nationality's eligibility before travel as rules can change.
What should I pack?
Lightweight, breathable clothing. Modest dress for religious sites (shoulders and knees covered; women may need a headscarf for mosque visits). Warm layers for cool desert nights in Wadi Rum and for the Qadisha Valley and Cedars in Lebanon (which can be very cold). Good walking shoes for Petra. Jordan uses Type B and C sockets at 230V; Lebanon uses various types including B, C, D, and G.
Are any vaccinations required?
No vaccinations are required for entry to Jordan or Lebanon. Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus are commonly recommended. Consult your GP or travel clinic before departure.
Do I need to book international flights through you?
No. International flights are not included. The tour starts at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) and ends in Beirut (BEY). You'll need a one-way internal flight from Amman to Beirut to transition between the Jordan and Lebanon portions of the tour; this is not included and should be booked separately.
What about tipping?
Tipping is expected in both Jordan and Lebanon. Your guide will brief current suggested amounts at the start of the tour. The tipping culture reflects the service-sector wages in both countries, so tips make a meaningful difference.
Can I visit the Dead Sea?
Yes. The Wild Jordan Centre and the Dead Sea are included in the main itinerary. You'll have the famous experience of floating in the mineral-rich waters.
Can I extend into the Lebanon and Jordan Encounters tour?
Yes. The Lebanon and Jordan Encounters (16 days) is the longer version of this itinerary. Contact us if you'd like to spend more time in either country.
Can I add extra time in Petra or Wadi Rum?
Petra and Wadi Rum both reward additional days. Contact us about private extensions to spend more time exploring Petra's back country or taking longer jeep or hiking routes in Wadi Rum.
How far ahead should I book?
Spring departures (March to May) are the most popular and fill 2 to 4 months in advance. Book at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead for other dates.
How does booking work?
Book online via the Dates and Prices section. Pay a deposit or hold a reservation. Balance due 8 weeks before departure.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, compulsory for both Jordan and Lebanon. Must cover medical expenses and emergency repatriation. We require your insurance details before the tour starts.
What's your cancellation policy?
A sliding scale applies based on how close to departure you cancel. Full terms in our booking conditions. We partner with Trust My Travel for financial protection.
What if my preferred dates are sold out?
Contact us about the waitlist, a private departure, or the Lebanon and Jordan Encounters (16 days) as a more detailed alternative.
