Exploring Jordan's Golden Triangle

From Petra to Wadi Rum, these detinations are singular.

2 min readJan 2, 2018By Zoë Smith

A traveler exploring Jordan's Golden Triangle

Hi, I'm Zoë!

Zoë Smith is a British travel writer, editor, and digital content creator who has lived, worked, and traveled over six continents, and is currently based near Nantes, France. She has written for Rough Guides, CNN, and Culture Trip, and is digital editor at FrenchEntrée.

Jordan’s Golden Triangle presents a land of startling contrasts: from the otherworldly desert landscape of Wadi Rum to the rose-red city of Petra and the sandy beaches and colorful corals of Aqaba. Here are a few ways to tour Jordan’s three main attractions.

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Petra

Beautiful Petra.Photo Credit: tenkl / Shutterstock

The grand ruins of a rock-carved Nabataean capital hidden deep in the Shara Mountains, Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular choice for a tour from Amman. Visitors can explore the impressively preserved ruins, which were discovered in 1812 but date back to 312 BC, and admire the Siq, Treasury, Royal Tombs, and Monastery.

Wadi Rum

Rose-red Wadi Rum.Photo Credit: Alex Cimbal / Shutterstock

A hike through the nearby desert of Wadi Rum, with its towering sandstone cliffs and dazzling sunsets, reveals many wonders. It’s famously the filming location for 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia, and visitors can tour what’s said to be Lawrence’s house, trek through the dunes on a camel, or camp out beneath the stars in a traditional Bedouin tent. For a more personalised experience, opt for a small-group or private tour.

Aqaba

Aqaba on a sunny day.Photo Credit: Yakov Oskanov / Shutterstock

Aqaba, Jordan’s only coastal city, is where to swap desert sands for palm-fringed beaches and discover some of the Red Sea’s best scuba diving sites. The port is also a popular stop for cruise ships, and cruise visitors can opt for a shore excursion to Wadi Rum or Petra.

Golden Triangle Tours

Travelers along the Golden Triangle in Jordan enjoy a tour.

Travelers along the Golden Triangle.Photo Credit: Bhaven Jani / Shutterstock

The easiest way to take in the highlights of Jordan’s Golden Triangle is on a multi-day tour from Amman. As well as exploring Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba, a 4-, 5- or 6-day tour often visits other Jordan attractions such as Jerash or the Dead Sea, and they typically include hotel or airport pickup, accommodation, and some meals.