Southern Jordan is home to some of the country’s best-known landscapes. This trip to Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba is one of the most enjoyable ways to combine your Arabic course in Amman with history and nature. The south is a few hours from Amman by road, so the trip is usually planned over a weekend or a few days.
Petra
Petra, the capital of the Nabataean civilisation, is an ancient city carved into pink-red sandstone cliffs, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit begins with the Siq, a narrow canyon that opens onto the façade of the Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Beyond it lie rock-cut tombs, a theatre and a wide archaeological area. Allow plenty of time: the site is large and most visitors spend several hours there. Exploring Petra involves a good deal of walking, so we recommend comfortable shoes, a hat and water.
Wadi Rum
Also known as the “Valley of the Moon”, Wadi Rum is a desert valley famous for its red sands and steep sandstone mountains, and it is protected by UNESCO. Jeep tours across the desert and watching the sunset are among the most popular experiences. Far from city lights, the night sky is another highlight.
Aqaba
Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city, on the Red Sea. Time can be set aside for swimming and relaxing, and its coral reefs make it a popular place for snorkelling and diving.
Use your Arabic on the trip
Markets, restaurants and the people you meet along the way give you plenty of chances to speak Arabic. Everyday phrases such as greetings, asking prices, asking for directions and ordering food are reinforced outside the classroom, which helps what you learn in class stick.
How the trip is planned
The trip is added to your programme according to the length and timing of your package. Because this depends on the length of your stay, we first clarify your goals and then plan the programme together. You can read more about the programme on our Study Arabic in Jordan page and see all our trips on the Cultural Trips in Jordan page. For the current trip calendar and what is included, get in touch through our contact page.