Wander Women Wednesday: Announcing Our First Jordan Retreat

Wander Women Wednesdays are back! This mid-week feature is all about highlighting an upcoming Wander Women Retreat, or a new aspect of our retreat business we’re excited about. 

You guys know that I haven’t been able to get the Middle East off my mind the past few years. So after two exploratory research trip in 2022, I am so proud to announce the first official Wander Women Jordan retreat for June 8-15, 2023! This retreat is already 50% sold out from our presale list, so it feels like y’all are as excited about it as I am. 

As we grow and expand, there’s a strong potential that this will be my one and only year hosting this trip. So, join me for an eight-day retreat in Jordan to explore the unique and enchanted city of Petra, the amazing desert landscape at Wadi Rum, the impressive city of Jerash, the healing powers of the Dead Sea and the modern capital of Amman! (Stick around for the the Wander Women Aqaba Extension to soak up the sea, sand and sun of the Red Sea’s poshest beach town with me, too!)

This was a tough retreat to bring to life for a unique reason. Though it is home to a World Wonder and on the bucket list of many, Jordan has such a well-developed-but-slightly-rote tourism infrastructure, it was hard, at first, to make something that felt like it had our usual amount of Wander Women fun and flair in it. But, we dug deep and I’m giddy about what we put together: an itinerary unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else. We’ve scoured the country for unique experiences, boutique hotels and magical moments you simply won’t find anywhere else — think hip non-profit cafes, chic yoga studios and street art tours in Amman, meditations and spa treatments alongside the Dead Sea, Jordanian wine tastings and cave dinners in Petra, and a movie night under the stars in Wadi Rum.

As always, Wander Women Retreats is focusing on lifting up local women; partnering with a women-led cooking class in Amman, a women’s co-op restaurant in Jerash, and more! We’ve put in the time on the ground making connections, doing site inspections, and uncovering local gems on your behalf.

Bonus? Our fave Middle Eastern photographer Jenny will be behind the lens every step of the way, ensuring everyone leaves with profile-picture worthy shots of themselves in their favorite asanas and in front of ancient wonders. Plus, we’ll go all out on a welcome bag full of goods from local NGOs and artisans.

Read on for all the deets — see you in the comments with questions!

The Details

The retreat will be held from June 8-18, 2023. The cost, including all of the below, is $4,200 for a shared room — private rooms are already sold out, but hit me up if it’s a deal breaker and we’ll see what we can do. Guests who book both retreats and the extension (stay tuned, but we’re also running Wander Women Israel, too!) will receive a complimentary add on of their choice.

• Seven to ten nights accommodation – dependent on Aqaba extension being booked
• Two meals a day
• Entrance fees and tours of all historic sites with an expert guide
• Daily yoga + activities
• Visa to Jordan + border crossing fees if coming from Israel
• All additional local transportation and airport transfers
• A custom welcome bag
• All gratuities for tour guides, included meals, airport pickups, and drivers (we generously tip hundreds of dollars on your behalf, removing the stress and anxiety of when and how much to tip!)
• Professional photos of the trip
• Donation to local charities
• Two scuba dives, a discovery dive or snorkeling in the Red Sea*
• A private sunset cruise*
• Day out at an Aqaba beach club*
• Sea Glass jewelry workshop *

• Flights to and from Jordan
• Dead Sea spa treatments
• Motorized water sports
• Additional meals or activities not specified in the itinerary
• Mandatory travel insurance

*Included in the Red Sea Aqaba extension

The Itinerary

Subject to change, and expect surprises, but here’s the general idea.

Day 1 : Say hello to Jordan! If you’re coming from Wander Women Israel, awesome! We’ll cross the border together. If not, we’ll gather in Amman at the vivid and contemporary W Amman, where we’ll admire the city from the rooftop pool. Enjoy a yin yoga class taught at a local studio taught by me before heading to get our first taste of Jordanian cuisine at one of our favorite cooking schools in the world, owned and operated by a local female entrepreneur.

Day 2: We’ll welcome the day with a poolside yoga class before heading to Jerash, the second major site in Jordan after Petra, considered one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Our lunch stop is the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative, which aims to make the women in the area financially independent (and is delicious!) Back at the hotel, we will chill out with some free time before dinner downtown at a local hotspot.

Day 3: After breakfast it’s time to explore vibrant Amman! We will start with an outdoor aerial yoga class and a morning perusing nearby galleries before lunch at sleek wildlife charity cafe Wild Jordan, overlooking the citadel you’ll tour later. Before the day is over we will see a different side of Amman with a street art tour of the cities best art installations! Enjoy dinner at your leisure for our last night in this Middle Eastern capital.

Day 4: After breakfast it’s time to bid Amman farewell and head south towards the Dead Sea! Along the way we will stop for canyoning at Wadi Mujib, one of the hits of last year’s Jordan research trip. The Mujib Biosphere Reserve is the lowest nature reserve in the world, with a spectacular array of scenery near the east coast of the Dead Sea. We will hike the Siq Trail to follow the course of the river between the towering sandstone cliffs to the base of a large waterfall. After, unwind at the Kempinski Dead Sea hotel, famed for its luxurious onsite facilities including an award-winning spa which offers twenty beautifully designed treatment rooms, six outdoor relaxation areas, hydro-facilities, heated lounges, and the largest hydro-pool in the Dead Sea. If you’ve come from the Israel side of the Dead Sea with us, fear not: each is a totally unique experience, and you won’t want to miss either!

Day 5: Rise and shine to yoga overlooking the Dead Sea. After breakfast, enjoy a few final hours of spa treatments, sea floats, self-journaling or catching up on your sleep! Soon, we’re off to Petra. Our hotel and home in Wadi Musa is a beautiful resort compound dating from the 1800’s overlooking the Shahara Mountains. Visit the Petra Museum and Visitor Center to get oriented before enjoying a glass of Jordanian wine at Cave Bar, one of the world’s oldest watering holes. End the night with a highlight of the trip — a first peek of Petra, by the glow of candlelight.

Day 6: An early morning will see us depart for a full day exploring Petra. Through the winding gorge we will find a magnificent city carved out of red rock 2,000 years ago by the Nabatean Arabs. Petra is a treasure of the ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, and one of the most majestic and imposing ancient sites still standing today. They made it one of the Seven World Wonders for a reason! That night, we’ll soothe our tired bodies with a relaxing yin yoga before a special dinner surprise that will be a magical ending to a day you’ll never forget.

Day 7: It’s time for a change of planetary scenery — we’re heading to Mars! Well, not the real Mars of course, but pretty close. We’re heading into the desert and into Wadi Rum to stay in giant tents with panoramic views of the nights sky. Before we cuddle up for a night under the stars we will embark on a Bedouin Jeep tour to view the inscriptions, canyons and amazing rock formations known as Jebels that rise from the desert floor.

Day 8: Sunrise salutations and a guided meditation in the desert is the best way to head into our last day in Jordan — unless you’re sticking around for the Aqaba Extension. After we feast on a vast Middle Eastern breakfast we will pack up and say ma’a salama to Jordan (for now!) before heading back to the airport.

Joining our Red Sea Extension? The fun continues with three more nights together in Aqaba to make the most of the weekend!

Day 8: Settle in for the short one hour drive to Aqaba — we’re beach bound! Jordan’s tiny slice of the Red Sea has been intentionally developed as a chic playground for lovers of all things sun, sand and sea. Start out by making your own souvenir with a sustainable seaglass jewelry workshop and lunch led by local women before checking into our modern hotel. Spend the afternoon splashing around the four outdoor pools and walkable marina filled with shops, restaurants, and yes, bars! That night, enjoy dinner at one of the many options on our island oasis.

Day 9: Salute the sun with morning yoga before we head off for a day to dive or snorkel to our heart’s content! There’s nothing like cruising the Red Sea with great music and company together on the top deck. Back on land, head out on an optional afternoon city tour to see Aqaba sights like the Aqaba Fort, the Sharif Al Hussein Bin Ali Mosque, and the local markets. At night, we’re in the for a treat! It’s the weekly Souk By The Sea Friday night event, a lively pop-up market in downtown Aqaba featuring over 50 local artisans, Jordanian food and drinks, music and more.

Day 10: After a morning yoga practice, it’s time to relax at the end of a week (or two!) of wild Middle Eastern travels! We’re heading to Aqaba’s most hip and colorful beach club for a day as chill or active as you crave. Hop between various hammocks and beach beds, or even tubing or jet skis for a thrill. Close out our beach babe day with the only appropriate sendoff — a cruise with a BBQ onboard, toasting to our final Middle Eastern sunset together.

Day 11: We’re not crying, you’re crying! Head to the airport in Aqaba or Amman to catch your flight home, heart full and list of new travel besties bursting.

Where We’ll Stay and What We’ll Eat

Three nights accommodation at a luxury Amman hotel, one night at hotel + spa at the Dead Sea, two nights at a traditional hotel in Petra, one night in a bubble tent under the stars of Wadi Rum, an optional three nights at a seaside five star hotel in Aqaba.

While many guided trips of Jordan include accommodation in bland chain hotels, y’all know that’s just not for me! I have carefully selected accommodation that blends both comfort and culture.

In Amman we will be staying at the effortless cool W Amman which features local art installations, a swish spa and a heated pool. At the lowest point on Earth, the Kempinski is known for its unique exterior and interior design inspired by the hanging gardens of Babylon. In Petra, we will stay in the preserved archaeological site that is The Old Village Resort — all of the buildings on the site are the originals built in the 1800s and brought up to date to reflect the needs of today’ traveller. In Wadi Rum we will sleep in a Bedouin camp in our very own bubble martian tents that include private bathrooms and air conditioning. Finally we will luxuriate at the Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla, which includes all of the amenities and onsite services necessary to leave you fully recharged.

Private rooms have one bed while shared rooms feature two twin beds unless otherwise requested. While you can of course room with a friend, if you’re traveling solo, fear not, so are many of our guests! We’ll do our best to pair you with someone we think you’ll click with — and we’ll all be one big family by the end anyway.

Every day, two meals will be included; breakfast and lunch or dinner. For the non-included meal of the day, we’ll bring you to a favorite spot where you can order at your own expense, or branch off and do your own thing. Jordanian food is generally healthy and delicious, and all special diets can be accommodated!

Health + Safety

There are no COVID requirements to enter Jordan. Yalla!

Extend to Aqaba

Situated four hours south of the capital city of Amman, sandwiched between borders with Israel and Saudi Arabia, and with Egypt just across the water, modern-day Aqaba is pulling out all the stops to establish itself as the best Red Sea holiday spot in the Middle East. With year-round sunshine, luxury hotels, and great diving it is no wonder even the King himself is often spotted at this seaside gem. 

This extension is for divers and non-divers alike as we dial back the speed and take an opportunity to bask in the sun and sea before rolling up the towel on what has been an incredible adventure. Certified divers will double dive two amazing sites and those who are curious of the underwater world will finally get to blow bubbles on a discovery dive. If you prefer to keep breathing the air above sea level you will be blown away by the beautiful snorkeling in between spending time soaking up the sun on the top deck of our boat. 

In addition to our morning out at sea, we’ll take a tour of the town’s mosque, fort, and souk, enjoy a seaglass jewelry workshop, and soak up tons of sun and beach clubs and our resort’s many oceanfront pools!

Join Us

I’m truly so honored to explore Jordan with you! Questions? Hit me in the comments! In the meantime, I’ll be dreaming of desert landscapes, turquoise waters and skies full of stars.

Have you dreamed of going to Jordan? Or have you already been?