2 June 2027 – 7 days
Register for 2027 and we will contact when confirmed details including dates and prices are available.
Experience Jordan like never before under some of the darkest, clearest skies in the world. Timed around the new moon in June, explore sweeping desert landscapes, tranquil canyons and rugged mountains that double as natural observatories, where minimal light pollution transforms every night into an unforgettable journey through space. Let the mysteries of the universe unfold above Jordan’s dramatic and timeless scenery.
Your route weaves through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. Begin in elegant Amman before descending into the wild beauty of Dana Biosphere Reserve. Continue south to the rose-red wonders of Petra and the vast desert wilderness of Wadi Rum, where towering sandstone formations rise beneath immense skies. Your journey concludes with restorative time floating on the Dead Sea and a tranquil farewell evening at Ma'in Hot Springs.
Throughout the tour, you are accompanied by a dedicated astronomy and stargazing expert who brings the night sky vividly to life. Through engaging talks, informal discussions and guided telescope sessions including time with the powerful Sky Gate Telescope in Wadi Rum. You will gain deeper insight into celestial navigation, desert dark-sky preservation and the mythology and science behind the constellations. Each observing session is thoughtfully timed and positioned for optimal viewing conditions.
This tour is suited to both amateur and advanced astronomy enthusiasts, as well as anyone simply curious about the universe. Whether you arrive with a detailed observing wish list or a general fascination with the stars, you’ll find inspiration in Jordan’s vast night skies. Where science, story and landscape come together in remarkable harmony.
In partnership with Intrepid Travel.
Day 1: Arrive in Amman and meet the group
Welcome to Jordan! Check into the 5-star House Boutique Suites. The day is yours to relax, explore the labyrinthine souks of the old city or stroll the elegant cafés and galleries of Rainbow Street.
In the evening, you will meet your fellow guests, tour expert and the tour leader, who will brief you on the tour, then take you for a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Dana Biosphere Reserve and evening stargazing
At sunrise, you depart Amman and descend into the dramatic canyons of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s largest nature reserve. Dana features a remarkable variety of landscapes, from steep sandstone cliffs and quiet valleys to rolling desert plains, and supports four distinct ecological zones, hosting a rich diversity of plants and wildlife.
After settling into your eco-lodge perched on the rim of the reserve, enjoy an easy hike through ancient terrain shaped by wind and time. The light here is pure and desert-clear, a foretaste of what the night will bring.
When darkness falls, you are guided through your first dedicated stargazing session. Dana's remote location and rugged terrain mean there is very little artificial light, creating exceptionally dark night skies. This combination of wide, open horizons and minimal light pollution makes Dana an ideal place to experience stargazing, where the constellations, planets and even the Milky Way reveal themselves in full clarity against the desert backdrop. Telescopes are set up beneath an expansive sky, and with expert narration, you scan the Milky Way, nebulae and distant clusters.
Day 3: Dana to Wadi Rum with evening stargazing
Leaving Dana behind, the landscape gradually unfolds into the iconic sandstone and granite labyrinth of Wadi Rum, Jordan’s celebrated desert wilderness. Known as the Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its towering red cliffs, dramatic rock formations, and sweeping sand dunes that create an otherworldly, almost lunar atmosphere.
As night falls, the remoteness of Wadi Rum transforms it into one of the most spectacular stargazing locations in the region. The vast, uninterrupted skies offer brilliant views of constellations, shooting stars and the Milky Way, allowing travellers to experience the desert in a magical, celestial light. This evening, you will have access to the Sky Gate Telescope, a privately reserved instrument and one of the most powerful in the region. Under the expansive, unpolluted desert sky, the telescope comes alive, bringing distant planets, sparkling star clusters and the sweeping arc of the Milky Way into breathtaking view.
Day 4: Wadi Rum 4x4 exploration and evening stargazing
Today you will set out in a 4×4 across the desert’s sweeping plains and rugged canyons. Explore Lawrence’s Spring, a lush oasis tucked against towering cliffs, and wander through the narrow, shadowed passages of Khazali Canyon, where ancient petroglyphs peek from the sandstone walls. Take a gentle walk to panoramic viewpoints that rise above the desert floor and take in a vast expanse of rust-red rock formations, rolling sand dunes and distant mountain ridges.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the desert cools, you prepare for a second session with the Sky Gate Telescope. Tonight, an expert astronomer guides you through the night sky, pointing out constellations, distant galaxies and planets that sparkle vividly in the desert’s pristine darkness. With the telescope’s powerful optics and the guidance of a knowledgeable hand, the stars come alive like never before.
Day 5: Petra: Ancient horizons by day and candlelight by night
Leaving the desert behind, you arrive at Petra, the rose-red city carved into sandstone by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago. Enter through the narrow Siq to reveal the stunning Treasury, then explore the Street of Facades, Royal Tombs and the impressive rock‑hewn Theatre. A climb to the Monastery (Ad‑Deir) rewards you with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, showcasing the ingenuity and artistry of this ancient civilisation.
After recharging at your hotel, return to Petra for a magical evening visit when the Treasury is illuminated by hundreds of candles and traditional music is played. From select vantage points just beyond the main circuit, you can pause for informal stargazing, letting the desert night unfold above you.
Day 6: The Dead Sea and Ma'in Hot Springs
Your journey winds down with a change of pace at the Dead Sea, the lowest exposed point on Earth. Float effortlessly in its hypersaline waters, enjoy the therapeutic qualities of its mineral muds or simply rest with views that stretch to the horizon.
End your journey with a tranquil evening at Ma'in Hot Springs, where cascading thermal waterfalls and dramatic desert cliffs create the perfect setting for reflection and relaxation. As twilight deepens, settle into a peaceful stargazing session beneath Jordan’s vast, unpolluted skies. Guided by an expert host, you’ll trace constellations, spot distant planets and immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of the cosmos – an unforgettable finale that blends earthly serenity with celestial wonder.
Day 7: Amman departure
After a final breakfast together, there will be a group transfer back to Amman's airport, which will take around an hour.
