11 Days Turkey and Jordan Tour: An Honest 2025 Review

So, you’re looking at that ’11 Days Turkey and Jordan Tour,’ right? Honestly, I get it. We were scrolling through options for ages, and this one just kept popping up. It kind of looked like it had everything you could possibly want, mixing two totally different worlds into one big trip. You basically get ancient history, unbelievable landscapes, and two cultures that are, in a way, worlds apart yet right next to each other. I mean, we were a little worried it might be too much to cram into just eleven days. Could we really get a feel for both Istanbul’s big-city energy and Jordan’s desert calm in such a short time? Well, we went ahead and did it anyway, and to be honest, I’m here to spill the beans on what it was really like. This is, more or less, the rundown you’re looking for, with no sugar-coating, so you can figure out if it’s the right fit for you. Read our full review: [11 Days Turkey and Jordan Tour Full Review and Details]

Touching Down in Istanbul: The First Steps

Okay, so arriving in Istanbul is, in a word, a lot. The airport itself is huge, but thankfully, the tour transfer was pretty much waiting for us, which was a big relief. You get into the shuttle, and right away, you feel the city’s pulse. It’s not a calm or quiet place; it’s almost a living thing with a sound all its own. We were, frankly, just glued to the windows the whole ride to the hotel. You see these ancient-looking stone walls right next to super modern buildings, which is really something. The first day is usually kind of a ‘get your bearings’ day. Our hotel was pretty decent, located in a spot that made walking around later quite easy. Seriously, the call to prayer echoing from the mosques was the first thing that made me think, ‘Alright, we are definitely not at home anymore.’ It was, you know, a beautiful and sort of grounding sound. We basically just dropped our bags and went for a walk, finding a little place for some ridiculously strong and sweet Turkish coffee. It was a good start, for sure.

Cappadocia’s Otherworldly Charm: More Than Just Balloons

After a very short flight from Istanbul, we landed in what feels like another planet, really. Cappadocia is, honestly, hard to describe without seeing it. Those ‘fairy chimneys’ you see in all the pictures are actually way cooler in person. They just stick out of the ground everywhere, like something a kid would draw. Obviously, the hot air balloon ride is the main event for a lot of people. You have to get up at a crazy early hour, but when you’re floating up there with literally hundreds of other balloons as the sun comes up, you just sort of forget how tired you are. It’s incredibly quiet and peaceful, unlike anything else.

Yet, Cappadocia is more than just that one morning. We stayed in a cave hotel, which sounds a bit strange, but it was amazing. The rooms are actually carved into the rock, so they stay naturally cool, and it’s just a totally unique feeling. One afternoon, we explored the Göreme Open-Air Museum, which has all these cave churches with paintings from centuries ago still on the walls. Then we went down into the Kaymakli Underground City, and seriously, it’s a bit of a tight squeeze, but thinking about how thousands of people used to live down there is just mind-boggling. Frankly, this part of the trip was a real standout. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Experience])

Crossing into Jordan: A Completely New Feel

So, the transition from Turkey to Jordan is quite the change of scenery. You take a flight over to Amman, and almost immediately, you feel a different rhythm. The landscape changes from the green bits of Turkey to a drier, more beige-toned land. Amman itself is a really interesting city. It’s all built on hills, and most of the buildings are made from this light-colored stone, so the whole city just kind of glows when the sun hits it right. Our guide in Jordan was, as a matter of fact, one of the kindest people we met the whole time. The hospitality there is something else entirely; people are just incredibly welcoming and seem genuinely happy to have you there. We visited the ancient Citadel, which sits on the highest hill in the city. From there, you get this amazing view of the whole area, including a huge Roman amphitheater right in the middle of everything. It’s a place with so much history, you can just feel it. I mean, we spent the first evening just sampling local food, like Mansaf, which is this amazing lamb and yogurt dish. Honestly, it was a fantastic introduction to a whole new chapter of the trip.

The Lost City of Petra and Wadi Rum’s Empty Spaces

Alright, let’s talk about Petra. You’ve definitely seen it in movies, but actually walking through the Siq—that long, narrow canyon—is an experience in itself. It’s very quiet and cool inside the canyon walls. The anticipation, you know, just builds and builds. Then, you see that first sliver of the Treasury through the crack at the end, and it honestly takes your breath away. It’s just so much bigger and more detailed than you can ever imagine. You could pretty much spend an entire day just walking around Petra; it’s a massive place with tombs, temples, and halls all carved directly into the pinkish-red rock. We actually decided to hike up to the Monastery, which was a bit of a trek with lots of steps, but the view from the top was totally worth the effort. It’s a bit quieter up there too, away from the main crowds.

Then, in what feels like a total flip, you head to Wadi Rum. They call it the ‘Valley of the Moon,’ and seriously, it fits. We jumped into the back of an old 4×4 pickup truck and our Bedouin driver took us on a wild ride across these deep red sands and past towering rock formations. It really feels like you are driving across the surface of Mars. The quiet out there is almost absolute. We ended the day at a desert camp, eating a traditional dinner that had been cooked underground for hours. At night, we just lay on the sand and looked up at the stars. With zero city lights, you can see the Milky Way so clearly. To be honest, this day was one for the books, just completely unforgettable. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Petra & Wadi Rum Guided Tours])

Practical Things and What to Really Expect

Pacing and How Much Free Time You Get

So, one thing you need to know is that this tour moves pretty quickly. Basically, every day is accounted for, with early starts being more or less the norm. If you’re someone who likes to sleep in and have lazy mornings, well, this might be a little bit of a shock to your system. There are a few evenings where you have free time to explore on your own, especially in Istanbul and Amman, which is nice. We used that time to find local restaurants that weren’t on the typical tourist trail. But, you know, during the day, it’s pretty scheduled. You cover a lot of ground, which is the point, but it means you are almost always on the go. You definitely need to be prepared for that kind of tempo.

Let’s Talk About The Food

Okay, the food part is obviously a highlight. In Turkey, you’ll be eating lots of kebabs, of course, but the mezes—all the little appetizer plates—are honestly the best part. Things like hummus, fresh salads, and stuffed grape leaves are just incredible. And Turkish delight, obviously, you have to try the real stuff from a proper shop. In Jordan, the food has a slightly different flavor profile. Mansaf is a must-try national dish. We also had a lot of falafel and knafeh, which is this ridiculously good sweet cheese pastry. Most breakfasts are included at the hotels, and they are usually pretty big buffets. A good number of lunches and dinners are part of the tour too, which is handy, but it also gives you a few chances to be adventurous and find your own spots to eat, which I really recommend doing.

Things I Wish I Packed Differently

Alright, a little bit of packing advice. First, bring the most comfortable walking shoes you own. Seriously, you will be on your feet a ton, walking on uneven ground in Petra and through big city streets. I mean it. Secondly, pack layers. Istanbul can be cooler, especially at night, but Jordan is, of course, very hot and dry. Having a light jacket or a long-sleeved shirt is really useful. For visiting mosques in Turkey and just generally being respectful in Jordan, a scarf or pashmina is pretty much a must-have for women to cover their heads or shoulders. I honestly just bought a beautiful one there. And finally, bring a portable battery charger. You will be taking so many photos that your phone will definitely run out of juice before the day is over.

At the end of the day, this trip is for someone who wants to see and do a lot in a relatively short amount of time. It’s not a ‘lounge by the pool’ kind of vacation. It’s an adventure that packs in an incredible amount of culture, history, and natural beauty. Just be ready for the fast pace, and you’ll have an absolutely amazing time.