Private Dead Sea Day Trip from Amman

The Dead Sea, the lowest point on land

The Dead Sea lies in the Jordan Rift Valley about 430 metres below sea level, making its shore the lowest point on the surface of the earth. Its water is roughly ten times saltier than the ocean, so dense that you float without any effort, lying back as if in an armchair. No fish live in it, which gave the lake its name, but the salt and minerals have drawn visitors since ancient times.

Is the Dead Sea worth visiting? Floating here is one of those experiences that is hard to believe until you try it, and most guests call it the highlight of their trip to Jordan. Enter the water slowly, keep it away from your eyes and stay in for no more than about fifteen minutes at a time, then rinse off in the fresh-water showers on the beach.

Dead Sea mud and minerals

The dark mud along the shore is rich in minerals such as magnesium, sodium, potassium and sulphur, and people have used it for skin care for centuries. At the resort beach you can scoop it up or use the mud provided, spread a thick layer over your skin, let it dry in the sun for a few minutes and then wash it off in the sea.

Many visitors say their skin feels noticeably soft afterwards, and the mud photos are a favourite souvenir. The air at this depth is also slightly richer in oxygen and the sun's rays are filtered by the extra layer of atmosphere, one reason the Dead Sea has long been known as a natural place to rest. With a private driver waiting, you can take all the time you want.

A day at a Dead Sea resort hotel

Most of Jordan's Dead Sea hotels stand along the north-eastern shore near Sweimeh, set in terraced gardens that step down to a private beach. The default option includes day access to one of these resort hotels, assigned according to availability on your date, so you have changing rooms, showers, sun loungers, swimming pools and direct access to the sea.

Lunch at the hotel is included, so you can spend the middle of the day between the pools and the beach without worrying about food. Many guests like to float first, relax after lunch and float again in the softer afternoon light. If you prefer a quieter beach or have a resort in mind, tell our team and we will check what is possible.

The road from Amman down to the Dead Sea

Wondering how to get to the Dead Sea from Amman? The shore is only about 55 kilometres from the capital, roughly 45 minutes to an hour by road. The highway drops from the high plateau of Amman, at around 800 metres above sea level, through dry hills and wadis into the Jordan Valley, and along the way you pass a marker showing where the road crosses sea level.

As you descend, the air turns warmer and the view opens over the blue water and the hills of the far shore. Our driver can stop for photos on the way, and on clear days the scenery is spectacular. The best time to visit the Dead Sea is from October to May, when the heat is gentle; in summer, an early pickup is the most comfortable choice.