We begin in Amman, where guests arrive and settle into a contemporary five-star hotel in the heart of the city. The first evening is kept relaxed, allowing time to rest after travel, meet the group and acclimatise.
The following morning takes us south to Petra, Jordan’s most celebrated archaeological site. After yoga and breakfast in Amman, we make the three-and-a-half hour journey to Wadi Musa and enjoy a traditional Mansaf lunch before checking in at our heritage hotel. Later that afternoon, we enter the UNESCO World Heritage site to explore an extraordinary network of tombs, façades and carved sandstone caverns. An early morning return to Petra the next day allows us to experience the site in quieter conditions, before yoga, breakfast and departure.
From Petra we continue into the desert for our three-night stay in Wadi Rum, a protected landscape of expansive red sand valleys, towering sandstone formations and striking silence. Our base is an elegant tented camp with ensuite facilities, private tents and open desert views. The rhythm of the retreat naturally shifts here: mornings begin with yoga and unhurried breakfasts, while afternoons are shaped by desert exploration. A guided jeep tour reveals remote valleys and sculpted rock canyons, and a guided hike invites closer observation of the landscape’s vast scale. For those who wish, an optional sunrise balloon flight (weather permitting) offers a rare aerial perspective, and camel rides at sunset are available as an additional experience.
Throughout the week, yoga with James Rafael provides a steady anchor for the retreat. Practices are shaped by the rhythm of travel and vary between spacious morning sessions and quieter afternoon work, allowing time for rest, exploration and integration. James teaches a flowing, lighthearted vinyasa practice with an emphasis on breath, integrated strength and flexibility, offering thoughtful options to support different levels of experience.
As night falls, Wadi Rum’s skies become part of the journey. Designated an International Dark Sky Reserve, the desert is one of the few places where the Milky Way and myriad stars can be seen with exceptional clarity due to minimal light pollution, high altitude and dry desert air. Local guides share Bedouin storytelling and celestial lore around the warmth of the camp fire, drawing on centuries-old traditions that connect sky and story. Stargazing here is unhurried and expansive, with time to sit beneath the night sky and watch constellations unfold overhead.
Evenings in the desert are slow and atmospheric, with traditional dinners served under clear skies and generous time for reflection and rest without the distraction of Wi-Fi. Wadi Rum offers an uncommon opportunity for uninterrupted quiet and deep connection with place.
After four hours crossing the length of the country, the afternoon is left open for guests to explore the city’s blend of Ottoman-era architecture, Roman ruins and modern cultural districts, or to simply unwind at the hotel. Amman has a thriving culinary scene and a number of galleries and cafés within easy reach. The following morning we depart for the airport after breakfast.
