Jordan Dana Trek to Petra and Wadi Rum
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Trek to Petra and explore the magnificent Wadi Rum
Jordan's wilderness is astonishing and truly the best way to fully appreciate this biblical land is on foot. The route from Dana to Petra is considered to be one of the finest multi-day hikes in the Middle East. With our experienced local guide and Bedouin crew we trek from Dana Nature Reserve through remote canyons and alongside near-vertical gorges, experiencing wilderness camping in breathtaking wadis (or oases). The trek has been dubbed the "Inca Trail of the Middle East" and your first view of Petra's Monastery evokes similar feelings of awe when arriving on foot at one of the world's great wonders. We explore the colonnaded street of Petra, the theatre and finally the magnificent Treasury before heading to Wadi Rum and the land of Lawrence of Arabia. Harsh and inhospitable, this raw but spectacular landscape is superb for exploration by jeep and on foot. We climb to the famous rock arch at Burdah Bridge and trek through the rugged Rakebak Canyon. We return to Amman via the Red Sea coast, with a swim further on in the Dead Sea, providing a fine finale to this amazing adventure.
Highlights
- 7 day trek from Dana Nature Reserve to the ancient city of Petra
- Exploring ancient city of Petra
- 4WD driving and hiking in Wadi Rum
- Taking a dip in the Dead Sea
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Amman. Transfer to Madaba.
If you are arriving on Day 1, you will be met on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and transferred to the group hotel in Madaba. Rest of the day is spent at your leisure. Madaba is best known for its beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics, including the ‘Madaba Map’, a 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land. A remarkably well detailed layout of the region which is made up of two million pieces and shows the Nile, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Day 2 Commence Dana Trek (14 kms; 5 - 6 hours)
After breakfast, we will be transferred to the Dana Nature Reserve, which is one of Jordan's loveliest conservation and wilderness areas; a pioneer of responsible tourism in the Middle East. Commence Wadi Dana Trail, which is a spectacular downhill walk from Dana to Feynan through the sandstone gorge of Wadi Dana. Overnight camping at Wadi Feynan.
Day 3 Trek to Wadi Barwas (16 km; approx 6 hours)
Starting at around 300m, this 6-hour route goes through stony desert with spectacular views of the high mountain ranges to the east, and the vast Wadi Araba Desert to the West. The morning part of the trek covers several small hills, before heading out across open desert towards Wadi Barwas. We’ll sit down for lunch and rest, before heading further in towards the foot of the mountains to reach our camping spot at 380m, and spend the night under a fantastic starry sky. Overnight camping.
Day 4 Trek to Ras el Feid (approx 10 kms; 6-8 hours)
Into the foot of the mountains, today’s route will ascend steeply across rocks and small boulders through a twisty track, going high into the mountain. This section is challenging and takes around 3 hours, we are rewarded with stunning views west in to Wadi Araba. We will continue up over a high saddle, before descending to the river valley of Wadi Feid following a small goat track. We will walk for another 1km to reach Ras el Feid (about 800m) where we’ll find our crew has set up our next camp. Overnight camping.
Day 5 Trek to Shkaret Msei’d (15 kms; 8-9 hours)
We will start trekking this morning along the river bed through dense vegetation, and will gradually climb up the hills following Bedouin shepherds paths, to uncover more of the spectacular views over the desert below. The trail continues by descending and following the wadi up with gentle climbs to reach our camping spot at Shkaret Msei’d (about 1000m). Overnight camping.
Day 6 Trek to Beidha (14 kms; 5 hours)
For today’s morning trek, the scenery will change from deep wild wadies to open colourful sandstone hills with a variety of trails. The Nabatean influence starts to appear by cut steps. The tracks will ascend through the sandstone domes with some short scrambles, before an easy descent into Beidha on 4WD tracks to reach the Ammarin Bedouin Campsite (about 1050m). Overnight bedouin camp.
Day 7 Trek to Petra (approx 8kms/ 3 hrs to Monastery; 4-5 hrs exploring Petra)
After breakfast, we will hike to Petra, and enter the site from the Monastery (Al Deir). The soul-stirring, rose-red city of Petra is chief among Jordan's archaeological riches, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans, an industrious Arab people who settled in south Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. The view of Petra's most spectacular monument, the Khaznet al-Faraoun, or Treasury, is a dramatic sight. Used in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, this towering facade is only the first of Petra's unique structures. Various walks and climbs reveal literally hundreds of buildings, facades, tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples and haunting rock drawings and reliefs. At the end of the day, we will exit the site through the Siq, a 1km long narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs. Transfer to the group hotel for overnight.
Day 8 To Wadi Rum
We leave Petra this morning and drive for about an hour and a half to the Wadi Rum, a unique valley of colored sand dunes surrounded by beautiful rugged mountains. This is true 'Lawrence of Arabia' country and has some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the world - a desert where black, windsculpted sandstone hills contrast sharply with the pale sands. Many describe this area as the Valley of the Moon. On arrival we will meet our Bedouin hosts, and transfer by jeep to visit the Seven Pillars of Wisdom - named after the book by T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia); Khazali Canyon - a deep, narrow fissure in the mountain side containing many rock inscriptions; Sand Dunes - an area of sand piled up against the mountains, which are fun to climb, and have many desert adapted plants; and Burrah Canyon - a long, deep canyon between dramatic mountains. The jeeps will then drop us at our lunch spot at the Burdah Bridge. After lunch, we will commence climbing up to the bridge and then back down, which will take approximately two and half hours. This is a very safe climb which is not difficult, however in several places you may need to use your hands for scrambling. The most difficult area is as you approach the bridge, so to ensure everyone’s safety, the guide and participants will always have a rope. Afterwards, we will be transferred to Rum Stars Camp. Overnight bedouin camp.
Day 9 In Wadi Rum. Transfer to Aqaba.
We will start trekking through Um Rashed Canyon; Wadi Um Eshrine - a large valley next to Jabal Um Ishrin with beautiful sand dunes; and visit the Anfisheyh Inscriptions. After lunch, we will continue hiking to Rakabet Canyon, which lies 3 km due east of Rum village. It will take approximately 2 hours to trek through the canyon and reach Wadi Rum Village in the late afternoon. We will then be transferred by vehicle to the Red Sea town of Aqaba. Overnight hotel.
Day 10 To Madaba, via the Dead Sea
After breakfast we will drive north alongside the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. We will have time for lunch and a dip in the famously buoyant waters, which have a saline level around 30 per cent. Then we will continue to the group hotel in Madaba for overnight.
Day 11 Trip concludes
Trip concludes after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for anyone leaving Jordan today. Additional nights accommodation and private airport transfers on any other day can be arranged for extra cost.
Additional Information
Inclusions
- 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 6 dinners
- Accommodation on a twin share basis in 3-star hotel rooms, 2-person tents, and Bedouin camp
- Camping during Dana Trek and in Wadi Rum including trek support staff and all group equipment (except sleeping bag and sleeping mat)
- 4WD support during treks
- Sightseeing as per the itinerary including entrance fees
- Ground transport in private vehicle (air conditioned)
- Local English speaking guides throughout
- Wadi Rum 4WD tour
- Arrival and departure transfers on Days 1 & 11 only
Summary
- 11 day trip
- 7 day trek
- 4 nights hotels
- 4 nights camping
- 2 nights Bedouin camp
Trip Main Activities
- Trekking
- Day Walking
- 4WD driving
- Adventure Touring
Group Size Min
6
Group Size Max
16
Accommodation Summary
Equipment Required
Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack. A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking.
What You Carry
In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing, a rainjacket, water bottle, camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc. 4WD support vehicles carry all group gear and your trek pack.
Check dates and prices
Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site
from
USD$3,290
Why we recommend World Expeditions
- Pioneers in responsible travel.
- No local payments.
- True adventures in every sense.
- Expert guides and support.
- Quality facilities and transport.
Customer care
World Expeditions is a global company with offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada, all staffed with experienced adventure travellers.
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