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Map of Hiking in Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum including Jordan

Step off the beaten track on a trekking adventure through Jordan

Experience the beauty and culture of Jordan on this exhilarating 8-day trekking adventure. Wander the streets of modern Amman, marvel at Little Petra, get off the beaten track around ancient Petra, be dazzled by the famous Treasury building, join the Bedouins for a magical desert adventure, admire the Byzantine mosaics in Madaba and float in the famously salty Dead Sea. This is Jordan at its active, action-packed best.

Start
Amman, Jordan
Finish
Madaba, Jordan
Destination
Jordan
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
EEXA
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Visit Little Petra and hike the lesser known back-road into iconic Petra, spending a day exploring the secret hiking trails of this awe-inspiring ancient treasure.

  • Explore the spectacular Dana Reserve on foot – this unbelievably diverse reserve was established to protect wildlife and provide local communities with employment.

  • Wadi Rum is a world unto itself. Hop in a jeep and experience its twisted rock scenery and watch the sun set on a trek through this rugged moonscape

  • The semi-nomadic Bedouins are renowned for their hospitality, so you're in for a treat. Learn about their culture over an earthen oven-cooked feast before sleeping under the stars

  • Experience the best weightlessness this side of outer space with an effortless float in the super-salty waters of the Dead Sea

Is this trip right for you?

  • There is good amount of hiking involved in this trip and also when visiting Jordan's historic sites, especially in Petra and Wadi Rum. A reasonable level of fitness is required. Most of the time there is no shade, so remember to bring a hat, sun protection, and sturdy, comfortable hiking boots or walking shoes.

  • The distances that you will be trekking vary from 14 kilometres to 20 kilometres over a range of terrains, we recommend you consider packing trekking poles for the hikes.

  • The desert camp in Wadi Rum is basic but incredibly memorable. There are tents and shared western bathroom facilities. While the desert may be very hot during the day, it will still be cool at night, so remember to bring some warmer layers, especially if visiting outside of the summer months.

Your local leader will help you explore the ancient city of Petra
Group of travellers hiking through Petra, Jordan
The food in Jordan is delicious and plentiful
Hikers on trail in Wadi Rum desert, Jordan
Travellers hiking through Wadi Rum desert, Jordan

Itinerary
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Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan, cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in biblical history. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm this evening. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. As there's not much time spent in Amman on this itinerary, it's worth arriving a day or two early to explore the sights. Highlights include the citadel, the Jordan Museum and the Roman Theatre. At any rate, perhaps try an ara’yes while you're here – a toastie filled with spicy mincemeat.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for the welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand

After breakfast, head out for the first trek of your adventure. Journey to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, the largest nature reserve in Jordan. Covering 320 square kilometres, the reserve is made up of mountains, Wadis and sand dunes, and is home to an incredibly diverse display of flora and fauna. The reserve was created to protect the natural environment while generating jobs for the local community. Your trek today takes you in and around this protected area, exploring with the expertise of a local guide. Keep an eye out for the varied wildlife you’ll find here, including falcons, chameleons, foxes, porcupines and more than 700 species of plants. After your trek, transfer to Little Petra. Believed by archaeologists to have housed visiting traders on the Silk Road, Little Petra is every bit as fascinating as its larger counterpart (just a lot quieter!). Take some time to explore the site with your local leader this afternoon, then settle in at your camp for dinner and stargazing.
Accommodation
  • Permanent Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dana Nature Reserve guided hike
  • Little Petra visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s trek is approximately 11km with 350m elevation gain and will take approximately 5 hours.

This morning after breakfast, start your hike directly from the camp, following a back-trail and leading to Petra. The landscape today is ever changing – sandy plateaus, bedouin campsites, goat herds and stone staircases. Your guided tour culminates at The Monastery, a seriously impressive seven-storey structure with a doorway that's eight metres high. Though less ornate than the Treasury, the sheer scale of this building makes it an amazing sight. Reportedly it was used as a temple by Christians in the Byzantine period. Trace your way back to the camp in early afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day as you please.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra - leader-led tour of Petra
  • Little Petra Backdoor guided hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s trek is approximately 15-17km with 420m elevation gain and will take between 6-8 hours.

Today is sure to be one remember as you spend it discovering the ancient site of Petra. This jewel of Jordan is justifiably on the 'must see' list for many travellers. The lost city of the biblical Nabateans comprises an impressive series of tombs and dwellings hidden behind ornate facades carved directly into rock. Shake off the crowds and spend the day taking on some of the sites secret hiking trails, where if you’re lucky, you won’t see another soul. What you will see, however, is the Tomb of the Obelisks, the High Place of Sacrifice, Lion Monument, Wadi Farasa and lots more. You will be more familiar with the amazing site of Petra, so enjoy some free time to explore around in your own pace this afternoon. Return to your accommodation this evening and put your feet up after a long but oh so rewarding day.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Madras Trail guided hike
  • High Place guided hike
  • Wadi Farasa guided hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s treks are approximately 12km total and will take between 5-6 hours.

After a leisurely morning, journey to Wadi Rum, your base for the next two nights. On arrival, start with a guided tour by 4x4 vehicle with your camp host. You'll see the amazing sights and landscapes of Wadi Rum, such as the famous Seven Pillars of Wisdom, sand dunes and rock bridges. As the sun begins to set, you’ll explore the beautiful lunar-like landscape on foot, taking in several canyons and the Um Fruth Rock Arch before finishing up at your camp for the night. Tonight you’ll stay in a simple desert camp, with the choice of sleeping in a tent or out under the stars. Enjoy a delicious dinner cooked in an earthen oven by your Bedouin hosts. Conditions are basic at the desert camp, but the hospitality of these people is legendary, and the experience of sleeping beneath this desert sky is a memorable one.
Accommodation
  • Desert camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wadi Rum desert jeep excursion
  • Sunset hike including Um Fruth Rock Arch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s trek is approximately 11km with 250m elevation gain and will take approximately 4 hours.

A mattress and blankets are provided tonight. While the desert may be very hot during the day, it will still be cool at night, so warm clothes and a sleeping bag are highly recommended if you're travelling outside of the summer months. Western-style toilet facilities are available.

After waking up in the unique surrounds of the Bedouin camp, enjoy a trek around the area, taking in ancient water collection systems, Thamudic inscriptions and many unique rock formations. You’ll be joined by a local guide and a support vehicle, and there will be stops for tea and lunch. Along the way, you might like to scale one of the large sand dunes for sensational views of the surrounding area. Erosion over the ages has created fantastic gnarled shapes in the landscape. Explore the distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence of the desert. Later, return to camp for another night in the desert camp with your new Bedouin friends.
Accommodation
  • Desert camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Desert guided hike including lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s trek is approximately 17km with an elevation gain of 260m and may take up to 8 hours.

Rise early to catch the first sunrays over Wadi Rum. After breakfast, travel to the small town of Madaba. This town is famous for its Ottoman-style houses and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics, including the famous 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St George's Church. Hundreds of other mosaics from the 5th to the 7th century are scattered throughout Madaba’s churches and homes.  This afternoon, take a short drive to the shores of the Dead Sea for a weightless dip in its famously salty waters, and a chance to watch the sunset in one of the world’s most spectacular locations. Back in Madaba this evening, you may like to gather your travel buddies for a celebratory shisha as this adventure comes to an end.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Madaba visit including St George's Church
  • Dead Sea sunset swim
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This trekking adventure in Jordan comes to an end today. There are no activities planned and you are free to depart the accommodation at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Transport

Jeep, Van

Accommodation

Permanent camp (1 night), Desert camp (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Dana Nature Reserve guided hike
  • Little Petra visit
  • Petra - leader-led tour of Petra
  • Little Petra Backdoor guided hike
  • Madras Trail guided hike
  • High Place guided hike
  • Wadi Farasa guided hike
  • Wadi Rum desert jeep excursion
  • Sunset hike including Um Fruth Rock Arch
  • Desert guided hike including lunch
  • Madaba visit including St George's Church
  • Dead Sea sunset swim

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hiking in Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. You'll need a good level of fitness for this trip.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 5,6 (Desert Camp) and where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Due to local weather conditions we may have need to changes some of the advertised walks. This decision is made by the local authorities and only occurs from time to time, should this occur then a substitute activity will be planned and advised.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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