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Hiking in Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum

Hiking in Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum

From $ 2,795 AUD

Description

Experience the beauty and culture of Jordan on this exhilarating eight-day trekking adventure. Wander the streets of modern Amman, marvel at Little Petra, get off the beaten track around ancient Petra (ticking this Wonder of the World off your bucket list), be dazzled by the famous Treasury building, join the Bedouins for a desert adventure in 4WDs, admire the Byzantine mosaics in Madaba and float in the famously salty Dead Sea. This is Jordan at its active, action-packed best.

Trip Name
Hiking in Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum
Last Updated
2024-08-07
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Visit Little Petra and hike the lesser-known backroad into iconic Petra – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Spend a full 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.
  • See Wadi Rum, a world unto itself. Hop in 4WDs and experience its twisted rock scenery, watching the sunset on a trek through this rugged moonscape.
  • Learn about the Bedouin culture over an earthen oven-cooked feast before sleeping under the stars – these semi-nomadic locals are renowned for their hospitality, so you're in for a treat.
  • Experience the best weightlessness this side of outer space with an effortless float in the super-salty waters of the Dead Sea.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Amman
Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Jordan. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. As there's not much time spent in Amman on this trip, you might like to arrive a day or two early to explore the sights. If you do arrive early, maybe visit the citadel, the Jordan Museum and the Roman Theatre. Perhaps head out to try an ara’yes (a toastie filled with spicy mincemeat) while you're here. After the meeting, why not head out to dinner with your group and get to know each other.
Day 2 - Amman - Dana Nature Reserve - Little Petra
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 km, 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, like 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.
Day 3 - Little Petra / Petra
This morning after breakfast, start your hike directly from the camp, following a back-trail 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 – an impressive seven-storey structure with a doorway that's 8 m 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.
Day 4 - Petra
Today you’ll discover the ancient site of Petra – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 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 is the Tomb of the Obelisks, the High Place of Sacrifice, Lion Monument and Wadi Farasa. After, you have some free time to explore at your own pace.
Day 5 - Wadi Rum
After a leisurely morning, journey to Wadi Rum – your base for the next two nights. When you arrive, start with a guided tour in 4WDs. You'll see the sights and landscapes of Wadi Rum on your drive, like 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.
Day 6 - Wadi Rum
After waking up in the unique surrounds of the Bedouin camp, head out for a trek around the area, seeing the 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. 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.
Day 7 - Madaba - Dead Sea
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.
Day 8 - Madaba
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-03-202522-03-2025AUD $ 2,920-
12-04-202519-04-2025AUD $ 2,995-
19-04-202526-04-2025AUD $ 2,995-
03-05-202510-05-2025AUD $ 3,030-
17-05-202524-05-2025AUD $ 2,795-
07-06-202514-06-2025AUD $ 2,795-
13-09-202520-09-2025AUD $ 2,905-
20-09-202527-09-2025AUD $ 2,970-
27-09-202504-10-2025AUD $ 2,995-
04-10-202511-10-2025AUD $ 2,995-
11-10-202518-10-2025AUD $ 2,995-
18-10-202525-10-2025AUD $ 2,905-
08-11-202515-11-2025AUD $ 2,795-
13-12-202520-12-2025AUD $ 2,795-
07-03-202614-03-2026AUD $ 2,935-
14-03-202621-03-2026AUD $ 2,935-
28-03-202604-04-2026AUD $ 3,050-
04-04-202611-04-2026AUD $ 3,145-
11-04-202618-04-2026AUD $ 3,145-
25-04-202602-05-2026AUD $ 3,145-
09-05-202616-05-2026AUD $ 3,050-
23-05-202630-05-2026AUD $ 2,935-
30-05-202606-06-2026AUD $ 2,935-
05-09-202612-09-2026AUD $ 2,935-
12-09-202619-09-2026AUD $ 3,050-
26-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 3,050-
03-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 3,145-
10-10-202617-10-2026AUD $ 3,145-
24-10-202631-10-2026AUD $ 3,050-
07-11-202614-11-2026AUD $ 2,935-
21-11-202628-11-2026AUD $ 2,935-
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $ 2,935-

Accommodation

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

Transport

Jeep,Van

Map