Dana to Petra Trek + Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea - 9 Days

Welcome to Jordan! Take some time to arrive, check into your hotel room, and have a first experience of the delightful Jordanian cuisine. Depending on when your flight arrived, you will even have some time to explore Amman by yourself. Amman is Jordan’s capital, and one of the oldest cities in the world. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, the city has grown into a modern city with all that you might expect. Despite this amazing growth, Amman has retained its character and traditions, and the culture of hospitality and generosity is still very present across the city. Overnight: Hotel in Amman

At 7:30 am right after breakfast, the group will be picked up from the hotel in Amman. The drive from Amman to the starting point of the trek takes about 2.5 hours – time to get to know your fellow hikers or to take a nap. Our trekking journey starts with hiking through the diverse landscapes of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. The reserve includes four distinct ecozones thus accommodating an astonishing diversity of plants, birds, and other animals. First, we’ll follow a trail along the mountains overlooking Dana Valley, and then descend into al Khashasha Valley A wilderness campsite awaits us on the outskirts of the valley Overnight: Wilderness Camping in Mansoura Time: 5-7 hrs Hiking Distance: 15 Km Ascent: 260m Descent: 690 m

Well rested, we will leave the campsite in the early morning, and head towards Furon. Today‘s hike is challenging but extremely rewarding We will start ascending through the mountains for approximately an hour before getting a glimpse of the beautiful Sharah Mountains and the wide Wadi Araba Desert. That outstanding view will accompany you all the way to your campsite in Al Furon Enjoy a cup of tea and the great view from the campsite while passing the time until your well-earned dinner. Overnight: Wilderness Camping in Furon Time: 5-7 hrs Hiking Distance: 16 Km Ascent: 563 m Descent: 170 m

Today’s hike leads past Ras Al-Feid and towards Ghbour Whedat, through some of the country’s wildest corners. Contouring the Sharah Mountains, we follow a trail comprised of smaller, connecting Bedouin shepherd paths. The bare peeks of black, rugged mountains overlooking the trail, and the precipitous drops of the canyons below make this part of the trek spectacular. Gradually climbing up the hills, you will uncover more spectacular views over the barren desert below. Then, as you proceed towards the wilderness campsite, the landscape slowly becomes softer, with mushroom-like rock formations lining the way. Overnight: Wilderness Camping in Ghbour Whedat Hiking Distance: 17.1Km Ascent: 750m Descent: 920m

After yesterday’s very remote hike, we will see signs of increasing human habitation while approaching Little Petra today. Passing Bedouin camps, sheep pens, and small agricultural plots you can gain an impression of the living environment of part of Jordan’s population. We will also pass the first Nabataean ruins, including wine and olive presses, aqueducts, and other ancient water infrastructures. Finally, we will climb up through a canyon walled with soft sandstone rocks, and then down a narrow, steep flight of stairs into Little Petra. The site, also known as Siq al-Barid (Engl. the Cold Canyon), is believed by archaeologists to be a ‘suburb’ of Petra and was probably meant to house traders traveling along the Silk Road. After some time to explore, we’ll head on to our home for the night – hot showers are waiting! Overnight: Bedouin Camp near Little Petra Hiking Distance: 14Km Ascent: 610m Descent: 560m

After breakfast it's time to start your hike. Enter Petra via ‘The Back Door’ avoiding most of the tourists. Good tracks go pleasantly down Wadi Ghurab amidst sandstone mountains guarding the approaches to Petra. This way follows a Nabataean route out of the valley and skirting round the final mountain on a natural rock terrace which has been ‘improved’ for the safety of walkers. Even so, it still narrows slightly before reaching a hidden plateau high above the impressive chasm of Wadi Siyyagh. Just beyond, carved into the cliff face, ‘The Monastery’ suddenly comes into view, where there is a Bedouin café for refreshments if you would like. Nabataean steps then lead down into ancient Petra; through which the route goes before exiting past ‘The Treasury’ and though the famous ‘Petra Siq’ to the shops, cafés and hotels of Wadi Musa. Overnight: Hotel in Petra Hiking Distance: 13.8Km Ascent: 496m Descent: 519m

After a relaxed breakfast, we leave the mountains of Petra behind and move on to Wadi Rum. Are you ready for a desert adventure?! We will meet our Bedouin hosts and set out on a 4×4 jeep safari to explore valleys and narrow gorges, discover ancient rock inscriptions, climb sand dunes and rock bridges, and generally enjoy the majestic desert landscape. At each step, you have the opportunity to hike, scramble and explore at your own pace. After viewing one of the most magical sunsets in the world, we’ll return to our camp for, dinner, an experience of the famous Bedouin hospitality, a night under the starlit sky, and – of course – countless cups of tea. Overnight: Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum

Today, we will leave the desert and proceed to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. You can spend some time floating in the salty waters, try out the ‘magical’ Dead Sea mud, relax by the pool, or pamper yourself with some spa treatments – the perfect cure if your legs are still tired and sore from all the hiking. In the late afternoon, we will hop on the bus for the last time, and follow the long, winding road up to Amman – to return to where the adventure began. Overnight: Hotel in Amman

Sadly, all great things must come to an end. For those flying out already, it is generally recommended to leave Amman at least 4 hours prior to your departure. We wish you a safe flight, and hope you will return back home with many wonderful memories of your time in Jordan! End of services.