JORDAN
Jordan & Petra Trek
8 days
ITINERARY
5 days
TREKKING
85km
DISTANCE
£2,195
PRICE FROM
Trek the Dana Valley to Petra
On this 8-day adventure, we will hike for 5 days through the vast desert landscape of Jordan. On each day of this challenge, we will pass gorges and ridgelines before settling into our Bedouin Camp each night beneath the stars. The trek will take us from desert wilderness right to the incredible sites of Little Petra and Petra, with their incredible carved sandstone temples and relics.
Exploring these breath-taking sights will mark an incredible end to our trek, although we will still have more to see on this Jordanian exploration. After the trek, we will head to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth at minus 430 meters, for a rejuvenating mud bath or a relaxing float in its salty waters! This is an adventure you will never forget!
Day 1
- ARRIVE JORDAN
- Dinner
Upon arrival in Queen Alia Airport-Madaba, we will be greeted by one of our representatives who will assist everyone with visa formalities. The driver will then take us directly to our hotel in Madaba. The ride takes about 30 minutes from the airport to the hotel. Once we are all checked into the hotel, we will have a briefing from our Action Challenge Leader and local head guide who will be leading us on the challenge. In the evening, we will enjoy a welcome meal together.
Day 2
- MADABA-MANSOURA
- Camp
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 5-7 hrs
- 15km
The trek will commence with a hike through the diverse landscapes of the Dana Biosphere Reserve.
In the afternoon, we will stop for lunch, whilst admiring the breath-taking scenery. The reserve contains four distinct ecozones, allowing for an incredibly diverse array of plants, birds, and other animals. We will initially be hiking along the mountains that overlook Dana Valley before descending into al Khashasha Valley.
After another challenging yet rewarding couple of hours, we will reach our wilderness camp in Mansoura. This is where we will be settling down for the evening and enjoying some well-deserved dinner and rest.
Day 3
- MANSOURA-AL FURON
- Camp
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 4+ hrs
- 8km
We ascend through the mountains for about an hour, before seeing the stunning Sharah Mountains and the vast Wadi Araba Desert.
As we continue into the afternoon, we will be able to admire the stunningly breath-taking views and seize the perfect opportunity to take some photos. As the evening approaches, we will arrive at our accommodation for the evening at a Al Furon campsite. The evening will conclude with a group dinner and an early night.
Day 4
- FURON-GHBOUR WHEDAT
- Camp
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 5-7 hrs
- 17km
We initially follow a trail that contours the Sharah Mountains, made up of smaller, connecting Bedouin shepherd paths. The bare peaks of black, rugged mountains overlooking the trail, and the precipitous drops of the canyons below, make this section particularly spectacular. As we climb, we will see and admire more jaw-dropping views of the barren desert below.
In the afternoon, the landscape will soften as we approach our wilderness campsite in Ghbour Whedat. Keep an eye out for the fascinating mushroom-like rock formations lining the path. Once settled into our camp for the night, we will enjoy a wholesome group dinner before getting some well-earned rest.
Day 5
- GHBOUR WHEDAT-LITTLE PETRA
- Camp
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 5-7 hrs
- 14km
Today, we will observe a drastic change of scenery. Following yesterday’s remote hike, we will see signs of increased human habitation as we approach Little Petra. Passing through Bedouin camps, sheep pens, and small agricultural plots, we will gain insight into how a portion of Jordan’s population lives. We’ll also see the first Nabataean ruins, including wine and olive presses, aqueducts, and other ancient water infrastructure. At midday, we will take a rest break and enjoy lunch before continuing our hike into the afternoon.
Finally, we will ascend through a canyon walled with soft sandstone rocks before descending a narrow, steep flight of stairs into Little Petra. Archaeologists believe the site, also known as Siq al-Barid (the Cold Canyon), was a suburb of Petra and likely housed traders traveling along the Silk Road. We’ll explore before heading back to our camp for the night, where we can enjoy a warming meal and get some rest before another adventurous day tomorrow.
Day 6
- LITTLE PETRA-PETRA
- Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- 5-7 hrs
- 14-16km
We will be driven to the start of a beautiful hiking trail that will take us through Petra’s back door to the monastery. A beautiful location, drenched in history!
We will then stop for some lunch in a local restaurant before we go our separate ways for the afternoon. From here, we can then enjoy free time to explore. There are so many exciting places to visit, including walking to the Tombs of the Kings, past Qasr al Bint, and climbing the viewpoint opposite the Treasury. We will then re-group for the evening and head back to our hotel accommodation for the evening. The night will conclude with an optional dinner at a local restaurant, before we all get some much needed rest
Day 7
- PETRA-DEAD SEA
- Hotel
- Breakfast
We will visit the Greek Orthodox Basilica of Saint George in Madaba, which depicts Jerusalem and the holy land. The church’s walls are adorned with mosaics that enhance their aesthetic appeal. Although many mosaics have been lost over time, enough remain to appreciate their complexity. We will visit some lovely locations with plenty of lunch options.
Next, we’ll drive to Mount Nebo, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the place where Moses viewed the promised land. The hilltop offers a panoramic view of the city, the Jordan River, Jerusalem’s hills, and the Dead Sea. Finally, we will drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, known for its spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes. We will have the opportunity to float in the water and cover ourselves with therapeutic mud, said to have healing qualities.
As evening approaches, we will return to our hotel for dinner and our final night in Jordan.
Day 8
- DEAD SEA–QUEEN ALIA AIRPORT
- Breakfast
This morning we visit Amman’s citadel, located on a “mountain” in central Amman. This first stop, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places, will give you a glimpse of the capital before heading to Amman’s downtown. Locals call it “Al-Balad”, where you’ll see various markets and souks, perfect for picking up souvenirs. There will also be a variety of restaurants and cafes for lunch.
The tour will conclude with a visit to the Roman Theatre, an extremely famous Jordanian landmark with 6000 seats, steeped in history. This will mark the end of our incredible trip. After emotional goodbyes and thanking our team leader, we will transfer to Queen Alia Airport. There will be options to purchase fast food and snacks at the airport before boarding the flight.
