Jordan Tours

Dana to Petra

One of the most famous treks of Jordan, this classic trek takes you from the mountains to the desert and back to the mountains of Petra, passing through many diverse landscapes.

Hiking tours in Jordan highlight the warm hospitality of the Arabian country which is steeped in culture, history and beauty.

You will notice the importance of retaining this beautiful Bedouin heritage and discover how safe the Middle East is, and how very kind and humble the people truly are, witnessing the warm hospitality throughout the region.

These tours are designed for those who can hike 6 hours minimum a day, some days are tough and you need a high degree of fitness.

10 Days, 9 Nights

Work, save, travel, repeat.

10 days, 9 nights

Day 1. Arrival day

Arrival and transfer to hotel in Madaba.

Day 2. Travel to Dana Village

After breakfast we will have a tour briefing in the morning about the upcoming adventure, before departing for an approximate 3 hour drive to the ancient stone village of Dana, perched on a cliff top overlooking Dana valley and the desert of Wadi Araba.

The village is situated in Dana Biosphere Reserve, a unique reserve home to many species of plants, reptiles, birds and mammals.

You will have some free time to explore this village or relax in the peace and quiet before our hike begins the following morning.

(B,D)

Day 3. Trek Dana to Wadi Araba

After a hearty breakfast we will begin our trek through Dana Nature Reserve to Feynan and Wadi Araba.

This a beautiful trek downhill through the valley – Wadi Dana to the desert.

Look out for some of the 200 breeds of birds to be found in this Biosphere, enjoy the flora and fauna, and most of all take in this spectacular sandstone gorge.

Feynan was second only to Cyprus for copper mining many years ago and there is still evidence of this here.

Wadi Araba valley is magnificent with acacia trees dotted all over, providing welcome shade and has a spLendid back drop of huge black granite mountains,

The day’s trek will last approximately 5 hours with a stop for lunch en route.

We will arrive late afternoon to the camp, where we will spend our first night in the tranquillity of the Wadi Araba desert, and after enjoying a well-deserved feast of traditional Bedouin food, you can relax and enjoy the millions of stars in the desert night sky.

Trek level – Moderate

Approximate Distance covered – 20km

(B,L,D)

Day 4. Ascend Ras el Feid

After a hearty breakfast, we will continue our trail across the desert with its rocky lunar like landscape and a rugged mountain backdrop.

We will ascend towards Ras el Feid using an old donkey trail where the views across the desert are spectacular as we ascend this trail.

After a climb through a steep canyon, we will then descend into Wadi El Feid for a lunch stop and a chance to dip in a pool which sits at the top of a further 14 waterfalls descending back to the desert.

After a well earned rest, we continue through Wadi El Feid to our camp for the night.

Trek Level – Difficult

Approximate distance covered – 16km

(B,L,D)

Day 5. Trek to Ghbor al Weidat

After breakfast we will set off in the journey to our next evening camp in Ghbor al Weidat, skirting the edges of the mountains overlooking Wadi Araba desert.

Ascending Jebel Safaha you will have spectacular views across the desert and of the terrain already walked.

Using old donkey trails, we will continue around the headlands towards Ghbor al Weidat for our camp, where we should get to see a beautiful sunset across Wadi Araba Valley.

Trek Level – Moderate

Approximate distance – 12 km

(B,L,D)

Day 6. Ghbor al Weidat to Little Petra

After breakfast we continue walking towards Little Petra. The rocks change to sandstone, with some spectacular sculptures, and we start to see the beginnings of civilisation with small bedouin camps, and animals grazing.

As we cross the road we head towards El Farsh. You will notice the terrain has changed to rocky outcrops, giving an idea of the terrain of Petra. After a steep descent we will climb into a secret back entrance of Small Petra.

After a well earned rest and tea with the bedouin, we will have a chance to explore this fascinating site – believed to be the waiting posts for the caravans to Petra. It gives an insight into what the site if Petra has to offer with its own rock carvings and tombs.

Jeeps will transfer us to our camp for the night which is a fixed camp, so time to have a shower and freshen up before dinner.

Trek Level – Moderate

Approximate distance covered – 12km

(B,L,D)

Day 7. Little Petra to Petra

After breakfast in the camp, we will set off for our trek across Baida, where many Bedouin still enjoy the rural life, and ascend the ancient steps to the Monastery, the largest monument in Petra.

There are spectacular views out to Wadi Araba desert.

We will spend time relaxing with lunch at this staggering monument before descending to the city centre of ancient Petra.

We can visit the spectacular Royal Tombs, before exiting Petra via Wadi Mithlim and view many further tombs and carvings off the tourist trail , climbing into the Bedouin village of Um Saiyhoun.

The village was built in 1985 to house the Bedouin of Petra who previously lived in the caves inside the site if Petra.

We will then be transferred back to the camp.

Free evening with options to visit Petra by Night if running.

(B,D)

Approximate distance covered – 12km

Trek Level – Moderate

Day 8. Classic tour of Petra

This morning you will have a guided half day tour of Petra, entering the site the classic route down the magnificent Siq, a natural canyon of many colours, that winds down for more than a kilometre ending with the infamous monument of the Treasury.

The guide will explain how the site came to be.

The afternoon is at your leisure to explore more of this vast ancient site, whether you climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice, or just take a tea and relax and enjoy the magnificence of this site.

Optional excursions can be made by donkey to visit Mount Haroun ( site of the burial of Aaron – brother of Moses).

We will be transferred back to the camp late afternoon.

Free evening with option to visit Petra by Night.*

Trek Level – Moderate

Approximate distance covered – minimum 5km

(B,D)

Day 9. Petra to Madaba via Dead Sea

After breakfast we will start our return journey to Madaba. We will stop at the Dead Sea where we will spend around 3 hours to enjoy this unusual experience of floating at the lowest point in the world.

Arrival at the hotel in the late afternoon.

We will have the opportunity to have a farewell dinner together in one of the many good restaurants in this town.

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Day 10. Departure Day

After breakfast ( departure time permitting), there will be an group airport transfer.

Should you wish to stay longer in Jordan, please contact us and we can assist with ideas and options to extend this tour to experience more that Jordan has to offer.

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