Hiking in Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum
Hiking in Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum
Hiking in Jordan: Petra and Wadi Rum
8 Days Starting in Amman, Jordan and ending in Madaba, Jordan
Visiting: Amman, Dana Nature Reserve, Petra, Wadi Rum, Madaba
Tour operator:
Tour code:
EEXA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable hiking adventure through Jordan's breathtaking landscapes, exploring iconic sites like Petra and Wadi Rum. Begin your journey in Amman, then trek through the diverse Dana Nature Reserve, home to a rich array of wildlife. Discover the hidden trails of Little Petra and the awe-inspiring Monastery in Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Experience the surreal beauty of Wadi Rum's desert landscape with a 4WD excursion and a sunset hike, followed by a night under the stars in a Bedouin camp. Conclude your adventure with a visit to Madaba's historic mosaics and a rejuvenating float in the Dead Sea's salty waters. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and natural wonder, promising an enriching experience in the heart of the Middle East.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Amman
Location: Amman
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
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
Location: Dana Nature Reserve
Accommodation: Permanent Camp
Accommodation Name: Permanent Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Little Petra / Petra
Location: Petra
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Petra
Location: Petra
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Wadi Rum
Location: Wadi Rum
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Accommodation Name: Desert Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Wadi Rum
Location: Wadi Rum
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Accommodation Name: Desert Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Madaba - Dead Sea
Location: Madaba
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Madaba
Location: Madaba
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.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Permanent camp (1 night), Desert Camp (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights) -
Meals
7 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 3 dinners -
Dana Nature Reserve guided hike
Enjoy a guided hike through the Dana Nature Reserve, exploring its diverse landscapes and wildlife.
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Little Petra visit
Visit Little Petra, an archaeological site with historical significance.
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Petra - Leader-led tour of Petra
Experience a leader-led tour of Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
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Little Petra Backdoor guided hike
Participate in a guided hike through the backdoor trail of Little Petra.
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Madras Trail guided hike
Take a guided hike along the Madras Trail, exploring Petra's hidden paths.
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High Place guided hike
Embark on a guided hike to the High Place of Sacrifice in Petra.
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Wadi Farasa guided hike
Join a guided hike through Wadi Farasa, discovering Petra's secret trails.
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Wadi Rum desert jeep excursion
Experience a jeep excursion through the stunning landscapes of Wadi Rum.
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Sunset hike including Um Fruth Rock Arch
Enjoy a sunset hike that includes a visit to the Um Fruth Rock Arch in Wadi Rum.
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Desert guided hike including lunch
Participate in a guided desert hike with a lunch stop in Wadi Rum.
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Any personal expenses incurred during the trip are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Optional activities
Any optional activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.
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International flights
International flights to and from Jordan are not included.
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Visa fees
Visa fees for entry into Jordan are not included.
Transport
Jeep , Van
Accommodation
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATIONThe style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.ACCOMMODATION STYLESome of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, three and four-star accommodation in the Middle East (with the exception of Israel) is often not equal to same-star facilities in some western destinations. Rooms are clean and comfortable, however, you may note some small maintenance issues that have been overlooked, please assist us by bringing these to the attention of your group leader or local representative so that we can follow up with our hosts. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. Breakfast is included in 95% or our hotels, pleaser refer to our daily itinerary for meal inclusions.TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASISAccommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi-share basis.CHECK-IN TIMEThroughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. Standard check-in time is 1400 hours.PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATIONIf you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.SHOWERSShowers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water.HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONINGAs a desert region, this part of the world has extremes of weather. Winter months (approx December to March) can be very cold. All of our hotel accommodation contains suitable bedding, and simple light bedding is provided during camping activities such as an overnight felucca, desert camps or at the Red Sea Beach camp stay. Most of our travellers find the bedding provided here adequate, but for your own comfort and if you are particularly sensitive to the cold, consider bringing your own sleeping bag, thermals, scarf, gloves and a warm jacket. Some of our guesthouses/hotels don't supply heating. In many cases, this would be a major financial and environmental strain on our hotels and the local towns. Summer (approx June to August) can be very hot everywhere we travel, which means that it can be quite uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Not all our hotels have air-conditioning, and in those that do, it's not always functioning.ROOM ISSUESIf you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your group leader or local representative right away so that the problem can be addressed without delay.
Important Information
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) 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.4. Travellers only have to carry their essential items in a small backpack when hiking, while the main luggage will be transferred.
Mode of Transport
Transportation for this tour includes travel by Jeep and van, providing a comfortable and efficient way to explore the diverse landscapes of Jordan, from the bustling city of Amman to the serene desert of Wadi Rum.
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of basic or simple three and four-star hotels, with some nights spent in desert camps. Rooms are clean and comfortable, though some may have minor maintenance issues. Twin or multi-share basis is standard, with breakfast included in most hotels.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife might I see during the hike in Dana Nature Reserve?
During the hike in Dana Nature Reserve, you might see a variety of wildlife including falcons, chameleons, foxes, porcupines, and more than 700 species of plants.
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What is the accommodation like during the tour?
The accommodation varies throughout the tour, including stays in hotels and desert camps. Some accommodations are basic or simple, and while they are clean and comfortable, they may not match the same-star facilities in some western destinations. In the desert camp, you have the option to sleep in a tent or under the stars.
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What should I expect during the visit to Wadi Rum?
In Wadi Rum, you will experience a guided tour in 4WDs to see the sights and landscapes, including the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, sand dunes, and rock bridges. You will also have the opportunity to explore the area on foot, including a sunset hike to the Um Fruth Rock Arch, and enjoy a dinner cooked by your Bedouin hosts.
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Will I need to carry my luggage during the hikes?
No, you will only need to carry essential items in a small backpack during the hikes, as the main luggage will be transferred for you.
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What is the experience like at the Dead Sea?
At the Dead Sea, you will have the chance to take a weightless dip in its famously salty waters and watch the sunset in one of the world's most spectacular locations.
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Are there any cultural experiences included in the tour?
Yes, you will learn about Bedouin culture over an earthen oven-cooked feast and have the opportunity to sleep under the stars in a desert camp. Additionally, you will visit Madaba, known for its Ottoman-style houses and Byzantine-era mosaics, including the famous mosaic map at St George's Church.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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