Guided Dana to Petra Trek

Welcome to Jordan! Fly to Amman’s Queen Alia Airport and make your way to your hotel. If your flight arrives early enough, enjoy some free time to explore Jordan’s capital city. Amman has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, making it one of the world’s oldest cities. As it has grown into a more modern city, it has retained its history and ancient character.

Be ready to leave the hotel at 7:00 AM to begin the 2.5-hour drive to Wadi Dana. Your hike begins in Dana Village (1,200 m / 3,937 ft), following your guide westward into the Dana Valley. Though the trail is initially a very steep descent, it soon levels out and descends more gradually. The Dana Biosphere Reserve is Jordan’s largest, protecting four distinct bio-geographical zones. As you hike, observe the amazing diversity of vegetation and wildlife that call Dana home. Watch specifically for griffin vultures, small mammals called hyrax, and copper-blue lizards sunning themselves on rocks. You may even see signs of desert foxes, ibex, or wolves. Camp for the night in this incredible environment at al Khashasha Valley.

Well rested, you will leave the campsite in the early morning, and head towards Furon. Today‘s hike is challenging but extremely rewarding. You 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.

Today’s hike overlooks some of Jordan’s most remote areas and offers spectacular views. Leave Furon and begin hiking toward Ghbour Whedat. You will pass Ras Al-Feid as you follow the contours of the Sharah Mountains. Borrowing the trails of Bedouin shepherds, look up to the black mountain peaks and down into precipitous canyons. The views are breathtaking all along the way, continuing as you climb to reveal more of the desert that lies below you. When you reach Ghbour Whedat, you’ll find your campsite for the night.

Begin returning to civilization today after the previous day’s hike through remote areas. The closer you come to Little Petra, the more you will notice signs of human habitation, both past and present. You will pass camps belonging to Bedouins, including pens for their sheep and small plots for growing crops. You will also encounter Nabatean ruins, including aqueducts and what are believed to have been presses for wine and olives. Take time to explore Little Petra, which archaeologists believe was like a suburb of Petra. It was probably at stop along the Silk Road, offering housing to traders traveling between Africa and Arabia, Asia, and Europe. Notice the buildings with carved facades that have been carved directly into the sandstone walls of the canyon. Enjoy authentic Bedouin hospitality tonight as you stay in the Seven Wonders camp in Little Petra.

On our last trekking day, we will enter Petra ‘via the Back Door’, avoiding most other tourists. After breakfast, begin the trek to Petra - the “red rose city”. You will approach Petra along a pleasant trail down through Wadi Ghurab where sandstone mountains guard the entrance to the city. Few tourists enter Petra from this direction, so you will easily avoid the crowds. The ancient Nabataean route has been improved for safety, but the path along the natural rock terrace is still narrow. When you reach a hidden plateau, pause to appreciate the view down over Wadi Siyyagh. You will soon be able to see the structure known as “the Monastery” of Petra, carved into the face of the cliff. Refreshments are available from a Bedouin cafe here, then a set of ancient Nabataean steps lead you down into the city of Petra. There will be more opportunities to explore Petra tomorrow, so for now continue through Wadi Muthlim, if weather permits, and on to Wadi Musa to find your hotel for the night in Petra.

Get an early start today to allow time to explore Petra, which is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Enter the city this time through the narrow gorge known as the “Siq”. This passageway is about 1 km long, surrounded by cliffs that are 80 m tall. Marvel at the amazing colors and unique formations of the rocks before suddenly the gorge opens to reveal the incredible structure known as the “Treasury”. Explore this massive World Heritage site, which contains amphitheatres, temples, altars, colonnaded streets, and hundreds of tombs cut into the rock.

After your tour of Petra, the adventure continues in Wadi Rum. Take a Jeep tour of the incredible Wadi Rum, exploring its valleys and canyons. Follow in Lawrence of Arabia’s footsteps as you climb sand dunes, discover inscriptions in the rock, and marvel over the awe-inspiring views. Spend the night in Wadi Rum, once again enjoying the hospitality of a Bedouin camp.

Leave the incredible natural environment of Wadi Rum to experience another of natures wonders: the Dead Sea. Experience floating in the Dead Sea, where the high salt content of the water makes it impossible to sink, or even to swim very well. Here at the lowest point on earth, 415 m below sea level, you can relax in the sun, lather yourself with the famous Dead Sea mud, or indulge in a spa treatment. It is the perfect way to end your tour of Jordan. In the late afternoon, a bus will take you back to Amman in preparation for your departure.

Sadly, your tour has come to an end. Make your way to the Amman Airport for your return flight. It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 4 hours earlier than your flight’s departure time.
Distance: None