Hike the Jordan Trail From Dana to Petra - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Amman, Half-Day City Tour, Transfer to Dana

Welcome to the vibrant capital of Jordan, Amman! Meet your driver outside the airport and hit the ground running with a private half-day city tour, starting at the Amman Citadel perched atop Jabal al-Qal'a. Enjoy panoramic views of the city below, then wander through the site to see the remains of iconic structures, like the Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace, and a Byzantine church. Wrap up your visit at the on-site Jordan Archaeological Museum, where you can learn about the country's rich history. Continue to the Roman Theatre of Amman, which dates back to the second century CE.

From there, you'll delve into some of the souks in the downtown core to peruse the fresh produce and traditional handicrafts. Then, end the tour at the King Abdullah I Mosque, recognizable by its grand blue dome. Step inside to discover the vast prayer hall and Islamic Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts, manuscripts, and personal effects of the late king. After the three-hour tour, trade the bustling capital for the quaint village of Dana, home to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, as you set off on a three-hour transfer south.

Day 2: Hike from Dana to Feynan Ecolodge (Day 1)

Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to start your five-day hike along a portion of the 419-mile (675 km) Jordan Trail, which starts in Um Qais in the north and ends in Aqaba in the south. Today's 8.5-mile (13 km) trek starts in the cool, verdant heights of Dana. Follow your private guide down through the diverse ecosystems of the Dana Biosphere Reserve and watch as the scenery shifts dramatically from lush, green highlands to rugged rocky terrain as you make your way to the Wadi Feynan region.

Along the way, you'll encounter a rich array of flora and fauna, including rare and endemic species such as gazelles, ibex, desert foxes, and a variety of birdlife. The trail also offers insights into the area's ancient history, with archaeological sites and Bedouin encampments dotting the landscape. After five to seven hours, you'll arrive at the Feynan Ecolodge, where you can rest and enjoy a delicious vegetarian dinner. 

Day 3: Hike from Wadi Feynan to Ras al-Feid (Day 2)

After a nourishing breakfast, return to the trail for an 11-mile (17 km) trek to the remote Ras al-Feid. This segment of the trail showcases the raw beauty of the desert landscape with its sweeping vistas and towering cliffs. It also takes you past mines built by ancient peoples who inhabited this region, like the Nabateans and Edomites, to extract and process copper ore. Mining reached its peak under the Romans as they used their engineering prowess to enhance the productivity of existing mines, but in the process, many enslaved people died. 

As you get closer to Ras al-Feid, you'll cross over dry river beds and vast open plains surrounded by the tranquil silence of the desert. After four to six hours, you'll reach a cozy camp already set up for you. Enjoy dinner around the campfire, and don't forget to look up at the sky full of stars uninterrupted by city lights before retiring to your tent for some much-deserved rest. 

Day 4: Hike from Ras al-Feid to Ghbour Whedat (Day 3)

Stretch your legs and get ready for a 10.6-mile (17 km) hike to Ghbour Whedat, nestled amid towering sandstone cliffs and expansive desert plains. Leave the tranquility of Ras al-Feid behind as you traverse the ever-changing desert scenery, with vibrant hues of red and orange painting the rock formations. Amid the rugged terrain, resilient desert vegetation, such as acacia trees and hardy shrubs, cling to life, offering a splash of green in the arid surroundings.

Follow the contours of the Sharah Mountains along Bedouin shepherd paths. Along the way, you may encounter remnants of ancient civilizations that once thrived here. Keep a close eye on the rock surfaces to try and spot ancient petroglyphs. As you approach Ghbour Whedat, you'll gradually climb the surrounding hills for panoramic views of the vast desert below. After four to six hours, you'll arrive at tonight's campsite. 

Day 5: Hike from Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra (Day 4)

After spending three days hiking through remote areas, you'll start to see signs of civilization on today's 8.7-mile (14 km) trek, such as Bedouin camps, sheep pens, and small agricultural plots. You'll also pass Nabataean ruins, including wine and olive presses, aqueducts, cisterns, and reservoirs. After six to eight hours, the landscape will transition to rocky outcrops and undulating hills as you approach Little Petra, believed by archaeologists to be a suburb of Petra where traders traveling along the Silk Road would stay. When you arrive, settle into your Bedouin camp for the night. 

Day 6: Back Door Hike to Petra's Monastery (Day 5), Petra by Night

Rest your legs this morning on a short transfer to the starting point of a "back door" trail to Petra's iconic Monastery. Follow your guide down the trail, winding through rocky canyons, hidden valleys, and ancient Nabataean ruins. As you make your way up the cliff, you'll get glimpses of the surrounding wilderness and red sandstone rock formations. You may also spot rock-cut tombs and ancient inscriptions, so keep your eyes peeled. After two hours and about 5 miles (8 km), you should arrive at the Monastery, where you'll part ways with your guide to explore the area on your own.

Look up at the Monastery's imposing facade—towering over 147 feet (45 m), it's the tallest structure in the UNESCO-listed city. Step inside to discover the chambers and expansive halls, offering glimpses into the daily life and religious practices of the Nabataeans. When you're ready, descend the 850 steps that lead down to the main section of the archaeological site and make your way to one of the on-site cafés to rest and grab a bite to eat. Stay until darkness falls to watch the glow of thousands of flickering candles illuminate the ruins.

Day 7: Self-Guided Tour of Petra

Today, you're free to explore more of Petra at your own pace. Pass through the Siq, a narrow canyon flanked by towering cliffs, to enter the UNESCO-listed archaeological site, where you'll be greeted by the iconic Treasury. Admire the impressive facade carved into the red sandstone cliffs over two millenniums ago by the Nabataeans, then wander through the complex, revealing rock-cut tombs, temples, and dwellings. Stop at the Royal Tombs for a glimpse into the craftsmanship and artistic ingenuity of the Nabataean civilization.

Stroll down Colonnaded Street to the Great Temple, where you'll be greeted by towering columns, imposing facades, and intricate carvings that hint at the sacred space's original grandeur and scale. Step inside to reveal a series of courtyards, chambers, and ritual spaces where worshippers once gathered to honor their gods and goddesses. On your way back to the site's entrance, stop at a café for a drink or shop for souvenirs at one of the Bedouin stalls before returning to your hotel. 

Day 8: Transfer to Wadi Rum, Jeep Safari, Stargazing Tour

Say goodbye to Little Petra this morning as you set off on a three-hour transfer to Wadi Rum, an expanse of desert often called the "Valley of the Moon." When you arrive, jump in a Jeep and explore the desert in style, looking out at the towering sandstone mountains, expansive red sand dunes, and dramatic rock formations that have been sculpted by wind and erosion. You may spot landmarks like the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, striking rock formations named after T.E. Lawrence's famous book of the same name, or Khazali Canyon.

Take a 30-minute break in Siq Um al-Tawaqi to see the ancient petroglyphs of humans, animals, and early Nabataean writings adorning the canyon walls before discovering more of Wadi Rum's highlights. After the three-hour tour, head to a Bedouin camp to stay with a local family and learn about their way of life. Learn how they make bread and milk their animals, then listen to the family's stories about their rich heritage while sipping Arabic coffee or Bedouin tea. Sit down for lunch in the middle of the desert with your hosts as you share more stories. 

As darkness starts to fall, you'll set off on a stargazing tour, starting with a 20-minute presentation about the solar system. As the presentation comes to a close, step out into the real world and look up at the night sky to find your guide's green laser pointing out constellations and planets. After looking at the sky with your naked eye, use one of the telescopes to get a closer look. While you're waiting for your turn, your guide will teach you how to read the stars and use them to navigate. After the 90-minute tour, return to your camp to relax.

Day 9: Camel Ride, Transfer to Amman, Depart

Although your nine-day active adventure in Jordan is coming to an end today, you have some time for a camel ride across the desert, echoing the Bedouins' traditional mode of travel. Mount your camel and traverse the rugged terrain, looking out at the sweeping dunes and towering sandstone mountains. Along the way, learn more about camels and how they've fit into Bedouin culture for centuries. After the one-hour camel ride, return to camp to grab your bags and meet your driver for a four-hour transfer back to Amman for your flight home. Safe travels!

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