Hike the Jordan Trail From Dana to Petra - 15 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Amman, Guided City Tour

Welcome to Amman! Meet your driver outside the airport and hit the ground running with a private half-day city tour of Jordan's capital. You'll start 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.

Then, delve into some of the souks in the downtown core to peruse the fresh produce and traditional handicrafts, and 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 tour, transfer back to your hotel or continue exploring on your own in Jabal al-Weibdeh, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. Wander down the narrow streets lined with colorful murals and historic buildings in search of a restaurant for dinner.

Day 2: Transfer to Ajloun via Jerash, Explore Ajloun Castle

After a restful night in Amman, set off on a 1.5-hour transfer north to the city of Ajloun in Jordan's fertile highlands. On the way, stop at Jerash, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Enter the ancient city, often called the "Pompeii of the East," through the still-standing South Gate and marvel at the remnants of towering columns, theaters, and temples. Don't miss the colossal Oval Plaza, surrounded by 56 columns, and the Nymphaeum, an ornate public fountain in the heart of the city dedicated to water nymphs. 

Back in the car, head to the 12th-century Ajloun Castle, built to defend the city against Crusader incursions. Step inside and look up at the vaulted ceilings, labyrinth of corridors, and intricate architectural details. Wander through the castle's chambers, from ancient kitchens and storage closets to soldiers' quarters and prayer rooms. Then, climb the winding staircase to the rooftop terrace to enjoy panoramic views of the Jordan Valley and shimmering Dead Sea. When you're done exploring the castle, head to your hotel to check in and relax.

Day 3: Hike in the Ajloun Forest Reserve, Transfer to Dana

Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails in the Ajloun Forest Reserve. Your private guide will tailor the tour to your group's interest and skill level, but you're sure to see verdant valleys, babbling brooks, and ancient olive groves. Stop at panoramic viewpoints along the way for sweeping vistas of the forest canopy punctuated by evergreen oak, pistachio, and carob trees. You may also spot wildlife like foxes and wild boar, so keep your eyes peeled. After the hike, meet your driver for a four-hour drive south to the charming village of Dana, nestled in the rugged mountains of the protected Dana Biosphere Reserve.

Day 4: Spend the Day With the Local People of Dana

Learn more about Jordan's rich culture by spending the day with the local people of Dana, who were originally from the Ata'ta tribe. Meet your guide from the Dana Cooperative, a community-based organization with over 100 Bedouin families that aims to preserve the community's distinctive qualities and support sustainable development. Then, wander through the narrow, winding streets lined with stone houses to meet some of the residents and learn about the area's diverse flora and fauna.

Watch the villagers go about their day-to-day lives and partake in traditional activities such as basket weaving, farming, tending to livestock, or cooking. Sit down for lunch with a local family and learn more about their history and customs. When you're done eating, enjoy a leisurely walk in the terraced gardens and orchards around the village to gain insight into agricultural practices that have sustained the community for years. After spending the day with Dana's residents, thank them for their time and return to your hotel to relax for the evening.

Day 5: Hike from Dana to Feynan Ecolodge

After a nourishing breakfast, it's time to start your five-day hike along a portion of the 419-mile (675 km) Jordan Trail, which starts in Umm 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 6: Hike from Wadi Feynan to Ras al-Feid

Stretch your legs, grab breakfast, and 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 7: Hike from Ras al-Feid to Ghbour Whedat

Day three of the hike takes you 10.6 miles (17 km) 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 8: Hike from Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra

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 9: Back Door Hike to Petra's Monastery, Petra by Night Experience

The final leg of your five-day hike starts with 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. 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 10: Self-Guided Tour of Petra

Enjoy a free day 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 11: Transfer to Wadi Rum, Jeep Safari, Stargazing Tour

Trade Petra's rock-cut architecture for the lunar-like landscape of Wadi Rum, an expanse of desert often called the "Valley of the Moon." After the three-hour transfer, 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 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 12: Camel Ride in Wadi Rum, Transfer to Madaba, Guided City Tour

Before you leave Wadi Rum behind, set off on 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 north to Madaba, known as the "City of Mosaics" because of its rich collection of Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics.

When you arrive, meet your guide for a tour of the city, starting at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, home to the oldest known cartographic representation of the Holy Land, the Madaba Map. Admire the mosaic, featuring over two million pieces of colored stone, before continuing to the Madaba Archaeological Park to marvel at more mosaics that once adorned grand Byzantine-era buildings. Then, transfer 15 minutes to Mount Nebo, believed to be where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death, for panoramic views of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.

Day 13: Cycle or Hike from Mount Nebo to Mukawir, Relax in Ma'in Hot Springs

Your last active adventure on this trip is a 20-mile (33 km) bicycle ride through the countryside. If you don't want to cycle, you can hike a portion of the trail instead so you can still enjoy the scenic views. Start with a transfer to Mount Nebo's parking lot, where you can mount your bicycle and hit the trails, pedaling through rolling hills and ancient olive groves. The trail takes you to the charming villages of Al-Fayhaa and Ma'in, where you can stop to stretch your legs and meet a local family for lunch. 

Once you're refueled and back on the bike, follow the path along the shimmering Dead Sea until you reach your final destination, the Fortress of Machaerus in Mukawir. Dismount and look up at the ancient fortress, believed to be where John the Baptist met his tragic end at the hands of King Herod Antipas. Then, spend the rest of the day relaxing in Ma'in Hot Springs, nestled amid dramatic cliffs and verdant valleys. Immerse yourself in the warm, mineral-rich waters and feel your fatigue melt away before checking into your new hotel in Ma'in.

Day 14: Transfer to the Dead Sea, Enjoy a Free Day

Start your penultimate day in Jordan with a short transfer to the Dead Sea, where you'll have the remainder of the day free to experience the world's saltiest body of water. The sea's high concentration of salts and minerals, including magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium chloride, creates a dense and buoyant water environment, making you float to the surface. Spend a few hours relaxing in the water and indulging in a full-body mud mask before sitting on the shore to watch the sunset over the water. When darkness starts to fall, head to your hotel to check in.

Day 15: Transfer to Amman, Depart

Before your 15-day active adventure comes to an end today, go for one last dip in the Dead Sea and soak up the mineral-rich waters. Then, you can dry off, grab your bags, and meet your driver for a 1-2-hour transfer back to the airport in Amman. Try to snag a window seat so you can catch glimpses of local life and the region's agricultural heritage as you pass through small villages and fertile valleys. When you arrive, head inside to catch your flight home. Safe travels!