Jordan Passage to Petra Private Trekking Tour
Dazzling Antiquities, Bedouin Paths & the Dead Sea
- Available: March, April, May, October, November, December
- Activity: Level 4
- Accommodations: Luxury Hotels, Comfortable Hotels, Wilderness Camping, Rustic Lodging
Highlights
- Discover the wonders of Jordan from alluring antiquities to rugged landscapes
- Explore the beautifully preserved Roman city of Jerash and UNESCO-listed Petra - plus float in the Dead Sea
- Enjoy luxury in nature at serene ecolodges and local tradition at stays in Bedouin desert camps
Itinerary
Arrive in Amman
Day 1
Welcome to Jordan! Meet your MT Sobek representative at Queen Alia International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Amman. Explore the city on your own today, depending upon your flight arrival time. Later in the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: InterContinental Amman
Meals: Dinner
Discover Amman
Day 2
Start today at Amman Citadel, an archaeological site situated on one of the seven hills that Amman was built on. Continue your walking tour to Jebel Webdeh, the arts and cultural district, passing art galleries, antiquities, and handicraft shops. On foot, explore the old city, stopping at local restaurants to sample falafel, hummus, and kenafah, an Arab delicacy eaten at times of celebration. Continue through the streets and markets, visiting the Al-Husseini mosque and, time permitting, the Roman amphitheater. Later, experience another side of Jordan with a wine tasting and snacks. Dinner is on your own tonight.Accommodation: InterContinental Amman
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Journey to Jerash & Ajloun
Day 3
Head north to Jerash, regarded as one of the best-preserved and most important Roman cities in the Middle East. Stroll through ancient arches and colonnades, then stop at a nearby village to take lunch at Beit Khayrat Souf, a woman-owned and operated cafe. Afterwards, drive to Ajloun and visit its medieval castle, which commands a breathtaking view of the Jordan Valley. The castle was originally built to ward off Crusader armies from a vital trade crossroads between Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, and Mecca.
Accommodation: InterContinental Amman
Transportation: 3.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Head South to Mount Nebo & Madaba
Day 4
After breakfast, drive south to Mount Nebo and marvel at the view where Moses is said to have looked across to the Promised Land. Continue to Madaba, where you'll discover the town's amazing Byzantine mosaics and the Madaba Map — the oldest preserved mosaic map of the Holy Land. After lunch head to the ancient Crusader castle in Kerak, and explore the maze of stone-vaulted halls and passageways. Arrive at the Dana Nature Reserve overlooking Wadi Dana, and stroll through the old village before settling in for dinner.
Accommodation: Dana Guesthouse
Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike from Dana to Feynan Ecolodge
Day 5
Begin your hike at Dana Guesthouse (4,000') and head west into Dana Valley. The trail drops steeply and then descends gradually through the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Jordan's largest reserve includes four distinct bio-geographical zones supporting an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna. Look for Griffon vultures, hyrax, copper-blue lizards, and, if you're lucky, ibex or desert fox. Finish at the Feynan Ecolodge, where you may join a guided sunset walk to a nearby hilltop for fresh Bedouin tea and stunning views of the sunset over the vast Wadi Araba desert.
Accommodation: Feynan Ecolodge
Activity: 4-5 hours/8.5 miles hiking with 750' elevation gain & 3,750' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike from Wadi Feynan to Furon
Day 6
Start early on a challenging hike to Furon. Walk through the historic landscape around Feynan, where copper has been mined for 3,000 years. As you leave Feynan, see the slag mountains that are the waste product of this ancient industry, plus ruins from the Nabataean and Roman periods. Pass through the entrance to Wadi Ghweir and ascend with great views. This is a steep and challenging section of the route, but extremely rewarding. In the afternoon, reach your camp on a beautiful, open plateau in Furon.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Furon
Activity: 8-9 hours/11.5 miles hiking with 4,460' elevation gain & 1,575' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike from Furon to Ghbour Whedat
Day 7
After breakfast, start your hike past Ras Al-Feid towards Ghbour Whedat. Enjoy amazing views into the wildest and most remote corners of Jordan. Contouring the Sharah Mountains is a succession of Bedouin shepherd trails; on the most secluded sections of the trail, you are walking on less-traveled and harder-to-identify hunters' paths. The sheer peaks of black mountains overlooking the trail and steep precipitous drops of the canyons below make this day absolutely spectacular, with one view outdone by the next.Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Ghbour Whedat
Activity: 7-8 hours/11 miles hiking with 2,450' elevation gain & 3,020' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike from Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra
Day 8
Hiking between Ghbour Whedat and Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) today, pass many sights including Ba'ajah ruins, Nabataean wine and olive presses, water tanks, wells, and Nabataean rock-carved facades. Arrive in Little Petra — a mini, magical version of Petra — and then continue following the timeline markers through history to the remains of a Neolithic village. Tonight have an unforgettable desert experience as you sleep under the stars in an authentic Bedouin camp.
Accommodation: Little Petra Bedouin Camp
Activity: 5-6 hours/8.5 miles hiking with 2,000' elevation gain & 1,850' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike from Little Petra to Ancient Petra
Day 9
Today you'll take an off-the-beaten-track route into Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hike along good trails that go pleasantly down through Wadi Ghurab, amidst sandstone mountains that guard the approaches to Petra. This route follows a Nabataean path out of the valley and skirts around the final mountain on a natural rock terrace that narrows slightly before reaching a hidden plateau high above the impressive chasm of Wadi Siyyagh. Just beyond, carved into the cliff face, the monumental Monastery (aka Ad Deir) comes into view. A series of Nabataean steps leads down into ancient “Rose City” of Petra. Notice the dazzling colors and otherworldly rock formations. The site is massive, and contains hundreds of elaborate rock-cut tombs, theatres, temples, sacrificial altars, colonnaded streets and, most famously, a magnificent treasury.
Accommodation: Petra Marriott Hotel
Activity: 8 hours/9-10 miles hiking with 1,630' elevation gain & 1,700' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Wadi Rum
Day 10
After breakfast, drive to Wadi Rum, a stunning protected desert wilderness. Enjoy a thrilling 4WD adventure, following in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, climbing sand dunes and rock bridges. Discover rock inscriptions and majestic views of mountains, desert landscapes and narrow gorges as you explore valleys, canyons, and dunes. Back at camp, enjoy a delicious Bedouin dinner and a starry night in the desert.
Accommodation: Sun City Camp
Activity: 4-hour jeep tour
Transportation: 2-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea
Day 11
After breakfast in Wadi Rum, drive to the lowest point on earth to float and relax in the Dead Sea. Enjoy the sunshine and views, and perhaps indulge in an invigorating mud bath to cleanse the skin. Savor a festive farewell lunch and say goodbye to your guide. Come evening, gather for a final dinner!Accommodation: Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa
Activity: Float in the Dead Sea
Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Jordan
Day 12
Today bid the group and Jordan farewell, and transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for your homeward-bound flight.
Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
Experiencing Jordan is a great entree to the rest of the Middle East and seeing Petra is a singular experience.
This trip is expertly led by local Jordanian guides-who have been leading groups through the country for many years.
This trip includes 6 days of remote hiking on the Jordan Trail through Bedouin settlements.
Dates & Prices
Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Ayman A.
Ayman grew up in Jordan’s historic capital city, Amman. He studied Tourism and Archaeology at university and then qualified as a licensed guide. Ayman is a passionate person: he loves his country; he loves hiking and exploring the trails, canyons and deserts of Jordan; and he loves sharing Jordan with visitors. He even helped with the scouting and mapping of the Jordan Trai! Ayman has guided thousands of visitors from various nations and backgrounds and cultures. His infectious smile and hospitable personality mean you meet him as a guide, but leave with a new friend.
Nader H.
As a second-generation tour guide, Nader grew up in the tour industry through his father and studied archaeology in school so he could become a guide himself one day. Nader has spent the past 10 years guiding tours in Jordan and enjoys meeting people from all walks of life. Now a father of four, he has learned that life is one big learning experience, and nothing prepares you for that more than youngsters and travel!
Mahmoud A.
Known for his boundless enthusiasm, Mahmoud brings energy and passion to every adventure, and has been a licensed guide since 2017. He has a relentless curiosity for exploration and a deep connection to the outdoors as an avid hiker, cyclist, and rock climber. His love of travel began with international backpacking trips, exposing him to different cultures and landscapes. Now he shares that sense of wonder with travelers to his own country through stories and meaningful experiences that celebrate the beauty of its people and places.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 4. This trip includes hikes up to 11.5 miles on five days with significant ascents and descents and walking for sightseeing on several other days.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 5
4-5 hours/8.5 miles hiking with 750' elevation gain & 3,750' elevation loss
Day 6
8-9 hours/11.5 miles hiking with 4,460' elevation gain & 1,575' elevation loss
Day 7
7-8 hours/11 miles hiking with 2,450' elevation gain & 3,020' elevation loss
Day 8
5-6 hours/8.5 miles hiking with 2,000' elevation gain & 1,850' elevation loss
Day 9
8 hours/9-10 miles hiking with 1,630' elevation gain & 1,700' elevation loss
Day 10
4-hour jeep tour
Day 11
Float in the Dead Sea
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
A perfect blend of luxurious five-star hotels, comfortable hotels with modern amenities, and MT Sobek trail camps.
Dana Guesthouse
The Dana Guesthouse is perched on the edge of Wadi Dana, just steps from the trailhead for your first day's hike. A beautifully styled building, the guesthouse offers breathtaking views of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. There are nine rooms — most with private terraces — and all bathrooms are public. The guesthouse offers traditional Jordanian food and friendly service.
Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa
The Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa boasts a picture-perfect location on the enthralling eponymous sea's sandy shores. The hotel welcomes guests with five-star resort lodging and many amenities. The spacious, stylishly appointed rooms and suites provide wonderful views of the Dead Sea, deluxe bedding, and more. Facilities include multiple dining options, several pools, spa, bar, and beach access with an attendant and supply of nourishing Dead Sea mud.
Feynan Ecolodge
In the heart of the mountainous Dana Biosphere Reserve, Feynan Ecolodge is an award-winning, solar (and at night candle) powered, 26-room accommodation. Beautifully and sustainably designed to fit in with its surroundings, Feynan offers guests authentic Bedouin hospitality amidst stunning natural beauty. Activities include adventuring through the untouched outdoors, sipping tea with native Bedouins, exploring local archaeological sites, or simply unwinding on the serene property.
InterContinental Amman
A well-known landmark in bustling Amman, the five-star InterContinental Jordan Hotel offers cosmopolitan amenities with a Middle Eastern touch, from international cuisine to spa, fitness center, two swimming pools, and excellent views. Guests also enjoy Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Located atop one of the seven hills of Amman, the hotel boasts easy proximity to the city center and historic sites.
MT Sobek Camp-Furon
Our camp in Furon lies on a flat plateau with open space and spectacular mountain views. Like Ghbour Whedat, the spacious tents come with thick pads, blankets, and pillows to maximize comfort. Enjoy fresh food prepared by our Bedouin camping crew and relax in the peaceful landscape.
MT Sobek Camp-Ghbour Whedat
Escape the city in Ghbour Whedat, a dry river valley surrounded by desert vegetation and sheltered by large boulders. Tents come with thick pads, blankets, and pillows to maximize comfort. Our Bedouin camping crew prepares fresh food consisting of traditional local flavors and ingredients.
Petra Marriott Hotel
Overlooking the majestic Petra Valley and its namesake Nabataean city, the Petra Marriott Hotel is a haven for luxury. Start your day with a lavish breakfast buffet of local and traditional favorites at the Dushara Restaurant. After a day of exploration, relax at the spa or indulge in a refreshing cocktail at the bar and lounge. Later, retire to your spacious room, featuring spectacular views and modern amenities, including Wi-Fi. Soak up the old world charm and anticipatory service of this modern oasis in an ancient land.
Little Petra Bedouin Camp
Nestled in the rocks of Little Petra, this camp welcomes guests with traditional Bedouin warmth and hospitality - serving them a cup of Bedouin tea or coffee and some local bread with olive oil and zaatar (spice). The camp is a combination of luxury and authenticity. Each tent has a private bathroom and shower, air conditioning and a panoramic glass wall with curtains. There's also a dining tent and an outdoor seating area around the fire to sit out under the stars and enjoy the glow of lanterns on the rocks and the desert moonlight.
Sun City Camp
Live an out-of-this-world experience in the Sun City Camp, in the rocky orange desert close to where the 2015 movie The Martian was filmed. Each Bedouin-themed tent has a private bathroom with shower, heated mattress, and colorful carpets. Activities include sunset camel rides, hot air balloon rides, and 4WD tours. And dinners of delectable, fresh, local cuisine are cooked underground!
Weather
Temperatures range from lows in the mid-to-high 40's and highs in the low 60's to low 70's. There is a slight possibility of rain.
FAQs
Our MTS representative will meet you on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman.
Yes, visas are required to enter Jordan. MT Sobek will obtain visas on arrival for US and Canadian citizens on their behalf.
There is Wi-Fi everywhere except when camping, but the bandwidth at Feynan is not great, so you might not have strong connectivity.
Because of when we travel in March, April and November, the temperatures during the day are moderate and hiking is comfortable. We also leave early to avoid the heat of the day.
Royal Jordanian Airlines flies nonstop from some US cities to Amman. Other airlines flying to Amman include Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Emirates and Austrian Airlines.
Yes! This trip stays at the award-winning Feynan Ecolodge in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, which supports the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to protect the biodiversity in Jordan's desert.