Dana to Petra Trek + Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea – 9 Days

Jordan saves its best surprises for people willing to walk. This nine-day journey from Dana to Petra crosses rugged canyons, high mountain paths, sandstone country, and remote desert before adding Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. You enter Petra by a quieter Nabataean route, not through the usual Siq with its large crowds.

I like the careful mix of adventure and comfort. You get several days of real trekking, but your luggage moves by pickup truck, meals are arranged, and the trip ends with a float in the Dead Sea. I also like the small group, limited to 14 people, and the strong guide support reported from leaders such as Motaz Zghoul and Mutaz Jarrar.

The tradeoff is simple: this is not a gentle sightseeing holiday. The longest hiking days reach 17.1 kilometers, with steep ascents and descents over rough ground. You need strong fitness, comfort with wilderness camping, and a willingness to accept that some details, including accommodation, may vary by departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Four demanding days on foot: The Dana to Petra section covers varied Bedouin trails, with daily distances of roughly 15 to 17 kilometers before the Petra day.
• A quieter way into Petra: The route approaches the Monastery from Wadi Ghurab and avoids the main tourist entrance for much of the way.
• Small-group support: The maximum group size is 14, with an English-speaking licensed guide and a local hiking guide with a donkey on days two through four.
• Real wilderness camping: Nights at Mansoura, Furon, and Ghbour Whedat place you close to the desert scenery, but facilities are more basic than at a hotel.
• More than a trek: Little Petra, a Wadi Rum jeep safari, and time at the Dead Sea give the trip a broad sweep through Jordan.
• A bundled price with exclusions: At $1,595 per person, the package covers eight nights, meals, transport, luggage transfers, and guides, but not the Jordan Pass, visa, entrance fees, insurance, or airfare.

Why the Dana to Petra route is the heart of the trip

The main attraction is not simply arriving at Petra. It is seeing how Jordan changes under your feet. Dana Nature Reserve contains four ecological zones, and the route moves through mountain ridges, dry valleys, black rock, sandstone, and open desert. You get a far stronger sense of the country’s scale than you would from a series of roadside stops.

This is also a route shaped by local movement. The trails include old Bedouin paths and shepherd tracks, some of them narrow and rough. That makes the walk feel less manufactured, but it also means you should not expect a smooth, marked path throughout. A local guide is especially useful here, both for route-finding and for judging the safest way across uneven ground.

The distances look manageable on paper, yet the elevation changes matter. Day two includes a 690-meter descent. Day three climbs 563 meters. Day four combines a 750-meter ascent with a 920-meter descent. Those figures can be more tiring than the raw mileage, particularly in warm weather or under a full day of sun.

The support system helps. Your main luggage is transferred by pickup truck, so you carry only what you need while walking. A local hiking guide and donkey are included for safety measures on the first three trekking days. That does not turn the trip into an easy walk, but it gives the group practical backup in remote country.

Amman arrival: a useful soft start

Day one begins in downtown Amman, known locally as Al Balad. The plan is deliberately light. You check into your hotel, settle in, and eat your first Jordanian meal. If your flight arrives early enough, you have time to explore on your own.

That first evening matters because the next morning starts early. Amman is an old city with a modern rhythm, and a short independent wander gives you a first look at Jordan without filling your legs before the trek. Keep this evening relaxed. The group pickup is listed around 7:30 a.m. after breakfast, while the general meeting time is listed as 7 a.m., so confirm the exact departure time before setting your alarm.

The drive to Dana takes about two and a half hours. This is useful transition time, not dead time. You can meet the group, rest, and shift from city travel to mountain walking.

Day two: Dana to Mansoura through changing country

The first hike begins along the mountains above Dana Valley. The route then drops into Al Khashasha Valley and finishes near the Mansoura wilderness campsite. The stated figures are 15 kilometers, five to seven hours, a 260-meter ascent, and a 690-meter descent.

This opening day gives you a clear taste of the route’s character. You start with broad views from the mountain side, then move downward into a more enclosed valley setting. The Dana reserve is valued for its variety of plants, birds, and animals, though wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

The descent deserves respect. Downhill walking can be hard on knees and thighs, especially when the surface is loose or rocky. Trekking poles would be useful, but hiking gear is not included, so bring your own if you rely on them.

Mansoura is a wilderness camp rather than a hotel. You should expect the rewards of quiet and open skies, along with simpler facilities. Dinner is included, and the schedule gives you time to rest after the first long day.

Day three: the climb to Furon

The route leaves camp early and climbs toward Furon. The ascent lasts about an hour before the Sharah Mountains and the wide Wadi Araba Desert come into view. From there, the route continues toward camp.

This is a more uphill day than the first, with 16 kilometers of walking, five to seven hours on the trail, 563 meters of ascent, and 170 meters of descent. The reward is the change in viewpoint. Instead of looking down into the Dana valleys, you gain broad views toward the mountains and desert.

Furon is the kind of place where the campsite itself becomes part of the experience. A cup of tea and a view from camp are built into the day’s rhythm. Jordanian hospitality often appears in these small pauses, not just in formal sightseeing.

Still, do not underestimate the climb. Your body is only beginning to adjust to several consecutive days of walking. Pack blister care, sun protection, and enough personal water for the day, following the guide’s instructions.

Day four: the wildest and toughest walking

Day four runs past Ras Al-Feid toward Ghbour Whedat. You follow smaller connecting shepherd paths while contouring the Sharah Mountains. The route passes dark, rugged peaks, steep canyon edges, and increasingly open views across the desert.

At 17.1 kilometers, this is the longest stated hiking day. It also has the biggest combined elevation change: 750 meters up and 920 meters down. The five to seven hour estimate can vary with group pace, trail conditions, breaks, and weather.

The scenery changes again as you approach camp. Hard mountain forms give way to softer ground and mushroom-shaped rock formations. This variety is one of the strongest reasons to choose the trek instead of visiting Petra alone. You are not merely walking toward a monument. You are watching the geology change over several days.

Remote walking brings limits. Mobile coverage, toilets, shade, and other basic services should not be assumed unless the operator confirms them. The included local guide and donkey are reassuring, but you still need to be self-sufficient with personal essentials during each day.

Day five: Bedouin life, ancient water systems, and Little Petra

After the most remote section, the route approaches areas with more signs of daily life. You pass Bedouin camps, sheep pens, and small agricultural plots before reaching the Little Petra area, also called Siq al-Barid, or the Cold Canyon.

This section adds human context to the scenery. You can see how present-day communities use the land, then encounter older Nabataean remains, including wine and olive presses, aqueducts, and water infrastructure. These fragments help explain why settlements could survive in such dry country.

The approach to Little Petra is dramatic. The route climbs through a canyon of soft sandstone and then descends a narrow, steep stairway into the site. The entry is more physical than a simple bus stop, so tired legs may notice it.

Little Petra is often treated as a quick add-on, but it deserves attention. Archaeologists believe it functioned as a suburb or support settlement for Petra. Its carved spaces and water systems give you a smaller-scale introduction to Nabataean engineering before the grander reveal the next day.

Day six: entering Petra by the back door

This is the trip’s signature day. After breakfast, you walk through Wadi Ghurab among sandstone mountains. The route follows an old Nabataean approach, skirting the final mountain on a natural rock terrace that has been improved for walking safety.

The path narrows before reaching a plateau high above Wadi Siyyagh. Then the Monastery comes into view from an unexpected angle. A Bedouin café near the Monastery offers a chance for refreshments, and Nabataean steps lead onward into Petra.

The major advantage is the approach. Instead of beginning among the main entrance traffic, you arrive at one of Petra’s most imposing monuments from a quieter route. You still need to manage uneven ground and steps, and the day remains a serious hike rather than a relaxed archaeological visit.

The precise walking time and distance for this day are not provided, so ask for the current estimate before departure. The route is described as about 12 hours in the daily schedule, which may include transport, sightseeing, or the full day’s activities rather than continuous walking. Plan for a long day and wear shoes with reliable grip.

Day seven: Wadi Rum by jeep and on foot

After leaving Petra’s mountains, you meet Bedouin hosts in Wadi Rum. A four-wheel-drive safari takes you through valleys and narrow gorges, past ancient rock inscriptions, sand dunes, and rock bridges.

You are not confined to the jeep. The day allows time to hike, scramble, and explore at your own pace, within the group’s schedule and guide instructions. This creates a welcome change after the structured demands of the Dana trek.

Sunset is the natural highlight, followed by dinner and a night at a Bedouin camp. Tea and conversation are part of the evening, as is the chance to sleep beneath a star-filled sky. Camping here continues the trip’s outdoor theme, but it is a different setting from the wilderness camps. The desert camp may feel more social and organized, while the earlier nights are tied directly to the walking route.

Day eight: the Dead Sea as a recovery day

The final full day shifts from red desert to the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. You can float, apply Dead Sea mud, relax by the pool, or pay for spa treatments. After four demanding trekking days, this pause is well chosen.

The Dead Sea is not just a photo stop. The water’s salt content makes floating easy, but you should follow local bathing instructions and avoid getting water in your eyes. The included plan provides time to relax, though the exact facilities and spa treatments should be confirmed with the operator.

In the late afternoon, the group returns to Amman by bus. You spend the final night at a hotel there, which is practical for an early flight the next day.

What the $1,595 price covers

The price is reasonable if you would otherwise arrange several separate services. It includes eight nights of accommodation, transportation, luggage transfers, an English-speaking licensed guide on days two through eight, a local hiking guide with a donkey on days two through four, and most meals.

The meal plan includes eight breakfasts, seven lunches, and six dinners. That removes a major worry on a multi-day trek, especially in remote areas. Tented accommodation also comes prearranged, so you do not need to organize camps or move your own large bag between locations.

The important exclusions can change the real cost. The Jordan Pass, visa, and entrance fees are not included. Airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, tips, personal spending, and hiking gear are also outside the package. Budget for those before comparing this trip with a self-guided alternative.

The group size is capped at 14. That is small enough for a more personal pace and easier communication, but it is still a group trip. You will not control every stop or walking speed, and the group’s fitness level can affect the day.

Guide quality and group atmosphere

A good guide matters greatly on this route. Names associated with past departures include Motaz Zghoul and Mutaz Jarrar, both praised for being attentive, funny, informative, and careful about keeping people supported. You should not assume a particular guide unless the company confirms it for your date.

The strongest reports focus on guide care, local support, and group spirit. That matters for solo visitors, especially since the trip attracts people who may not know one another at the start. The small-group format gives you company on long walks without the scale of a large coach tour.

The guide also helps with cultural contact. You pass working camps, shepherd paths, and local communities rather than viewing Jordan only through major attractions. Be respectful around homes, livestock, and camps, and follow instructions about photography.

Who should book this Jordan adventure?

Book it if you want Jordan as an active journey, not just a list of famous sights. It suits experienced hikers and fit first-time multi-day trekkers who are comfortable with consecutive long days, steep ground, basic camping, and changing weather.

It is especially strong for people who want:

• A quieter approach to Petra
• Several nights outdoors rather than hotel-only travel
• A small international group
• Arranged meals, transport, and luggage transfers
• A mix of hiking, archaeology, desert touring, and relaxation

Think twice if you dislike camping, have difficulty with steep descents, or want plenty of free time at each attraction. The route is structured, physically demanding, and built around moving from one camp or destination to the next.

Cancellation terms are worth checking before payment. A full refund is available when you cancel at least six full days before the start time. Later cancellations receive less or no refund, and poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

I would choose this trip if the Dana to Petra walk is your main reason for visiting Jordan. The route gives you scenery, local paths, Nabataean sites, and a memorable back-door arrival at Petra, then adds two excellent contrasts: Wadi Rum’s open desert and the Dead Sea’s easy floating.

The value is strongest when you want logistical help. At $1,595, you are paying for guides, camps, hotels, meals, transport, and bag transfers across a complicated route. Just add the excluded Jordan Pass or entrance costs, insurance, tips, gear, and flights to see the full budget.

If you want a comfortable sightseeing holiday, choose a less demanding itinerary. If you want to walk through Jordan’s quieter country, accept a few hard days, and finish muddy, tired, and happy at the Dead Sea, this is a very good fit.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately nine days, beginning and ending in Amman.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 14 travelers.

How fit do I need to be?

You should have a strong physical fitness level. The trek includes days of 15, 16, and 17.1 kilometers, plus substantial ascents and descents.

What accommodation is included?

Eight nights of accommodation are included. The plan includes a hotel in Amman, wilderness camping during the trek, a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum, and a final hotel night in Amman. Specific accommodation details may vary by departure.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes eight breakfasts, seven lunches, and six dinners.

Is the Jordan Pass included?

No. The Jordan Pass, visa, and entrance fees are not included.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts in Amman, Jordan, and ends back at the Amman meeting point.