A Magical Walk In the Desert
Head to the south of Jordan, where you’ll find Wadi Rum, a desert with incredible scenery. It’s a perfect place for hiking and exploring because the wind and sand have shaped stunning mountains called jebels. We’ll walk through the valleys and climb to the tops of these mountains. Local Bedouin people will be with us, and we’ll camp under the stars, just like they do. To end our trip, we’ll take a walk along the Back Trail to reach Petra, an ancient city carved into rocks and considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Highlights
- Enjoy walking and camping amidst the stunning desert scenery of Wadi Rum.
- Optional opportunity to hike up to the impressive Burdah Rock Bridge.
- Embark on a hike along the Back Trail leading to Petra.
- Experience a unique stay at a Bedouin camp near Petra, owned by the local community.
Tour Itinerary
Arrival to Amman
Arrival to Amman Airport, overnight at your hotel.
Drive to Wadi Rum
At 08:00AM, our trip begin with a Morning briefing for a 30 minutes with your tour leader at the hotel meeting room, then We will travel by bus for approximately four to five hours to reach Wadi Rum. Upon arrival, we will stop at the Wadi Rum visitor center and admire the incredible Seven Pillars of Wisdom, a remarkable rock formation featuring seven distinct fluted turrets. After a short transfer, we will begin our introductory walk, leading us to Um Al Bdoun, a private campsite managed by local Bedouin individuals. In the evening, we will savor a delightful traditional zarb dinner, prepared by burying a cooking pot in the sand and slow-cooking a delicious blend of meats and vegetables throughout the day.
Accomadation
Local Bedouin Camp
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Distance
5 km / 3.1 miles
Traverse Siq El Barrah
Starting from our campsite, we embark on a trek through the awe-inspiring Siq el Barrah, a magnificent desert canyon adorned with towering rock walls. As we venture further, the landscape opens up, revealing vast stretches of untouched desert. A feeling of true wilderness surrounds us as we pass by sandstone mountains and rugged rock formations. Our camping for the night is located beneath the comforting shade of two prominent rocky peaks, Rakaa and Mharrak.
Accomadation
Wild Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance
23 km / 14.3 miles
Trek to Jebel Burdah
We kick off our adventure by making our way towards Jebel Burdah. This route presents sections that require some scrambling, and in certain areas, we may need to employ ropes, particularly if we opt to ascend to the summit of Burdah Bridge. This impressive natural formation gracefully spans between two rock masses, offering a remarkable sight. Along the trek, we are rewarded with panoramic views that unfold before us. In the afternoon, we continue our journey, eventually reaching our next campsite situated atop sand dunes near Jebel Umm Fruth, located in the southeastern corner of the Wadi Rum desert.
Accomadation
Wild Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance
10 km / 6.2 miles
Wadi Khashkhasheh
We head to Umm Fruth Rock Bridge, conveniently located just a brief stroll away from our campsite. The journey to Umm Fruth involves a moderate level of scrambling that is easily manageable. The ascent is steep but short, and the sandstone terrain provides a solid and secure footing. Continuing our trek, we reach the intriguing ruins of Lawrence House, which holds historical significance as it is believed to be a place where TE Lawrence, famously known as Lawrence of Arabia, once rested. In the afternoon, we navigate across remote red-sand dunes, relishing in breathtaking vistas along the way. We also have the opportunity to witness ancient rock inscriptions, adding a touch of history to our expedition. As night falls, we establish our camp in the embrace of a desert mountain, finding a tranquil spot to settle in for the evening.
Accomadation
Wild Camping
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance
15 km / 9.3 miles
Leave the desert for Little Petra
On our final morning in the desert, we begin with a delightful walk or the option of a camel trek through Wadi Umm Al Ishrim. As the morning progresses, we make our way towards Petra, with a transfer scheduled around lunchtime. In the afternoon, we have the opportunity to explore Little Petra, a captivating and slightly smaller version of the renowned Petra site. For tonight's accommodation, we settle into a comfortable fixed camp near Little Petra, where shared showers and toilets are available for our convenience.
Accomadation
Ammarin Camp or similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance
5 km / 3.1 mi
Back Trail to Petra; then drive to Amman
We begin our day early, filled with excitement to explore the awe-inspiring ancient city of Petra, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its immense scale and historical significance. To experience a unique perspective of Petra, we embark on the lesser-known Back Trail, which guides us through a rocky landscape overlooking Wadi Araba. This less-traveled route allows us to reach the Monastery as our first stop, providing an opportunity to appreciate its grandeur in a quieter atmosphere. From there, we continue our journey, traversing the vast expanse of the site, passing by notable landmarks such as the Treasury and the Siq. Within the heart of Petra, we encounter the houses and tombs of the city's affluent residents, along with a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheater. As we venture further, we reach El Deir, also known as the Monastery. Its extraordinary facade, intricately carved into the rock and crowned with an impressive urn, leaves a lasting impression.
Throughout our exploration, we anticipate spending approximately six hours on foot, immersing ourselves in the wonders of Petra. After our visit, we make our way back to Amman, At 06:00pm drop off to your hotel in Amman.
Accomadation
NA
Meals
Breakfast
Distance
15 km / 9.3 miles
Gallery
Important Information
Food & Drinks
All meals are included while trekking, cooked and prepared by our desert team. For other meals please note that we support local restaurants and traditional meals in our programs, your tour leader will suggest a local restaurants options in each city such as Dinner with a local family in Petra (Abu Fadi Family), baked pastries making in a family bakery in Wadi Mousa, Cooking Class, Falafel and Shawerma local restaurants and many other options, which the income will goes directly to the local community running these businesses.
Transportation
Van or Mini bus will be provided for your transportation depending on group size, each day your main luggage will be transported in 4x4s; all you need to carry is your daypack.
Weather & Climate
In October, Jordan experiences comfortable temperatures, ranging from a low of 18°C to a high of 28°C. While there might be a few rainy days, the overall weather during this month is typically pleasant, we suggest checking the weather forecast. It’s highly recommended to review the 14-day weather forecast for Jordan before your visit to ensure you are well-prepared for your trip.
Hydration & Water
To minimize our impact, we aim to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles during your trip. Instead, we offer a solution that ensures access to safe drinking water throughout the journey. All you need to do is bring a reusable bottle that can be refilled along the way. Please remember to include a refillable bottle on your packing list to support our efforts in reducing plastic waste.
Additional Information
We use hotels in Amman and Petra but while trekking in the desert the facilities are basic (no toilets and showers) so please take this into consideration when assessing whether this trip is right for you. We spend up to six hours a day trekking and you need to be fit enough to cope with this. We will be walking on sand and scrambling over rocky terrain on days 4 and 5. At times, this can be relatively steep with uneven ground and in some instances, ropes may be used.
Sustainability
On February 15, 2023, we proudly obtained the prestigious Travelife Certification, making us the first certified sustainable DMC in Jordan.This certification is a result of our commitment to meeting over 200 criteria that evaluate our sustainability practices in various areas such as office management, product range, international partnerships, and customer information.
Altitude maximum
2,950ft (900m)
Fitness
A good level of fitness is required. Previous trekking experience is desirable but not vital as long as you are confident of your physical condition
Essential Equipment
- Day sack
- Lightweight walking boots/shoes for Petra
- Sports bottle with wide top (not plastic) for water refills.
- Sunhat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Torch for desert camp
- Appropriate footwear
Environment
- Waste and Recycling
- No Plastic Use
- Water Conservation
- Nature and People