Dana to Feynan trail: 9-mile descent through 4 bio-geographical zones
Dana Ajloun Eco Trek: Trek through Jordan's most biodiverse nature reserves. Private planning and local support included.
Continue planning with our Dana destination guide, and consult the official Jordan Tourism Board for current destination information.
Explore Jordan’s wild side on a 4-day eco-trek through the Dana Biosphere Reserve and Ajloun Forest Reserve, the country’s two most important protected areas. Day 1: descend the Dana to Feynan trail, a 9-mile hike that drops 4,700 feet through four distinct climate zones, spotting Nubian ibex, griffon vultures, and wildflowers along the way. Overnight at the award-winning Feynan Ecolodge, a candlelit, solar-powered retreat staffed by the local Bedouin community. Day 2: explore the Feynan valley on a guided nature walk, visit a Bedouin family, and learn about traditional copper smelting. Day 3: transfer to Ajloun and hike through the last remaining Mediterranean oak forest in Jordan, visiting the 12th-century Ajloun Castle. Day 4: morning birdwatching walk and departure. Every aspect of this tour is designed to minimize environmental impact while maximizing your connection with nature.
This is not a standard hiking tour. It is a curated eco-trek through Jordan’s two most important biosphere reserves, designed for travelers who care about conservation and sustainable tourism. The Dana to Feynan trail descends 4,700 feet through four distinct bio-geographical zones (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanian), offering the greatest biodiversity of any hike in Jordan. You stay at the award-winning Feynan Ecolodge (rated one of the top 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler), which is 100% off-grid, powered by solar panels, and staffed entirely by local Bedouin community members. In Ajloun, you hike through oak and pistachio forests that are the last remaining Mediterranean woodland in Jordan, home to wild boar, stone martens, and the endangered Persian squirrel. Your guide is a certified conservationist trained by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).
Key details for planning this private journey experience.
Dana to Feynan trail: 9-mile descent through 4 bio-geographical zones
Wildlife spotting: Nubian ibex, griffon vultures, Persian squirrels, wild boar
Overnight at Feynan Ecolodge (National Geographic Top 25 Ecolodge)
Candlelit dinner and stargazing at the 100% off-grid ecolodge
Ajloun Forest Reserve: hiking through ancient oak and pistachio woodlands
Ajloun Castle: 12th-century Islamic fortress with panoramic views
Guided by RSCN-certified conservationist with ecology expertise
100% carbon-neutral tour with conservation contribution included
A simple view of what is covered in this journey and what should be planned separately.
Drive to Dana village (2.5 hours) via the Desert Highway and Kings Highway.
Meet your RSCN-certified conservation guide.
Your guide explains the four bio-geographical zones you will pass through: Mediterranean (top), Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanian (bottom).
Starting elevation: 3,900 feet. The trail descends gradually along a historic donkey path.
Walk through oak and pistachio woodland. Your guide identifies medicinal plants used by local Bedouin for centuries.
The vegetation changes to steppe grassland. Spot griffon vultures soaring on thermals above the cliffs. Nubian ibex are frequently seen on the rocky slopes.
Snack and water break with views of the Wadi Araba valley.
The landscape becomes arid with acacia trees and desert shrubs. Your guide explains how plants survive in this transition zone.
Picnic lunch of fresh bread, hummus, cheese, fruit, and nuts.
The trail enters a narrow canyon with seasonal water pools. Look for frog and toad species that survive here year-round.
The lowest and hottest zone, characterized by tamarisk trees and tropical plant species. The temperature rises noticeably.
The trail opens into the wide Feynan valley with views of the solar-powered ecolodge in the distance.
Welcome with fresh lemonade and cold towels.
Your room has no electric lights (candles only) and no air conditioning (thick stone walls keep it cool).
Relax in the courtyard, browse the library, or take a cool shower.
The ecolodge's remote location offers dark skies perfect for constellation viewing.
The silence of the desert is profound.
The Feynan valley glows gold in the morning light.
Your conservation guide explains the unique geology: copper deposits that attracted Roman mining operations 2,000 years ago.
Share tea and learn about their traditional lifestyle, which has coexisted with the reserve's wildlife for generations.
Walk through 2,000-year-old Roman mining tunnels and see the remains of smelting furnaces.
Relax during the midday heat.
Read, journal, or nap in the cool courtyard.
Spot kingfishers, herons, and birds of prey.
Shower and change.
Learn about permaculture in an arid environment.
Check out.
Lunch at the reserve restaurant: local cuisine with forest views.
Trail briefing.
The 4-mile loop passes through oak, pistachio, and strawberry tree woodland.
Ajloun is on a major migratory flyway: 150+ species have been recorded including hoopoes, woodpeckers, and warblers.
The trail passes ancient stone terraces built by Roman farmers.
This quieter side trail offers the best chance of spotting the reserve's namesake roe deer.
This 12th-century Islamic fortress was built by Saladin's nephew to defend against Crusader attacks. Climb the towers for panoramic views of the Jordan Valley and West Bank.
Each cabin has a private balcony overlooking the forest.
Spot nocturnal animals and listen to the sounds of the woodland at night.
The forest is most active at dawn: this is your best chance to spot rare species.
Your guide reviews the species you have spotted and provides a checklist.
Drop-off at your hotel. Tour concludes.
Everything important for planning, comfort, access, timing, and on-the-ground expectations.
Start Point: Hotel pickup in Amman at 06:00 on Day 1. For travelers staying outside Amman, pickup from Madaba or the Dead Sea can be arranged with schedule adjustment. Contact your travel advisor.
End Point: Drop-off at your Amman hotel by 11:30 on Day 4. For travelers continuing to Jerash, Northern Jordan, or the Syrian border, drop-off can be arranged at no additional cost.
Meeting Point: Your conservation guide meets you at your hotel reception at 06:00. They conduct a trail briefing and equipment check before departure.
Total: JJ-EXP-035 • 4 Days • 3 Nights
Pace: Moderate eco-trek with approximately 15 miles of walking over 4 days, including the Dana to Feynan descent and Ajloun forest trails.
Guide: Your guide is a certified conservationist trained by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), Jordan’s official environmental protection agency. They hold degrees in biology, ecology, or environmental science and have 5+ years of field experience. They speak Arabic and English and are passionate about Jordan’s biodiversity. French-speaking guides available on request (72-hour notice, $60 supplement).
Driver: A professional Jordan Journey driver handles road transfers. The driver is trained in eco-tourism principles and carries a first aid kit. For the Dana trail, the driver meets you at the Feynan Ecolodge with your luggage.
Vehicle: Air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle (required for the rough road to Dana village and Feynan). The vehicle carries water, snacks, and a first aid kit. Carbon emissions are offset through the National Reforestation Program.
Nights 1-2: Feynan Ecolodge, one of National Geographic Traveler’s Top 25 Ecolodges. Rooms are simple and elegant: stone walls, candlelight (no electricity), en-suite bathroom with solar-heated water, comfortable beds with organic cotton linens. The lodge is 100% solar-powered and staffed entirely by local Bedouin. Night 3: Ajloun Forest Cabins, treehouse-style wooden cabins built into the forest canopy, each with a private balcony, en-suite bathroom, and forest views.
All meals are included and emphasize locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Feynan Ecolodge serves vegetarian cuisine (the lodge does not cook meat: it is sourced from the community when requested). Ajloun offers both vegetarian and meat options. Meals are fresh, healthy, and reflect the region’s culinary traditions. Special dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice.
Physical Rating: Moderate. The Dana to Feynan trail is 9 miles of downhill hiking on rocky, uneven terrain with a 4,700-foot elevation drop. Ajloun forest trails are 6 miles of undulating woodland paths. Total walking: 15 miles over 4 days. Participants should be able to hike 5 miles on uneven ground carrying a daypack. The downhill nature of the Dana trail is easier on the lungs but harder on the knees: trekking poles are recommended. Pregnant women and travelers with knee/ankle problems should consult their physician.
Age Requirements: Minimum age: 10 years. Children 10-15 participate at a reduced pace with age-appropriate ecology lessons. The hiking distances may be challenging for children under 12: consider JJ-DUR-018 (shorter hiking) instead. There is no maximum age limit, but reasonable fitness is required.
Group Size: Maximum 6 participants per departure (capped for environmental impact). Minimum 2 to operate. Solo travelers can join shared departures or pay a single supplement.
Classic Eco-Trek: shared guide and group activities, standard ecolodge rooms, shared cabin at Ajloun. Premium Eco-Trek: private guide, upgraded ecolodge rooms (larger with private terrace), private cabin at Ajloun, additional birdwatching session with spotting scope, and a private conservation talk with the Feynan Ecolodge manager. Single supplement: $195 (Classic) or $295 (Premium). Children 10-15: 30% discount. Children under 10 are not recommended due to hiking distances. Solo travelers can join shared departures or pay the single supplement.
| Group Size | Classic Eco-Trek | Premium Eco-Trek | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 pax | From $995/person | From $1,395/person | |
| 3-4 pax | From $795/person | From $1,095/person | |
| 5-6 pax | From $695/person | From $945/person |
Dana Reserve: Summer (June-August) 75-90°F daytime, 55-65°F nighttime. Winter (December-February) 45-60°F daytime, 30-40°F nighttime. Ajloun Forest: 5-10°F cooler than Dana due to higher elevation and forest cover. Rain is possible October through March: trails can be muddy. Spring (March-May) brings wildflowers. The Dana trail is closed during flash flood risk (typically mid-January through mid-February): alternative routes are used.
March through May and September through November offer ideal temperatures and wildflowers. Spring (March-April) is peak wildflower season in Dana. Autumn (September-November) offers the clearest skies and autumn colors in Ajloun. Summer is manageable at higher elevations but hot in the Feynan valley. Winter requires warm clothing but offers the most solitude. Book 14-30 days in advance.
A 25% deposit confirms your booking. Balance due 14 days before departure. Cancellations more than 30 days before receive full refund minus $15 processing fee. Cancellations 14-30 days before receive 50% refund. Cancellations less than 14 days are non-refundable but transferable. No-shows charged in full. Flash flood closures trigger a full credit valid 12 months.
This is not a standard hiking tour. It is a curated eco-trek through Jordan’s two most important biosphere reserves, designed for travelers who care about conservation and sustainable tourism. The Dana to Feynan trail descends 4,700 feet through four distinct bio-geographical zones (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian, and Sudanian), offering the greatest biodiversity of any hike in Jordan. You stay at the award-winning Feynan Ecolodge (rated one of the top 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler), which is 100% off-grid, powered by solar panels, and staffed entirely by local Bedouin community members. In Ajloun, you hike through oak and pistachio forests that are the last remaining Mediterranean woodland in Jordan, home to wild boar, stone martens, and the endangered Persian squirrel. Your guide is a certified conservationist trained by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN).
This tour is carbon-neutral: all transport emissions are offset through Jordan’s National Reforestation Program. The Feynan Ecolodge is 100% solar-powered, uses candles instead of electric lights at night, and sources all food from within a 15-mile radius. A $15 conservation contribution from each booking supports the RSCN’s Dana and Ajloun reserve management programs. Your guide is an RSCN-trained conservationist who educates you on the reserves’ ecology and conservation challenges. All waste is carried out. Group sizes are capped at 6 to minimize trail impact.
Physical Rating: Moderate. The Dana to Feynan trail is 9 miles of downhill hiking on rocky, uneven terrain with a 4,700-foot elevation drop. Ajloun forest trails are 6 miles of undulating woodland paths. Total walking: 15 miles over 4 days. Participants should be able to hike 5 miles on uneven ground carrying a daypack. The downhill nature of the Dana trail is easier on the lungs but harder on the knees: trekking poles are recommended. Pregnant women and travelers with knee/ankle problems should consult their physician.
Age Requirements: Minimum age: 10 years. Children 10-15 participate at a reduced pace with age-appropriate ecology lessons. The hiking distances may be challenging for children under 12: consider JJ-DUR-018 (shorter hiking) instead. There is no maximum age limit, but reasonable fitness is required.
Group Size: Maximum 6 participants per departure (capped for environmental impact). Minimum 2 to operate. Solo travelers can join shared departures or pay a single supplement.
Safety Protocols: All guides are wilderness first aid certified and carry satellite phones. The Dana trail has emergency exit points every 2 miles. The Feynan Ecolodge has a trained first responder on staff 24/7. Nearest hospital: Tafilah Government Hospital (45 minutes from Dana) or Al-Mouwasat Hospital in Amman (1.5 hours from Ajloun). Snake encounters are rare: guides carry antivenom for the two venomous species in the region. All participants receive a safety briefing before each hike.
Emergency Contact: Jordan Journey 24/7 hotline: +962-XXX-XXXX. RSCN Dana Reserve: +962-XXX-XXXX. RSCN Ajloun Reserve: +962-XXX-XXXX. Tafilah Hospital: +962-XXX-XXXX. All guides carry satellite phones with emergency contact lists.
Insurance Requirements: Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. Your policy must cover hiking up to 5,000 feet elevation, emergency medical evacuation, and trip cancellation. Adventure sports coverage is recommended. Jordan Journey does not provide insurance.
Useful labels that help compare this journey with other Jordan Journey experiences.
Clear answers before you reserve your journey.
The trail is 9 miles of continuous downhill on rocky, uneven terrain. The elevation drop of 4,700 feet is significant. It is not technically difficult (no climbing or scrambling required), but the distance and descent are tiring. Trekking poles are highly recommended to reduce knee strain. Most moderately fit hikers complete it in 5-6 hours with breaks. If you have knee problems, consider JJ-EXP-025 (Jordan Trail Highlights) which has gentler gradients.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but Dana offers the best odds in Jordan. Commonly seen: Nubian ibex (daily), griffon vultures (daily), rock hyraxes (daily), and various lizards and songbirds. Less common but regular: foxes, hyenas (tracks more often than sightings), and bonelli's eagles. Rare: caracals and wolves. In Ajloun: Persian squirrels (common), wild boar (common but shy), roe deer (rare), and 150+ bird species. Your guide is an expert tracker and maximizes your chances.
The ecolodge is simple but comfortable: clean rooms, good beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot water, and excellent food. It is not a luxury hotel: there are no electric lights (candles only), no air conditioning (thick stone walls keep rooms cool), no WiFi, and no TV. The experience is about disconnection and nature immersion. Most travelers find the candlelit atmosphere magical. If you require luxury amenities, this tour is not for you.
Fresh, healthy, and delicious vegetarian cuisine. All ingredients are sourced from within 15 miles: vegetables from the lodge garden, olive oil from local presses, cheese from nearby farms. Meals are served buffet-style on the rooftop terrace. Special dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, allergies) are accommodated with advance notice. The lodge does not serve alcohol but provides herbal teas, fresh juices, and Arabic coffee.
The Feynan Ecolodge has a limited solar charging station in the reception area. Priority is given to cameras for wildlife photography. Bring a fully charged power bank as backup. The Ajloun Forest Cabins have electricity and standard outlets. There is no WiFi at either location: embrace the digital detox.
Most Jordan hiking tours focus on Petra and Wadi Rum, which are spectacular but crowded and ecologically fragile. This tour explores Jordan's lesser-known but equally impressive nature reserves, where you encounter more wildlife than tourists. The focus on conservation education, sustainable accommodation, and carbon-neutral travel makes this the choice for eco-conscious travelers. You return home not just with great photos, but with a deeper understanding of Jordan's biodiversity and conservation challenges.
There are no restrooms on the Dana trail: it is a wilderness hike. Your guide carries a trowel and toilet paper for emergency bathroom breaks (bury waste 6 inches deep, 200 feet from water sources). The Feynan Ecolodge and Ajloun Cabins have full restroom facilities. Bring hand sanitizer and any personal hygiene items you need on the trail.
Yes, additional nights at Feynan Ecolodge can be arranged at $125/night per person, including all meals and guided nature walks. Extended stays allow deeper exploration: longer hikes to remote valleys, additional Bedouin family visits, or simply quiet time in one of Jordan's most peaceful settings. Contact your travel advisor to customize.
