Walk the Jordan Trail's most spectacular sections: Dana to Petra to Wadi Rum
Jordan Trail Highlights Trek: Trek the Jordan Trail's best sections from Dana to Petra and Wadi Rum. Private planning and local support included.
Continue planning with our Jordan tours, and consult the official Jordan Tourism Board for current destination information.
Trek the best sections of the Jordan Trail, a 400-mile national long-distance trail that traverses mountains, canyons, and desert from north to south. Choose from 4-day (Dana to Petra), 5-day (Dana to Wadi Rum via Petra), or 7-day (full Dana to Wadi Rum with rest day) itineraries. Each day covers 8-12 miles of varied terrain, from the biodiverse Dana Biosphere Reserve to the rose-red canyons of Petra and the vast silence of Wadi Rum. Your gear is carried by Bedouin support teams: you walk with only a light daypack. Camps are established each afternoon with tents, sleeping bags, and hot meals ready. This is the definitive way to experience Jordan's interior wilderness.
Key details for planning this private journey experience.
Walk the Jordan Trail's most spectacular sections: Dana to Petra to Wadi Rum
Trek through 4 distinct ecosystems: Mediterranean forest, sandstone canyons, desert highlands, and red sand desert
Enter Petra via the back trail: a secret approach used by Nabataean traders
Bedouin support teams carry your gear: hike with only a daypack
Camp under the stars in remote wilderness locations
Guided by a Jordan Trail thru-hiker with 3+ complete traverses
All camping equipment provided: tents, sleeping bags, mats, and cooking gear
Hot meals prepared by the support team at each camp
A simple view of what is covered in this journey and what should be planned separately.
Drive to Dana village (2.5 hours).
Meet your trail guide and Bedouin support team.
Your main pack is loaded onto the donkeys. You carry only a daypack with water, snacks, and layers.
The support team prepares fresh bread, hummus, and salad.
Your tent is set up, tea is ready.
Your guide shares stories from their Jordan Trail thru-hikes.
The desert silence is profound.
Breakfast: bread, jam, cheese, and sweet tea.
The support team packs while you prepare your daypack.
Flat walking with panoramic desert views.
Share tea and learn about nomadic life.
The trail follows ancient donkey paths.
Tent setup, tea service.
Break camp.
The trail ascends 2,000 feet through rocky terrain.
Views of the Petra mountains in the distance.
The landscape shifts from desert to sandstone.
Light breakfast.
This route follows the path used by Nabataean traders, ascending to the Monastery (Ad-Deir) first.
The 140-foot facade is spectacular in morning light. Few other visitors at this hour.
4-day trekkers depart after breakfast on Day 5. 5-day and 7-day trekkers continue to Wadi Rum.
Check out from the Petra hotel.
The trail follows ancient Bedouin migration routes.
Welcome tea. Tent setup.
Your guide presents certificates of completion.
Breakfast.
Farewell lunch with your guide and team.
Drop-off at your Aqaba hotel or the airport.
Everything important for planning, comfort, access, timing, and on-the-ground expectations.
Start Point: Hotel pickup in Amman at 07:00 on Day 1. For travelers already in Dana or Tafilah, meeting at Dana village at 09:30.
End Point: 4-day trek: Petra hotel drop-off on Day 4 evening. 5-day trek: Wadi Rum camp or hotel on Day 5. 7-day trek: Aqaba hotel or airport on Day 6.
Meeting Point: Your trail guide meets you at your Amman hotel at 07:00. For Dana village meetings, the guide meets you at the Dana Biosphere Reserve visitor center at 09:30.
Total: 4–7 Days • 3–6 Nights
Pace: Strenuous. This is a genuine multi-day wilderness trek. Daily hiking: 8-12 miles on rocky, uneven terrain with significant elevation changes. Total elevation gain/loss: 8,000+ feet over the trek. Participants must be able to hike 10 miles carrying a 10-pound daypack, climb 2,000 feet in a day, and handle exposure to sun, heat, and cold. Not suitable for beginners, travelers with joint problems, or those with cardiovascular conditions. A medical fitness declaration is required at booking.
Guide: Your guide is a licensed Jordan Trail thru-hiker with 3+ complete traverses of the 400-mile trail. They are certified in wilderness first aid, navigation, and backcountry leadership. They speak Arabic and English. They know every water source, campsite, and emergency exit on the trail.
Driver: A driver handles transfers to the trailhead and from the trail end. The Bedouin support team manages donkeys and camp logistics.
Vehicle: 4×4 vehicle for road transfers. Donkeys carry gear on the trail (traditional, low-impact transport).
Camping throughout: 2-person tents (shared unless single supplement paid), sleeping bags rated to 20°F, foam sleeping mats. Camps are established each afternoon by the support team before your arrival.
All meals prepared by the Bedouin support team: breakfast (bread, jam, cheese, eggs, tea), lunch (picnic: bread, hummus, salad, fruit), dinner (hot meal: rice, vegetables, chicken or lamb). Vegetarian options available.
Physical Rating: Strenuous. This is a genuine multi-day wilderness trek. Daily hiking: 8-12 miles on rocky, uneven terrain with significant elevation changes. Total elevation gain/loss: 8,000+ feet over the trek. Participants must be able to hike 10 miles carrying a 10-pound daypack, climb 2,000 feet in a day, and handle exposure to sun, heat, and cold. Not suitable for beginners, travelers with joint problems, or those with cardiovascular conditions. A medical fitness declaration is required at booking.
Age Requirements: Minimum age: 16 years. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Maximum age: 65 years unless a doctor's fitness certificate is provided.
Group Size: Maximum 8 trekkers per departure. Minimum 2 to operate. Solo travelers can join scheduled shared departures.
| Duration | Standard Trek | Supported Trek |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Day (Dana-Petra) | From $895/person | From $1,195/person |
| 5-Day (Dana-Wadi Rum) | From $1,095/person | From $1,495/person |
| 7-Day (Dana-Aqaba) | From $1,395/person | From $1,895/person |
Standard Trek: shared group (max 8), shared tent (2 persons), standard meals, basic camping gear. Supported Trek: private tent, upgraded meals (fresh ingredients), thicker sleeping mat, pillow, hot water wash at camp, satellite phone for personal use, and a dedicated support team member. Single supplement: $195 (adds private tent). The 7-day itinerary includes a rest day at Petra and a shorter final day. All durations require minimum 2 participants. Solo travelers can join scheduled departures.
Spring (March-May): ideal, 65-80°F days, 40-55°F nights. Autumn (September-November): similar. Summer (June-August): hot 85-100°F days, 65-75°F nights. Winter (December-February): cool 50-65°F days, 30-45°F nights, occasional rain.
Optimal Window: March-May and September-November are ideal. Book 30-60 days in advance.
Booking & Cancellation Terms
30% deposit. Balance 30 days before. 60+ days cancel: full refund minus $25. 30-60 days: 50% refund. Less than 30 days: non-refundable, transferable.
Spring (March-May): ideal, 65-80°F days, 40-55°F nights. Autumn (September-November): similar. Summer (June-August): hot 85-100°F days, 65-75°F nights. Winter (December-February): cool 50-65°F days, 30-45°F nights, occasional rain.
Optimal Window
March-May and September-November are ideal. Book 30-60 days in advance.
Booking & Cancellation Terms: 50% deposit. Balance 30 days before. 60+ days cancel: full refund minus $25. 30-60 days: 50% refund. Less than 30 days: non-refundable, transferable.
The Jordan Trail offers incredible landscape photography: Dana's biodiversity, the desert vastness, Petra's architecture from unique angles, and Wadi Rum's red sand. Wildlife photography opportunities: Nubian ibex, vultures, desert foxes. Your guide knows the best viewpoints and timing for each shot.
Age Requirements: Minimum age: 16 years. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Maximum age: 65 years unless a doctor's fitness certificate is provided.
Group Size: Maximum 8 trekkers per departure. Minimum 2 to operate. Solo travelers can join scheduled shared departures.
Safety Protocols: Wilderness first aid certified guide. Satellite phone. Emergency evacuation plan. Daily check-ins with base.
Emergency Contact: 24/7 hotline: +962-XXX-XXXX. Satellite phone on trail. Nearest hospitals: Tafilah (45 min from Dana), Petra clinic (near trail), Aqaba (1 hour from Wadi Rum).
Insurance Requirements: Mandatory. Must cover trekking to 6,000 feet, emergency evacuation ($250,000 minimum). DAN or World Nomads recommended.
Useful labels that help compare this journey with other Jordan Journey experiences.
Clear answers before you reserve your journey.
You should hike regularly and be comfortable walking 10 miles on consecutive days with a backpack. Prior multi-day hiking experience strongly recommended.
Varied: rocky desert trails, sandy wadis, steep ascents/descents, and some scrambling. No technical climbing required.
You carry a daypack (water, snacks, layers). The support team carries all camping gear, food, and water on donkeys.
Wilderness camping: no facilities. Dig-and-bury method taught. Basic hygiene with wet wipes.
Minimal to none on most of the trail. The guide carries a satellite phone for emergencies.
The support team provides all drinking water (filtered and treated). Carry 3 liters per day minimum.
Yes, emergency exit points exist every 1-2 days. No refund for early departure.
This is a thru-hike experience: you walk every mile, camp in the wilderness, and disconnect from modern life. It is transformational, not recreational.
