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Trekking and Adventure Jordan
Trekking and Adventure Jordan Overview
Trek through the Wadi Feynan in the Dana Nature Reserve through deep gorges and across high ridges to the red rose city of Petra. Camp Bedouin-style with your local guide and crew on this enchanting exploration of Jordan. This is a physically challenging hike and may not be suitable for everyone.Trekking and Adventure Jordan
Trek through the Wadi Feynan in the Dana Nature Reserve through deep gorges and across high ridges to the red rose city of Petra. Camp Bedouin-style with your local guide and crew on this enchanting exploration of Jordan. This is a physically challenging hike and may not be suitable for everyone.
Touring style: Private touring with English speaking guide and driver.
Best time for this tour is March-May
Day 1: Arrival Amman
On arrival in Amman, meet our local representative for a private transfer to your hotel.
Overnight.
Distance and journey time: 35 km, allow 40 mins.
Day 2: Soft trek to Ajlun Nature Reserve
Today, you will depart with your driver and guide. Drive north to Ajlun Woodland Reserve located in the Ajloun Highlands. It consists of a Mediterranean hill country, dominated by open woodlands of Oak and Pistachio. The rich greenery of Ajlun has made it a popular spot for picnickers and hikers. The area has a long history of human settlements, due to its Mediterranean climate, dense forests and fertile soil.
Enjoy the Ajlun Castle Trail: 18 km, taking 8-9 hours, hiking through stunning landscapes with donkey support to the beautiful church mosaics of Mar Elias. Continue hiking from Mar Elyass to Ajlun Castle. Drive back to Hotel in Amman for overnight.
Distance and journey times:
Amman to Aljun: 75 km, allow 1.30 hrs.
Aljun Castle Trail: 18 km, allow 8-9 hrs depending on your pace.
Day 3: Soft trek to Mujib Nature Reserve
Drive to the lowest Nature Reserve on Earth bordering the Dead Sea. At 400 metres below sea level, the Mujib Nature Reserve surrounds Wadi Mujib, a deep and majestic canyon that cuts through rugged highlands and drains into the Dead Sea.
Enjoy a guided Malaqi Trail: 6 - 8 hrs. This is an exciting water trail. The trail begins at the visitor centre by the Mujib Bridge on the Dead Sea highway, from where a guide will escort you south for a short distance (3 Km) along the highway before turning onto a steeply ascending trail into the nature reserve. It leads quickly to a striking area of creamy-white hills made of soft rock deposits. After passing through these hills, you begin your descent to the river Mujib; crystal clear, fast flowing and teeming with life. Small fish are plentiful, as well as frogs. The hike continues upstream along the river to its confluence with the Hidan River. You can also enjoy swimming in the natural pools. Late afternoon, drive to your hotel in the Dead Sea for overnight.
Distance and journey times:
Amman to Mujib Nature Reserve: 92 km, allow 2 hrs.
Malaqi Trail: allow 6 to 8 hrs.
Mujib to the Dead Sea: 62 km, allow 1 hr.
Day 4: Dead Sea, Kerak and Dana Nature reserve
Spend the morning free at leisure bathing and relaxing in the gently lapping waters of the Dead Sea and be amazed that you can never sink! Treat yourself to a soothing massage, or try the well-known healing powers of minerals from the sea’s muddy floor.
Around noon time, drive to visit Kerak’s Crusaders Castle built in the 12th century AD, which is situated on a hilltop about 1000 meters above sea level and surrounded by a valley on three sides. Proceed to the Dana Nature Reserve for overnight.
Distance and journey times:
The Dead Sea to Kerak castle:113 km, allow 2 hrs.
Kerak Castle to the Dana Nature reserve: 88 km, allow 2 hrs.
Day 5: Hike from Dana Nature Reserve to Feynan
Dana Nature Reserve is truly a world of natural treasures. On this hike, you will experience the beauty of Rummana Mountain, the timeless tranquillity of Dana Village, and the grandeur of the red and white sandstone cliffs of Wadi Dana. The Dana Village area, overlooking the scenic Wadi Dana, has been occupied since 4000 BC.
Enjoy the Wadi Dana Trail: Long hike, 14Km, taking 5-7hrs. Spectacular downhill walks from Dana to Feynan through the sandstone gorge of Wadi Dana.
Overnight at Feynan Eco Lodges.
Day 6: Feynan to Petra
Feynan is an extraordinary area due to copper mining. It was the first place in the world where copper ore was extracted and smelted for human use. During the Bronze Age, mining and smelting techniques became more advanced. The most obvious relict of the copper age is Khirbet Feynan, a Byzantine settlement with three churches, indicating the size and importance of the community.
Trek the Wadi Ghwair Trail: easy river bed trail, 8km, taking 3-4hours. It starts from the Eco-Lodge via Khirbet Feynan with its Byzantine archaeology to Wadi Feynan. Continue hiking along the gravel riverbed of the Wadi, alongside a flowing stream, to the entrance to Wadi Ghweir. Picnic Lunch. If time permits, a small excursion will be made into the Ghweir canyon.
In the afternoon, drive to Petra the greatest city of the Arab nation which existed 2000 years ago.
Overnight in Petra.
Day 7: Petra Highlights
Petra “The Rose City” is an extraordinary and unique place, which was built by the Arab Nabateans more than 2000 years ago. The Nabateans carved their monumental tombs, palaces, temples and treasury from the desert’s natural rose-coloured rocks and sandstones.
Begin your visit by enjoying a walk or a short horse ride from Petra’s main entrance to the entrance of the old city “Al Siq”, which is a 350 metres narrow canyon. As you reach the end of the Siq, the first and greatest monument of Petra slowly comes into view. This is the famous Treasury monument “Al Khazneh”.
Starting from a point close to the theatre, the path to the High Place of Sacrifice climbs steeply at first. After a little way, the ascent becomes gentler, and eventually, the path emerges into a level open space mass overlooking the site. To the right are a cluster of rock outcrops, and on these can be seen the remains of a free-standing building that once housed the priests and a carved obelisk. A little further on lies the High Place. The High Place itself has been carved flat, and drainage channels have been cut into the rock to allow the blood of sacrificial animals to drain away.
After lunch, visit the Monastery. The Monastery is similar in design to the Treasury, but it is much larger (50 m high x 45m wide) and much less decorated. The facade is flat on the lower level and deeply carved on the upper level, with engaged columns and two half-pediments flanking a central urn (10m high).
Overnight in Petra.
Day 8: Petra Highlights
Begin the day with a normal entry to Petra via the Siq and Outer Siq. From the Great Temple, you’ll ascend the hillside behind the Qasr al-Bint and hike to the Snake Monument. Beyond the Snake Monument lies the base of Jabal Harun. At 1350 meters above sea-level it is the highest peak in the area, and it is a place of great sanctity to the local people, it is believed, Moses' brother Aaron died and was buried. A 14th-century mosque stands here with its white dome visible from most areas in and around Petra.
You will climb a fairly easy mountainside for around 2-2 ½ hours before reaching the “saddle” of the mountain below the peak. Continue up the rock-carved steps to the ancient shrine and tomb of Aaron. From the peak of Jabal Harun, you will enjoy a fine view not only of Wadi Araba but also of the Petra and the Monastery.
Overnight in Petra
Day 9: Petra to Wadi Rum
Depart to the Natural Resort of Wadi Rum “The Valley of the Moon” a unique place unlike anywhere else you have ever visited. There are several options for exploring Wadi Rum. First, head for the Visitors' Centre. Here you can hire a 4x4 vehicle, together with driver/guide, and then drive for two or three hours into the Wadi system to explore some of the best-known sites.
Start with the soaring pinnacles of rock directly opposite the Visitor Centre, referred to as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. A short drive will take you to the ruined temple with Nabatean inscriptions on the walls and columns. Round off your day with a visit to Lawrence's Spring ( Ain Shalaaleh) for spectacular views of Wadi Rum.
Other notable sites here to visit includes Jabal Umm Kharg (“Lawrence’s House”) offering panoramic views. Sig Barrah and the hidden valley of Siq Umm Tawagi (“Siq Lawrence”) with rock drawings and face carvings.
Stay in Wadi Rum desert for the night. Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin tent, where you can enjoy a traditional campfire meal accompanied by Arabic music. The sunsets and starry skies here are unforgettable.
Distance and journey times:
Petra to Wadi Rum: 113 km, allow 2 hrs.
Day 10: Wadi Rum to Aqaba and departure:
Depart for Aqaba for your beach extension/departure or alternatively drive to Amman for your flight home.
This suggested trekking adventure requires a good level of fitness and may not be suitable for everyone. It can be modified to suit your abilities and you may also choose to hike one trail only. This private journey may be tailor-made to your specific needs. You can add days or reduce the overall programme. Please get in touch with us to discuss. We are ready to help.