Jordan's Dana to Petra Trek

Day 1: Arrive Madaba

Rendezvous at the group hotel in Madaba. A single group transfer will be provided from Amman Airport to the group hotel in Madaba. This transfer is normally in the late evening and a representative of our local agent will accompany the group on the 30 minute journey to the hotel. (Meals included : None)

Day 2: Drive to Dana and trek to Wadi Feinan

We will make an early start for the drive southwards to the Dana Nature Reserve. Here, we meet our trek crew and trekking guide set off on a first day’s walk which will take 6 hours including a stop for lunch. The walk from Dana to Feinan is essentially downhill with the initial 800 metre / 2650 foot decent taking place in the first hour of the walk. After this, the route levels out and we can enjoy a far more gentle walk through a wide open valley flanked by the Dana Mountains. Arriving in Wadi Feinan, we set up our first camp of the trip. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, D)

Day 3: Trek from Wadi Feinan to Wadi Barwas

This is another 6-hour walking day, which will take us across classic ‘hamada’ landscape – dry, rock-strewn desert, with little sand. The route is quite level and there are spectacular views of the high mountain ranges to the east and the expansive Wadi Araba Desert stretching out to the west. Although the terrain is essentially flat, there are several small wadis (dry valleys), that must be crossed throughout the day. We pass both Byzantine and Nabatean ruins during the course of today’s walk and our local guide will point these out. We set up camp for the night in Wadi Barwas. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Trek to Ras el Feid

Leaving the stony ‘hamada’ desert behind, there is a steep ascent across rocks and small boulders which eventually leads to a twisting goat herder’s track. The initial uphill section takes approximately 3 hours. The track leads up into the mountains through a narrow and dramatic valley with wonderful views eastwards towards the Wadi Araba Desert. This is a steep and challenging section of the route, but extremely rewarding, as we finally reach the top of a high saddle. The descent to the river valley beyond is on a well– defined trail through rocky surroundings. There are views ahead of the next day’s route. On reaching the dry river bed, we turn upstream for half an hour to our camp at Ras el Feid. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Trek to Shkaret Msei’d

We retrace our route along the riverbed, before turning off on a Bedouin trail that traverses a rocky valley side, gradually ascending by way of dry wadis and indistinct cols. This part of the path is particularly challenging, becoming less well-defined, with some easy scrambling to overcome the largest obstacles. This section lasts approximately 2 hours and eventually descends to a riverbed with perennial water. Look out for the elusive ibex in this remote area. The trail continues along the wadi floor and gently climbs up into the pale coloured sandstone mountains of the Petra region. The climb from the valley to the escarpment (where Petra is situated) is gentle and beautiful with a slight uphill climb towards the end across bare rock slabs. We camp at the col of Shkaret Msei’d. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Trek to Beidha

Leaving the campsite at Shkaret Msei’d the scenery changes dramatically. We leave the narrow, confining wadis behind and find ourselves amongst wide-open sandstone hills that have something of the feel of a moonscape. The rock is smooth and soft and despite there being no apparent trail the terrain is easy to negotiate, with wide tracks and walkways. The Nabatean influence is apparent here and the first cut steps can be seen. The trail passes through Bedouin encampments, before reaching another rocky area where the track once again becomes indistinct, with interesting route-finding and easy scrambling. We descend into Little Petra using a little used route. The splendour of Little Petra provides an insight into what lies ahead at the main Petra site. From the main entrance of Little Petra, we make our way towards Beidha with evidence of modern human settlement in the form of jeep tracks. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Trek to Petra

We will say goodbye to our local trekking guide and crew this morning and we are now joined by a specialist Petra guide. The walk from here to Petra will take between 2 and 3 hours, with the initial walk across open farmland. The route then follows a well–defined mountain track with fantastic views across to the Araba Desert, some 100 km / 60 miles away. The views are impressive and with the exception of one short (2 metre) section a head for heights is not necessary. The walk into Petra is magnificent and is the culmination of 5 days of hard walking. The initial glimpse of the top of the Monastery, as it comes into view through the mountains, has a similar effect of the first glimpse of the Treasury from the Siq. We will then trek down from the Monastery and exit Petra by the secondary Siq before re-entering the site through the main Siq so you get to see the most famous view of Petra as though you are entering for the first time. After our sightseeing visit to Petra, we overnight at a hotel in nearby Wadi Musa. (B, L,D)

Day 8: Return to Madaba via the Dead Sea

Today, we will drive northwards back towards our accommodation in Madaba and the capital city of Amman. We will break our journey at the Dead Sea and also pay a visit to Mount Nebo, and arrive in Madaba in the afternoon. Overnight at the group hotel in Madaba. (B,D)

Day 9: Depart from Amman Airport

KE group package services end with the early morning transfer to Amman Airport for the homeward flight. (B)