Petra & Wadi Rum Trek

Petra & Wadi Rum Trek

8 Days Starting and ending in Amman

Visiting: Jordan

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

TXR

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

5 - 14

Physical rating:

Moderate & Challenging

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $2025 $1620 Operator discount: -$405 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the world is found in the south of Jordan at Wadi Rum, a place of dramatic beauty providing an ideal environment for trekking. Millennia of erosion has formed wonderful mountains (known as jebels) that rise from the desert sands, creating exciting terrain that we explore from the valley bottom to the jebel tops. Throughout the trip, we are accompanied by local Bedouin people and shall camp as they do, under the stars. Our trip finishes with a walk via the Back Trail into the ancient rock city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Highlights

  • Join Bedouin guides for a walking adventure in the arid Wadi Rum desert

  • Wild camp under the stars – your tent transported and put up by our desert team!

  • Experience local hospitality with our stay in two Bedouin camps

  • Join new-found friends to marvel at desert sunrises and sunsets

  • Hike the lesser-known Back Trail to the red rose city of Petra

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Start Amman

Welcome to Amman, the capital of Jordan, where our adventure begins. There are free transfers to the hotel from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) for all customers today. Please note, transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.



Accommodation: Larsa Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 : Drive To Wadi Rum

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, there is an opportunity to exchange money and purchase snacks for the upcoming desert trek. We then transfer by bus to Wadi Rum (four to five hours). We visit the Wadi Rum visitor centre and take in the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, a spectacular rock formation with seven fluted turrets. It is a short transfer to the start of our introductory walk where we walk to Um Al Bdoun, a private campsite run by local Bedouin people. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional zarb dinner, for which a cooking pot is dug into the sand and left for most of the day to slow cook meats and vegetables.



Accommodation: Permanent Bedouin camp

Day 3 : Traverse Siq El Barrah

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From our campsite, we trek through Siq el Barrah, a magnificent desert canyon with immense rock walls. We continue through open desert and there is a tangible sense of wilderness as we pass sandstone mountains and rocky outcrops. We set up camp beneath the shade of two rocky mountains, Rakaa and Mharrak.



Accommodation: Wild camping

Day 4 : Trek To Jebel Burdah

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin with an optional excursion to Jebel Burdah, which includes sections of scrambling and the use of ropes, particularly for those who choose to ascend to the top of Burdah Bridge — an impressive rock formation spanning two cliffs. Guests have the flexibility to remain at the campsite instead of participating in this trek. Please note, the final section of the hike, to the top of Burdah Bridge, is also optional; hikers can choose to wait at the base of the bridge. Panoramic views can be enjoyed throughout the trek.



Later in the afternoon, we continue our journey to our next campsite situated atop dunes near Jebel Umm Fruth in the southeast corner of the Wadi Rum desert.



Accommodation: Wild camping

Day 5 : On To Wadi Khashkhasheh

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we head to Umm Fruth Rock Bridge, just a short walk from our campsite. Umm Fruth requires some easy-level scrambling. The ascent is steep and short and the sandstone is firm with good underfoot grip. We continue our trek to the ruins of Lawrence House, where TE Lawrence – also known as Lawrence of Arabia – is said to have slept. In the afternoon, we traverse across remote red-sand dunes with spectacular views throughout. There is an opportunity to see historic rock inscriptions before we set up camp tonight in the crook of a desert mountain.



Accommodation: Wild camping

Day 6 : Leave The Desert For Little Petra

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our last morning in the desert starts with a walk or optional camel trek through Wadi Umm Al Ishrim. We transfer towards Petra around lunchtime. In the afternoon, we will visit Little Petra, a smaller but still impressive version of the main Petra site. We spend tonight in a fixed camp (with shared showers and toilets) near Little Petra.



Accommodation: Ammarin Bedouin Camp

Day 7 : Walk The Back Trail To Petra; Then Drive To Amman

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we set off early to explore the ancient city of Petra, a Unesco World Heritage site known for its astonishing scale.



We take the lesser-known Back Trail to Petra, cutting through a rocky landscape overlooking Wadi Araba. In contrast to the typical tourist track, we arrive first at the Monastery, giving us the chance to see it at a quieter time. From here, we proceed through the vast site, exiting via the Treasury and the Siq.



In the centre of Petra, we pass the houses and tombs of the more affluent citizens and a Roman amphitheatre, preserved in remarkable condition. Beyond the city centre is El Deir, the Monastery. Its superb facade is carved into the rock and topped by a huge urn.



We’ll spend about six hours in total walking through Petra.



After our visit, we transfer back to Amman.



Accommodation: Larsa Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 : End Amman

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tour ends in Amman after breakfast. Speak to your sales representative if you’d like to stay in Amman a little longer to explore and rest after an extraordinary week in the desert.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, four lunches, five dinners

  • All accommodation

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • Arrival and departure transfers

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

All meals are included while trekking. The three nights spent in hotels are on a bed-and-breakfast basis. You will be required to buy two lunches on days 2 and 7 and dinners on day 1 (depending on flight arrival time), 6 and 7. Allow about 64 Jordanian dinars (US$90) to cover these meals. On days where lunch is not included, your guide will recommend local restaurants. We usually eat in restaurants where traditional food is served to allow maximum flexibility of choice, and, for those who wish, to try a meze-style meal. You can usually expect food options to include rice, beans, salads, and meat.  If you are vegetarian, please note that main meals are limited in choice; however, meze is almost always available in restaurants and is a good choice for vegetarians, usually costing approximately 15 dinars (US$21) per person. Unlimited drinking water is provided free of charge on the trek in Wadi Rum.



Alcohol is available in Jordan, but not widely. Many hotels do not sell alcohol but will often allow it to be brought in from elsewhere. It is best to plan ahead if you want a drink, your tour leader will be able to tell you what’s possible and may be able to arrange a stop at a supermarket or liquor store (depending on location). In Petra, the unique Cave Bar in Petra Guesthouse is open to the public. A less expensive option is the bar in the Petra Palace Hotel which is also open to all.

Accommodation

On this adventurous walking trip in Jordan, we spend two nights in a hotel in Amman, one night in a Bedouin camp near Little Petra, one night at a private permanent camp in Wadi Rum and three nights wild camping.



Amman: Larsa Hotel (nights 1 and 7) 







Our first and final accommodation is usually the Larsa Hotel, around a 30-minute drive from Queen Alia International Airport. Locally rated as a three-star, it has some welcome amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, sauna and hot tub. There’s also a restaurant, where we eat breakfast, plus a bar.



Wadi Rum: Private Bedouin camp (night 2) 







Used exclusively by our groups, this permanent Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum is a highlight for many travellers. We sleep in traditional tents sheltered by rugged stone cliffs and enjoy the warm hospitality of our Bedouin hosts. The tents are equipped with basic beds, sheets and blankets and the site has plumbed toilets and basins, and basic shower facilities with (limited) hot water. In the evening, they serve us a zarb dinner, cooked underground in the traditional manner, while the rest of the night is typically spent around the campfire, chatting and sharing an unforgettable experience. 



Wild camping (nights 3-5)







For our three nights camping in the wild, we sleep in dome tents (pitched by the desert team). There are no toilets or wash facilities – this is the wild after all – but we do provide mattresses to sleep on (about 4in/10cm thick). To make things a little easier, our camping equipment is transported to the sites for us, meaning we don’t have to carry it.



Near Little Petra: Ammarin Bedouin Camp (night 6)







Our last camping night is spent at Ammarin Bedouin Camp near Little Petra, which sits at the foot of a protective rock wall. It is not exclusive to Exodus, so there are likely to be other guests in addition to our group, but the site does have shared shower and toilet facilities – a luxury after our last three nights in the wild! The site is run by members of the local Bedouin Ammarin people, a community traditionally comprised of camel and goat herders.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes.Arrival & departure transfers

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Minimum 16 year age people can go on this tour.

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    Visas are required by most nationalities, including British, and can be obtained at the border or Amman airport

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes.

  • What is the maximum group size?

    14

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

PETRA & WADI RUM TREK

Hot but workable days, spectacular landscape, great group of folk to trek with. Good fun setting up camp, gathering wood, eating great food and chatting till weariness dragged us to our tents and sleeping bags.

PETRA & WADI RUM TREK

I have been on this trip before, as had one other in the group: I think this says more than any number of 'fantastics' and 'wonderfuls'.  The peace and the space and the stars are balm for the soul; the sand, rock formations and skies make you stop and stare; Petra is deservedly a new seventh wonder of the world.

PETRA & WADI RUM TREK

The best part was at Petra: first by night and then "round the back from above".. but other highlights included sleeping under the stars, sunrise and sunset in the desert, just missing a sandstorm and ripping my shorts climbing down a steep rocky cliff. It was a taxing walk but really enjoyable and everyone was very pleasant.

PETRA & WADI RUM TREK

An unforgettable experience - great food, easy to traverse terrain and breathtaking scenery.  Snow in Amman and then frost on the desert sand and hailstone at Petra were unexpected pleasures.A must do!

Best Trip Ever!!

The Petra and Wadi Rum trek was amazing!! A fantastic insight into Jordan and how the locals live their life and get to see how beautiful the scenery is. The walks were great fun and was nice to be away from busy life and experience a country for what it truly is! A must visit and also felt totally safe while I was there!

AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!

I knew before I even left for this trip that it was going to be something special, but I didn't realise just how special that would be. The scenery is breathtaking throughout the desert and in Petra it's easy to see why it is a World Heritage Site! we spent 4 nights, 5 days wild camping in the desert with the beduoin and it really was a beautiful experience in so many ways. Sleeping under the stars or in our tents, we were looked after in every aspect and they really could not do enough for us and always with a smile on their faces. Our Guide Issa was knowledgeable, friendly and approachable I learnt an awful lot from him as we walked and chatted along with way. Jordan is a strikingly beautiful country with so much history it really is worth a visit, I can guarantee you will 100% not regret it. Take me back!!!

PETRA & WADI RUM TREK

A thoroughly enjoyable trip. Great desert and rock scenery on the Wadi Rum trek. Ruins of Petra were a lot bigger and more spectacular than I was expecting. Jordan felt a lot safer than I had been expecting, given the troubles in surrounding countries.

PETRA & WADI RUM TREK

A great trip, the scenery in Wadi rum is incredible and Petra is a place everyone should see.

Petra & Wadi Rum trek Nov 2014

A well balanced visit to Jordan with some interesting and impressive sights. The Wadi Rum was more varied than I expected although this was mostly on the second and third days. I found we had a good hour or two at the end of the day's walk where we still had good light so if you aren't tired a short wander of your own is well worth it to feel like you've gotten the most from your time there.

Wadi Rum Trek

A great introduction to the Middle East. The desert was stunning and Petra was fascinating.

Read all 74 reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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