Jordan – The Wadi Rum & Petra Trail –
Jordan – The Wadi Rum & Petra Trail –
Trail dates
Friday 19 – Saturday 27/February/2027. February is a good month to trek in Wadi Rum. Days are mostly sunny, often pleasant, sometimes still a bit nippy, a far cry from the schorching summer heat. Be prepared for fresh and mostly clear nights, ideal for star gazing. Rains are not impossible but it is a desert so rainfal on average is low. All good trekking conditions in the mids of our own winter. It will only take you a working week away from home, ideal to tank up with fresh air, sunshine, good trekking and loads of history, culture and trekking camaraderie.
Trail cost
The tour costs are £1,548. This includes almost everything; all the accommodation (3 hotel nights and 4 camping nights), all the meals (starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with breakfast on day 8), drinking water and snacks during the trek. All the transportation, all the entry fees and other local services (guides, drivers) needed for our tour. Not included; flights, local tips, and everything not mentioned above.
Flights
You will have to book your own flight. We will give flight advice and flight options. Flights are coming back to Jordan, we are confident that there will be good options availble and I will update any news on this. It is no secret that tourism took a hit in Jordan during the last few years. Jordan itself has always remained peaceful and everybody is eager to get it going again. In fact, early next year could be a very good time to visit as the country surely won’t be overrun with visiters yet. A great opportunity.
A short introduction
Wadi Rum is a breathtaking desert valley in Southern Jordan, famed for its dramatic sandstone mountains, rust-red sands, and deep cultural heritage. The landscape was shaped over millions of years through tectonic uplift, erosion, and desert winds. Massive sandstone and granite mountains were pushed upward and sculpted into arches, canyons, and mesas. Floods carved the wadis, leaving behind smooth valleys and dramatic rock formations. Often called the “Valley of the Moon,” it is a top destination for desert adventure and Bedouin hospitality. Wadi Rum is not just a desert—it’s a living canvas of nature, history, and culture.
Petra is an ancient city in southern Jordan, renowned for its stunning rock-cut architecture, rich history, and dramatic desert setting. Rather than a city only, it is a vast area of canyons, mountains, valleys, ancient monuments and hidden valleys. Like Wadi Rum it is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the new seven wonders of the world. The Nabataeans, a nomadic Arab people, settled in Petra in the 4th century BCE, transforming it into the capital of their kingdom. They mastered water management, stone carving, and desert survival, enabling them to thrive in a harsh environment. Petra became a wealthy hub of the incense and spice trade, linking Arabia with Egypt, Syria, and the Mediterranean. In 106 CE, the Romans annexed the Nabataean Kingdom, renaming it Arabia Petraea. Petra continued to prosper under Roman rule. A devastating earthquake in 363 CE destroyed many structures and contributed to the city’s decline. Petra is often called the “Rose-Red City” because of the colour of its sandstone cliffs. In 1812, Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered Petra for the Western world and today Petra is Jordan’s most visited attraction.
Trekking info
Combining these 2 prime trekking areas makes total sense. You will not only walk in the most beautufl desert settings, you will also visit one of the modern wonders of the world. All this comfortably wrapped up in 8 days. The trekking is rewarding, not difficult from a technical point and you are well supported by local crew members. Everybody with a basic fitness will be up for it and likewise, even the most experienced walkers will appreciate the beautiful trekking. Yes, you will find sand in Wadi Rum but it’s less difficult than you think as the guides know to chose the best trails. Petra and its vecinity is know for its sandstone (red and white), very grippy to walk on.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Amman –
Arrival at Amman airport and transport to our hotel. Free time to relax or explore the area (depends on flight arrival).
Driving; 45 min. Hotel + dinner
Day 2 – Amman – Wadi Rum –
An early start for our bust transfer to wadi Rum. The Desert Highway is the fastest link between Central Jordan and the Red Sea port of Aqaba. We will drive for several hours over the desert plateau, passing local villages and eventually connecting to the splendid Rum area.
Upon arrival in Wadi Rum, we will meet the support crew and organise everything for the trekking days ahead of us; luggage will be loaded on the Bedouin vehicles, and the local guide will be introduced. We will have a great afternoon trek through Wadi Um Ishrin where we will camp underneath the impressive presence of Gabel Um Ishrin.
Driving: 4–5 hours. Walking: 2–3 hours. Overnight camp in Wadi Rum (B,L,D).
Day 3 – Wadi Rum
Today’s trek will take us from Gabel Um Ishrin via the famous Burdah rock bridge to our night campsite near Khor al Ajram.
We will hike over the red-sand sand dunes, passing towering and impressive sand rock formations before we reach our lunch destination close to Burdah. After the well-deserved lunch break, we start climbing the famous rock bridge formation, being awarded with unbelievable views from the top.
Back in the valley we continue trekking through the awesome wadis and will reach our campsite. Once here we can opt for another rock-climbing experience just above our campsite, experiencing the unequalled sunset viewing of Wadi Rum.
Walking: approx. 5 hours. Overnight Camp (B,D,L).
Day 4 – Wadi Rum –
From our camp site near Khor al Ajram we will hike to and through the unique Barrah canyon, after which we will reach our campsite at the end of the canyon.
Today is probably the most picturesque day of the entire trek as we hike through the unique Barrah canyon. The sheer and steep sandstone rocks are most impressive as they rise almost completely vertical into the sky for hundreds of meters, dwarfing everything underneath. It is one of those spots where one only can feel humbled by the awesome and overwhelmingly powerful and beautiful forces of Mother Nature. An area that has been seen in many films, including The Martian in which Wadi rum was used as Mars’s landscape.
At the end of the canyon, we will enjoy a well-deserved Bedouin lunch and will stroll along through our camp site for the last 2 nights. This campsite is hidden in the short but impressive canyon of Gabel Um Anfus, surrounded by yet again overpowering vertical sandstone rock formations.
Walking: 5 hours. Overnight; Camp (B,D,L).
Day 5 – Wadi Rum –
Another full day in Wadi Rum. We explore further canyons and wadis, all at an easy pace so that we can truly take it all in. In the afternoon, upon returning to our camp, we can have a choice of authentic Bedouine cooking lessons, or some hiking excursions to nearby beauty spots. Most of all we want you to be yourself; to fill it in to your liking and to experience this desert day the way you want it to experience.
Walking: 5 hours. Overnight; Camp (B,D,L).
Day 6 – Wadi Rum – Petra –
In the morning, we hike for a short while until we reach the road, where our bus will wait for us. We will reach the Little Petra area after approx. 1,5 hours of driving. We start walking and reach the point of Gabal Qaroun (1,250m altitude), with magnificent views over the Arava Valley, the land bridge that forms the connection between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. After descending on a steep goat trail, we will enter and visit Little Petra, Petra’s little sister and probably the major caravanserai of the Nabataean capital. Amidst white domes of sandstone, on either side of the valley, lies and archaeological and geological wonderland. After our visit we take a short 20 min transfer to our hotel near Petra.
Walking: 5-6 hours. Driving: 1–2 hours. Overnight; hotel (B,D,L).
Day 7 – Petra –
Today we will enter the ancient site of Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After a guided tour and lunch (included) you will be free to explore at your leisure, seeing key building such as the Treasury and locations from Indiana Jones and the last Crusade. Perhaps even climbing to the high place of sacrifice for an impressive view, or the monastery; a 40-metre towering monument carved out of one massive rock. There is no rush, we just enjoy this unique setting at our pace. So much to see…
At the end of that day we return to our hotel, confronted with the lure of a thorough cleansing in the local Turkish bath, maybe a well-deserved drink in the bar and surely a well-deserved festive dinner and night out.
Walking: 5 hours. Overnight; hotel (B,D,L).
Day 8 – Departure –
We leave Petra and drive to the airport.
Driving: 3-4 hours.
© Theo Trails. This is a complex itinerary and maybe subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
For questions, further info and to sign up; contact
Trail dates
Friday 19 – Saturday 27/February/2027. February is a good month to trek in Wadi Rum. Days are mostly sunny, often pleasant, sometimes still a bit nippy, a far cry from the schorching summer heat. Be prepared for fresh and mostly clear nights, ideal for star gazing. Rains are not impossible but it is a desert so rainfal on average is low. All good trekking conditions in the mids of our own winter. It will only take you a working week away from home, ideal to tank up with fresh air, sunshine, good trekking and loads of history, culture and trekking camaraderie.
Trail cost
The tour costs are £1,548. This includes almost everything; all the accommodation (3 hotel nights and 4 camping nights), all the meals (starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with breakfast on day 8), drinking water and snacks during the trek. All the transportation, all the entry fees and other local services (guides, drivers) needed for our tour. Not included; flights, local tips, and everything not mentioned above.
Flights
You will have to book your own flight. We will give flight advice and flight options. Flights are coming back to Jordan, we are confident that there will be good options availble and I will update any news on this. It is no secret that tourism took a hit in Jordan during the last few years. Jordan itself has always remained peaceful and everybody is eager to get it going again. In fact, early next year could be a very good time to visit as the country surely won’t be overrun with visiters yet. A great opportunity.
A short introduction
Wadi Rum is a breathtaking desert valley in Southern Jordan, famed for its dramatic sandstone mountains, rust-red sands, and deep cultural heritage. The landscape was shaped over millions of years through tectonic uplift, erosion, and desert winds. Massive sandstone and granite mountains were pushed upward and sculpted into arches, canyons, and mesas. Floods carved the wadis, leaving behind smooth valleys and dramatic rock formations. Often called the “Valley of the Moon,” it is a top destination for desert adventure and Bedouin hospitality. Wadi Rum is not just a desert—it’s a living canvas of nature, history, and culture.
Petra is an ancient city in southern Jordan, renowned for its stunning rock-cut architecture, rich history, and dramatic desert setting. Rather than a city only, it is a vast area of canyons, mountains, valleys, ancient monuments and hidden valleys. Like Wadi Rum it is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the new seven wonders of the world. The Nabataeans, a nomadic Arab people, settled in Petra in the 4th century BCE, transforming it into the capital of their kingdom. They mastered water management, stone carving, and desert survival, enabling them to thrive in a harsh environment. Petra became a wealthy hub of the incense and spice trade, linking Arabia with Egypt, Syria, and the Mediterranean. In 106 CE, the Romans annexed the Nabataean Kingdom, renaming it Arabia Petraea. Petra continued to prosper under Roman rule. A devastating earthquake in 363 CE destroyed many structures and contributed to the city’s decline. Petra is often called the “Rose-Red City” because of the colour of its sandstone cliffs. In 1812, Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered Petra for the Western world and today Petra is Jordan’s most visited attraction.
Trekking info
Combining these 2 prime trekking areas makes total sense. You will not only walk in the most beautufl desert settings, you will also visit one of the modern wonders of the world. All this comfortably wrapped up in 8 days. The trekking is rewarding, not difficult from a technical point and you are well supported by local crew members. Everybody with a basic fitness will be up for it and likewise, even the most experienced walkers will appreciate the beautiful trekking. Yes, you will find sand in Wadi Rum but it’s less difficult than you think as the guides know to chose the best trails. Petra and its vecinity is know for its sandstone (red and white), very grippy to walk on.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Amman –
Arrival at Amman airport and transport to our hotel. Free time to relax or explore the area (depends on flight arrival).
Driving; 45 min. Hotel + dinner
Day 2 – Amman – Wadi Rum –
An early start for our bust transfer to wadi Rum. The Desert Highway is the fastest link between Central Jordan and the Red Sea port of Aqaba. We will drive for several hours over the desert plateau, passing local villages and eventually connecting to the splendid Rum area.
Upon arrival in Wadi Rum, we will meet the support crew and organise everything for the trekking days ahead of us; luggage will be loaded on the Bedouin vehicles, and the local guide will be introduced. We will have a great afternoon trek through Wadi Um Ishrin where we will camp underneath the impressive presence of Gabel Um Ishrin.
Driving: 4–5 hours. Walking: 2–3 hours. Overnight camp in Wadi Rum (B,L,D).
Day 3 – Wadi Rum
Today’s trek will take us from Gabel Um Ishrin via the famous Burdah rock bridge to our night campsite near Khor al Ajram.
We will hike over the red-sand sand dunes, passing towering and impressive sand rock formations before we reach our lunch destination close to Burdah. After the well-deserved lunch break, we start climbing the famous rock bridge formation, being awarded with unbelievable views from the top.
Back in the valley we continue trekking through the awesome wadis and will reach our campsite. Once here we can opt for another rock-climbing experience just above our campsite, experiencing the unequalled sunset viewing of Wadi Rum.
Walking: approx. 5 hours. Overnight Camp (B,D,L).
Day 4 – Wadi Rum –
From our camp site near Khor al Ajram we will hike to and through the unique Barrah canyon, after which we will reach our campsite at the end of the canyon.
Today is probably the most picturesque day of the entire trek as we hike through the unique Barrah canyon. The sheer and steep sandstone rocks are most impressive as they rise almost completely vertical into the sky for hundreds of meters, dwarfing everything underneath. It is one of those spots where one only can feel humbled by the awesome and overwhelmingly powerful and beautiful forces of Mother Nature. An area that has been seen in many films, including The Martian in which Wadi rum was used as Mars’s landscape.
At the end of the canyon, we will enjoy a well-deserved Bedouin lunch and will stroll along through our camp site for the last 2 nights. This campsite is hidden in the short but impressive canyon of Gabel Um Anfus, surrounded by yet again overpowering vertical sandstone rock formations.
Walking: 5 hours. Overnight; Camp (B,D,L).
Day 5 – Wadi Rum –
Another full day in Wadi Rum. We explore further canyons and wadis, all at an easy pace so that we can truly take it all in. In the afternoon, upon returning to our camp, we can have a choice of authentic Bedouine cooking lessons, or some hiking excursions to nearby beauty spots. Most of all we want you to be yourself; to fill it in to your liking and to experience this desert day the way you want it to experience.
Walking: 5 hours. Overnight; Camp (B,D,L).
Day 6 – Wadi Rum – Petra –
In the morning, we hike for a short while until we reach the road, where our bus will wait for us. We will reach the Little Petra area after approx. 1,5 hours of driving. We start walking and reach the point of Gabal Qaroun (1,250m altitude), with magnificent views over the Arava Valley, the land bridge that forms the connection between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. After descending on a steep goat trail, we will enter and visit Little Petra, Petra’s little sister and probably the major caravanserai of the Nabataean capital. Amidst white domes of sandstone, on either side of the valley, lies and archaeological and geological wonderland. After our visit we take a short 20 min transfer to our hotel near Petra.
Walking: 5-6 hours. Driving: 1–2 hours. Overnight; hotel (B,D,L).
Day 7 – Petra –
Today we will enter the ancient site of Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After a guided tour and lunch (included) you will be free to explore at your leisure, seeing key building such as the Treasury and locations from Indiana Jones and the last Crusade. Perhaps even climbing to the high place of sacrifice for an impressive view, or the monastery; a 40-metre towering monument carved out of one massive rock. There is no rush, we just enjoy this unique setting at our pace. So much to see…
At the end of that day we return to our hotel, confronted with the lure of a thorough cleansing in the local Turkish bath, maybe a well-deserved drink in the bar and surely a well-deserved festive dinner and night out.
Walking: 5 hours. Overnight; hotel (B,D,L).
Day 8 – Departure –
We leave Petra and drive to the airport.
Driving: 3-4 hours.
© Theo Trails. This is a complex itinerary and maybe subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
For questions, further info and to sign up; contact
