DISCOVER JORDAN’S JEWELS
Put on your hiking boots and discover Jordan’s jewels in this week-long bucket list trip. Explore the hidden gorges of wadi Gwuheir, swim in an oasis, trek through Bedouin villages in the Dana Nature Reserve, sleep under the stars in the desert of Wadi Rum, float in the dead Sea and discover the secrets of the UNESCO-world heritage site Petra. This is a chance to reconnect with nature in a wilderness of staggering natural beauty.
HIGHLIGHTS
Scramble around ravines in wadi Ghuweir
Hike through the copper-coloured sand dunes of Wadi Rum
Sleep under the stars in a real Bedouin Camp
Float in the mineral rich Dead Sea
Hike the secret ‘back door’ trail to Petra (UNESCO)
Unwind while you trek through Dana Nature Reserve
Learn about the Bedouin life and eat delicious local food
DAY 1: HELLO JORDAN
Suggested flight (Transavia): Amsterdam 10:30 → Amman 16:10
Welcome in Jordan! Our guide will pick us up and will drive us (approximately 2,5 hours) from the airport of Amman to the biggest nature reserve in Jordan, Dana Biosphere Reserve. This spectacular national reserve is home to buzzards, eagles and a wide range of Jordanian wildlife.
Overnight: 3-star hotel in Dana Nature Reserve
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: DISCOVER THE HIDDEN GORGES OF WADI GHUWEIR
Our adventure begins with a hike through one of Jordan’s most spectacular gorges, wadi Gwuheir. It is full of water springs and hanging gardens. It is like wandering through a “lost world” with water all the way. Some parts can be adventurous as we need to climb over some giant rocks. Along the way we’ll reach a lovely palm tree oasis, where you can leap into naturally formed plunge pools (rain levels dependent). It is called “Hammam Dethneh”. When we reach the outlet of the wadi, we have a beautiful view on the Feynan ruins, the ancient center of copper mining and smelting.
Important: for today’s hike you need an extra pair of (water)shoes that can get wet. We will walk through the water in the wadi. The water flow changes according to the season.
Overnight: wild camping in tents
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 3: EXPLORE DANA NATURE RESERVE
Today we will continue our hike through the 3000-year-old copper mines of Feynan. The copper mines reached their peak under the Roman empire. Nowadays a lot of the ruins are still there. The hike shows us the inner beauty of the Dana Nature Reserve, an area of staggering beauty, history, and biodiversity. Many of Dana Nature Reserve’s animals and plants are very rare. A total of 800 plant species and 449 animal species have been recorded in the Reserve, of which 25 are known to be endangered, including the Sand Cat and the Syrian Wolf.
In the evening we arrive at our camp where dinner will be prepared and we’ll enjoy a great sleep in our tents beneath the Milky Way.
Overnight: wild camping
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4: HIDDEN CITY LITTLE PETRA
Let’s get lost in a maze of caves, tombs and temples. After a goodnight’s sleep in our tents it is time to head to the hidden cities. We follow a Bedouin shepherds’ path along the river bed which gradually takes us up the hills, uncovering more of the spectacular views over the desert below. During our 17-kilometer hike we come across Gbour Whedat, a place with lots Nabataean ruins. The Nabataea are the local inhabitants of the nature reserve, and have been there for 400 years. From there we continue our journey to the first hidden city, Little Petra. Little Petra is a small city north of the famous Petra, also known as Siq al-Barid. Little Petra can only be reached through a beautiful narrow canyon, known as a Siq.
In the afternoon we head to our hotel, where we can freshen up, have dinner and of course a good night’s sleep.
Overnight: 3 star hotel Petra
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5: THE SECRET BACKDOOR TO PETRA
On the second day of our hidden cities adventure we’ll take the “secret” back door trail to Petra. Climb up a long fleet of 800 steps to explore the caves, temples and tombs of the Rose Red City Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This astonishing city was carved out of a rock face by the Nabateans more than 2,000 years ago and remained hidden until the 19th century. This is true Indiana Jones territory. Here we can explore the majestic Monastery, the Street of Facades and the spectacular Treasury (as seen in the movie Indiana Jones) all in one day.
As the night draws in, we go back to our hotel for a well deserved dinner.
Overnight: 3 star hotel Petra
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6: EXPLORE THE DESERT OF WADI RUM
We say farewell to Petra and move on to Wadi Rum to explore the magnificent desert. Wadi Rum is famous for its mountains and flat sand surfaces. The desert is another world, inhabited by the Bedouin people for generations. After an unforgettable day’s trekking through this remarkable desert scenery of sculpted sandstone canyons and pristine dunes, we finish in a Bedouin camp. After sunset, while sipping mint and sage tea, you can admire the unpolluted skies light up with millions of stars.
Overnight: Desert Bedouin camp
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7: FLOAT AROUND IN THE DEAD SEA
After breakfast we travel to the famous Dead Sea (approximately 4 hours). Here we will have time to enjoy the strange delights of floating around in the salty mineral-rich waters. At nearly 400m below sea level this is the lowest point on earth. No specie can live in this water, that is why it is called ‘’Dead’’ sea. Although the water is not enjoyable for animals, it is said to be healing for humans. The water is a medicine for the skin. Enjoy the sunshine and view whilst trying out the
invigorating mud bath to cleanse the skin.
Overnight: 4 star hotel Dead Sea
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 8: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
After breakfast it’s time to bid farewell to this enchanting place and take our transfer to the Queen Alia international airport. Before we take off, think of all the memories you are returning home with.
Suggested flight: Amman → Amsterdam 17:05 – 21:20 HV6506 Transavia
Meals: breakfast
TREKKING
Please be aware that the itinerary and activities are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to weather conditions or other circumstances beyond our control.
The daily hikes are between 14 and 20 kilometer and have an average duration of 6 hours, some a bit longer, some a bit shorter. A good level of fitness is required for this trip. The hikes are moderately demanding with some long days of sustained walking with a backpack (day-pack only). Previous trekking experience is desirable but not vital as long as you are confident of your physical condition. You will enjoy the trip all the more if you are in good physical shape.
Each day our main luggage will be transported in jeeps. We only need to carry our day pack.
In Dana, Petra and at the Dead Sea we are staying in hotels. When we are trekking in the Dana Nature Reserve the facilities are basic, please take this into consideration before you book this trip. Desert temperatures can be more extreme and in the night it can be cold. Please be prepared for this.
VISA
You are obligated to have a tourism VISA in Jordan. Please check with the Jordan Embassy if there will be any obstacles with your nationality to enter the country. Please read about the VISA on the website of the Jordan Tourism Board. http://international.visitjordan.com/page/21/bordercrossings.aspx
The most economic way to buy your VISA and the entrance ticket for Petra is at jordanpass.jo )
FOOD
During the trek we’ll eat traditional Jordanian food. Dinner will be served at the accommodation. When we are staying in a hotel, we’ll eat in the hotel. When we are camping dinner is made in a traditional way and usually served as barbecue. We’ll eat chicken, fish, meatball dishes, rice, salads and seasonal vegetables. Please inform Nature Connects upfront if you have any allergies or eating restrictions.
ACCOMMODATION
We spend 1 night in a hotel in Dana, 2 nights in a hotel in Petra and the final night in a hotel at the Dead sea. All the rooms are twin rooms. Some hotels have more facilities than others. Accommodation in Petra is limited and the demand on the infrastructure is high. This creates occasional problems with hot water and plumbing for all hotels.
We also have one night in a desert Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum and two nights of wild camping in Dana Nature Reserve. At the Wadi Rum Bedouin camp there are traditional style tents equipped with basic beds, sheets and blankets. There are basic toilets and simple shower facilities. When we are wild camping there are no toilets or wash facilities.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
INCLUDED:
Four nights accommodation in a hotel (twin rooms)
Two nights wild camping and one night in a Bedouin camp
Camping equipment
All the meals in the itinerary
Transportation to/from the hikes
Transfers to and from the airport in Amman
Transportation of our luggage during the trekking
Local English speaking, qualified guide
Booking fee
Tourist Tax
NOT INCLUDED:
Flights
Travel insurance
Sleeping bag
VISA and entrance ticket to Petra (the most economic way to buy the VISA and entrance ticket is at jordanpass.com )
Tips (in Jordan it is normal to give the guide, cook and driver a tip)
Drinks/extra snacks
Any other personal expenses not mentioned under included
