Walk from Dana to Petra without the crowds. This 9-day Jordan trek strings together canyons, Bedouin trails, Petra’s Nabataean sites, and a low-stress recovery day at the Dead Sea. You’ll also get a chance to see Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) before Petra proper, using routes that are built for small groups instead of mass tours.

I like two things a lot. First, the group size caps at 14, so the pace feels human and you can ask questions without shouting. Second, the Petra approach is designed to be quieter, with a back-door entry route that helps you spend more time looking up at carved rock and less time stuck behind a crowd.

One thing to consider: this is not a casual stroll. You need strong physical fitness, with long hike days (often 5 to 7 hours) plus big climbs and descents, and you’ll sleep in tented camping settings on multiple nights.

Key points worth noting before you go

• Small-group size (max 14): easier questions, more flexibility at breaks, and a calmer vibe on narrow trails.
• Real hiking logistics handled for you: luggage transfers by pickup truck mean you can travel lighter during the days on foot.
• Quiet Petra entry via the back door: you’ll follow Wadi Ghurab and reach a hidden plateau before key viewpoints.
• Little Petra plus Nabataean water infrastructure: Siq al-Barid is reached through a canyon and steep steps, after passing ancient presses and aqueducts.
• Wadi Rum on 4×4 plus on-foot time: you can scramble and explore at your own pace, capped with Bedouin tea and sunset.
• Dead Sea as a recovery day: floating, mud, pool time, and optional spa treatments if your legs need it.

How the 9-day route flows: Amman to Dana to Petra to the desert

This trip is built like a long arc across Jordan. You start in Amman, then move into Dana Nature Reserve for several days of walking. After that comes Petra and Little Petra, followed by a full desert day in Wadi Rum, then the Dead Sea to finish, with the return to Amman for your flight.

What you’re really buying is smooth movement between very different environments. The Dana section is all hiking and camping. Petra adds ancient architecture and stone passages. Then the desert flips the rhythm with jeeps, sand, rock bridges, and sunset. The Dead Sea day is your chance to stop working your muscles and let the water do the work.

Day 1 in Amman: food, orientation, and an easy landing

Your first day is a hotel overnight in Amman with free time depending on arrival. This matters more than it sounds. When you start a multi-day trek the next morning, you want the first day to help you get grounded: eat well, rest, and learn where things are in the city without rushing.

Amman is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, and it still feels distinctly Jordanian even as it’s grown into a modern capital. If your flight lands early, it’s a good day to wander gently, try local meals, and get used to traffic and sidewalks before you start hiking days.

Dana Nature Reserve hikes: canyons, valleys, and Bedouin trails on foot

Days 2 through 4 are the big hiking engine of the trip, centered in Dana Nature Reserve (Dana Biosphere Reserve). The first morning begins with pickup from your hotel in Amman and a drive to the trailhead that takes about 2.5 hours, which is plenty of time to settle in and get to know your group.

From there, you start walking through changing terrain. The reserve includes multiple ecozones, so the scenery keeps shifting as you gain and lose altitude. One day you’re walking over mountains looking down toward Dana Valley. Another day you drop toward a wilderness valley campsite. You’ll also traverse Bedouin shepherd paths, which feel more like real travel routes than staged tourist trails.

Practical detail: the trip includes a local hiking guide with a donkey for safety measures on days 2 to 4. That’s a comfort you notice when you’re tired and the terrain gets uneven.

What the hiking days feel like (the numbers that matter)

You’re looking at 5 to 7 hours of hiking on many days, with long descents too. Day 2 is about 15 km, with a modest ascent (around 260 m) but a much steeper descent (around 690 m). Day 3 brings 16 km, with about 563 m of ascent and less descent (around 170 m). Day 4 is the toughest of the early stretch in terms of vertical movement: about 17.1 km with roughly 750 m ascent and about 920 m descent.

That pattern tells you something important: even if you pace yourself, your legs will feel it. Expect your quads to work hard on descents and your calves and glutes to do a lot on climbs.

Camp nights in the wilderness

You’ll sleep in wilderness camping for multiple nights: one near Mansoura and another in Furon, then another campsite in Ghbour Whedat. These aren’t “hotel nights.” But they’re part of what makes Dana work so well. You’ll have dinner, and the day ends with tea time and the kind of quiet you usually only get far from roads.

Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) via canyon stair steps and waterworks

After the remote hiking days, the trip eases into more human traces as you head toward Little Petra. On the way, you’ll see Bedouin camps, sheep pens, and small agricultural plots. It’s a grounding contrast: you’re still in a rugged environment, but you’re no longer completely away from people.

Before you reach the site itself, you’ll pass Nabataean ruins tied to everyday survival: wine and olive presses, aqueducts, and other ancient water infrastructure. That’s a big deal because Petra didn’t last for centuries just because it was pretty. The Nabataeans were experts at managing water and turning dry land into livable land.

Then you climb into a canyon walled with soft sandstone rock, and descend into Little Petra via a narrow steep stairway. Little Petra is also known as Siq al-Barid, meaning The Cold Canyon. The name fits the feel of the place: a cooler, more enclosed passage that makes the site feel tucked away rather than exposed.

Why Little Petra is worth your time

Petra gets the headlines. Little Petra does something different: it gives you an “earlier chapter” in Nabataean life, often with fewer crowds and a more intimate feel. You get to practice your walking rhythm and keep your energy for the heavier Petra day later.

Petra’s Back Door entry: Wadi Ghurab to a hidden plateau

The Petra day is where the trip turns from hiking through nature to moving through carved stone and Nabataean routes. Instead of entering the main way most people expect, you’ll go in via the Back Door, using a hidden Nabataean route designed to help you avoid the worst crowds.

You start by walking down Wadi Ghurab. The approach is framed by sandstone mountains guarding the way into Petra. From there, the trail follows a Nabataean route out of the valley, around the final mountain, and onto a natural rock terrace that has been improved for safety.

Even with improvements, it can still narrow before reaching a hidden plateau high above the chasm of Wadi Siyyagh. This is the kind of moment where the route makes a difference. Instead of rushing toward the big postcard views, you’re brought into Petra in stages, and you notice the stonework more because you’re not jammed into a crowd.

The Monastery viewpoint and a practical break

Beyond the plateau, the carved cliff face of the Monastery appears. There’s also a Bedouin café for refreshments if you want a stop. After long walking days, that kind of break is useful. It’s not just about caffeine or snacks; it helps reset your pace before you continue.

One more practical note: Petra can feel hot even in shoulder seasons, so plan for water discipline and take breaks when the guide calls them. The route you take helps, but physics still wins.

Wadi Rum in 4×4 plus on-foot exploring: sand dunes, rock bridges, tea at sunset

After Petra, the day flips to desert adventure. You’ll leave the mountains of Petra and head to Wadi Rum, meeting Bedouin hosts and setting out on a 4×4 jeep safari.

This part is guided, but it’s not only about being driven. At each step, you have opportunities to hike, scramble, and explore at your own pace. That balance is ideal if you like moving but don’t want the constant pressure of “keep up or fall behind.”

During the safari, you’ll look for ancient rock inscriptions, sand dunes, and rock bridges. Wadi Rum is the kind of place where you can look up and feel like you’re in a giant outdoor sculpture park.

Sunset and Bedouin hospitality

One of the highlights here is sunset. After an evening of exploring, you return to camp for dinner and Bedouin hospitality, including the repeated ritual of cups of tea. Then you get the best kind of bedtime: starlit sky time that makes you forget your phone exists.

If you’re wondering whether this is worth it after long hiking days, it is. It gives your body a break from sustained climbs while still rewarding you with real walking moments and desert visuals.

Dead Sea float and mud: a sore-leg reset before Amman

Day 8 heads to the Dead Sea, described as the lowest point on earth. The point of this day is recovery. You’ll have time to float in the salty water, try the Dead Sea mud, relax by the pool, and even consider spa treatments if you want an extra layer of comfort.

The best advice here is to treat it like a short recovery ritual, not a quick photo stop. Floating and mud take time, and you’ll want to rinse and cool down before you feel awkward. If your legs are sore from Petra and the trek, this is where the trip earns its keep.

In the late afternoon you take the bus back to Amman, using the long winding road up. Then you sleep in a hotel in Amman so you’re not trying to pack and travel immediately before your flight.

Fitness, pacing, and what you should pack in your brain

This tour is rated for people with a strong physical fitness level. The hike times and distances aren’t just marketing fluff. You’ll be walking 5 to 7 hours on hiking days, then sleeping in tented accommodations, and repeating that pattern.

The days in Dana are a good lesson in Jordan hiking. You don’t just climb high and then walk downhill. You do long descents. You do repeat effort. You also sleep outdoors multiple nights. That means your body needs time to recover between days, and your mind needs to plan for a steady routine rather than random bursts of energy.

What helps most on this kind of trek

Because hiking gear isn’t included, you’ll want to show up prepared. Proper footwear and layers matter in desert-country hiking where temperatures can swing. Also, luggage transfer by pickup truck is included, so you can keep your daypack focused on essentials instead of dragging everything you own along steep trails.

Price and value: what $1,595 actually covers

At $1,595 per person, this is not a budget hike. But it also isn’t “pay for a seat and figure it out.” The cost covers a lot of real-world work.

You get:

• 8 nights of accommodation (including wilderness camping and a Bedouin camp, plus hotel nights in Amman)
• An English-speaking licensed guide on days 2 to 8
• A local hiking guide with a donkey on days 2 to 4 for safety measures
• Meals: breakfast (8), lunch (7), dinner (6)
• Transport that links the stops
• Luggage transfers by pickup truck
• A maximum group size of 14

What you’ll pay extra for:

• Jordan Pass, listed as Jordan Wanderer (visa and entrance fees)
• Airport pickup and drop-off
• Tips for drivers, guides, and camping/hotel staff
• Travel insurance, airfare, and personal expenses
• Hiking gear

If you like travel where someone handles the moving parts, the value makes sense. If you prefer total control and you already love DIY camping logistics, you might find the price frustrating. For most people, though, the included guides, meals, and transport are the difference between a tough trek and a doable, well-paced one.

Also note: the experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

The kind of traveler who will love this trek

This trip is a great fit if you want:

• A guided multi-day hike without crowd-management headaches
• Petra access via a quieter Nabataean route
• Mix of walking, desert exploring, and a real recovery day
• A group size that stays small enough to feel personal

It’s less ideal if you:

• Hate long days on your feet and big changes in altitude
• Need hotel comfort every night
• Want mostly flat, short walks

On the guide side, this company has a track record of strong leadership. Names that come up for this experience include Motaz Zghoul and Mutaz Jarrar, both described as reliable, attentive, and good at setting a friendly group tone. There’s also mention of operations support from people like Shushan, and helpful team interactions around the Amman portion. That matters because on a trek like this, you want the “grown-up logistics” to run smoothly.

Should you book Dana to Petra Trek with Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea?

I’d book it if you want Jordan in a way that feels earned. The combo of Dana hiking, Little Petra’s tucked-away feel, Petra’s back-door approach, and then the desert and Dead Sea recovery makes a complete story instead of a pile of stops.

I wouldn’t book it if you’re expecting an easy walk or you’re not ready for long hiking days with serious descents and climbs. This is outdoorsy and demanding, even though it’s guided and supported.

If you’re physically ready, this is one of those trips where the route choices matter. Going into Petra quietly, seeing Siq al-Barid, and finishing with the Dead Sea reset are exactly the kinds of details that turn a “nice itinerary” into a trip you actually remember.

FAQ

What is the total duration of the trek?

The tour runs for about 9 days, starting in Amman and ending back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and what time does it begin?

It starts in Amman, Jordan. The start time is 7:00 am.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 14 travelers.

Is the trek guided?

Yes. An English-speaking licensed guide joins on days 2 through 8. A local hiking guide with a donkey for safety measures is included on days 2 to 4.

What kind of accommodations are included?

Accommodation includes 8 nights total, including pre-arranged tented accommodation and camping nights, plus hotel nights in Amman.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast is included 8 times, lunch 7 times, and dinner 6 times.

Do I need a Jordan Pass?

Jordan Pass is not included. The tour lists Jordan Wanderer (Visa & Entrance Fees) as not included.

How does the Petra visit avoid crowds?

You enter Petra using a Back Door route via a hidden Nabataean approach.

What do you do at Wadi Rum?

You go on a 4×4 jeep safari with Bedouin hosts and have opportunities to hike, scramble, and explore, including rock inscriptions, sand dunes, and rock bridges, plus sunset and tea.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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