120km Desert Trekking Expedition in Jordan
A unique journey from Wadi Rum to Petra along the ancient paths of The Jordan Trail, the Middle East’s ultimate long-distance trek
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guides and a full support crewAll accommodation
4 nights wild camping, 3 nights in Bedouin camps, 2 nights in hotelsMeals
9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinnersTransfers
Airport transfers and everything in betweenEquipment
All of your wild camping gear, including shower and toilet tentsSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Trek through the mountains, canyons and sand dunes of Jordan’s wilderness on unmarked paths miles away from civilisation
Enter Petra through the ‘Back Door’ passing the Lion Fountain, Garden Tomb and High Place of Sacrifice along the way
Snooze in remote desert spots and luxurious Bedouin camps, feasting on traditional local cuisine and stargazing under the Milky Way
Soak away weary trekker’s limbs with a recuperative float in the Dead Sea, famous for its healing qualities and the lowest point on Earth
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Jordan
Touchdown in Jordan and meet your host at the airport. You'll be transferred to your hotel in central Madaba, an ancient town southwest of the capital, Amman. Settle in to your hotel before meeting up with the rest of your fellow adventurers later for a chat about the expedition to come.
Day 2
Warm up hike in Wadi Rum
Driving
Hiking
After breakfast, hit the road south to Wadi Rum. Arriving at the famous location known as Valley of the Moon, switch into a jeep for a ride through the incredible scenery to the foot of the Jebel Al Hash mountain near the Saudi Arabian border. Tuck into lunch nestled in the shade of the peaks before hitting the trail for a warm-up hike to get used to the desert conditions. Traverse the rocky valley over easy slabs as the route winds to the plateau just beneath the summit. Enjoy a 360-degree panorama across Wadi Rum before descending westward, completing the warm up hike before heading off to your Bedouin camp for some desert hospitality before the expedition gets under way properly tomorrow.
Day 3
And we're off
Hiking
Grab an early start, rising at sunrise to hop back in the jeep for a ride further on through Wadi Rum and onto Humeima where the expedition begins. From now on you'll be trekking along the Jordan Trail, heading in the direction of Petra. Hike through the Bedouin village of Abassiya, a 1000m mountain plateau, and continue westwards, tackling a gradual descent from 1000m to 400m through a long wadi – the Arabic term for a river valley. Meander through several narrow gorges with varied rock formations and scattered vegetation. End your first day on the trail at a memorable campsite, enjoy dinner and settle in for a restful sleep under the Milky Way.
Day 4
Wadi Aheimar to Wadi Gseib
Hiking
Wake up to the solitude of the desert, fuel up with breakfast at the camp while your support crew pack up. Back on the trail, the route today will contain several gradual descents and ascents taking you through coloured canyons and rock formations, beautiful vistas and epic sand dunes. Your guide will be on the lookout for shaded spots to take rests and enjoy lunch before you push on in the afternoon. Your next camp spot is at Wadi Gseib near the Jordan Valley.
Day 5
Wadi Gseib to Wadi Al-Saif
Hiking
Settling into the rhythm of life on Jordan's long distance trekking trail, with moments of calm and quiet at the camps far away from the tourist sites, peppered with long stretches of determined trekking to get through the kilometres as you inch your way towards Petra. The Jordan trail provides not only a physical challenge but also a chance to connect with local communities and experience the hospitality of the people living along the trail. Hike north today through a series of stunning wild desert mountains and valleys, eventually reaching to the much wider valley of Wadi al-Saif. Here you'll arrive at a large boulder in front of a massive white and red sandstone cliff where you will camp for the night.
Day 6
Wadi Al-Saif to Gaa' Mriebed
Hiking
A slightly lighter day today, veering northeast uphill through the wadi surrounded by beautiful sandstone, rocky beds, and local oleander plants. You're now four days into the expedition, journeying in the footsteps of the ancients along the caravan route which has been used to transport goods from Egypt and Syria to Saudi Arabia for thousands of years. Your guides will continue leading the way on a gradual ascent this afternoon, where you’ll be rewarded with epic vistas as you arrive at tonight's wild camp spot in an area called Ga’a Mriebed.
Day 7
Reaching Petra
Hiking
The final day of a multi-day trek doesn't get much better than this. Wake up in the middle of nowhere one final time, enjoy coffee at camp and then hike along a 4x4 jeep track and donkey path down to Wadi Sabra. Passing by the crumbling ruins of a fortress, you'll reach the Sabra Amphitheatre, a great place to get some rest in the shade as you make the final push. Leave the valley and start ascending in zig zags to a flatter area called Stuah Nebi Haroun as the expedition reaches a thrilling climax. You’ll continue north to the city of Petra, passing the Lion Fountain and Garden Tomb. The trail takes you up to Wadi Farasa along the winding steps up to High Place of Sacrifice with sweeping views of the Royal Tombs. Take the Madras Trail tucked into the hills south of the Siq, arriving near the Obelisk Tomb and onto Wadi Musa where you'll take a short jeep transfer to your overnight luxury camp hidden in the rocks.
Day 8
Enter Petra through 'The Back Door'
Hiking
With the desert expedition successfully under your belt, it's time to delve deeper into breathtaking Petra, one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Start your hike right from the camp and enter Petra via ‘The Back Door’, avoiding most of the tourists. Hike down Wadi Ghurab amidst the sandstone mountains guarding Petra before skirting round the final peak to reach the natural rock terrace overlooking ‘The Monastery’. Take in this iconic sight before heading down the Nabataean steps into ancient Petra. Next up you'll tackle some steep sections along the Umm Al Biyara (Mother of Cisterns) trail which offers a constantly changing perspective on the ancient city below. Toast an epic day back at your luxury camp with a traditional bedouin meal.
Day 9
Dead Sea
Swimming
Driving
After breakfast, drive all the way north to the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. Spend some time floating and relaxing and try out the invigorating mud bath to cleanse the skin after a long week of trekking in the harsh desert conditions. Later on drive to Amman for your last night of the trip. Your guide will suggest a good restaurant to tuck into your final meal of sumptuous middle eastern food to toast an epic expedition successfully completed.
Day 10
Transfer to Airport
After breakfast and final goodbyes with your team, you'll be returned to the airport in time for your flight home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Queen Alia International Airport, Amman
Catch any flight to arrive on Day 1
Ends
Queen Alia International Airport, Amman
Depart anytime on Day 10
Transfers
Arrival transfers from Amman airport to the hotel in Madaba are included for anytime you choose to arrive on Day 1 or Day 2 of the tour (some flights arrive after midnight so fall in the early hours of Day 2). Departure transfers from the final hotel to Amman airport are included for anytime you choose to depart on Day 10. If you need a transfer on other days then your host can arrange a private transfer for you, at an additional cost. See the Optional Extras section for prices.
Travel options
There are frequent flights to Amman from airports in the UK and Europe. Choose any flight to arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 10 - or extend your stay if you wish. Some flights arrive shortly after midnight - if you arrive in Amman in the early hours of Day 2 then your room will be ready and waiting for you, but if your flight arrives in the early hours of Day 1, you will need to book an extra night's accommodation before the tour as rooms are not usually available for check-in until the mid-afternoon. Your host can arrange an additional night of accommodation, subject to availability. See the Optional Extras section for prices.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3 – Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7 – Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 9
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 10
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Throughout the expedition you will experience genuine Bedouin hospitality as your skilled crew prepare delicious meals to fuel you in the mornings and replenish the calories you’ve burned by during the day. For breakfasts on the trek, expect eggs, cheese, halva (a Middle Eastern sweet made of sesame flour and honey), jam, labneh (strained yogurt, more like a soft cheese) naan bread, hummus, dates, coffee and tea. You’ll make your own packed lunch each morning before setting off for the day. This will often be a sandwich with a variety of fillings, plus fruit, snacks and chocolate to keep you going.
Dinners usually consist of a main dish, such as maqluba; stewed meat with spices served with rice and fried vegetables, alongside another veggies-only stew pot, served with different salads. Rice will be the main dish of the whole trip, cooked in so many different ways that you’ll never get bored of it.
For breakfast at the hotels expect a buffet typical of 3-star hotel breakfasts all over the world. Lunches during the non-expedition sections will generally be buffet style at local cafes and will cost approx $10pp. Dinner (where not included) will be at local restaurants and will cost approx $15-$20pp. Your guide will be with you to make suggestions of where to eat and to arrange group meals.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just let your host know at the time of booking.
What is the accommodation like?
Madaba
During your overnight stay in Madaba, you will usually be tucked up in the cosy Mosaic City Hotel. This family-run hotel offers a friendly welcome in the centre of ‘the city of mosaics’ and is within walking distance to the main sights. Occasionally the group may be accommodated at another property of a similar standard.
Wadi Rum
The night before the expedition gets under way, you’ll stay at Rainbow Camp in Wadi Rum, a Bedouin fixed camp nestled into the vast expanse of the desert with several communal areas for dining, sitting by camp fires and chilling outside. The tents are large, square canvas tents with raised beds, mattresses and furniture in each, and there is a shower and toilet block available too. If you would like to take your mattress outside to a nearby dune to sleep under the stars, let your guide know as this can be arranged.
Wilderness Camping
Experience a side of Jordan that most other visitors never will, wild camping in the desert for four nights. Sleeping out in the remote solitude beneath starry skies devoid of light pollution is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’ll be provided with your own two-person tent (if you are joining the trip as a twosome, you can share a tent together). Tents are equipped with a foam mattress, bed sheet, pillow, pillow case and a blanket. Whilst not essential, your host suggests that you bring your own sleeping bag – see the Kitlist for details. You also have the option to take your sleeping mat, bag and pillow outside to sleep directly beneath the stars for an even more memorable remote sleep. As the trek is fully supported, the camp is set up for the group by your host team, including a common tent area to chill in the evening and enjoy dinners and breakfasts together. A shower tent and a toilet tent equipped with a sit-down toilet are also provided.
Little Petra
You’ll spend two nights in a Bedouin desert fixed camp in Little Petra, just 5km from Petra itself. Each spacious luxury tent is furnished with beds, mattresses, blankets and pillows, with showers and toilets available nearby. You'll be treated to traditional Bedouin cuisine for dinner, and the camp is the perfect place for a spot of star-gazing and watching the sun rise the next morning.
Amman
In Amman, you will usually stay at the Toledo Hotel, a modern hotel chosen for its excellent location in the heart of the city and known for its great service. You’ll stay in bright, elegant rooms that have air conditioning and WiFi, on a twin-share basis.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent at the hotels and Bedouin camps on this trip can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability). All participants in the expedition part of this trip are given their own tent as standard for the four nights of wild camping.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
You'll need to be fit and have a real sense of adventure for this trip. Days on the trail are long, trekking up to 9 hours and averaging 20km in a single day, although there are days of up to 26km. The walks also have a decent amount of elevation to navigate - up to 990m up on one of the days. The temperatures in this part of the world will add an additional layer of challenge: the sun is hot and unrelenting in the middle of the day in the desert, though we have scheduled the trip in the cooler months and there are ample opportunities for shade in the gorges and canyons along the way. There will be a few exposed sections, so those with vertigo may not be too comfortable. Your guides always be on hand to help you get through any of the trickier sections of the route. The terrain is dry and uneven in many places – bring along worn-in hiking boots, plenty of changes of socks and some blister treatment for the worst-case scenario.
To be ready to take on this trip you'll want to be comfortable hiking back to back days in hilly terrain. Getting out on a couple of practice weekends, walking similar daily distances and ascents will help prepare your body. Some general exercise (strength, cardio, flexibility) in the weeks building up to your trip will also go along way to be in the right shape to enjoy this trip.
What will I need to carry?
Your trek is fully supported, meaning that your main luggage, communal camping equipment and food will be transported from each camp spot to the next for you by vehicle. You'll have access to your main luggage each night. In addition to your main bag, you'll need a small rucksack (25-30 litres) to carry personal items during each day of activity: see kit list for more details.
We have planned this trek to occur in the cooler months of the year to take advantage of the lower temperatures and lighter humidity levels. November and December have the lowest temperatures out in the desert. In November expect daytime temperatures between 22-28°C (72-82°F) and night time averages of 8-14°C (46-57°F). In December things drop further, so this is the coldest month we run the trip. Daytimes are a pleasant 17-23°C (63-73°F) while nights are a chilly 5°C-10°C (41-50°F). Bring some extra layers for camping if travelling in December.
May and June tend to be hotter and sunnier with daytime temperatures around 28-34°C (82-92°F) with night times offering respite and pleasant temperatures of 14-20°C (57-68°F). Rain is unlikely but not unheard of, so do be prepared, especially if travelling in November and December.
BEST way to see Jordan & Petra! 🇯🇴
I was debating between hiking or cycling to Petra & I think hiking was by far the best way to go! It felt like I was able to take in so many of the sites & sounds of Jordan I may have otherwise missed whizzing by on a bike. The pace of hiking also gave our little group plenty of time to get to know one another which helped us gel well & we had a funtabulous time as a result!
The daily hikes were completely manageable with varied distances, terrain, amazing scenery, & frequent wildlife spottings (although, not gonna lie, some of the sandy bits were a little annoying, but quickly forgotten once we got through them! 😅). There were a few ascents (including a few fun rock scrambles!) that usually didn't last very long, so nothing that couldn't be overcome with a little determination & perseverance.
Wild camping was great with just a couple chilly nights (I was on the trip at the end of November), but the nightly campfires & blankets & mattresses provided went a long way to keep us warm. The Bedouin family that fed us, set up camp, & helped guide us during the hikes was wonderfully kind & friendly & took great care of us throughout the week. (I highly recommend celebrating a birthday on this trip because I was impressed at the trouble they went to to make sure one of our hiker's birthday didn't go forgotten!) The Bedouin glamping nights far exceeded my expectations with great facilities & food & the stop at the Dead Sea was the perfect way to wrap things up despite being a low point 😆
Mahmood (with the good hair) was an A+++ guide with an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Jordan & Petra. He was able to answer all the questions we threw at him & seemed like a man of the people as he got a lot of completely unsolicited praise & recognition from other guides & locals we passed along the way. He was really good about watching out for the group, making sure we got the breaks we didn't know we needed, gently nudged us to drink water, & lugged around snacks for a little pick-me-up (& to keep us from getting hangry). The only negative was that he was not a Taylor Swift fan, but hey, nobody's perfect 🤷:female_sign:
I also thought pre-trip communication was great with questions being answered very promptly. It was also a nice touch that the main office checked in with Mahmood during the week to make sure everything was going well.
In all, I'd absolutely recommend this trip to anyone looking for a fun, safe, & active way to explore some of Jordan & Petra. My main goal was to see Petra & the Dead Sea, but I got so much more out of this trip than just that. As Mahmood would say, don't forget to look behind you, sometimes those are the best views! (& he didn't mean our derrieres--I think! 🤣)
Exceeded expectations!
This was an amazing trip! The hiking, scenery, camping, our guide Mahmoud, our Bedouin host family, and everything in between were fantastic.
Besides hiking through the beautiful desert, there are so many wonderful experiences along the way. Camping in the quiet so far away from civilization, sleeping under the stars, enjoying the hot Bedouin tea as we finished a day of hiking, hanging around the campfire each night, and getting to know the group and the Bedouin family.
Mahmoud was one of the best guides I’ve had. He brought his sense of humor to make the trip even more fun. He is also incredibly knowledgeable about the desert, Petra, and the country. I learned so much about Jordan from this trip.
I felt completely safe throughout my entire time spent in Jordan, both in the cities and during the hiking days.
Thank you to Mahmoud and Much Better Adventures for an unforgettable experience!
An incredible and must do experience!
This was an amazing adventure trekking along the Jordan Trail. The scenery and landscapes were unreal and we often felt like we were on a completely different planet! Finishing the trek in Petra through the ‘back door’ felt like a unique experience that allowed us to see a lot of Petra that would often go unseen. Our guide Mahmoud was amazing! He was very welcoming and friendly and shared his local knowledge along the way, particularly as we approached Petra having been born there himself. He really ensured the trek was a great experience for us all. The swim in the Dead Sea post the trek was also great and just what the body needed after a long week of trekking. Would highly recommend this trip!!
A ONCE IN A LIFETIME MUST
From trekking through sand dunes, canyons, and endless rock formations making it feel like you're on a different planet, to wild camping in some of the most remote desert locations, spending the evenings by the camp fire beneath a starlit sky, this was my second experience with Much Better Adventures and it absolutely did not disappoint.
Being able to channel my inner Lara Croft and walk through Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World before ending the trip at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth was truly a once in a lifetime experience with trips not getting much better than that.
Mahmoud our local guide was brilliant, and a truly lovely man who made the effort to speak and get to know each and every one of us on a personal level, whilst having a huge amount of knowledge and passion for his country, educating and guiding us through it as ease.
The guys at the campsite were also great, always ensuring to have our tents/camping equipment made up (including toilet/shower) and bags offloaded ready to go, prior to us arriving at the sites.
TOP TIPS:
- VISA - in regards to visiting Jordan, you will be required to obtain a visa which I was initially unaware of. There are certain countries that are exempt however, it's definitely worth reading up on and being aware of before travelling. The visa itself costs 40 Jordanian Diner (roughly £45 GBP and between 56/60 USD) which lasts for 30 days. You are able to purchase/obtain this when going through arrivals at the airport in Jordan, and I found it to be an incredibly easy/quick process.
- CURRENCY - in relation to currency, I would highly, highly recommend taking/ordering the local currency, with this being the Jordanian Dinar. I took USD as I had read up on another source (not MBA) that this was an option however, in reality, I really struggled with finding anywhere that advertised or was willing to accept this currency with it therefore proving a huge inconvenience. This included when organising the tipping.
- FLIGHTS - if you're based in England and live up North like myself, then I would highly recommend considering flying from London based airports for cheaper and more direct flights. I was able to save just under £800 on flights doing this option, and so definitely something to consider if booking this trip.
- MOSQUITOS - in relation to mosquito's, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I did not come into contact with a single one whilst on the expedition. I took multiple repellents/sprays/bands with me as a precaution however, did not have to use any of these for the entirety of the trip.
- SNACKS/FOOD - if you are a picky eater like myself, then I would highly recommend bringing snacks/food alternatives for the trip (more specifically lunch time/during the day) as the food options can get repetitive and I found myself going hungry at times due to not enjoying a high percentage of the food options that were available for you to pick and choose from.
- WATER BLADDERS - In relation to water intake, I would say that bringing a water bladder is a must as these make it a lot easier to access water over a regular bottle which you'll most likely store in a side compartment and not reach for as often due to the high volume of walking and distance you're covering during that time. There are also plenty of options to refill your bottles/bladders during the day as you are walking thanks to Benny (the donkey that accompanied us on the hike, carrying extra for us in case we were short/ran out).
- SHOWER/TOILET - in relation to the shower/toilet situation, these facilities when you are wild camping are set up a short distance away from your tents however, please bear in mind that the terrain down to these areas can be rocky/a challenge in itself on occasion and so comfortable footwear (crocs which I did not own however have now purchased on return of the trip due to witnessing the ease of having these and being recently converted by some of the group - thanks guys) is a must. In relation to the shower itself, it is a very basic portable camping shower however it does the job and the water isn't unbearably cold meaning I was able to have a wash on every day of the expedition which was a huge bonus for myself. Toilet roll is also provided at these camps however, I would highly recommend bringing a spare couple of rolls, in addition to some disposable wipes for during the day when you are trekking and unable to access any facilities, just in case there’s a time where you need to go.
- THE DEAD SEA - this was honestly one of the highlights of the trip for me, the only recommendations being to avoid shaving 24/48hrs prior to visiting, and to take dark coloured swimwear as the mud can tend to run and get into the fabric if you're not careful.
- DIFFICULTY LEVEL - from completing the Much Better Adventures Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek back in September 2024, I would say that the difficulty level of this expedition compared to the Choquequirao Trek was mostly MODERATE over challenging, with a couple of challenging days introduced towards the end of the tour. Terrain wise, this expedition is a lot more complicated and there is further distance and a couple of scrambling sections compared to Peru however, elevation climbs are minimal and you're able to complete the trekking and overall at a faster pace.
- OTHER - during the trip, there will be plenty of moments involving free time where you are able to do as you wish, with examples including optional further hikes/exploring, chasing the sunsets, snoozing, or sunbathing. I would highly recommend taking some cards, and a kindle/book to occupy yourself during the downtime, especially as the evenings can get a little chilly/windy (take hats/thermals) causing people to retire to their tents early.
Overall, an incredible and unforgettable exclusive second experience with Much Better Adventures, and with this being a trip that I would highly, highly recommend.
Also, a huge shout out to Benny the Donkey (photo attached), and for being our daily wake up alarm call for the entire experience - you'll understand if you book onto this trip however, you can't not love him and he is one of the many, many highlights to it.
On a Whole other Level of Awesomeness
What an adventure! Days of trekking in Wadi Rum, through wadis along the Jordan Trail, up and down mountains with new, incredible sights at every turn. Trekking barefoot up the gorgeous red sand dunes is only one of the many, many highlights. . . sleeping under the stars, the sunset skies, the silence of the desert, the taste of Bedouin tea, the banter in the group, the freedom, the beauty of Jordan; very moment is a treasure! Mahmoud, our incredibly knowledgeable guide and his team made us feel welcome & supported from the first moment - thank you. Such a well organised adventure - I felt completely safe from arriving to sadly departing. A heartfelt thank you Team Much Better Adventures, the outstanding Jordan Trekking Team & to our fellow trekkers - you guys 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
This was my first hiking
This was my first hiking adventure with much better adventures, and my first group hike abroad, generally doing long-distance trails solo. I have to say this was an amazing adventure, extremely well organised, the logistics were very well organised, the wild camping was incredible, and the hotels we stayed at as well were extremely good. Our guide was absolutely amazing, genuinely enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable, good fun but also very safety conscious . I felt I was learning so much every day, the hiking was unforgettable due to the ever-changing landscapes, the evenings under the stars, the locations of the wild camping were magnificent and quite unforgettable, as well as my travel companions, which I was very lucky to have had. The Bedouin guides and hosts were very friendly and welcoming and the local food was made with simple, wholesome ingredients and was delicious. Best trip I’ve had in a long time. Walking to Petra and through Petra, seeing the ancient ruins, and having such insightful information about them was also a huge highlight.
A lifetime of memories in one trip
This was my second trip with Much Better Adventures and it exceeded all expectations. There were so many highlights: walking through ever-changing landscapes in canyons, gathering around the campfire each evening, the stars in the desert, the simple but delicious and filling food cooked by our Bedouin hosts each evening, the outdoor showers, Petra (of course), learning about something new all the time about geology and the history and culture of the region from the very knowledgeable guide (whose English was also excellent), the Dead Sea and Amman itself, which is a great city to spend some time in at the end. The four/five days walking in the desert and wild camping without any mobile phone signal were really magical. It felt like a treat to be cut off from the outside world for a little while and be forced to be in the moment. For someone used to self-supported trips, it was also a treat to have all the camping equipment carried and to have the tents put up/down and food cooked for us. The group was small but lovely and I learned a lot from the other travellers as well. Highly recommended, you won't regret it!
Itinerary Activities
- Guided warm up hike in the desert
- 5 days of guided hiking along the Jordan Trail
- Guided hike down Wadi Ghurab
- Visit to Petra
- Swim in the Dead Sea and take a mud bath
Guides
- Expert, local, English-speaking guides and expedition crew (fully supported trek)
Accommodation
- 4 nights wild camping
- 3 nights in Bedouin camps
- 2 nights in hotels
Meals
- All (9) traditional breakfasts
- 8 tasty packed lunches
- 7 hearty Jordanian dinners
Transfers
- Arrival transfer from Amman Airport any time on Day 1
- Departure transfer to Amman Airport any time on Day 10
- All transfers during the trip
Equipment
- All of your wild camping gear, including shower and toilet tents
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation in Jordan to tip for good service. Your guide can help with advice; however, we suggest the below as a guideline for what's acceptable, which equates to approximately $100 for the whole trip.
- Main tour guide: $5 per person, per day
- Hiking expedition main guide: $3 per person, per day (accompanying you for five days of the trip)
- Wilderness camping support team: $3+ per person, per day (accompanying you for five days of the trip)
- Driver: $3 per person, per day (you have a driver for two days of the trip)
- Jeep drivers on Day 3: $2 per person
- Hotel porters: $2 per person, per day (factor in five nights in hotels)
- Restaurants: $1 per person, per restaurant
Of course, you are free to tip more if you wish and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Daypack (25-30 litre rucksack to carry personal items, and water during the hikes)
- Waterproof liner for daypack
- Larger backpack/duffel bag for your main luggage (this will be transported for you)
CLOTHES
- Lightweight down or synthetic jacket
- Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket
- Breathable wicking layers
- Fleece jacket or similar for evenings at camp
- Buff or neck scarf
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts for hiking
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Swimwear for Dead Sea
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Hiking boots (worn-in with good ankle support)
- Lightweight shoes for nights at camp
SLEEPING
- Pillowcase
- Sleeping bag liner (Recommended for hygiene)
- Sleeping bag (Optional - blankets will be provided but you may prefer to bring your own sleeping bag for the 4 nights camping)
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Face mask
- Headtorch or torch
- Water bladder and/or 2 water bottles
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, wet wipes and ziplock baggies to carry out)
OPTIONAL
Earplugs
Trekking poles
Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
Accommodation in Madaba (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Accommodation in Madaba (Single)
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Accommodation in Madaba (Twin/Double)
Payable Before Departure
Accommodation in Madaba (Twin/Double)
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Accommodation in Amman (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Accommodation in Amman (Single)
…
Accommodation in Amman (Twin/Double)
Payable Before Departure
Accommodation in Amman (Twin/Double)
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Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
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Private Airport Transfer to/from Amman or Madaba Hotel (one way)
Payable Before Departure
Private Airport Transfer to/from Amman or Madaba Hotel (one way)
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We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 456kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
The Jordan Trail is a route which runs 420 miles (675km) from Umm Qais, a town in the north of Jordan, to Aqaba in the south. It passes through the capital of Amman, the ancient city of Petra and the desert of Wadi Rum, dotted with sandstone monoliths, before finishing at the Red Sea. In its entirety, the trek is estimated to take 40 days to finish, though it is split into eight sections and generally done in chunks. You'll be tackling the section from Humeima all the way to Petra, expedition-style without transfers, from Day 3 until Day 7 on this trip.
You can read more about The Jordan Trail on our magazine feature The 675km Hiking Trail Through the Heart of Jordan.
The trek is fully supported with a team of guides and staff taking care of route-finding, meal preparation and camp setup and take down each day. Your job is simple – trek! You will only need to carry your essentials for each day: your lunch which will be given to you at the start of each trekking day, plenty of your own water in bottles and/or bladders, snacks, personal items and extra layers such as a sun hat and light jacket. The expedition team will transport everything else. We suggest bringing at least a 25-30 litre rucksack as you'll need to be carrying at least two litres of water.
We recommend booking more than 31 days in advance to guarantee your spot on the trip. If requesting to book less than 31 in advance, the host will need to check accommodation availability before accepting your booking (please do not book flights until your booking has been confirmed by the host). Due to high demand in Jordan, if requesting a spot within two weeks of departure, chances are that there won't be any availability – so the sooner you can make plans the better.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation in Jordan to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice however we suggest the below as a guideline per person, which equates to approximately $100 for the whole trip as an acceptable amount.
Main tour guide: $5 per person, per day
Hiking expedition main guide: $3 per person, per day (accompanying you for five days of the trip)
Wilderness camping support team: $3+ per person, per day (accompanying you for five days of the trip)
Driver: $3 per person, per day (you have a driver for two days of the trip)
Jeep drivers on Day 3: $2 per person
Hotel porters: $2 per person, per day (factor in five nights in hotels)
Restaurants: $1 per person, per restaurant
Of course, you are free to tip more if you wish and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality.
Yes. Trips to Jordan have been running as normal since the Israel conflict escalated in October 2023 – check out our latest customer reviews! Much Better Adventures operate trips in line with the British FCDO travel advice and also consult with security advisors, both of whom have confirmed that trips are safe to run. We continue to receive real-time updates from the FCDO and our local host in Jordan will also inform us immediately should anything change locally. In case you have any questions, we have prepared some additional information about travel to Jordan during the Israel Conflict.
For current Government advice about travelling in Jordan, have a read of the FCDO pages here.
This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely high during the times of year when this trip operates. High humidity and limited access to shade can also be factors, and warm temperatures can continue into the nighttime, which additionally influence the body’s ability to cool down. Personal care should be taken to keep cool as best possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration. Very high temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at cooler temperatures. People may experience symptoms associated with dehydration and Heat Stroke. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Friday 9th May 2025
to Sunday 18th May 2025
