Jordan is a magical destination. This Middle Eastern country boasts a rich history with breathtaking highlights, deserts, canyons, mountains, and oases. The nature here is rugged, and in Jordan, there are many places where it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere. It’s precisely those places you’ll explore with The Jordan Trail: a 5-day hike along the legendary trade route of the Middle East.
What is The Jordan Trail?
When one thinks of Jordan, the ancient city of Petra naturally comes to mind as a highlight. This wonder of the world has been visited by many travelers, but far fewer people venture here by hiking The Jordan Trail – a trek of over 650 kilometers (404 miles), which National Geographic has declared as one of the must-do hikes in the world. The Jordan Trail follows an ancient caravan route that, in Classical Antiquity, transported goods from Egypt and Syria to Saudi Arabia, and the portion in Jordan consists of 8 sections.
The hiking route from Dana to Petra
Of course, you won’t cover a 650-kilometer (404-mile) hike during this 5-day trek on The Jordan Trail. You’ll be walking one of the 8 sections, specifically the route from Dana to Petra. During this journey, you’ll get acquainted with the rugged landscapes of Jordan and its hospitable people. The hike takes you through desert landscapes where camels roam, and in the mountains, you’ll catch the scent of wild sage and encounter shepherds with goats. You’ll traverse valleys, and the starry night sky and sand deserts seem endless.
This is a route of approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles), and you’ll cover about 11 to 18 kilometers (7 to 11 miles) on foot each day. In total, you’ll be hiking for 5 days. After these 5 days, you’ll have a free day to recover from the journey and explore Petra at your own pace.
The planned route
This hike on The Jordan Trail is fully planned for you, and camping spots are arranged every day of the route. This is, of course, very convenient, but it’s also done because this trail is not the easiest to plan on your own. The Jordan Trail is well-balanced and logistically organized. The hikes are not too long, and you can see a lot in a relatively short period.
There are no arrows or road markings along the route, so at the beginning of the trip, you’ll receive a trail app that extensively documents all routes and points of interest. Experienced guides also accompany you, who know the way and can assist you when needed. It’s up to you whether you stick with the guide for the entire route or if you prefer to try planning the hike on your own. The guide is always nearby.
Sleeping and Dining during The Jordan Trail
It’s back to basics during The Jordan Trail. You’ll sleep in a tent, and the sleeping spots are all in the middle of nowhere. There are no sanitary facilities, and there’s no running water. You can freshen up at the end of the day with the water brought by the jeeps, and with a bit of luck, there will be enough water in the few rivers you encounter to refresh yourself.
During the trail, you’ll bring your own water because you need to stay hydrated while hiking in the sun. You’ll carry about 4 liters of water with you during the day, and you can replenish your water supply in the morning and evening. During the hikes, you won’t come across any restaurants or supermarkets, but breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided at the camp sites.
The Weekly Schedule of The Jordan Trail
During The Jordan Trail, you’ll cover the section between Dana and Petra, so after arriving in Amman, you’ll be immediately taken to Dana. On the second day, the hike begins, and you’ll trek along the Wadi Dana valley towards the mountainous Wadi Feynan. The next day, you’ll walk through the black desert towards the Wadi Abo Sakakeen Canyon, and you’ll see the landscape gradually change from mountains to a green valley area. On the final stretch of day three, you’ll pass through the red desert of Wadi Araba until you reach the plateau of Telatat Al-Sofor.
On the fourth day, you’ll partially walk through the green valley of Wadi Musa, also known as ‘the valley of Moses.’ This is the greenest part of the trail, and according to legend, Moses extracted water from the rocks here for his followers. The next day, you’ll continue towards Little Petra, and on the sixth day, you’ll arrive at the ancient Petra via ‘the backdoor.’ Entering from the back, you’ll experience Petra’s route differently from all other tourists. You’ll first visit ‘the Monastery’ and then descend to the center of Petra, eventually reaching the Siq and Treasury. At the end of the day, you’ll be taken to your hotel, returning to civilization. Day seven is a free day in Petra, and on the last day, you’ll fly back home.
Dates and Prices
The Jordan Trail is organized both in the spring and fall. You can depart weekly on Sundays, and the price for the 5-day hike is $557. This is a starting price and does not include a flight ticket, airport transportation, entrance to Petra, food and beverages, and camping equipment rental. Included are a visa, accommodations, baggage transport, water, and guides.
Embarking on a 5-day hike along the legendary trade route of the Middle East requires good physical condition and endurance, but if you’re up for it, you might soon be hiking one of the most impressive routes in the world!
More Information About The Jordan Trail
If you’ve become thoroughly enthusiastic about The Jordan Trail and would like to embark on this adventure, be sure to sign up quickly because there are limited spots available for each date.
Check out the website of The Jordan Trail for more information or to register right away.
