Classic Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea
Trip Overview
Beginning in Amman, this 9-day Jordan tour features hiking, snorkelling and cultural activities through a diverse range of landscapes. You'll visit the ancient ruins of Petra, snorkel in the Red Sea, hike and watch the sunset in Wadi Rum, and float in the Dead Sea.
WOW FACTORS
- Hiking to Petra, an ancient city in southern Jordan, renowned for its rock-cut architecture
- Watching the sunset in Wadi Rum and admiring the stars at night while staying at a Bedouin Camp in the desert
- Snorkelling in the Red Sea and floating in the Dead Sea
Itinerary & Map
Day 1
Amman
Arrival
Upon arrival into Amman, you will be met at the airport and transferred to a comfortable hotel in the city. The remainder of the day is free to relax and explore your surroundings. Amman, Jordan’s capital, is one of the oldest cities in the world, inhabited since the bronze age. The city offers a blend of ancient history and modern culture, with many interesting sights to explore such as the Citadel, Roman Theater and colourful street markets.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: none
Day 2
Amman - Jerash - Amman
City Tour and Cooking Class
After breakfast, you'll drive north for about one hour to Jerash. Jerash is considered to be one of the most important and best preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. After exploring the site on foot, you'll drive back to Amman and have a city tour of the Citadel and Roman Theatre, two of the most popular archaeological sites in Amman. From here, you'll continue the tour walking through old markets and passing by the Al-Husseini Mosque before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant to sample some typical dishes. In the evening, you will experience a cooking class where you will learn how to cook Arabic food. After the class, you will dine on your own creations. The night ends at the same hotel in Amman.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Amman - Dana Reserve - Little Petra
Hiking
After an early morning breakfast, you'll drive approximately 2.5 hours to the Dana Nature Reserve. From here you will begin your hike on the Shaq Al Reese Trail, passing through a diverse landscape of unique rock formations, canyons and dramatic views. The trail is a circular loop and takes about 5 hours to hike. You'll stop along the way to enjoy some tea prepared by the guide. After the hike, you'll drive one hour to Little Petra for the night. The accommodation tonight is at a traditional Bedouin Camp. Sleeping is in private tents (which are permanent structures), and each tent is equipped with beds and blankets. The bathrooms at the camp are shared and there is a large comfortable dining tent where dinner is served.
Accommodation: Bedouin Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HIking Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi
Day 4
Little Petra - Petra
Hiking
After breakfast, you'll begin your hike to the ancient ruins of Petra via "the back door". This route is less touristy and allows you to see some of the memorable sights such as the Monastery, without the large crowds. The hike is 14 km/ 8.7 miles and follows a Nabataean trail through sandstone mountains, natural rock terraces and valleys before entering the ancient site of Petra. After admiring the Monastery, a temple carved directly into the rose-red sandstone cliff, the hike continues down through Wadi Muthlim, a narrow canyon with towering rock walls. At the bottom of the canyon, you'll pass by many of the important sites of Petra including the Treasury, the Royal Tombs, and the Roman-style theatre. You will spend the night in a hotel in the town of Petra, also known as Wadi Musa.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi
Day 5
Petra - Wadi Rum
Hiking
Today you'll head to Wadi Rum in southern Jordan, a vast desert landscape (also known as the Valley of the Moon), characterized by its stunning red sandstone mountains, towering cliffs, and expansive sand dunes. Along the way, you'll stop at Um Ishreen, one of the most beautiful places in the north section of Wadi Rum for a short 1-hour hike in the sandy canyon. Then you will continue the drive to Barrah Canyon, considered to be the most beautiful canyon in Wadi Rum. You will hike for approximately 2 hours through the canyon with its varied terrain of towering multi-coloured cliffs, sand dunes, greener plant-rich areas and flat sandy sections, After the hike, you'll enjoy a cooked lunch in the desert before driving to a traditional Bedouin camp for the night within Wad Rum. After getting settled in, you'll head out for a 2-hour sunset jeep tour of the desert - the colours are amazing! The day concludes with a traditional dinner at the camp. Like the accommodation on day 3, sleeping is in private tents (which are permanent structures), and each tent is equipped with beds and blankets. The bathrooms at the camp are shared and there is a large comfortable dining tent where dinner is served.
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Duration: 3 Hours
Day 6
Wadi Rum - Aqaba
Boat Ride and Snorkelling
After breakfast at the desert camp, you'll drive south for about 1 hour to the vibrant coastal town of Aqaba, located on the northeastern tip of the Red Sea. From here, you'll board a boat for a 4-hour ride on the sea with time to snorkel and swim and view the coral reefs and colourful tropical fish in the crystal-clear waters. Lunch will be served on board. After the boat ride, there is free time in the afternoon to explore Aqaba and its markets selling local handicrafts. Overnight at a hotel in Aqaba.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Aqaba - Dead Sea
Hiking
This morning you'll leave Aqaba and drive approximately 2.5 hours to Wadi Assal. From here, you'll have a full day of hiking in this scenic valley exploring its waterfalls, rugged natural beauty, diverse wildlife and towering canyon walls. There are several rock steps to climb during the hike which requires use of your hands and feet. The hike is 10 km / 6.2 miles and takes about 5-6 hours. After the hike, you'll drive one hour to a hotel located on the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, sitting over 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) below sea level, and is known for its incredibly high salt concentration. This high concentration of salt in the water allows you to float effortlessly on its surface while enjoying the surrounding view. Be sure to cover yourself in the mineral-rich mud for a therapeutic experience
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
Day 8
Dead Sea - Al-Salt - Amman
Sightseeing
For the last full day in Jordan, you'll head back to Amman, via the historic town of Al-Salt. Al-Salt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies in the middle of a deep valley and the town spreads up the surrounding hills. The town was a key trading hub and administrative centre during the Ottoman period, and is known for its beautiful yellow limestone buildings, narrow winding streets, and traditional marketplaces. You will explore the town on foot exploring the many heritage buildings, mosques and churches. The day ends in Amman with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
Amman
Departure
Today is the end of your adventure. Depending on your flight time, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the international airport for your flight home. Safe Travels.
Meals: Breakfast
What's Included
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), all accommodation (twin shared), internal transportation, entrance fees to the sites mentioned, airport transfers and English-speaking guides.
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International airfare, travel insurance, gratuities, meals not indicated, and items of a personal nature.
MEALS:
8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel: 6 Nights
Bedouin Camp: 2 Nights
Trip Facts
Weather in Jordan
Jordan experiences a diverse range of weather throughout the year due to its varied topography and location in the Middle East. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are considered the best times to visit Jordan, with moderate temperatures ranging from 60°F to 85°F (16°C to 29°C) and pleasant weather throughout the country. These months are marked by clear skies, blooming flowers in the valleys, and cooler nights, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring historical sites
Travel Documents
To enter Jordan, you must hold a current passport valid for six months beyond your date of departure. Citizens of Canada and the US require a travel visa to enter Jordan, however this visa can be purchased easily at the airport on arrival. The visa is valid for 30 days and the current cost is around 40 Jordanian dinars (approximately $56 USD). Visa requirements vary from country to country. Check with your local Jordanian consulate for current requirements.
Food and Water
Jordanian cuisine is a rich blend of flavors influenced by the country's Bedouin heritage and its geographical position in the Middle East. Some typical foods to try include Mansaf, Falafel, Hummus, Tabbouleh, Zarb and Shawarma. While in Jordan, it is best to drink bottled water. This will be readily available throughout the tour.
FAQ
Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 12 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. Small numbers also allow greater flexibility and spontaneity: a dinner in a local home, an impromptu village wedding invite and any such experiences that can become among the most memorable experiences of your BikeHike adventure.
We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous.
This is a “moderate” trip. These trips include 4-5 hours of physical activity throughout the day, with many breaks along the way.
BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994.
The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested.
Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. A typical trip is comprised of men and women in good physical condition, who exercise regularly and are invigorated by a personal challenge. The age range on this trip is typically from 45-65, although we occasionally get younger and older travellers as well.
Amman, Jordan. You can arrive anytime on day 1 of the trip and fly out anytime on day 9.
The best time to visit Jordan is from March to May and September to November. From March to May, the temperatures are mild ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). The countryside is lush and green, especially in April, making it perfect for visiting natural sites like Wadi Rum and the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Wildflowers bloom during this season, adding beauty to the landscape. From September to November, the weather is similar to the spring with mild and comfortable temperatures. There are fewer tourists in the fall compared to the spring season, offering a more peaceful experience at popular sites such as Petra.
Most of the terrain on the hiking is on paths for hikers only and is a combination of rocky and dirt paths, with a good amount of ascent and descent. Some of the hikes require you to use your hands to climb up on larger rocks. During the hikes, you’re only required to carry a day pack with the essentials (e.g. camera, water, snacks).
Can I take this trip if...
Many of our travellers (both men and women) join as singles. On average, BikeHike groups are 50% single travellers and 50% couples. Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge. A single private room supplement fee is only required if you specifically request a confirmed private room for the duration of the trip. Learn more about solo travel with BikeHike.
We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.
While most of our trips are created with adults in mind, many of our itineraries are suitable for strong and active teenagers, including this trip. We can also customize an itinerary to suit your needs if you are looking for something a little different from our set itinerary.
Accommodation
Most of our trips include comfortable mid-range accommodations. This includes accommodation that provides a clean and comfortable experience in characterful surroundings that reflect the destination. To build stronger connections with the communities and support the local economies, we try to avoid using large international chain brands on BikeHike trips whenever possible.
This trip includes the following types of accommodation:
HOTELS
In an effort to keep money in the communities we visit around the world, BikeHike prefers small hotels (whenever possible) that showcase the character and local flair of each destination.
CAMPS
For two nights, you will stay in a traditional Bedouin camp. The large permanent tents are private and come equipped with beds, mattresses, blankets and pillows. There is no heat or air conditioning inside the tents. The bathrooms are shared and not attached to the tent (there is one large bathroom for females and one large one for males). Showers are available. There is a main dining area where the meals will be served with traditional cuisine.
Click HERE for more information about accommodation styles.
Trip At A Glance
| Day | Destination | Activity | Distance | Lodging | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Amman
|
Arrival
|
— |
Hotel
|
— |
| 2 |
Amman - Jerash - Amman
|
City Tour and Cooking Class
|
— |
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 3 |
Amman - Dana Reserve - Little Petra
|
Hiking
|
12 km
7.5 mi
|
Glamping
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 4 |
Little Petra – Petra
|
Hiking
|
14 km
8.7 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 5 |
Petra – Wadi Rum
|
Hiking
|
3 hours
|
Glamping
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 6 |
Wadi Rum – Aqaba
|
Boat Ride & Snorkelling
|
— |
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 7 |
Aqaba – Dead Sea
|
Hiking
|
10 km
6. 2 mi
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 8 |
Dead Sea – Al Salt – Amman
|
Sightseeing
|
— |
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 9 |
Amman
|
Departure
|
— | — |
b
|
