The Treasury at Petra
9-day adventure

Petra and Rainbow Valley

Jordan
  • Trekking & Hiking
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Code: JDRV

9 days
Moderate

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our UK team

Our local team

Our operations in Jordan are expertly managed by Nasria and Saoud, who know their country inside out and ensure that every detail of your trip is planned to perfection. We offer canyoning trips, desert expeditions and of course, visits to ancient Petra.
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Kandoo's view

An exotic adventure for lovers of wide open spaces in the small kingdom of Jordan. Our journey begins in southern Jordan and the Wadi Rum desert, in an arid and colorful setting, punctuated by impressive djebels with unreal profiles, immense dunes of red sand or even gigantic stone stairs rushing towards the sky. In the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, we reach the Rainbow Valley, wild and remote with caves dug by the winds where erosion has revealed magnificent colors. Then we arrive at Petra, its temples and its tombs, by secret Nabataean paths. We explore this fascinating world heritage site for two days before an unusual bath in the Dead Sea and our return to Amman.

Trip highlights

  • Discover the ancient city of Petra
  • Hike through the stunningly beautiful Wadi Rum desert
  • Take a dip in the Dead Sea
  • Explore bizarre rock formations in the Rainbow Valley

Experiences

  • Trekking & Hiking
    Hikers in Thorong, during the Annapurnas Tour
    Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes

Gallery

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Arrive in Amman

    A member of our team will be waiting for you at the international airport in Amman. We transfer to our hotel in the city and depending on your arrival time, there me be an opportunity to go and do some exploring. A pre-trek briefing will be held at your hotel this evening.

    • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Day 2

    Amman to Wadi Rum

    After breakfast today we hit the road and head south to Wadi Rum in southern Jordan (4 hours), one of the most beautiful and colorful deserts in the country, also called "Valley of the Moon" in the local language. After meeting our local Bedouin support team, our trek starts towards Um Fruth and its amazingly shaped arch, a superb rock formation shaped over time by natural elements. We continue our hike amongst impressive djebels (mountains) with unreal profiles, huge red dunes at the bend of a canyon, gigantic sandstone stairs soaring towards the sky.

    • Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
    • Ascent: 100 m
    • Descent: 100 m
    • Accomodation: Camping
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
  • Day 3

    Hiking in Wadi Rum

    We journey further into the desert of Wadi Rum in the footsteps of Laurence of Arabia who said: "Rum, the marvel... vast and resonant..., a processional way beyond imagination" to reach the region of Um Sabatha with its red canyons and its splendid panoramas.

    • Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
    • Ascent: 100 m
    • Descent: 100 m
    • Accomodation: Camping
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Trip information

Difficulty

This adventure is of moderate difficulty. You will be required to walk for up to 8 hours a day for 6 consecutive days. There may be up to 800m of vertical ascent and the temperatures could reach as high as 35°C. It is essential that you drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated. Pathways are often uneven and care should be taken to avoid slips and trips. You should be in good physical condition with recent experience of hiking for several days in row with  up to 800m of ascent and descent in a day. To ask about your suitability for this trip and what you can do to prepare please feel free to give us a call.

Food & drink

Whilst saying in hotels, breakfasts will be taken at the hotel or in small adjoining restaurants. Whilst trekking, we will be accompanied by a cook who will prepare a breakfast of tea, coffee, bread, jam, honey and fresh fruits.


Picnic lunches are provided by our cook who will prepare sandwiches, fresh fruit, cold meats, cheese and seasonal vegetables.  In the evening a 3 course hot meal will be prepared used local ingredients. We attach great importance to gastronomy and we are proud of the fresh and frankly delicious meals that we provide. If you have special dietary requirements please call and let us know as soon as possible before departure. We will do everything possible to accommodate your needs.


Please be aware that the water in Jordan is not drinkable.  You should bring a water filter or purification tablets with you. Please see the equipment pages on our website for recommendations. Bottled water can be purchased in nearly all towns and villages but not in the desert. Whilst crossing the Wadi Rum Desert we will carry an ample supply of water with us.  

Accommodation

On the first and last nights of this trip we will be staying in comfortable 3 star hotel accommodation in the capital city of Amman.  Accommodation will be in twin or double en-suit rooms. Our hotel is positioned on the outskirts of Amman to avoid potentially long delays due to traffic when leaving the city. 


On all other nights we will be camping. In Petra we use a well equipped quiet campsite, ideally located in “little Petra” at the gates of the site. You will stay in a traditional camp with twin beds in small but comfortable tents with shared bathroom facilities.  In winter when there is a risk of snow we may stay in a nearby hotel instead.


In the Wadi Rum Desert and Rainbow Valley we will sleep in 3 man tents (2 people per tent unless you requested a single supplement).  Mattresses, tents and eating utensils are all provided but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag. There are no toilet facilities in the desert so please bring some toilet roll and a lighter or match box to burn used paper.  As we can only carry a limited amount of water in the desert, there is no water provided for washing on these two nights. We recommend bringing some wet wipes so you can wash inside your tent. 

Transport

All transportation costs including airport transfers are included. We will use comfortable private minibuses with seat belts and air conditioning. 

How do I get there?

You will need to arrive in Amman on day 1 of the trip. Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is located 30km south of the capital city. From London there are direct flights to Amman with British Airways and Royal Jordanian. The flight time is roughly 5 hours. Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa both offer indirect flights from Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. For those traveling from the US, Qatar have convenient flights via Doha from New York, Boston and Atlanta. Turkish airlines offer flights via Istanbul from San Francisco and Los Angeles. British Airways have convenient flights departing from Seattle. Once you have arrived in Amman, cleared immigration and collected your luggage, please look out for a member of our team in the arrivals area. They will be holding a large “KANDOO” sign.

Pre-trek briefing

Your pre-trek briefing is held at your hotel in Amman at 7.30am on day 2. Your guide will be waiting for you at the breakfast area. 

This briefing is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have before starting the trip and also a chance for the guide to check everyone has the correct equipment and is fully prepared. 

Budget & change

The currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). For the latest exchange rates please see www.xe.com


It is best to take cash in US dollars, GB pound or Euros and exchange it locally.  Credit and Debit cards are widely accepted and there are ATMs in the larger towns and cities. Travelers cheques are best avoided as you will be charged a hefty commission for exchanging them.

Tips

In Jordan “baksheesh” is a national institution and small tips are frequently paid several times a day to numerous people. Your tour guide will take care of this so you do not have to. Tipping your tour guide and driver is at your own discretion. As a rough guide, you should tip $3 per person per day (around 2.5 Dinar per day). 

Formalities & health

Passport

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your day of departure from Jordan.

Visa

A visa is required by European and US citizens and this can be purchased on arrival. Please check the latest requirements before departure.

Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations are required.

Insurance

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses. We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your daypack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.

Medication

Your guide carries a first aid kit at all times but we recommend you carry the following items:

- Painkillers
- Sunscreen for lips and skin
- Moisturising cream (for sunburn)
- Elastic bandage, regular bandages and Blister bandages
- Sanitary products

Equipment & clothing

Equipment supplied by Kandoo Adventures

  • Tent (per 2 people)
  • Mattress
  • Eating utensils

Clothing to bring

  • Warm hat (beanie) for the evenings
  • Sun hat with wide brim for protection
  • Sunglasses
  • Neck gaiter or scarf
  • Suitable quick drying underwear
  • Light gloves (December to February only)
  • Walking boots (with ankle support and sturdy soles)
  • Socks (quick drying and not too warm)
  • T-shirts and warm jumper
  • Fleece or soft shell jacket
  • Waterproof and windproof hard shell jacket
  • Swimming suit / shorts
  • Walking trousers and/or shorts
  • Pajamas, travel towel and toiletries
  • Comfortable shoes for the evenings
  • Waterproof trousers

Equipment to bring

  • Sleeping bag with a comfort rating of 0°C
  • Head torch and spare batteries
  • Water bottles or hydration pack
  • Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
  • 30-40 litre day pack
  • 80 – 100 litre duffel bag, max weight 15kg
  • Camera
  • Water filter
  • Walking poles
  • Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing

Dates & prices

From To Price Availability Book Enquire
30/09/2023 08/10/2023 $2,015 £1,549
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21/10/2023 29/10/2023 $2,015 £1,549
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25/11/2023 03/12/2023 $2,015 £1,549
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17/02/2024 25/02/2024 $2,015 £1,549
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20/04/2024 28/04/2024 $2,015 £1,549
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25/05/2024 02/06/2024 $2,015 £1,549
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28/09/2024 06/10/2024 $2,015 £1,549
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19/10/2024 27/10/2024 $2,015 £1,549
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Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!

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Price includes

  • Airport transfers
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Amman on a B&B basis
  • 6 nights camping 
  • All camping equipment (excluding sleeping bag)
  • Full board meals (excluding nights in Amman)
  • Entrance fees to historical sites included on your itinerary
  • An expert English speaking guide
  • Bedouin trek support team
  • All transportation as describes in your itinerary
  • Day to day tips 

Price does not include

  • International flights
  • Entry visa for Jordan
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal equipment
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Tips for your guide and support crew
  • Meals in Amman
  • Sleeping bag

Options

  • Additional nights in Amman before or after your trip