9-day adventure
Petra and Rainbow Valley
Jordan
- Kandoo Trekking
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£1,599
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our UK team
Our local team
Jordan offers historical prowess with its jaw droppingly beautiful Nabatean architecture and secret, forbidden paths. Stepping into another world like this requires full trust and reliance on your team and guide and for this, experience is key. In Jordan, our operations are managed by Nasria Mansour Al Hasanat who has been running trips in Jordan for 15 years. Her local knowledge and connections ensure that every need is catered to on your...
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Kandoo's view
An adventure for lovers of wide open spaces in the desert kingdom of Jordan. Beginning in southern Jordan where the Wadi Rum provides an arid and colourful setting, punctuated by impressive djebels silhouetted against the sky. We trace the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia to reach the Rainbow Valley, where magnificently coloured caves have been dug out by the desert winds. Taking the route less trodden, we arrive at Petra via secret Nabataean paths. We explore this fascinating world heritage site for two days before stopping for a swim in the Dead Sea on 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
-
Kandoo Trekking
Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes
Gallery
Itinerary
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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.
- Accomodation: Hotel
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Day 2
Amman to Wadi Rum
After an early breakfast we join the rest of the group at 8am in the hotel reception for our pre-trek briefing. We then hit the road and head south to Wadi Rum in southern Jordan (4 hours), one of the most beautiful and colourful 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
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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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Day 4
Wadi Araba and the dunes of Regana
Early in the morning today, our vehicle will pick us up in the desert and we head towards the region of Wadi Araba. One of the most amazing valleys in Jordan with magnesium content in the rock producing an incredible multicolored appearance. We start our hike in this area at the village of Al Alabassiya where a series of narrow canyons provide access to the valley. Toward the end of the day we will reach the beautiful dunes of Regana where we make camp for the night.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 200 m
- Descent: 200 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 5
Wadi Araba to Rainbow Valley
Today we enter the astonishing Rainbow Valley where thousands of years of wind erosion have exposed colorful layers of sedimentary rock that are awesome to behold. These are caves dug by nature without any human intervention, each erosion revealing magnificent colors and patterns.
We spend the day exploring the rock formations and canyons of the valley before settling down for our next wild camp in this very special and remote part of Jordan.- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Ascent: 450 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 6
Rainbow Valley to Petra
After a short walk, we leave the Rainbow Valley and reach Wadi Musa (The Valley of Moses), the new city of Petra which is near the remains of the Nabataean city of Petra. We have lunch in a small local restaurant before leaving to discover Siq Al-Barid, otherwise known as "Little Petra". Siq Al-Barid is similar to the main site of Petra with narrow gorges and phenomenal ancient carvings, but much smaller and less visited. We spend the afternoon exploring and soaking up the views before returning to our tented camp nearby.
- Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
- Ascent: 200 m
- Descent: 200 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 7
Petra
We leave camp early in the morning for a complete discovery of the ancient Nabataean city of Petra. This UNESCO World Heritage site can become busy at peak periods so we are careful to take the paths less travelled and provide a more peaceful experience. Rather than using the well known and photographed main entrance, a short hike takes us to the rear entrance of the city and the little visited Deir or Monastery, an ancient place of pilgrimage for the Nabataeans.
From the Monastery we descend 800 steps to reach the Fountain of the Lion where the waters of the Ain Braq spring would once have rushed from the mouth of a huge lion carved into the cliff face. From here we we ascend again to the high place of sacrifice for superb views. Finally, we descend through the Triclinium and the first royal tombs, before exiting at the top of the site.- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 800 m
- Descent: 800 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 8
Petra and the Dead Sea
This morning we return to ancient Petra again, this time taking the iconic route through the narrow gorge of the Siq to reach the Treasury. We then discover more in depth the Royal Tombs, the Roman amphitheater, the Byzantine church and the colonnaded avenue.
After lunch, we take the road to the Dead Sea for a dip in its hot and salty water. The shores of the Dead Sea are the lowest land on Earth with an altitude of 430m below sea level! The high salt content of the water means it is impossible to sink, a bizarre sensation. At the end of the afternoon we return to our hotel in Amman.- Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
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Day 9
Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Details
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 may find walking poles useful. 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. In the Wadi Rum you will be joined by camels for your trek. They will walk alongside you and your fellow trekkers and are there to ride or carry equipment as necessary.
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. 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.
The hotels in Jordan all have western, flushing toilets. Whilst on the trek the toilet situation will be a little less luxurious. In Petra the campsite has western style, flushing toilets. In the Wadi Rum at camp each evening we will set up a toilet tent. This is a very basic facility that provides a little privacy. The toilet tent will simply cover a hole in the ground. If you don't wish to use the toilet tent there is always the option to find somewhere hidden, away from camp or the path and go wild. Please remember to bring toilet roll and a lighter to burn it after use.
Transport
All transportation costs including airport transfers are included. Please be aware that in Jordan, drivers are required to wear particular clothing by law, this means they may look different to drivers you may have on other Kandoo trips. For all our transfers, we will use comfortable private vehicles with seat belts. Your support vehicle in the desert is a 4x4 pickup with trailer for carrying gear.
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.
If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3 hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival, travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time taken to re-check baggage.
Pre-trek briefing
Your pre-trek briefing is held in the hotel reception in Amman at 8am on Day 2 of your trip. You will be expected to have had breakfast prior to the briefing.
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. Please bring your insurance documents and passport to the briefing with you.
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. US Dollars are the most commonly used currency so will be easiest to exchange. There is currency exchange next to Baggage Claim as you exit the airport or you can exchange your cash in the currency exchange, hotels or banks, generally these offer the best rates than the airport. 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.
Expect to pay between $10 - $35 for a meal out in a local restaurant in Amman. To get around the city, a taxi will cost you around $5 for a 5km journey whereas the bus will be less than $1. Souvenirs are also relatively cheap so budgeting $50 for souvenirs will get you plenty! Our recommended guidance for spending budget in Jordan would be between $50-100 on top of your tips, to give you ample souvenir spending money.
Tips
In Jordan “baksheesh” is a national
institution where 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.
You should budget for tips for your lead guide, Wadi Rum guide, cook and driver. The tip amount should be based on the service you feel you have received but $175-200 per person should provide enough tips for your trip.
Recommended tips per person for your entire trip:
Lead Guide: $75
Wadi Rum Guides: $25 each
Cook: $25
Driver: $50
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
Other information
Animal welfare:
In the desert the use of camels is very common. The strong and sturdy camels have spent their lives in the heat of the desert and can transport your gear from A to B with ease. Camels are a big source of income for the local people, as a result they are generally treated with great respect and consideration for their well being. However there are always exceptions and in some cases camels have experienced terrible neglect and cruelty.
Kandoo Adventures are committed to ensuring that the camels we use on our treks receive only the very best treatment. We will not start trekking with camels who are obviously lame, sick or wounded. We only work with a select number of cameleers who we know and trust to provide the very best level of care to their animals. If at any point you are concerned about the welfare of one of the camels please speak to your guide or a member of our team immediately.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28/09/2024 | 06/10/2024 | £1,599 $2,085 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 19/10/2024 | 27/10/2024 | £1,599 $2,085 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 16/11/2024 | 24/11/2024 | £1,599 $2,085 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 15/02/2025 | 23/02/2025 | £1,599 $2,085 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 19/04/2025 | 27/04/2025 | £1,599 $2,085 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 24/05/2025 | 01/06/2025 | £1,599 $2,085 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 27/09/2025 | 05/10/2025 | £1,699 $2,205 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 18/10/2025 | 26/10/2025 | £1,699 $2,205 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 15/11/2025 | 23/11/2025 | £1,699 $2,205 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice 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
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