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8-day adventure

Petra to Wadi Rum

Jordan
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Code: JDPW

8 days
Moderate

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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

Discover ancient architecture carved into the fiery walls of the world renowned site of Petra, before trekking through the sandstone desert sculptures of the Wadi Rum. A cultural phenomenon, the Nabataean kingdom of Petra is hidden away amidst forgotten paths and deep, red canyons. Catch glimpses of an ancient time as you weave your way through this web of pathways, discovering the jewel of the Ottoman empire. Then meet up with our local Bedouin guides and embark on a trek through the "Valley of the Moon", camping out under the starlit skies each night, we pass through this remarkable landscape, a streak of vermillion against a backdrop of blue sky.  Escape into another world in this magical corner of the middle east.

Trip highlights

  • Discover the ancient city of Petra
  • Sleep under starlit skies in the Wadi Rum desert
  • Take a dip in the Dead Sea

Experiences

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

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Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Welcome to Jordan

    We will meet you at the airport in Amman and transfer you to your hotel. For the remainder of the day you will have free time to explore. You can order food at the hotel or why not head out into the city to find a local restaurant. The cuisine in Jordan is superb!

    • Transport: Private transfer (1 hour)
    • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Day 2

    Hiking in Petra

    This morning we get an early breakfast before our pre-trek briefing at 8am. Here we will meet the guide and the rest of the group (if we haven't already!) then transfer to Petra and begin our exploration of the Nabataean city carved out of pink sandstone. We will discover the High Place of sacrifice, from where the views over the lower city are extraordinary. We then visit the multiple sculpted facades of the Farasa Valley and explore the royal tombs. In the afternoon a short transfer will take us to our campsite where we can enjoy an evening meal and relax.

    • Transport: Private transfer (4 hours)
    • Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
    • Ascent: 600 m
    • Descent: 600 m
    • Accomodation: Camping
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
  • Day 3

    Hiking in Petra

    We enter the site early this morning through the narrow gorge of the Siq, from which suddenly emerges El Khazneh or “The Treasury”, a colossal tomb carved in red rock. We continue on to the Nabataean theater and the lower city before climbing the 800 steps which lead us to Deir, the monastery, a former Nabataean pilgrimage site. After lunch we hike to the Neolithic village of Beidha and “Little Petra” before returning once more to our camp.

    • Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
    • Ascent: 400 m
    • Descent: 400 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 6 hours a day for 6 consecutive days. There may be up to 600m 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 are useful. You should be in good physical condition with recent experience of hiking for several days in row.

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 staying 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, flat breads, humus, yoghurt, dates and jams. 


Lunches are also prepared by our cook. At Petra you will be provided with a picnic lunch of traditional breads, pastries, fruit, vegetables, boiled eggs etc. While in the desert, lunches are freshly prepared and will include tuna, rice, salads, humus and local breads. 


Hot evening meals are provided each night (except in Amman) and you can expect chicken, lamb meat balls, potatoes, rice, fresh vegetables and salads. We can cater for most dietary requirements on request. 


Please be aware that the water in Jordan is not drinkable.  Bottled water can be purchased in nearly all towns and villages but not in the desert.  Whilst trekking in the desert we will carry an ample supply of filtered 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-suite 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 fixed camp with twin beds in small but comfortable tents with shared bathroom facilities. Blankets are provided and there is a single electrical socket in each tent which is turned on at night fall. It is a good idea to bring along a multi USB charging hub to make the most of the single socket in your tent.  In winter when there is a risk of snow we may stay in a nearby hotel instead.


In the Wadi Rum Desert 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 our 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. 

Luggage

Bag Weight: 15kg


During your trip your luggage will be transported by vehicle.  Your main bag must be flexible (a duffle bag and not a rigid suitcase) and weigh a maximum of 15kg.  Your luggage will be transported to your accommodation each afternoon and you will not be able to access it during the day.  You should also bring a small day pack to carry water, snacks and anything else you may need whilst walking.

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
  • Walking poles
  • Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing

Dates & prices

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21/09/2024 28/09/2024 £1,499 $1,945
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12/10/2024 19/10/2024 £1,499 $1,945
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09/11/2024 16/11/2024 £1,499 $1,945
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08/02/2025 15/02/2025 £1,499 $1,945
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12/04/2025 19/04/2025 £1,499 $1,945
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17/05/2025 24/05/2025 £1,499 $1,945
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20/09/2025 27/09/2025 £1,549 $2,015
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11/10/2025 18/10/2025 £1,549 $2,015
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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

  • All transportation including airport transfers
  • All accommodation
  • 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
  • An expert Kandoo Adventures guide
  • A local team of drivers, guides and cooks
  • Entrance fees to all sites on the itinerary
  • Tips (excluding your guide)

Price does not include

  • Flights and visa
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Tip for your guide
  • Meals on day 1 and 8 and dinner on day 7
  • Travel insurance

Options

  • Additional hotel nights before or after your tour