It is a region filled with history, battles and revolutions reaching back as far as the Old Testament when Solomon and Aaron passed through in their search for the Promised Land.
Its commercial importance peaked during the Moabites area, when gold silks and perfumes were carried along the same paths we will be treading. Our trek starts from their capital, Petra a symbol to their success and wealth remains one of the wonders of the world and finishes in Wadi Rum, scene of the Arab uprising in the 1920's.
As we make our way south we cannot but wonder and admire the advanced technology used by this extraordinary trading nation to trap and carry the little rain that falls in this arid desert. A trek you are unlikely ever to repeat or forget
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Jordan
Upon arrival to Queen Alia International Airport our group coordinator and Airport Representative will meet and assist the group through all customs and immigration procedures. Followed by bus transfer to Kerak 120 Km from (QAIA), check in and O/N Kerak.
Day 2: Kerak – Wadi Ibn Hammad - Dead Sea - Dana nature reserve. 6-7 hrs hiking
After Breakfast at hotel, 8.00 am transfer by bus from Kerak to Wadi Ibn Hammad. 20 mints drive from hotel. A narrow sandstone gorge, abundant water and splendid hanging gardens. At the entrance of the gorge lies a pleasant hot spring, springs flow everywhere, supporting a variety of plants and lichens!
The group will follow a short trail down into the Wadi bed. On the south bank, a hot spring issues from an elevated terrace where its water is gathered into an artificial pool. You can enjoy the hammam before you enter the canyon. Proceed downstream; penetrating slowly into a wonderful world with abundant springs dripping from the banks and with hanging gardens sprouting from every fissure. As you continue walking, the walls of the canyon draw closer.
About 40 minutes from the trailhead, shortly after a little side stream joins from the south, overhead daylight disappears. A travertine overhang was built up here by coalescing stalactites. The overhang actually touches the opposite wall, forming a solid bridge from one side of the gorge to the other. Below the bridge the walls are dyed with many hues of green & red. Listening carefully, you may hear the squeaking of bats above the rush of springs and water.
Box lunch inside the canyon then continue walking to the dead sea, lowest point on the earth 409 meters below sea afternoon of swimming and relaxation, then transfers to Dana Nature reserve for Dinner and O/N Dana Village.
What is The Dana village Hotel?
A stay at the Dana hotel is a completely unique experience. As you are surrounded by the natural beauty of the Wadi and lavished with traditional Arab hospitality, prepare your self to share a cub of tea with locals.
Hotel offer 500 years of living tradition the village overlooks sunsets and natural canyon land escape as far as the eye can see. The village is quaint and small home to 40 families who continue to live a simple lifestyle. The homes of Dana are original remnants of the area's first settled inhabitants and are closely centered about the community mosque.
Day 3: On the Steps of Wadi Dana. 6-7 hrs hiking From Wadi Dana to Wadi feinan
After breakfast at Dana hotel we follow a spectacular blend of mountains and desert landscapes, as well as an extraordinary botanic diversity, make Dana nature reserve one of its kind the reserve stretches over 300 sq. km from the edge of Edom plateau down to the Araba valley, its altitudes vary with short distances from 1,650m above sea level to 150m below, creating different climatic conditions and habitats.
The reserve is dissected by deep canyons, winding below lofty sandstone massifs with overwhelming views. The white sandstone at the reserve is sculpted into domes and valleys blanketed by vegetation. To date, 700 species of plants have been recorded in the reserve as well as 200 birds and 36 mammals. The big mammals, though rare, include Nubian ibex (wild mountain goat) wolf, golden jackal, striped hyena and red fox.
The botanic diversity of Dana combines Mediterranean, desert (saharo Arabian), steppe (Irano-Turanian) and subtropical (Sudanian) plants. Trees includes red juniper, Oak, pistachio. Oleander, brooms Acacia, cypress, all from the Mediterranean zone.
Wadi feinan:
Feinan was one of the largest copper works in the ancient near East. The site is located in the Araba valley at the end point of the treks of Wadi Dana .what remain today are runs of Byzantine churches, an aqueduct and a water reservoir and smelting furnaces. The site has been exploited since the Early Bronze Age (middle of the third millennium BCE), the Iron Age 9-5th centuries BCE), and the Roman Period 2-4th centuries CE0.
Giant mounds of more than 200,000 tons of slag attest to copper productions on an industrial scale. One can imagine endless caravans of pack animals carrying juniper beams from the uplands to stoke the furnaces.
Copper production in Fienan reached its peak under the Edomites (during the 9-5th centuries BCE) when mining and smelting techniques attained high professional level and probably influenced the economic and political power of the Edomites.
Dinner O/N camping Wadi Feinan.
Day 4: Jeep & Hike From Wadi Feinan To Shekarat & Siq Bajah. 2hrs by Jeep 4hrs hiking
After Breakfast leaving Wadi Feinan towards the Araba valley along narrow canyons of sandstone and igneous rocks, as well as towering peaks and vast expanses of colorful desert landscape. Spectacular fields of red sand dunes all over the Araba. The desert between Feinan and Petra is awe inspiring in its beauty and extraordinary moon like landscape. It is a region filled with history, battles and revolutions reaching back as far as the Old Testament when Solomon and Aaron passed through in their search for the Promised Land.
Special character, not found elsewhere in Jordan combination of Volcanic Mountains, Sand dunes, wild life. Above all, Petra the fabulous Nabatean capital is located here, hidden among cliffs of red sandstone mountains. Visit Bajah, the site of an Edomite Stronghold, located atop a sandstone bluff (1,230m) 5 km north of Little Petra. Surrounded by sheer cliffs, the access to the site demands a head for heights as well as climbing skills.
Leave Siq Bajah up to Jebal Qaroun overlook the Araba valley, majestic colorful canyon, spectacular views of the Araba valley and the Petra mountains, explore Nabateain water instillation and ruins, beautiful valleys of sandstones, gardens of junipers.
Dinner and O/N camping Jebal Qaroun.
Day 5: 6-7 hrs hiking. Jabel Qaroun - little Petra - Shamasast
After Breakfast at the camp leave Jabal Garoun towards the northern side of little Petra `the famous Nabatean caravan stations, superb views of Petra, and the tombs of Aaron, brother of Moses. Little Petra was the major caravanserai of the Nabatean capital. It’s easy to imagine the sounds and smells of old days, when traders, caravan masters, drovers and local dwellers roamed about, chatted, negotiated, argued and prayed.
Mediterranean tress such as Oak, juniper, carob and pistacia thrive here in small sandy valleys among typical desert plants such as the desert broom.Visit little Petra (Baidah) 300BC, Rock stairs lead to rock carved streets, and thence to rock carved palaces, temples, houses and dwellings. Afterwards hiking to the Neolitic village at Baidah dates from 7000 to 6500 BC. Uniquely complete record of architectural evolution from the early Neolithic period (c.6800 BC). Leaving the Neolithic village south west to Wadi Shamasat for dinner and O/N camping.
Dinner O/N camping Wadi Shamasat.
Day 6: Wadi Shamassat – El Deer Petra O/N Hotel
After breakfast at camp 8.00am start full day hiking from Wadi Shammasat to Monastery (El Deer) via the Araba Mountain, Rock carved Nabatean monuments are reached within 40 min from the watershed. From here will continuo trekking through the mountains over looking the Jordan valley and the Syrian African Rift to the Monastery or El Deer after 2.30 hrs trekking tour the Monastery and the surrounding areas.
Afterwards retrace 900 steps down to Museums then to Wadi Farash and the city center of Petra. Afternoon leaving the city center and start trekking! Impressive facades of tombs and temples are hewn into the rock and traces of aqueducts and cisterns are seen everywhere. Exploring the city center and Al Kazneh, afternoon hiking through the Siq to Wadi Mousa for check-in at hotel O/N hotel Wadi Mousa.
Day 7: Petra – Wadi Rum – O/N camping Wadi Rum
Breakfast at hotel in Petra, 8.00 Check-out of hotel followed by bus transfer from Petra to Wadi Rum. Joining the main road for 1:30hrs drive only, on arrival finish the challenge with 12 km trek, wonderful day a head continue through Wadi Rum and explore the beauty of its nature, visiting the most spectacular sites off the Beaten track, viewing old graffiti’s and inscriptions, winding throughout canyons and sand dunes, After a half day of fun and sun and exploring the desert of Wadi Rum, ending at the camp site (Siq Umm Salab) followed by dinner and O/N Wadi Rum.
Day 8: Wadi Rum – Amman
Breakfast at camp, free morning in Wadi Rum for Camel or Jeep tour to explore Wadi Rum and to follow the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia After lunch bus transfer to Amman for short city tour of Amman (Ancient Philadelphia, followed by check-in at hotel Free dinner in Amman. O/N Amman.
Day 9: Departure
Breakfast at hotel followed by transfer to Queen Alia international airport for departure.
The above program is: H/B bases at hotels. F/B on camp and hiking days.
Hotels: Based on 3* hotels.
Meals during camping days :
- Breakfast. Buffet Arabic and continental Breakfast includes: Tea, coffee, milk, Pita bread, orange Juice, jam, butter, cheese, eggs, yogurt, Labenah, Olive, cucumber, tomatoes and Hummus.
- Lunches. Boxed lunches and salads are provided during the hike – Salami, cheese, cucumbers. Tomatoes, oranges, cake, juice, bread, local salads.
- Dinners. Buffet dinner will be provided every day includes Salads Appetizer or a typical Bedouin meal will be prepared. Eg. Magluba, chicken or lamb with rice, salads, soup or a B-B-Q dinner can be provided if the clients choose. A variety of seasonal fruits, water, tea and coffee. Every evening a different dinner will be provided.
- Beverage drinks: Local water is used for drinking, cooking and washing. Mineral water, soft drinks, is available on the camp.
Guiding & Assistance:
- English Speaking guide will join this trip (hiking Guide)
- The groups will be under the responsibility of a professional team.
- Routing and first aid under the responsibility of this team also.
- All the information concerning the hiking day, will be given the evening before
- Assistance by 4*4 Cars, meeting at the strategically places only for lunches, water, food for, luggage etc.
Camping: We always use spectacular wilderness areas. We will decide the exact location, depending on the weather and the season.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- Meet and assist upon arrival and departure
- Visa to Jordan
- Accommodation 3 nights in on H/B basis 2 nights
- Transfers throughout programs.
- Entrance fees to all to Petra and Wadi Dana
- English speaking guide throughout.
- Five nights camping in large Bedouin tents with all equipment.
- F/B basis includes lunches.
- Escort 4WD car to join group during camping nights.
Excluded:
- Departure tax
- Tips
- Drinks.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Jordan
Hiking & Trekking
Ecotourism
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