8 jours / 7 nuits
Points forts de la visite
Itinéraire
Jour 1 : Arrivée à Madaba
Bienvenue en Jordanie ! À votre arrivée à l'aéroport international Queen Alia (QAIA), vous serez transféré vers la ville historique de Madaba, connue pour ses mosaïques byzantines et son atmosphère détendue. En fonction de votre heure d'arrivée, vous pourrez explorer la ville et visiter la célèbre carte en mosaïque de la Terre sainte à l'église Saint-Georges ou déguster un repas jordanien traditionnel.
Day 2: Trek from Dana Reserve to Wadi Feynan
We begin our day early with a drive south to the Dana Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, we meet our trekking guide and support crew before starting our first day on the trail. Today's hike to Wadi Feinan takes around six hours, including a break for lunch. The route begins with a significant descent of approximately 800 meters (2,650 feet) within the first hour, followed by a more relaxed and gentle walk through a broad valley framed by the Dana Mountains. Upon reaching Wadi Feynan, we settle into our first campsite of the journey.
Day 3: Trek from Wadi Feynan to Wadi Barwas
Today’s trek covers approximately six hours of walking through the striking ‘hamada’ landscape—a classic Jordanian desert terrain characterized by hard, stony ground with minimal sand. The trail is mostly flat, making for a steady and moderate day of hiking, though we will navigate several small wadis (dry riverbeds), adding variety to the route.
As we walk, we are treated to breathtaking panoramas: to the east, the towering mountains of Edom, and to the west, the vast, shimmering Wadi Araba Desert unfolds beneath the horizon. The silence and scale of the landscape create an unforgettable sense of remoteness and wonder.
Along the way, we’ll pass by remnants of Byzantine and Nabataean civilizations—hidden ruins and ancient waypoints scattered across the terrain. Our local guide will share the fascinating stories behind these archaeological treasures, offering insights into the people who once inhabited these lands.
We conclude the day by setting up camp in the peaceful and remote Wadi Barwas, surrounded by desert beauty and under a canopy of stars.
Day 4: Trek from Wadi Barwas to Ras EL Feid
Today’s journey takes us out of the stark, stony hamada desert and into more rugged and mountainous terrain. We begin with a challenging uphill climb, navigating a steep incline scattered with rocks and small boulders. This initial ascent takes around three hours, gradually guiding us onto a narrow goat herder’s trail that winds through a dramatic, high-walled valley.
As we climb, we’re rewarded with stunning panoramic views stretching eastward over the vast Wadi Araba Desert a sweeping, seemingly endless expanse of wilderness. This section of the trek is one of the most physically demanding of the entire route, but also one of the most memorable, offering a true sense of remoteness and raw natural beauty.
Eventually, we crest a high mountain saddle, a perfect spot to pause and take in the silence and grandeur of the desert mountains. From here, we begin our descent along a well-marked path that weaves through rugged, rocky terrain, offering tantalizing glimpses of the route ahead.
Reaching the dry riverbed below, we follow it upstream for about 30 minutes to arrive at our secluded campsite in Ras el Feid, nestled beneath towering cliffs and open skies a perfect place to rest and reflect on the day’s achievement.
Day 5: Trek from Ras EL Feid to Shkiret Msa’ed
We begin the day by retracing our steps briefly along the dry riverbed, before branching off onto a traditional Bedouin trail that cuts across the rugged valley side. This route gradually ascends through a series of dry wadis et hidden mountain passes , showcasing the raw and untamed beauty of the Jordanian highlands.
This stretch of the trek is among the more challenging and adventurous, with the trail becoming less defined and the terrain more technical. Over the course of around two hours, we encounter some light scrambling, navigating over rocky outcrops and natural obstacles that add a sense of wilderness exploration to the day.
Eventually, the path descends into a remote riverbed where water flows year-round, a rare sight in this arid landscape. Keep your eyes open for the elusive Nubian ibex, which are sometimes spotted in this secluded area.
From here, the trail follows the wadi floor, gradually climbing into the pale, wind-sculpted sandstone formations that signal our approach to the legendary Petra region. The landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with soft pastel hues and intricate rock formations that hint at the wonders to come.
The final climb of the day takes us gently upward across smooth, bare rock slabs, leading to the high col of Shkaret Msei’d, where we make camp for the night. With expansive views and complete solitude, this campsite offers a tranquil and inspiring end to a physically rewarding day.
Day 6: Trek to Beida (Little Petra)
Departing from our campsite at Shkaret Msei’d, the landscape transforms dramatically. We leave behind the enclosed, narrow wadis of the previous days and enter a vast expanse of open sandstone hills, where the scenery takes on an almost otherworldly, moonscape-like quality. The soft, smooth rock formations stretch in every direction, offering a sense of freedom and space rarely found on the trail.
Although there is no clearly defined path at this point, the terrain is surprisingly easy to navigate, with wide, natural rock corridors and open ledges that allow for a fluid and enjoyable hike. Here, we begin to see the first signs of ancient Nabataean craftsmanship, with carved steps and weathered paths hinting at the civilization that once flourished in this region.
As we continue, we pass through seasonal Bedouin encampments, offering a glimpse into the traditional, nomadic lifestyle that still exists in parts of Jordan today. The route then weaves through another rocky section, where the trail once again becomes less distinct. This area presents some light scrambling and fun route-finding, adding a touch of adventure to the journey.
Eventually, we begin our descent into the awe-inspiring site of Petite Pétra (Siq al-Barid), taking a rarely used and quiet approach that enhances the feeling of discovery. Carved into the rose-colored sandstone, Little Petra offers an enchanting preview of what awaits at Petra, with its facades, cisterns, and ancient storerooms tucked into the cliffs.
From the main entrance of Little Petra, we continue on foot toward Beidha, an important Neolithic archaeological site and a reminder of the region's continuous human habitation for over 9,000 years. Here, jeep tracks and signs of modern Bedouin life signal our approach to more settled areas, bridging the gap between ancient and contemporary Jordan.
Day 7: Trek to Petra (Backdoor)
This morning, we bid farewell to our local trekking crew, who have guided us through some of Jordan’s most remote and stunning landscapes. From here, we continue on foot with our main guide as we make our final approach to the legendary city of Pétra via the Back Trail a truly unforgettable end to our trek.
The walk takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, beginning with a peaceful stroll through open farmland and rural landscapes that offer a contrast to the rugged terrain we've become accustomed to. Soon, we join a clearly marked mountain path that climbs gently, offering panoramic views across the vast Wadi Araba Desert, stretching more than 100 km (60 miles) to the west. The scenery is expansive and breathtaking, and the trail is comfortable to navigate, requiring no special head for heights aside from one brief 2-meter section.
As we wind through the sandstone mountains, the landscape begins to shift, building anticipation for what lies ahead. Suddenly, the monumental façade of the Monastery (Ad Deir) comes into view carved directly into the rock face and dramatically revealed through the surrounding cliffs. This moment rivals the iconic first glimpse of the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) through Petra’s main Siq and is a fitting reward after five days of immersive trekking.
From the Monastery, we descend Petra’s ancient stairways and pathways, following a less-traveled route into the heart of the archaeological site. Exiting briefly through the secondary Siq, we then re-enter Petra via the main Siq, allowing you to experience the famous, awe-inspiring view of the Treasury as if seeing it for the very first time.
After exploring Petra’s highlights and immersing ourselves in its rich Nabataean heritage, we conclude our day with an overnight stay in a comfortable hotel in nearby Wadi Musa, where a well-earned rest awaits.
Jour 8 : Départ
After breakfast we will be transferred to Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) for departure, drive takes around 3 hours. Our services conclude upon your arrival at the airport. However, if you wish to extend your stay in Jordan to explore additional highlights such as the Red Sea, the Mer morte, or the ancient city of Jerash, our team of adventure travel specialists would be happy to assist you in planning the perfect extension.
We wish you a safe journey home and look forward to welcoming you back to Jordan in the future!
Inclusions
Exclusions