Walking in Jordan

A morning’s drive south along the Desert Highway brings you to the spectacular lunar ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ scenery of Wadi Rum, where you’ll set off on foot across the desert sands with your Bedouin guide on the Makharas Canyon Hike. This scenic walk near Wadi Rum’s famed ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’ combines a magical canyon, red sands and grand views of Jebel Barrah and Umm Nfoos. Dinner this evening will be at your glamping-style desert camp.

Today’s full-day combined jeep and walking tour will reveal the magnificent landmarks, including Khazali Canyon, Lawrence’s Spring, and the rock bridges of Jabal Burdah and Umm Fruth – one of the most photographed places in the desert. You’ll also hike (90 minutes) through the vast multi-coloured towers and cliffs of Barragh Canyon. The day concludes with sunset over the ‘vast echoing and God-like’ desert scenery.

Zigzag through the striking desert mountains to the extreme south of the Rum protected area on the rarely visited border with Saudi Arabia, where you will begin the easy 2.5-hour hike to the summit of Jebel Umm Ad Dami (1832m), Jordan’s highest mountain. At the summit, you will have a breathtaking view of Wadi Rum’s rugged landscape to the north and Saudi Arabia’s vast desert to the south. Then, drive to Petra.

A full-day privately guided tour of one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures: the ‘rose-red’ city of ancient Petra that is poetically held to be ‘half as old as time’. Hike through the narrow Siq gorge, view the stunning façade of the Treasury (El Khazneh), gaze at the Royal Tombs, and walk down the collonaded street. An afternoon hike will take you through rarely visited Wadi Farasa past tombs, including the Tomb of the Roman Soldier and the Garden Tomb, up to the High Place of Sacrifice, which commands magnificent views. This evening, experience the unforgettable spectacle of Petra by Candlelight (operates Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday).

Aaron’s Tomb sits atop mighty Jebel Haroun and is Petra’s holiest place. Its dome is visible as a speck of white from all over the site. Today’s strenuous 6-hour hike starts within the site of Petra and takes you right off the beaten track past the ‘Snake Monument’ and onto a rock ledge known as Aaron’s Terrace. A path at the mountain’s base will lead you up to the summit, where you will be rewarded with magnificent views over the surrounding area.

A visit to the Dana Biosphere Reserve reveals one of Jordan’s great natural secrets. There is the possibility of visiting the site of Little Petra after breakfast before arriving at the ancient stone-built village of Dana and the trailhead for your scenic guided hike. The Half Dome Trail is of moderate difficulty and follows the huge escarpments of Wadi Dana through terraced gardens and offers breathtaking views of the wadi. Once your trek is complete, visit Dana’s traditional handicraft workshops before driving to the Dead Sea, where the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Today will be at leisure by the Dead Sea. Here you may experience the unique sensation of floating cork-like in its waters, indulge in spa treatments, and benefit from the region’s special dry climate with its weakened ultraviolet radiation and high oxygen content. Alternatively, we can arrange a morning aquatic hike along the Siq Trail in Wadi Mujib (supplement applies).

Transfer to Amman International Airport and check in for your onward flight.