Trek the Jordan Desert
Trek through Jordan's desert heart in eight days, from the shores of the Dead Sea to the ancient city of Petra. You walk old Nabataean and Bedouin trails through quiet valleys, sandstone domes and narrow canyons.
Over five days of walking, you climb from 200m to 1,350m through the Black Mountains. Bedouin camps appear and disappear along the way. Each night you sleep in a simple desert camp, with a fire, hot tea and a sky full of stars.
The finish is the best part. You enter Petra from the east on a little-used trail that brings you out above the Monastery. You then explore the Treasury, the tombs and the Siq at your own pace, before finishing in Wadi Musa.
A free day follows, with the option to visit the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum. Medical support travels with the group throughout.
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- Float on the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth at 410m below sea level
- Climb through the Black Mountains to 1,350m
- Sleep under star-filled skies in Bedouin desert camps
- Enter Petra from the east on a quiet trail above the Monastery
- Explore the Monastery, Treasury and Siq in Petra
Day 1: Arrive at the Dead Sea
Arrive in Jordan and make your way to your hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea. Meet your trek leader, the local team and the rest of the group.
The Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth, 410m below sea level. The salt water holds you up, so you float on the surface. Dinner and rest at the hotel tonight.
Meals: Dinner
Stay: Dead Sea Spa Hotel, Dead Sea
Day 2: Dead Sea to AlMansura
Enjoy a free morning at the Dead Sea. In the early afternoon, you drive south along the coast, past waterfalls, canyons and huge cliffs, to Wadi Araba.
Your trek begins with a gentle warm-up walk to get a feel for the scale of the desert. You pass through AlMansura Village and walk for about an hour to your camp. Dinner is by the fire.
Trek: 3km | 1.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Stay: Desert camp, AlMansura
Day 3: AlMansura to Ras AlFeid
Today you climb from the valley floor into the Black Mountains, an ancient desert range. You start at around 200m and reach 1,350m at Faron, on narrow canyon trails and rocky paths used for centuries.
At the halfway point you stop for lunch at Umm el Amad, among white sandstone domes and the last of the old juniper trees. You continue climbing, passing Bedouin camps, to your camp at Ras AlFeid.
Trek: 16km | +1,150m | 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Desert camp, Ras AlFeid
Day 4: Ras AlFeid to Um Ellada
A long day on high ground. The terrain opens into vast plains, sweeping ridges and winding donkey trails. In the distance you can see the Crusader fortress of Shaubak on its hill.
You reach Um Ellada by late afternoon. The camp sits under one of the most star-filled skies you will see.
Trek: 18km | 8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Desert camp, Um Ellada
Day 5: Um Ellada to Moeesra
This morning you trek across the highland desert to Little Petra. It has carved facades, ancient chambers and rock passages that hint at how the Nabataeans lived along the trade routes.
The landscape turns to rolling white sandstone domes and hidden valleys. You continue to Moeesra for your last night in a desert camp, with your Bedouin hosts.
Trek: 10km | 6.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Desert camp, Moeesra
Day 6: Moeesra to Petra and Wadi Musa
The final trekking day. You enter Petra from the east on a little-used trail, and the Monastery appears above you, carved into the mountain.
You explore the Monastery, the Treasury, the Library and the old city at your own pace. You then walk through the Siq, a 1,200m canyon that twists until the outside world disappears. A final stretch takes you into Wadi Musa, where the group celebrates over dinner.
Trek: 6km | 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stay: Petra Moon Hotel, Wadi Musa
Day 7: Free day in Petra
Today is free. You can revisit Petra or take an optional trip to Wadi Rum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Valley of Moon. It has towering cliffs, red sand dunes and rock inscriptions left by the Nabataeans.
In the evening, the group shares a final dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Stay: Petra Moon Hotel, Wadi Musa
Day 8: Depart
After breakfast, your trip ends. You can make your own way to the airport or start your extension.
Meals: Breakfast
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Accommodation in hotels for 3 nights and in Bedouin camps for 4 nights
- Transfers as described in the itinerary
- A group tourist visa to Jordan
- Entry fees where applicable, except for the optional visit to Wadi Rum
- Luggage transportation on every day of the trek
- A team of trek guides, porters, cooks, and a Dream Challenges leader
- Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead-up to and during your trip
- Medical support who will accompany you throughout the trek
I'm worried about signing up on my own…
Please don't be! Many participants sign up for Trail of the Nabataeans: Jordan Desert Trek solo, and it's a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded adventurers. Once you've registered, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group where you can connect with fellow trekkers, share training tips and swap travel plans.
You may also want to reach out in the group to find training partners in your local area.
Is there a minimum/maximum age limit?
Everyone aged 18 and over by the departure date is welcome to join this trekking adventure. If you would like someone under the age of 18 to participate, please contact us at least 17 weeks before departure to discuss options. You can reach us at 01590 646410 or bookings@dream-challenges.com.
What's included?
Your deposit secures your place on the trip and goes towards your trip cost.
Your trip cost covers:
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Accommodation in hotels for 3 nights and in Bedouin camps for 4 nights
- Transfers as described in the itinerary
- A group tourist visa to Jordan
- Entry fees where applicable, except for the optional visit to Wadi Rum
- Luggage transportation on every day of the trek
- A team of trek guides, porters, cooks, and a Dream Challenges leader
- Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead-up to and during your trip
- Medical support who will accompany you throughout the trek
Accommodation is based on twin-sharing. If you'd prefer a room to yourself, a single supplement is available for £279. Please email bookings@dream-challenges.com at least 17 weeks before departure to arrange this.
Do I need special equipment?
Good quality hiking boots with ankle support are essential. We also recommend quick-dry clothing and warm layers for cold mornings and evenings. You'll need to bring your own water bottles or a hydration system.
What other costs will I pay?
In addition to your trip cost, you'll need to budget for:
- Your international flights
- Airport transfers
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Any meals not included in the itinerary
- The optional visit to Wadi Rum
If you'd like a single supplement, please contact us at bookings@dream-challenges.com or call 01590 646410 at least 17 weeks before departure.
Where will we sleep overnight?
You'll stay in comfortable hotels at the Dead Sea and in Petra, and in Bedouin camps in communal tents on four nights. Accommodation is based on twin-sharing, but if you'd like a private room, we can arrange a single supplement for £279. The camp nights are shared, so the single supplement covers the hotel nights only.
Can I pay for a single supplement?
Yes! If you prefer your own room, you can book a single supplement for £279. Please email bookings@dream-challenges.com or call 01590 646410 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) at least 17 weeks before departure to arrange this.
Can I extend my stay at the end of the trip?
Yes. You arrange your own international flights so you can arrive in and leave Jordan when you like. There will be an extension package available to book by 6 months before your trip start date.
What will the group size be?
The trip requires a minimum of 10 participants to run and is limited to 25 participants for an intimate and well-supported experience.
What about insurance and visas?
Travel Insurance
You must arrange personal travel insurance that covers health, accident, loss, cancellation and repatriation. We strongly recommend purchasing insurance as soon as you register to ensure coverage from the moment you book.
Dream Challenges provides details of a recommended insurance policy that covers adventure trekking and cancellation due to medically diagnosed COVID-19. You can find more information here: Dream Challenges Preparation Site (https://www.dream-challenges.com/preparation).
You are also welcome to arrange your own insurance, but it must cover trekking in Jordan. Please check with your insurer to confirm.
Visa
Your tourist visa is arranged in Jordan under a group visa and is included in your trip cost.
How will you support me?
The Dream Challenges team will support you every step of the way, from signing up to completing the trek. Once registered, you'll receive regular email updates starting six months before departure, covering everything from the itinerary and training plans to kit lists and travel advice. For preparation tips, check out: Dream Challenges Preparation Site (https://www.dream-challenges.com/preparation).
Can you offer travel vaccination advice?
As we're not medical professionals, we can't provide direct vaccination advice. We recommend consulting your GP or a travel clinic for the latest health recommendations. For general travel health guidance, visit the NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.
Choose your style
Selected: Challenger 2027
Available dates: 16th October 2027
Duration: 8 days | 5 trekking
Grade: 4 out of 5
Daily trekking: 3 - 18 km per day
Total distance: 53 km
Elevation gain: + 1,150 m
£1,950 pp
Deposit: £195 pp