Jordan: Trekking, Travel, Petra, Wadi Rum desert

Explore the Kingdom of Jordan on foot, far beyond the tourist trail.

Our Trekking Jordan program is designed for those who want to feel the red sand in their boots and experience the silence of the desert. We don’t just look at the sights; we hike through them. We enter the ancient city of Petra through the secret “Backdoor” route, avoiding the crowds and revealing the Monastery first. In Wadi Rum, we leave the standard jeep tracks to scramble up natural rock bridges and summit Jebel Um Ad Dami, the highest peak in Jordan, offering views all the way to Saudi Arabia.

This Land Only adventure combines the freedom of a road trip with the thrill of a trekking expedition. We travel in small groups using private rental vehicles or a minibus, giving us the flexibility to stop for tea with Bedouins or explore hidden canyons (“Secret Wadis”) that big buses can’t reach. From the floating waters of the Dead Sea to the starry nights of the Bedouin camp, this is Jordan at its most authentic.

Tour Type: Active Trekking / Adventure
Difficulty: Moderate (Daily hikes of 3–6 hours, some scrambling)
Group Size: Small group experience

This is an active tour. Be prepared for movement and adventure!

• The Trekking: We hike for 3 to 6 hours on several days. The terrain in Petra and Wadi Rum is rocky, sandy, and uneven. You need good hiking boots with ankle support.
• The Scrambling: In Wadi Rum (Burdah Bridge), some hands-on scrambling is required. It is not technical climbing, but you should be comfortable with heights and using your hands.
• The Transport: To maintain flexibility, we often use a convoy of rental vehicles driven by our team (and sometimes volunteers from the group). This allows us to access remote trailheads.
• Accommodation: We mix hotels with 2 nights in a Bedouin camp. The camp has beds and shared bathrooms. It is a rustic but comfortable “glamping” experience.
• Climate: Desert temperatures fluctuate. It can be hot during the day and cold at night. Layers are essential.

• Petra Backdoor: Hiking into Petra from Little Petra, revealing the massive Monastery (Ad Deir) first, away from the tourist crowds.
• Jebel Um Ad Dami: Summiting the highest peak in Jordan (1,854m) for panoramic views over the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia.
• Burdah Rock Bridge: A thrilling scramble to stand atop one of the highest natural rock arches in the world.
• Wadi Rum: Spending two nights deep in the UNESCO protected desert, enjoying Bedouin hospitality and star-filled skies.
• Dead Sea: Floating in the mineral-rich waters at the lowest point on Earth.
• Secret Wadis: Exploring hidden water canyons (like Wadi Numeira or Hasa) that most tourists never see.

Trekking Jordan: Beyond the Tourist Trail

Jordan is often seen through the window of a tour bus, but to truly understand this ancient land, you must walk it. Our Trekking Jordan tour is crafted for the active traveler who wants to engage with the landscape physically. From the limestone cliffs of the north to the granite peaks of the south, we explore the Kingdom’s most dramatic terrains on foot.

The Petra “Backdoor” Experience

Most tourists enter Petra through the Siq, jostling with thousands of others to see the Treasury. We do it differently. Following an ancient Nabataean route starting from Little Petra, we hike across the mountain ridges. The trail is quiet, scenic, and builds anticipation until—suddenly—you turn a corner and the massive facade of the Monastery (Ad Deir) appears. It is larger than the Treasury and, often, you will have it almost to yourself. We then descend into the city, moving against the flow of the crowds, giving you a unique perspective on this World Wonder.

Wadi Rum: The Climber’s Playground

Wadi Rum is not just a desert; it is a maze of monolithic sandstone mountains rising from red sands. While jeep tours are fun, the true magic of Rum is found up high.

• Burdah Rock Bridge: This is one of the highest natural arches in the world. Reaching it involves a “scramble”—a mix of hiking and easy rock climbing (no ropes needed, just steady nerves). The feeling of standing on that arch, suspended between earth and sky, is unforgettable.
• Jebel Um Ad Dami: At 1,854 meters, this is Jordan’s roof. The climb takes us away from the tourist camps to the Saudi border. The air is cooler here, and the silence is absolute. It is a proper mountain day in the middle of the desert.

Secret Wadis: Water in the Desert

Jordan is famous for its lack of water, which makes its “Wadis” (canyons) all the more miraculous. We seek out the hidden gems like Wadi Numeira or Wadi Hasa (often called the “Grand Canyon of Jordan”). These slot canyons feature running streams, hanging gardens of oleander and palm, and towering sandstone walls that block out the sun. Walking through the cool water is the perfect antidote to the desert heat and a side of Jordan few see.

Bedouin Hospitality

On this tour, we don’t just observe Bedouin culture; we live it. Spending two nights in a desert camp allows us to disconnect from the modern world. We eat Zarb (meat and vegetables slow-cooked in an underground oven), drink endless cups of sweet sage tea, and listen to stories around the fire. The Bedouins of Wadi Rum are legendary for their hospitality, and by the end of the trip, you will understand why.

Why “Land Only”?

Trekking requires preparation, and our Land Only package allows you to bring your own trusted gear without worrying about airline baggage restrictions on a group flight. It also gives you the flexibility to arrive early to acclimatize or visit other sites. We handle the complex logistics—the 4×4 transfers, the trail permits, the camp bookings, and the expert mountain guiding—so you can focus on the hike.

Join LifeTrek for a journey that will challenge your legs and fill your soul. Trekking Jordan is the adventure you have been waiting for.

Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a coastal country in the Middle East. It borders Syria in the north, Iraq in the northeast, Saudi Arabia in the south and east, Israel in the west, and the West Bank of the Jordan River, where it also borders the Dead Sea, with an outlet to the Red Sea in the Gulf of Aqaba. Its relief is trapped between river canyons and covered with dunes. Plant and animal diversity is excellent despite the relatively small altitude difference. Also, there are many endemics. Jordan is a country full of contrasts and diversity, imbued with mosaics from all periods of history, the legacy of Islam and Christianity, and Bedouin culture. Jordan is one of the friendliest and most picturesque countries in the Middle East.

Wadi Rum and Petra

Wadi Rum lies 250 km south of Amman. Its surface resembles the moon, covered with sand and beautiful stone towers. This desert is a significant historical museum dotted with characters from the Bible and home to today’s semi-nomadic inhabitants, the Bedouins.

Petra is located 262 km south of Amman. More than 2,000 years ago, it was a haven for nomadic Nabatean Arabs and Bedouins from northern parts of Arabia. At first, they built necessary dwellings in caves and caverns, which grew into a natural fortress carved into living rock, interwoven with hundreds of buildings that these people created with their own hands.

Explore Jordan with Lifetrack

At Lifetrack, we understand that Jordan offers a wealth of exploration opportunities. That’s why we’ve prepared various additional programs, including the Trekking program you’re currently reading about and various travel programs. All our programs in Jordan are designed to be family-friendly, ensuring everyone can enjoy the adventure. Explore our entire catalog of tours in Jordan.