Best of Dana to Petra Trek + Wadi Rum & the Red Sea `

Summary The Dana to Petra trek, a section of the over 400 km long Jordan Trail, is rated as one of the world's best hikes by National Geographic. Hike for three days on this trek across spectacular scenery in southern Jordan, immerse yourself in local hospitality and the heritage of the wild desert, and of course see Petra, one of the seven new world wonders. Experience Wadi Rum, Valley of the Moon, considered one of the most beautiful deserts in the world. We jeep safari to some of its best features, stay at a Bedouin Camp under the stars, and get a bird’s eye view form the highest point in Jordan. We end at the Red Sea with a boat tour to experience life under the sea by swimming and snorkeling.

Highlights

● Hike 3 days of the Jordan Trail from Dana Nature Reserve to Petra ● Enter Petra via the back route along an ancient Nabatean trail ● Hike to the summit of Jordan’s highest peak ● Explore Wadi Rum on a jeep tour ● Snorkel and swim in Red Sea

Difficulty Rating: 4 – Vigorous (Must be physically fit; hiking experience preferred; 5-8 hours activity/day)

Day 1 - Wednesday, March 27 - Arrive in Amman, Jordan anytime and transfer to the hotel. No meals included. Accommodation and transfer included for hosted buyer and media delegates only. Day 2 - March 28: Amman - Hike from Dana Village to Feynan Ecolodge - Hiking Distance: 14Km

Early morning pick up from Amman (at 7:00am) and head south to Dana. You will start from Dana Village, 1,200m above sea level, and head west into Dana valley with your trekking guides. The trail drops steeply at first and then levels into a more gradual descent through the Dana Biosphere Reserve towards the eco-lodge at Feynan. The reserve, Jordan's largest, includes four distinct bio-geographical zones, which means that Dana supports an astonishing diversity of birds, plants, and animals. On your way down the valley you may see Griffon Vultures overhead as well as hyrax and copper-blue lizards on the rocks; if you're lucky you might even catch a glimpse of an ibex or a desert fox, or see the footprint of a wolf in the dust. Finish the hike at one of the world's best ecolodges; Feynan Eco-Lodge. Hiking Distance 14Km; Ascent 230m Descent 1140m. Overnight in Feynan EcoLodge – Twin Share – Wi-fi in lobby (note: may be weak signal) Breakfast – Hotel Lunch – Lunch Box Dinner – Ecolodge (Vegetarian)

Day 3 - March 29 : Feynan Ecolodge - Local Activity – Hike Al Beida to Little Petra After breakfast enjoy one of the local community activities offered in the eco-lodge such as hiking, cooking classes, making kohl (Bedouin eye makeup), making Arabic coffee, baking earthy “Arbood” bread, or weaving goat-haired tents. Afterwards, we transfer to AL Beida to begin hiking ~8.4km to visit Little Petra site (a mini version of Petra). Follow the timeline markers through history to the remains of a Neolithic village. Finish at your campsite in M'aysrah. Hiking Distance 8.4Km Ascent 350m, Descent340m Overnight in M'aysrah - Wilderness Camping – Single Tents – No Wi-Fi

Day 4 - Saturday, March 30 : M'aysrah - Hike the back route to Petra - main trail Hiking Distance: 14Km

After breakfast you will start your hike from M'aysrah to the back way of Petra. You will enter Petra via ‘The Back Door’ avoiding most of the tourists. Good tracks go pleasantly down Wadi Ghurab amidst sandstone mountains guarding the approaches to Petra. This way follows a Nabataean route out of the valley and skirting round the final mountain on a natural rock terrace that has been ‘improved’ for the safety of walkers. Even so, it still narrows slightly before reaching a hidden plateau high above the impressive chasm of Wadi Siyyagh. Just beyond, carved into the cliff face, ‘The Monastery’ suddenly comes into view. Nabataean steps then lead down into ancient Petra; your route then takes you through the main trail (Hiking distance 14Km) to Wadi Musa and your Petra hotel accommodation.

Hiking Distance 14Km+ Ascent 470m Descent 480m

Overnight in Petra – Petra Palace– Twin Share – Wifi in rooms Breakfast – Wilderness Camp Lunch – Lunch Box Dinner – Hotel

Day 5 - March 31: Petra - Summit Jabal UM AD-Dami – 2-Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum 31/03/2019, Sunday

At 7:00am you will be transferred from your hotel in Petra and head south towards Wadi Rum (~2 hours driving). Once you reach Wadi Rum you will drive for around 1.2 hours to the foot of the mountain. Um Ad-Dami, at more than 1,800 meters is the highest peak in Jordan, offering you a whole new perspective of the desert from its summit. To the south you can see the border to Saudi Arabia, to the North Jebel Rum (next to Rum village). Hiking to the summit and back to the desert floor takes approximately three hours. Afterwards you transfer to your camp in Wadi Rum so as to relax and enjoy some lunch. After having lunch and relaxing at the camp, you will have around a 2-hour jeep tour following in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, climbing sand dunes and rock bridges. Overnight in Wadi Rum – Milky Way Camp – Wi-Fi in central location (note: may be weak signal)

Day 6 - April 1: Wadi Rum - Aqaba - Snorkeling in Aqaba

After breakfast you will be transferred to Aqaba. We have a more relaxed final day, with a boat ride into the Gulf of Aqaba, with views across to Egypt, Israel/Palestine and Saudi Arabia. We’ll have opportunities to swim and snorkel from the boat, to explore the coral and see the myriad of colors of the Red Sea fish. You will need to be at your hotel in Aqaba at 4pm for the Adventure Next Conference. Breakfast – Wadi Rum Lunch – BBQ on Boat Accommodation Summary: Day 1: Amman: To be Determined for hosted delegates by Jordan Tourism Board Day 2: Feynan EcoLodge – Twin Share – WiFi in lobby (note: very weak signal) Day 3: Wilderness Camping – Single Tents – No WiFi Day 4: Petra Palace– Twin Share – WiFi in rooms Day 5: Milky Way Camp – Twin Share - WiFi in central location (note: may be weak signal)

Accommodation Detailed: Day 2: Feynan EcoLodge – Twin Share – Wifi in lobby (note: very weak signal)

Enter an enchanting world of authentic Bedouin hospitality and natural beauty. Deep in the heart of the mountainous Dana Biosphere Reserve, at the end of a rugged track, an idyllic candle-lit lodge rests in the magnificent Wadi Feynan. Hailed as one of the best 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, the award-winning, solar powered Feynan Ecolodge offers the most developed eco-experience in Jordan; an experience only made possible by a unique partnership between EcoHotels and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, a Jordanian NGO devoted to the protection of the Kingdom’s finest natural landscapes. Day 3: Wilderness Camping – Single Tents – No Wi-Fi

Our wilderness camps provide a nice escape from everyday life, great views, and good service. Some people may refer to it as “glamping.”

Our local Bedouin support sets up the campsite during the day, so everything is prepared when you arrive. Upon arrival, enjoy some time to sit down, relax and have some Bedouin tea. Then when dinner is ready, our Bedouin support will reveal the locally made feast.

We provide private or 2-person tents depending on your preference. In the tents we provide foam mattresses and sheets. So no sleeping bags are needed unless you want to bring your own. Day 4: Petra Palace – Twin Share – Wi-Fi in rooms

Petra Palace Hotel is located near the entrance of Petra. It features 2 outdoor swimming pools with sun terrace. The hotel has a steam bath where sauna and massage services are offered. Day 4: Milky Way Camp – Twin shared tents (Wi-Fi in central location – likely a weak signal) Located in the heart of the Wadi Rum Protected Area, the Milky Way Ecolodge offers unparalleled comfort on this site as well as breathtaking views of the desert.

Group Size: 4-12 People Price per person (non-hosted delegates): $1000 Inclusions

● Accommodation as mentioned in the trip description ● Meals as mentioned in the trip description ● English-speaking, government-licensed tour guide ● Transport by A/C bus ● Jordan Pass (Provided by the JTB covering visa and entrance fees for hosted delegates)

Exclusions

● Flights ● Accommodation in Amman on March 27 for non-hosted delegates ● Travel/Medical/Evacuation Insurance ● Departure taxes (Jordan $15 pp at land borders). Airport tax is usually included on

airfare ● Tips to drivers & guides

Weather: Temperatures in Jordan can be hot and with little rain. The average temperature in March is 21°C/70°F, with highs reaching 27°C/80°F and lows around 14°C /57°C at night. The high temperatures may feel hotter in the sun all day. While the chance of rain is slight in March, it is still important to be prepared with a proper rain and windproof jacket. Layering is important for protection from the sun and cool mornings and nights. Things to Consider Jordan is an Islamic nation and tends to be quite conservative, so you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline, shoulders and knees should be covered. Long shorts can be worn during hiking, though we generally recommend lightweight hiking trousers to keep the sun off.Clothes should be loose fitting, shoulders kept covered, and full-length trousers/skirts are recommended. A light water and windproof jacket is useful and a sun hat essential. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot climate. Your luggage will be transported by vehicle to your accommodation each night.

Packing List Layering is key to remaining comfortable while on an active adventure. To achieve maximum

comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right

amount of ventilation, insulation, and weather protection. Adequate sun protection is very important!

Clothing

❏ Casual clothing/shoes for travel and city wear (lightweight, easily washable)

❏ Light rain/windproof jacket ❏ Insulating Jacket (fleece, soft shell, or

down) ❏ T-shirts ❏ Long sleeve shirt with collar ❏ Hiking pants ❏ Underwear/sports bra (quick drying) ❏ Sleepwear ❏ Warm hat (for chilly evenings in the

desert) ❏ Swimsuit and cover-up Footwear

❏ Hiking boots/shoes; suitable for rough terrain and easy scrambling (ideally light weight)

❏ Hiking socks, synthetic or wool ❏ Comfortable shoes/sandals/flip flops

for camp use and on the boat in Aqaba

Assorted Personal Items ❏ Reusable water bottles 1 liter /or

hydration bladder (at least 3 liters capacity for each day)

❏ Sunblock and lip balm (SPF 30) ❏ Sun hat ❏ Sunglasses ❏ Personal hygiene items (toothpaste,

toothbrush, hand sanitizer, small travel towel, etc.)

❏ Personal first aid kit, medications, blister prevention/treatment kit

❏ Women: Tampons – difficult to obtain in rural areas

❏ Toilet kit: Toilet Paper, Ziplock bags (at least one for clean TP and one for dirty), wet wipes (we cannot litter the wilderness with TP)

❏ Insect repellent ❏ Camera/memory

cards/batteries/adapters ❏ Headlamp with spare batteries ❏ Snacks – Dates, fruits, candy, energy bars

Cancellation Policy: https://www.experiencejordan.com/terms-conditions/ For Groups 10+ people & Set Departures: 31+ Days before the trip – 75% refund 30 – 1 Days before the trip – no refund If paying by credit card directly through the office, there is an additional 6% charge to cover the credit card company commission costs, which we still pay even when providing a refund. If paying by Paypal, there are no additional Paypal charges if the refund is requested within 2 months of the original payment. After this period the refund amount will be sent through paypal, but the customer will have to pay the normal paypal charges to receive this payment. Refund Policy: If you cancel your trip and qualify for a refund, as per the cancellation policy above, we will process the refund within 1 week of agreement to the refund. The money will normally be refunded by the same method the payment was made, unless mutually agreed by both parties to transfer the refund by a different method. Why Choose Experience Jordan: We hope you love this itinerary! We want you to know we do more than just offer unique experiences in Jordan. So here are our top 5 reasons to book with us. 1. Our attention to details will make your trip smooth and easy and ensure that you won't miss

out on any fun adventures along the way. 2. Our knowledgeable staff will assist you in whatever your chosen activity is, whether you are sightseeing, hiking, biking, or any combo of the above. 3. Our deep love of Jordan means that we want to share with you what makes Jordan an amazing place to be by showing you the "real" Jordan beyond what tourists typically see and experience. 4. Our heart for the communities we interact with will allow you to interact with Jordanians and learn about what makes Jordanians unique in the Middle East. 5. Our passion for you our honored guests. Our goal is for you to finish your time in Jordan with unforgettable memories, amazing photos and stories, and full bellies. Because when you visit Jordan, you are family. But don't just take our word for it. Check out our reviews on Trip Advisor!

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