Hiking the Jordan Trail from Dana to Petra: Jordan’s best 5-day hike
The Jordan Trail is a breathtaking hiking route that winds from the lush green forests of Umm Qais in the north all the way to the coral-filled waters of the Red Sea in Aqaba, Jordan’s southernmost tip. Officially opened in 2017, the trail stitches together ancient pathways to offer an intimate journey through the heart of Jordan’s diverse landscapes and rich heritage.
One of the most celebrated parts of the Jordan Trail is the section from Dana to Petra, a 5-day journey covering around 80km of striking desert wilderness. This iconic stretch takes you from the jagged cliffs and highlands of Dana Biosphere Reserve, skirting the Sharah Mountains above the Wadi Araba desert, to conclude at the awe-inspiring ancient city of Petra. The experience weaves together nature, history, and the warm hospitality of the local Bedouin people—instantly one of our all-time favourite hikes!
This guide contains everything you need to know about hiking from Dana to Petra based on our experience in September 2024, including when to go, trip costs, what to expect on the trail, campsite amenities, and a detailed day-by-day itinerary of the route. Happy trails!
A massive thank you to Experience Jordan Adventures for hosting me on their Dana to Petra hike! As always, all opinions contained within this post are entirely my own and recommendations are an honest reflection of my experience.
What's in this travel guide
About the Jordan Trail
Conceived as a way to connect people with Jordan’s cultural and natural heritage, the expansive 675km Jordan Trail, typically completed over 40 days, offers intrepid explorers an immersive experience of the country’s diverse ecosystems, rich culture, and most spectacular historical sites.
It took nearly two years of collaboration between local hiking enthusiasts (including Experience Jordan Adventures!), Bedouin communities, international volunteers, and the Jordanian government to map out the trail, secure the necessary permits, and prepare it for visitors— the Jordan Trail now stands as the premier long-distance hiking route in the Middle East and I guarantee that whatever you’re picturing, this trail will surpass all expectations.
Dana Biosphere Reserve to Petra via Little Petra
For those looking to experience a sliver of the magic, the 80km section of trail from Dana Biosphere Reserve to Petra is considered to be the most spectacular of the entire Jordan Trail.
In just 5 days, this segment leads through the greatest variety of landscapes, forested mountains giving way to dramatic valleys, and it is from Dana to Petra that you can truly experience a sense of pilgrimage—walking for days through a challenging and ever-changing desert to arrive ‘through the back door’ at one of the Seven Wonders of the World, an ancient city tucked deep into the sandstone canyons of central Jordan and shrouded in millennia of mystery.
If you only have time for a sample of the Jordan Trail, there’s nothing more spectacular than the experience of hiking from Dana to Petra! For more about terrain, navigation, and campsites, see What to expect on the trail.
When to hike the Jordan Trail
The best time to hike the Jordan Trail is from mid-September to November OR March to early May, avoiding the soaring temperatures of the summer months (June-August can reach up to 40°C) and the rainy season from mid-December to February (where flash floods make the route dangerous and nighttime temps fall below freezing).
We hiked from Dana to Petra on 22-26 September, and it’s worth noting that this time of year was still quite hot. Although daytime temperatures never really exceeded 30°C (and nighttime was a comfortable 15°C), hiking in the direct sun was intense and draining. Thankfully, there is shade to be found throughout the day, and our guide with Experience Jordan Adventures took full advantage of overhanging rocks and pistachio trees, such that we were never hiking for more than 1 hour without a packs-off break in the shade. The entire group agreed that it was hot but entirely manageable with a relaxed pace and frequent breaks!
Guided vs unguided on the Jordan Trail
Are you able to hike the Jordan Trail without a guide? Sure. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not.
Long-time readers will know I’m a staunch advocate for unguided activities and solo treks— but in the case of the Jordan Trail, your experience will be infinitely better with the support of a well-connected local guide and all the mountain services that come along with joining group.
Although not a technically challenging or overly demanding route, the Jordan Trail is a desert hike through uniquely rugged and remote terrain. There is no access to water, no established camps, no bathroom facilities (poo doesn’t break down in the dessert, so responsible hikers should bag out), AND no marked trails. This is to say nothing of the oppressive heat that makes carrying a 30kg+ pack with camping gear, 5 days of water, and all your own food rather impractical.
By joining a hiking trip, like those offered by Experience Jordan Adventures, you’ll have access to clean water every day, your gear will be transported between camps, and you’ll be supporting local Bedouin families who’ve lived in this desert for centuries and are passionate about sharing it with visitors. It’s more practical, more enjoyable, and certainly more sustainable to hike from Dana to Petra with a guide!
About Experience Jordan Adventures
Experience Jordan Adventures is a local pioneer in adventure travel throughout Jordan, especially known for their hiking expeditions along the Jordan Trail—a route they were intimately involved in conceiving!
With a mission to promote responsible and sustainable tourism, Experience Jordan Adventures aims to connect travellers with the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and the Bedouin people of Jordan. They provide training and employment to dozens of local families, empowering Bedouin communities in the remote parts of the country to benefit from tourism and share their passion for the land with visitors, an ethos that we are extremely proud to support.
Before partnering with Experience Jordan Adventures, James and I visited the office in Amman to meet some of the dedicated staff involved in designing their trips and went out for a laugh-filled dinner where we were simply blown away by the passion and vision of owner Ayman in bringing responsible tourism to Jordan. There is knowledge, experience, and so much love in every trip— this was not just a routine collaboration for us, it was a truly life-changing trip that we can’t wait to share with more travellers.
Dana to Petra with Experience Jordan Adventures
The Dana to Petra hike with Experience Jordan Adventures is a fully supported trek designed to make the journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible. From the moment you start at Dana Biosphere Reserve, you’re accompanied by a professional guide who not only leads the way but also shares fascinating insights about the land and history of the region— our guide, Mutaz Jarrar, was one of the most beautiful souls we’ve ever had the pleasure of hiking with and we are now honoured to call him a dear friend!
Our local Bedouin support staff, the charming Eid and his beautiful family, also took care of setting up spectacular wilderness camps, cooking fresh traditional meals, and transporting gear, which allowed our group to focus on the trek itself without the burden of heavy backpacks. Their insights into Bedouin culture helped to make this trip SO special and our experience on the Jordan Trail wouldn’t have been the same without them.
Groups are anywhere from 2-15 participants, and as long-time solo travellers, this was perhaps the part of the experience James and I were most wary of—but within the first day, our group of 12 hikers from Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, South Africa, and the US were more like old friends than a collection of strangers, bonded together by a shared passion for adventure and deeper travel. The camaraderie of the group, combined with the sense of adventure and discovery, made this a truly unforgettable experience that I’d recommend again and again.
Cost of hiking the Jordan trail from Dana to Petra
Here’s a breakdown of the expected costs for the 5-day Dana to Petra trek with Experience Jordan Adventures:
- Dana to Petra 5-day trip $1000USD
- Tips for Bedouin support staff, trekking guide + local guide at Petra $85USD (60JOD)
- Jordan Pass $110USD (80JOD)*
*Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
The Jordan Pass packages together entrance to Petra (otherwise 50JOD/$70USD), most of the historical landmarks in Jordan (Amman Citadel, Jerash, Wadi Rum Protected Area, etc), AND waives the cost of a Jordan visa (otherwise 40JOD/$60USD)—at 80JOD/$110USD, a Jordan Pass is actually the cheapest way to visit Petra, without even considering the 35 other included sites!
Dana to Petra: detailed 5-day hiking itinerary
- Day 1: Dana to Mansoura (15km; 260m up, 690m down)
- Day 2: Mansoura to Furon (16km; 560m up, 170m down)
- Day 3: Furon to Ghbour Whedat (17km; 750m up, 920m down)
- Day 4: Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra (14km; 610m up, 560m down)
- Day 5: Little Petra to Petra (20km; 500m up, 520m down)
Day 1: Dana Biosphere Reserve to Mansoura
Distance: 15km; 260m up, 690m down
Starting at the cool, high-altitude Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s oldest nature reserve renowned for its biodiversity, the first day of the trek descends through Wadi Dana along old Bedouin trails. You’ll walk through terraced gardens and rocky terrain against a backdrop of dramatic cliffs before dropping into Khashasha Valley and reaching the tranquil desert camp at Mansoura.
Day 2: Mansoura to Furon
Distance: 16km; Elevation: 560m up, 170m down
On day 2, the landscape shifts as rocky outcrops give way to sandier valleys. You’ll ascend gradually to cliffs overlooking the vast Wadi Araba desert, with sweeping views that necessitate frequent photo stops. The day offers more open terrain as the vast wilderness unfolds and finally a gorgeous sunset awaits at the wilderness camp in Furon.
Day 3: Furon to Ghbour Whedat
Distance: 17km; Elevation: 750m up, 920m down
While this is the most challenging day in terms of elevation, it is also the most spectacular day of trekking before reaching Petra— the route to Ghbour Whedat is a true wilderness of rock arches and otherworldly formations that will leave you speechless.
The campsite itself was also our favourite of the whole trip, with endless views across a shallow valley dominated by skull-shaped rocks, the ruins of an ancient Nabatean wine press, and stargazing like you’ve never seen before!
Day 4: Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra
Distance: 14km; Elevation: 610m up, 560m down
Approaching Little Petra, the desert opens up into broad, flat expanses, passing ancient irrigation systems and water collection tanks, sunny pomegranate vineyards— and the first signs of other tourists since departing Amman.
Finally, you’ll arrive into the pleasant bustle of Little Petra, believed by archaeologists to be a ‘suburb’ of Petra that was likely intended to house traders traveling along the Silk Road. Entering the cool walls of Siq al-Barid (Cold Canyon), climbing ancient stairs carved into the sandstone that lead to not-long-ago inhabited Bedouin caves, and getting your first glimpse at impressive Nabatean ruins, the excitement is truly palpable!
*Tonight’s accommodation in Little Petra is in comfortable Bedouin tents, a short walk from another worthwhile addition to the trip: The Experience, a tasting room newly opened by Jordan River winery and local brewery Carakale to showcase Jordan’s modern beverage culture.
Our group heard about this and we all jumped at the opportunity to share wine flights and cold local beer while the owner gave a small presentation on the history of wine-making in Jordan and the efforts of local winemakers to revive these traditions. We highly recommend popping in while you’re staying in Little Petra!
Day 5: Little Petra to Petra
Distance: 20km; Elevation: 500m up; 520m down
The final day of the trek leads you from Little Petra into Petra ‘through the back door’, a long route that sees few tourists and offers the most comprehensive exploration of this 2000-year-old site—which is SO much more than just the Treasury!
We were joined today by a spectacular Bedouin guide, Mahmoud, who was actually born in one of the caves within Petra (and took us to visit his family cave as part of the tour!). Experiencing Petra through his eyes was absolutely incredible and gave us a far deeper appreciation for the rich history of this World Heritage Site, yet another way Experience Jordan Adventures is facilitating meaningful local interactions that capture the true heart of this country.
Following Nabataean paths and rock terraces high above the valley, you’ll catch your first glimpse of one of Petra’s most spectacular sites: The Monastery. From here, it’s non-stop temples, tombs, theatres, and caves all the way to the iconic Treasury.
By the time we walked out of the Siq, a beautiful slot canyon that links the main entrance to the Treasury, we’d spent nearly 9hrs hiking through the site and probably saw more of Petra than 99% of other visitors. There are almost no words to describe this place—so you’ll just have to Experience Jordan for yourself!
Read more: The best 1-day & 2-day Petra itineraries for adventure travellers COMING SOON
What to expect on the trail
Terrain on the Jordan Trail
The terrain on the Jordan Trail from Dana to Petra is incredibly diverse, ranging from rugged mountain paths to sandy desert stretches. On the first couple of days, expect well-worn Bedouin trails and rocky, uneven terrain with some steep descents. As the hike nears Petra, it becomes flatter and sandier, but Petra itself is filled with stairs, so the work isn’t quite over!
While some sections of Dana to Petra are relatively smooth, others are more challenging with loose rocks and uneven footing; most days, there are also opportunities to scramble high into the rocky surrounds! Almost our entire group hiked in shoes, ranging from adidas running shoes to Salomon trail shoes, and felt comfortable; I wore my trusty pair of (ancient and very well-broken-in) Blundstones and was also quite happy—these kept the sand out really well and provided ample support for 15-20km per day.
Navigation on the Jordan Trail
There are no trail signs on the Jordan Trail, the path is not obvious, and GPS signals are almost entirely jammed due to proximity to the Israeli border (on our first day of the hike, James’ watch showed that we’d walked 130km and my GPS had us at the Amman airport). For this reason, having a local guide is extremely helpful!
For your own interest, Experience Jordan Adventures have published an interactive trail map and JordanTrail.org has also published a GPX file of the entire route (this is not super helpful currently with the signal jamming from Israel, but hopefully in future it will be possible to navigate along the route).
Campsites on the Jordan Trail
Campsites along the route are basic but beautiful, set in secluded valleys or beneath dramatic cliffs, established each day by the local Bedouin support team. Our private tents supplied by Experience Jordan Adventures were super comfortable, kitted out with plush mattresses, warm blankets, and pillows before we even arrived.
At the centre of the camp, there’s a large communal tent providing shade— on day 2, we arrived into camp at 2pm and got to lounge about for several hours! Each day, Eid and family made tea, brought out snacks and juice, and set up camp chairs and floor pillows for us to relax while we watched the sun illuminate the canyon walls and dip below the horizon. Camp was a central part of our experience on the trail and we loved it every single day!
Food on the Jordan Trail
After sunset each night, our Bedouin support team put out an impressive spread of traditional food, usually centred around flavourful chicken and rice, veggies, Arabic salad with tahini, humous, and fresh bread. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so well while camping!
Each morning, a breakfast/lunch spread was also set up, typically consisting of veggies and beans in flavourful sauce, humous, fresh fruit/veggies (tomato, cucumber, banana), crackers/muffins, and juice boxes. We dished up our breakfast and packed lunch from the same table and there was always plenty to go around (plus a communal bag of mixed nuts, dates, and local cookies that our support donkey carried for additional snacks throughout the day). Vegetarians and GF were catered for and everyone was full and satisfied every day!
Services (toilets, showers, water) on the Jordan Trail
Despite the remote location, our camps were appointed with all the essentials: clean drinking water, simple pit toilets, and even an outdoor pump shower. Yet another perk of hiking the Jordan Trail with Experience Jordan Adventures!
What to pack for the Jordan Trail
If you’re hiking with Experience Jordan Adventures, all camping equipment is provided for you, including private tents, comfortable mattresses, warm blankets, and pillows—all you need to pack with you is hiking clothing and a few other essentials, listed below:
- 15-25L day pack
- 2x 1L water bottles
- Sun hat
- 2x hiking shirts
- 1x hiking pants
- 1x hiking shorts
- 2x hiking socks
- Hiking shoes
- Comfy clothes for camp
- Camp shoes
- Camera
- Powerbank
- Jordan Pass + passport
- Jordanian Dinar
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