Trade crowds for desert trails. This 6-day Petra to Wadi Rum trek follows the Jordan Trail into remote, rugged country linking two UNESCO sites. Jordan Trail hiking means big shifts in terrain, from Petra’s stone streets and downhill paths to dry valleys and high-desert calm in the Wadi Rum Protected Area.

I love that you start right at Petra but then peel away from the usual tourist flow, heading south past spots like the Sabra Amphitheatre and into a remote campsite night by night. English-speaking hiking guide support keeps the experience practical on tough days, even when the trail isn’t clearly marked. One consideration: the trek is physically demanding, with difficult segments (especially day one) and at least one day marked as not waymarked, so you’ll want real hiking comfort.

Key highlights worth planning around

• A true off-the-beaten-route start from Petra while still being in the larger Nabatean settlement area
• Guided navigation on rugged, remote trails, including at least one day explicitly not waymarked
• A small group size (max 14) that helps in tight, quiet terrain
• Camp nights with meals included, so you’re hiking more and worrying less
• A jeep transfer into Wadi Rum after the long climb and plateau arrival

Petra to Wadi Rum on the Jordan Trail: what makes this one different

Most people do Petra first, then they hop to Wadi Rum by jeep, then they call it a day. This trek does the honest version: you use hiking as the connector. That means the scenery changes are gradual and earned, not just viewed from a window.

The route also has that rare combo of iconic and wild. Petra is famously photogenic, but after your early hiking starts leaving the main trail crowd behind, the rest of the trip leans hard into dry valleys, sandstone forms, and long desert horizons. It’s the kind of journey where your day’s effort matches what you see at the end of it.

And you’re not stuck in one type of walking. Expect a first-day steep downhill grind, mid-trip desert-mountain walking, canyon-and-sand-dune days, then a last-day climb out of the Jordan Valley before you reach Wadi Rum’s high-desert feel.

Price and what you actually get for $995

At $995 per person, this isn’t a budget add-on. What makes it more reasonable is what’s bundled for a remote multi-day hike:

• 5 nights of accommodation
• A local English-speaking hiking guide
• Transfers: hotel pickup in Wadi Musa for day one, plus transport from the Hummeima area to Wadi Rum on day five
• Meals: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners

That’s a lot of logistics handled, and in a trek like this, logistics are half the battle. The included guide work matters too: when part of the trail isn’t waymarked, having navigation support isn’t a luxury.

The main extra costs you should budget for are the ones that are explicitly not included: Jordan Pass/Wadi Rum entry, tips, airport transfers, travel insurance, and personal expenses. If you already plan to get the Jordan Pass and travel with a tip budget and insurance, this starts to feel like a fair deal for a guided, remote route with meals and transfers taken care of.

Day 1: Petra to Wadi Musa countryside descent (the tough opener)

Your day starts with a 7:30 am start time and meeting at Petra Museum (Wadi Musa). The goal is simple: get moving early so you can leave the tourist crowd behind while still staying in the larger historical settlement around Petra.

The route heads south past the Sabra Amphitheatre and is described as mostly downhill. That sounds easy, until you remember what downhill does to your legs after a few hours. Day one is listed as difficult with 24 km of hiking and a big drop in elevation.

• Distance: 24 km
• Time: 6–8 hours
• Ascent: 380 m
• Descent: 740 m

You end at a remote campsite. That first night matters because it’s the point where the trip becomes about rhythm and comfort: you’ll want your water plan, sun protection, and shoes to be dialed in before you commit to a long downhill day.

If you like that kind of challenge—where day one sets the tone—this trek will feel like it really starts on schedule.

Day 2: desert mountain walking, plus a day with no waymarks

Day two is where the trek starts acting like a true desert hike instead of a “Petra-to-transport” transfer. You continue south through rural desert mountain country and rocky valleys, and the route description even points out oleander plants along the way.

The effort is more balanced than day one, but it’s not a casual stroll. The physical challenge is marked easy, while the trail challenge is still moderate, and there’s a key detail: the route is not waymarked.

• Distance: 15 km
• Time: 4–5 hours
• Physical challenge: Easy
• Trail challenge: Moderate
• Waymarked: No

That no-waymark detail is important. It’s not saying it’s dangerous or impossible; it’s saying your guide’s role becomes central. You’re meant to hike with confidence because someone local is guiding the line, not because you’re following painted arrows.

If you’re the type who enjoys being “on the route” rather than checking apps all day, day two is a good fit.

Day 3: wild desert mountains and a camp near the Jordan Valley

Day three keeps the southbound momentum going with wild desert mountains and desert valleys. You’ll be walking through scenery that feels less structured than day one and day two, more like you’re moving across broad natural sections of the region rather than sticking to a single narrow corridor.

The itinerary description also notes reaching a camp near the Jordan Valley. Even without listed distances, that camp location is a clue about the vibe of this day: you’re setting up for bigger visual payoff and for the final climb logic of the last two days.

If you want one of the trip’s “breathing space” days, day three is likely where your pace becomes steady and your focus becomes the walking, the air, and the changing shapes of the hills.

Day 4: colorful canyons, rock formations, vistas, and sand dunes

Day four is the style-shift day. The description calls out colorful canyons, rock formations, beautiful vistas, and sand dunes. It also mentions a mixture of up and downhills, which usually means you’re not just gaining distance—you’re changing terrain repeatedly.

That can be fun if you like variety, and it can be tiring if your legs are already feeling day one and day two. Either way, you end at a campsite in a beautiful setting.

What makes day four special is the mix of textures. You get canyon-and-rock visual drama plus dune walking, which is often slower and more work than it looks. The payoff is that Wadi Rum-style terrain starts to echo here before you even reach it.

Day 5: long climb out of the Jordan Valley, then a jeep into Wadi Rum

Day five is the last full day of trekking, and it’s described as a long, gradual ascent out of the Jordan Valley. That kind of climb is rarely about one steep moment; it’s about hours of steady effort.

• Later in the day: reaching the desert plateau in the Wadi Rum area
• Then: reaching the Bedouin village of Abassiya and taking a jeep transfer to Wadi Rum

Also, transfers are listed as included from Hummeima to Wadi Rum on day five. In practice, you should think of this day as: finish the hike, then shift gears into desert-journey mode with vehicle support.

The value here is clear. Instead of making you walk the final connection into Wadi Rum, the trip lets you arrive without turning the end into an exhausted slog. Then you wake up in Wadi Rum on day six, when the desert quiet is the whole point.

Day 6: Wadi Rum Protected Area morning, then you choose your next move

Day six is the decompress day. You wake up in the Wadi Rum Protected Area with red sand dunes, sandstone mountains, and rock formations in a serene setting. The tour ends here at the Wadi Rum campsite area in the morning after the hike.

You’re not forced into one follow-up. The tour notes that some people continue on to Aqaba and the Red Sea, some go directly to the Dead Sea, and others head back to Amman. Extensions are available privately or with help planning what comes next.

This is a good setup if you want a clean handoff: you finish the trek, then you make the rest of your Jordan trip match your interests.

Camps, meals, and small-group comfort in remote terrain

This is not a “show up and figure it out” route. The included accommodations run for 5 nights, and meals are fully covered during the trek days: breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day.

In remote hiking, that matters more than people think. When food and a sleep plan are locked in, you hike better. You also spend less time managing logistics you shouldn’t be juggling in the heat.

Group size is also a big deal. The tour caps at 14 travelers, which tends to keep the experience feeling manageable in rugged country where you’re moving at a hiking pace.

Guide quality: why the right person changes the whole trek

The reviews attached to this operator consistently praise the guide experience. Names that show up in past feedback include Furat Mai, Mahmood Attal, Raja, and Motaz/Mutaz, and the trekking support teams at camps also get called out, including Habu el bedul, plus support crew members such as Hussain (abu Thayir) and Eid.

The pattern in those notes is practical: guides explain what you’re seeing along the way, not just the route. One review highlights that a guide explained monuments, plants, mountain ridges, riverbeds, and more. That kind of explanation is especially valuable on a remote trail, because it turns “I walked for hours” into “I understood what I walked through.”

Also, multiple reviews mention an overall sense of stress-free orchestration of transportation and lodging. On a trek that includes camp nights and vehicle transfers, that’s not a small compliment.

So when you read this, think less about photos and more about people. This trek is at its best when you have a guide who keeps the day running smoothly and makes the terrain make sense.

Wadi Rum entry, mobile tickets, and Jordan Pass planning

Two ticket-related points matter here:

1. Jordan Pass is not included, and it covers the entry fee to Wadi Rum.
2. The tour specifies that Wadi Rum admission is not included for the day connected to the Protected Area.

So even though the trek is guided and the logistics are managed, you should plan Wadi Rum admission as a separate cost unless you already have the right pass.

Good news: the tour notes a mobile ticket. That usually means fewer paper hassles once you’re on the ground.

Weather, trail marking, and why day two is a mental checkpoint

This trek requires good weather. If the trip is canceled due to poor weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund.

On top of weather, trail marking matters. Day two is specifically listed as not waymarked. That’s a mental checkpoint. You should treat that day as proof that you’re not meant to hike independently. You’ll trust the guide and the route decision-making instead of relying on visible signage.

If you’re someone who gets anxious without clear markings, consider this your cue to keep your hiking mindset flexible and trust the plan.

Who should book this Petra to Wadi Rum trek

Book it if you want:

• A true hiking connection between Petra and Wadi Rum instead of two separate sightseeing days
• Remote, rugged walking with camp nights and guide support
• A trip that mixes downhill challenge, desert valley days, canyon-and-dune variety, and a final climb out of the Jordan Valley

You should think twice if:

• You’re not comfortable with long days and a difficult day one (24 km with heavy descent)
• You dislike hikes where at least one day has no waymarking
• You want an easy, low-effort itinerary with minimal physical demands

The operator also states travelers should have strong physical fitness. That’s not fine print. It’s the main selection rule.

Should you book this Petra to Wadi Rum trek?

If your idea of a great Jordan trip includes waking up in remote places, walking real distance, and letting the scenery build day by day, this is a strong pick. The price makes more sense when you count what’s covered: guide, meals, multi-night stays, and key transfers into Wadi Rum.

I’d only skip it if you want a lightweight itinerary or you’re worried about the toughest hiking day and an unmarked segment. In that case, you’ll likely be happier with a more guided-jeep focused Petra and Wadi Rum plan.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Petra to Wadi Rum trek?

It runs for about 6 days. You start in Petra (Wadi Musa area) and end the morning after the trek at the Wadi Rum Protected Area campsite.

What’s the meeting point and start time?

The meeting point is Petra Museum (Wadi Musa) and the start time is 7:30 am.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes. The tour includes transfer from your hotel in Wadi Musa to the start point on day one.

What accommodation and meals are included?

You get 5 nights of accommodation. Meals are included daily during the trek days: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners.

Do I need a Jordan Pass for Wadi Rum?

Yes. Jordan Pass is not included, and it covers your Wadi Rum entry fee.

When is the jeep transfer to Wadi Rum?

On day five. After reaching the Bedouin village of Abassiya, you take a jeep transfer to Wadi Rum, and the tour also lists a Hummeima-to-Wadi Rum transfer as included on day five.

Is the hike waymarked?

Not consistently. Day two is explicitly listed as not waymarked. You should plan to rely on your guide for navigation.

What happens if I need to cancel, or if weather causes cancellation?

If you cancel up to 6 days in advance, you can get a full refund; 2–6 days in advance is a 50% refund; less than 2 days before is not refunded. If the trek is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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