Petra to Wadi Rum Trek – 6 Days

Leave the crowds far behind. This six-day trek links Petra and Wadi Rum by way of remote desert mountains, dry valleys, sandstone formations, and the broad Jordan Valley. You get a much fuller sense of southern Jordan than a quick visit to either famous site can provide.

I like two things right away: the route follows a little-used section of the Jordan Trail, and the trip handles the hard practical work with a guide, meals, camps, and two key transfers. The main concern is simple: this is a difficult wilderness trek, not a sightseeing walk, and some sections are not waymarked.

The $995 price is fair if you value a supported trip through remote country. Five breakfasts, five lunches, five dinners, five nights of lodging, an English-speaking hiking guide, and transport at both ends are included. You still need to budget for the Jordan Pass, tips, insurance, airfare, and personal expenses.

Key points before you book

• Petra’s quieter southern side: Leave the main route near the Sabra Amphitheatre and walk through the wider Nabatean settlement without the usual crowd.
• A real wilderness route: Expect rocky valleys, dry riverbeds, sandstone mountains, colorful canyons, and long open stretches with no trail markers.
• Five nights outdoors: The trip uses remote camps and ends with a night in the Wadi Rum area.
• A serious first day: Day one covers 24 kilometers in six to eight hours, with a difficult rating and 740 meters of descent.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 14 people, enough for company without turning the trek into a procession.
• A useful final transfer: After reaching Abassiya on day five, a jeep takes you into Wadi Rum Protected Area.

Why this Petra to Wadi Rum route is special

Most visits to Jordan split Petra and Wadi Rum into separate stops connected by road. This trek connects them under your own power. That changes the experience. You see the country gradually shift from Petra’s carved archaeological setting to open desert mountains and finally the red sand and sandstone towers of Wadi Rum.

I like the route because it does not treat Petra as a single monument. On the first morning, you leave the familiar visitor path and continue through the southern part of the ancient Nabatean settlement. The Sabra Amphitheatre gives the day a historical opening, but the real reward comes after the sightseeing crowds disappear.

The route is also remote enough to feel like an expedition. You will cross dry valleys and broad sandy areas where the scenery is the main event. There are no shops or marked rest stops described along the way, so you should think of this as a guided wilderness crossing with camping, not a series of casual day walks.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 11 posted ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, but the praise repeatedly centers on the guide teams, camp support, organization, and the way the experience brings Petra and Wadi Rum together. Names highlighted in past trips include Mahmood Attal, Raja, Motaz, Habu el Bedul, Furat Mai, and Sayel. Your guide may be different, but these accounts suggest that the human side of the trip is an important part of its value.

Day one: Petra’s Sabra route and a demanding 24 kilometers

You meet at Petra Museum in Wadi Musa at 7:30 a.m. A hotel transfer in Wadi Musa takes you to the trailhead, which makes the early start easier and removes the need to arrange local transport.

The walk begins in the Petra area, then turns away from the main trail. Passing the Sabra Amphitheatre, you continue south through the old Nabatean settlement before heading toward a remote campsite. The route is mostly downhill, with about 380 meters of ascent and 740 meters of descent.

The distance is 24 kilometers, and the expected walking time is six to eight hours. The physical and trail ratings are both difficult. That combination matters. Downhill walking can sound easy, but a long descent over rough ground can tire your legs and test your knees.

I would treat this as the day that sets the tone for the whole trip. You need sturdy footwear, a day pack that sits well, and enough water capacity for a remote route. The supplied information does not specify water arrangements, so ask the operator exactly how much water you should carry each day.

The first campsite is described as remote. That means quiet and memorable, but it also means you should not expect the comforts of a town hotel. Dinner is included, along with your first night’s accommodation.

Day two: Rural mountains, rocky valleys, and oleander

Day two is shorter at 15 kilometers, with four to five hours of walking. The physical rating drops to easy, but the trail rating remains moderate. You will continue south through rural desert mountains and rocky valleys, with oleander plants appearing along the route.

That lower physical rating should not be mistaken for a guaranteed gentle stroll. After the long first day, even a moderate trail can feel demanding. The lack of waymarking is the main point to note. The route is not marked, so your English-speaking local hiking guide is not just company. The guide is essential for navigation and for reading the terrain.

This is also where the trip begins to feel less like a visit to major Jordanian sights and more like a passage through working desert country. You see the shapes of the mountains, the dry channels, and small signs of plant life rather than a set of formal attractions.

The shorter day gives you a chance to settle into the rhythm of walking, camping, eating, and sleeping outdoors. I would use it to check your feet, adjust your pack, and speak up early about any soreness. Small problems are easier to fix on day two than day five.

Day three: South toward the Jordan Valley

The third day continues through wild desert mountains and dry valleys. The route passes a cluster of mountains before descending toward a camp near the Jordan Valley.

There are no distance, elevation, or timing figures supplied for this day, so you should ask for the current day-by-day walking plan before departure. The lack of a precise figure does not make the day unimportant. This is one of the transitions of the trek, carrying you from Petra’s mountain setting toward the wider valley and the desert beyond.

The scenery should feel increasingly open as you move south. You may find yourself watching the route ahead rather than looking for a single landmark. In this kind of country, the pleasure comes from changing light on stone, the silence between valleys, and the feeling of moving through a place that few people see on foot.

Camping near the Jordan Valley also gives the group a natural pause before the next day’s varied route. Five breakfasts, five lunches, and five dinners are included across the trip. That is a useful benefit on a remote trek, since you do not need to plan five separate evening meals or carry all your food.

Day four: Canyons, rock formations, and sand dunes

Day four brings a more varied walking day. You can expect colorful canyons, unusual rock formations, broad views, and sand dunes. The route has both uphill and downhill sections and finishes at another campsite in a scenic location.

This may be the most visually varied day of the crossing. The earlier stages focus on remote mountains and valleys, while day four adds color, sculpted stone, and soft sand. Sand can slow your pace more than hard ground, so the day may feel longer than its distance suggests, even though no official distance is provided.

I like the way this section prepares you for Wadi Rum without simply copying it. You begin to see the desert in several forms: narrow canyon walls, broken rock, open views, and loose dunes. Keep your camera accessible, but do not let it distract you from your footing. Uneven ground and changing surfaces are part of the challenge.

The campsite location is described as beautiful, but accommodation details are not specified in the supplied information. Ask whether the camps use tents, what bedding is provided, and what washing facilities are available. Those questions are especially useful for anyone new to multi-night desert trips.

Day five: The long climb out of the Jordan Valley

The fifth day is the final full day of trekking. You begin with a long, gradual ascent out of the Jordan Valley and up toward the desert plateau in the Wadi Rum area.

A gradual climb can be easier than a steep one, but it demands steady effort. After four nights on foot, your legs will already have plenty of work behind them. Pace yourself, keep drinking, and let the guide set a sensible rhythm.

Later in the day, you reach the desert plateau near Wadi Rum. At Abassiya, a Bedouin village, you leave the hiking route and take a jeep transfer into Wadi Rum Protected Area. This is a practical finish to a long crossing. Instead of forcing you to walk every road and access track into the protected area, the vehicle gets you to the final camp.

The jeep transfer is included. The Wadi Rum entry fee is not, although the Jordan Pass covers entry to Wadi Rum. Check the current Jordan Pass terms before you travel, since the cost of the pass may also relate to your wider Jordan itinerary.

Day six: A quiet morning in Wadi Rum

The final morning begins in Wadi Rum, with red sand dunes, sandstone mountains, and striking rock formations around the protected area. After five days of walking, this slower morning should feel well earned.

The published schedule gives 11 hours for the Wadi Rum portion, but the supplied timing also says the tour ends the morning after the hike at the Wadi Rum campsite. Because those descriptions do not fully match, confirm the exact end time and any included Wadi Rum activities before booking.

The tour ends in Wadi Rum rather than returning you automatically to Amman or Aqaba. That is helpful if you want to continue to Aqaba and the Red Sea, head to the Dead Sea, or return to Amman. The company says it can arrange a private extension or help with onward plans, but those arrangements are separate from the listed trek.

What the $995 price really covers

At $995 per person, this is not a budget walking holiday. It is a supported route through remote terrain, and the value depends on how much planning and logistical help you want.

Included are:

• Five nights of accommodation
• Five breakfasts
• Five lunches
• Five dinners
• A local English-speaking hiking guide
• Hotel transfer from Wadi Musa to the day one start point
• Jeep transfer from Hummeima to Wadi Rum on day five

The meals are especially useful because the route passes through remote country. You are paying not only for a bed or camp, but also for food supply, guide support, route planning, and transport between sections that are not best handled independently.

You should add money for the Jordan Pass, tips, tips for guides, drivers, and camp or hotel staff, travel insurance, airfare, airport transfers, and personal purchases. The trip does not include airport pickup or drop-off.

A maximum group size of 14 is a reasonable compromise. You get a social experience and shared costs, but the group is still small enough for the guide to keep an eye on people across rough ground.

The guide and support team matter here

On a remote trek, a good guide affects far more than the amount of information you receive. The guide handles an unmarked route, helps manage the day’s pace, and gives context to plants, rock formations, mountain ridges, and old sites.

The strongest praise connected with this operator focuses on guides who combine local knowledge with humor and warmth. Motaz has been described as giving history lessons along the trail, while Raja was praised for being professional and pleasant company during a five-day desert hike. Habu el Bedul and camp crew members Hussain, also called Abu Thayir, and Eid were singled out for their work around the camps.

You should not assume you will have one of those named guides on this particular departure. Still, it is worth asking who will lead your group and how many support staff will be present. The camp team can make a major difference after six to eight hours on rough ground.

Who should book this trek?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A long-distance route rather than short visits to Petra and Wadi Rum
• Remote desert scenery and quiet camps
• A guided trip with meals and transport arranged
• A small group of no more than 14 people
• A physical challenge with a strong sense of place

I would hesitate if you want hotel comfort, marked paths, flexible late starts, or daily access to shops. The first day is difficult, the overall route is rugged, and some days have no published distance or elevation figures.

Families can take part, but age alone is not the deciding factor. One past Jordan trek with this company included a 13-year-old, yet this route specifically requires a strong level of fitness. You should judge your ability to walk long hours on uneven ground, manage repeated ascents and descents, and camp for five nights.

The best time depends on conditions, but the company states that good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. Confirm the seasonal conditions before committing to flights and onward hotels.

Practical advice for a smoother six days

Arrive in Wadi Musa ready for an early morning. The meeting point is Petra Museum, and the start time is 7:30 a.m.

Pack for changing desert conditions. You will need comfortable walking clothes, reliable shoes, sun protection, and layers for cool evenings. The route includes rocky valleys, mountain ascents, sand, and open plateaus, so one pair of casual sneakers is a poor plan.

Ask the operator these questions before you pay:

• How much water should I carry each day?
• What bedding and washing facilities are provided at camp?
• What are the exact distances for days three through five?
• Who is the guide for my departure?
• What time does the trip finish in Wadi Rum?
• Is any Wadi Rum sightseeing included after the jeep transfer?

The cancellation terms are strict close to departure. Cancel at least six full days before the start for a full refund. Cancellation two to six full days ahead allows a 50 percent refund, while cancellation less than two full days ahead receives no refund. Changes are not accepted inside those windows.

Should you book the Petra to Wadi Rum Trek?

Book this trek if you want to connect Jordan’s two great desert sites by walking through the country between them. The route gives you remote mountains, dry valleys, canyons, dunes, desert camps, and a strong final arrival in Wadi Rum. The guide and support arrangements add real value because the trail is rugged and not consistently marked.

Skip it if your main goal is comfort or easy sightseeing. Six days of walking and camping is a serious commitment, especially with a 24-kilometer first day and a long climb on day five.

For a fit hiker who wants a quieter, more grounded Jordan experience, this is a powerful route. Check the water, camping, guide, and finish-time details before booking, then allow yourself extra time after Wadi Rum for Aqaba, the Dead Sea, or Amman.

FAQ

How long is the Petra to Wadi Rum trek?

The experience lasts approximately six days, including five nights of accommodation and the final morning in Wadi Rum.

Where does the trek start?

The meeting point is Petra Museum in Wadi Musa, Jordan. The start time is 7:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup available?

A transfer is included from your hotel in Wadi Musa to the start point of the hike on day one.

How difficult is the trek?

You should have a strong physical fitness level. Day one is rated difficult, covers 24 kilometers, and takes about six to eight hours. The route is rugged, and some sections are not waymarked.

Is the trail marked?

Day two is specifically listed as not waymarked. You will be accompanied by a local English-speaking hiking guide.

What meals are included?

Five breakfasts, five lunches, and five dinners are included.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

Five nights of accommodation are included.

Is the Wadi Rum entry fee included?

No. The Jordan Pass covers entry to Wadi Rum, but the Jordan Pass itself is not included in the tour price.

How do I leave Wadi Rum after the trek?

The tour ends at the Wadi Rum campsite the morning after the hike. The company can help arrange a private extension or onward plans, but those arrangements are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trek?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.