Dana to Petra Trek + Wadi Rum & Dead Sea — Self-Launched
9 days · Jordan
Experience Jordan charges £1,260
No-markup version: ~£545 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of the classic Dana–Petra trek replicates one of Jordan's most spectacular multi-day hiking routes — through the Dana Biosphere Reserve, across the Sharah Mountains, and into Petra via the back door — before finishing with a Wadi Rum jeep safari and a float in the Dead Sea. Instead of a fully guided group tour, you'll hire a local licensed trekking guide directly for the 5-day trail section (required and strongly recommended for safety and navigation), arrange your own transport between hubs, and stay in budget guesthouses and Bedouin camps. The Jordan Pass (~£70) covers your visa on arrival and Petra entrance fees, making it the single smartest purchase you'll make. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Amman — Settle In & Explore
Amman
Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport and take the Airport Express bus (JD3.3, ~£4) or an Uber (~£10) to central Amman. Check into a budget hostel in the Jabal Amman / Rainbow Street area. Spend the afternoon exploring downtown Amman — the Roman Theatre, the Citadel, and the bustling souks are all walkable. Rainbow Street is great for cheap local eats in the evening.
🚌Airport Express bus from Queen Alia Airport to Amman 7th Circle (~£4); local walk/Uber around downtown
🛏Budget hostel in Jabal Amman / Rainbow Street area (e.g. Jordan Tower Hotel or The Nomads Hostel) — ~£18–22/night for a dorm or budget room
- →Visit the Amman Citadel (included in Jordan Pass or ~£3 entry)
- →Walk down to the Roman Theatre in downtown Amman
- →Stroll Rainbow Street for coffee, street food and local atmosphere
- →Pick up any last-minute trekking supplies from a downtown outdoor shop
Amman to Dana — Begin the Trek: Dana Village to Mansoura
Dana Biosphere Reserve
Take an early JETT or private minibus from Amman's South Bus Station to Qadisiyyah / Dana Village (~3 hours, ~£8–10 by shared service taxi or arranged minibus). Meet your pre-booked local trekking guide — hiring a licensed guide through the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) or a local Dana-based operator is strongly recommended and costs ~£40–60/day split across a small group. Hike 13.5km through the stunning Dana Biosphere Reserve down to the Mansoura campsite. Dinner and overnight at a basic tented camp.
🚌Shared minibus or service taxi Amman → Dana (~£8–10)
🛏Mansoura basic tented camp — included in guide/trail package or ~£15–20/night
- →Travel from Amman to Dana Village by shared minibus or service taxi (~3 hrs)
- →Hike Dana Village to Mansoura (13.5km) through the Dana Biosphere Reserve
- →Spot wildlife including ibex and over 200 bird species in the reserve
- →Overnight at Mansoura tented camp with Bedouin-style dinner
Trek Day 2 — Mansoura to Furon
Sharah Mountains / Wadi Araba
A full trekking day of 14–16km from Mansoura to Furon, passing through the dramatic Sharah Mountains with sweeping views down into the Wadi Araba desert. Your guide handles navigation; enjoy packed lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at Furon camp. Evenings at camp are a highlight — clear desert skies make for spectacular stargazing.
🚌On foot (trekking day)
🛏Furon tented camp — included in guide package or ~£15–20/night
- →Hike Mansoura to Furon (14–16km) through the Sharah Mountains
- →Views across the Wadi Araba desert towards Israel/Palestine
- →Packed lunch on trail
- →Stargazing from Furon camp
Trek Day 3 — Furon to Ghbour Whedat
Ras Al-Feid area
The longest day of the trek at 17.1km, passing through the Ras Al-Feid area. This is a demanding day with varied elevation, but the remote desert and canyon scenery is extraordinary. Your Bedouin support crew transfers your main luggage to the next camp — you only carry a daypack. Rest up well tonight as the best is still to come.
🚌On foot (trekking day); luggage transferred by Bedouin support crew
🛏Ghbour Whedat tented camp — included in guide package or ~£15–20/night
- →Hike Furon to Ghbour Whedat (17.1km) — the longest day of the trail
- →Pass through the Ras Al-Feid landscape
- →Packed lunch on trail
- →Communal Bedouin-style dinner at camp
Trek Day 4 — Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra
Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)
A 14km hike bringing you to one of Jordan's hidden gems — Little Petra (Siq al-Barid). This remarkably well-preserved Nabataean site is free to enter and far less crowded than Petra itself. Explore the narrow siq, carved facades, and painted biclinium. Overnight at a local guesthouse or tented camp near Little Petra.
🚌On foot (trekking day)
🛏Guesthouse or tented camp near Little Petra / Beidha — ~£18–25/night
- →Hike Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra (14km)
- →Explore Little Petra / Siq al-Barid (free entry with Jordan Pass or separately free)
- →Admire Nabataean carved facades and the painted biclinium
- →Overnight near Little Petra in guesthouse or camp
Trek Day 5 — Little Petra to Petra via the Back Door
Petra
The grand finale of the trek: hike 14–16km from Little Petra into Petra via the dramatic 'back door' route through Wadi Ghurab and Wadi Siyyagh, arriving at the iconic Monastery (Ad-Deir) from above. This approach means you see the Monastery before the crowds and descend through the main siq past the Treasury. Entry to Petra is covered by the Jordan Pass (~£70, which also covers your visa on arrival — buy it before you fly). Stay overnight in Wadi Musa (the town beside Petra).
🚌On foot (trekking day); Jordan Pass covers Petra entry (~£70 total inc. visa)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Wadi Musa (e.g. Valentine Inn or Rocky Mountain Hotel) — ~£18–25/night
- →Hike Little Petra to Petra via the back door through Wadi Ghurab & Wadi Siyyagh (14–16km)
- →Arrive at the Monastery (Ad-Deir) — one of Petra's most spectacular monuments
- →Descend through the main archaeological city to the Treasury
- →Explore Petra's main siq at your own pace
- →Overnight in Wadi Musa
Petra to Wadi Rum — 4x4 Jeep Safari & Bedouin Camp
Wadi Rum
Take a public minibus or shared taxi from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum village (~1.5 hours, ~£5–8). At the Visitor Centre, book a half-day or full-day 4x4 jeep safari directly with a licensed Bedouin operator — expect to pay ~£25–40/person depending on group size and duration. Explore vast red-sand valleys, ancient rock inscriptions, towering sandstone arches, and climb sand dunes. Watch the sunset paint the desert gold. Overnight in a Bedouin camp under the stars.
🚌Shared minibus/taxi Wadi Musa → Wadi Rum (~£5–8)
🛏Bedouin desert camp in Wadi Rum (e.g. Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp budget option or Mohammed Mutlak Camp) — ~£25–35/night including dinner
- →Travel from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum by shared minibus (~£5–8)
- →Book a 4x4 jeep safari directly with a Bedouin operator at Wadi Rum Visitor Centre (~£25–40/person)
- →Explore sandstone arches, rock inscriptions, narrow gorges and sand dunes
- →Watch sunset in Wadi Rum
- →Overnight in a Bedouin desert camp with dinner
Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea — Float & Mud Treatment
Dead Sea
Arrange a shared taxi or private transfer from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea (the cheapest route goes via Aqaba or Amman — a shared taxi to Aqaba then onward JETT bus to Amman/Dead Sea costs ~£15–20 total). The most budget-friendly Dead Sea access point is the public beach at Amman Beach or O Beach (~£15–20 entry including facilities). Float in the hypersaline waters, slather on the famous black mud, and enjoy the extraordinary experience of being unsinkable. In the evening, transfer on to Amman to be ready for your morning departure.
🚌Shared taxi Wadi Rum → Aqaba (~£8), then JETT bus Aqaba → Dead Sea/Amman (~£10–12)
🛏Budget hostel in Amman (return to Day 1 hostel or similar) — ~£18–22/night
- →Travel from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea via shared transport (~£15–20)
- →Float in the Dead Sea at Amman Beach or O Beach (~£15–20 entry with facilities)
- →Apply Dead Sea black mud treatment on the shore
- →Relax and enjoy the surreal landscape
- →Evening transfer to Amman for overnight before departure
Amman — Departure Day
Amman / Queen Alia International Airport
Enjoy a leisurely final morning in Amman. If time allows, pick up last-minute souvenirs in the downtown souk or grab a final falafel wrap from Hashem Restaurant (an Amman institution). Take the Airport Express bus (~£4) or an Uber (~£10) to Queen Alia International Airport for your departure flight.
🚌Airport Express bus or Uber to Queen Alia Airport (~£4–10)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Final breakfast in downtown Amman — try Hashem Restaurant for falafel and hummus
- →Last-minute souvenir shopping in the downtown souk
- →Airport Express bus or Uber to Queen Alia International Airport (~£4–10)
Self-launched vs. Experience Jordan
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Experience Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£545 | £1,260 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £715 per person (57%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Experience Jordan-style trips? Check them out here.~£545
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Dana to Petra Trek + Wadi Rum & Dead Sea — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £545 per person for 9 days in Jordan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Experience Jordan?+
Yes — Experience Jordan charges around £1,260 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £545 — a saving of roughly £715 (57%) per person.
How long is the Jordan trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Jordan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Jordan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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