jordan - Trek through a unique landscape of desert, wadis and jagged mountains to the stunning city of Petra:

Introduction

Experience ancient archaeological sites which are among the oldest in the Middle East

Day by day tour itinerary

Day 1: Amman.

Arrive and transfer to hotel in the centre of town, approx 45 minutes away.

Day 2: Dana - Feinan Ruins

After an early breakfast and detailed trip briefing we leave for the start of our trek. Our drive takes us south through a diverse desert landscape to the small village of Dana. The village is also within a relatively new 320km square nature reserve of the same name. The landscape within the park is very diverse, encompassing plateau, mountain, valley and desert environments. Our trek starts from the village, where we begin our descent along a twisting track to the desert floor (approx 250m above sea level). We pass through different eco-systems with varying flora and fauna, eventually reaching our campsite on the desert floor next to the ruins of Feinan. These are the remains of the ancient Byzantine church dating back to 4000BC. Night camping. (13km, 7/8hrs trekking)

Day 3: Feinan Ruins - Wadi Araba

We wake early and after a good breakfast load up the equipment and set off on our day's trek. Our route today takes us across hamada, stoney desert, with beautiful jagged mountains rising up to 1400m to our east. To the west and northwest open desert descends towards the Dead Sea 400m below sea level. The morning's route takes us around several small hills before we head out across open desert towards Wadi Barwaz at the foot of the mountains for lunch. Wadi is the name given to a dried-up river bed or water course, a regular feature in this dry landscape. After lunch and a brief rest we head south-west into the desert. We gradually descend across hamada, and later into a region of small sand dunes in Wadi Araba. The views are awe-inspiring and you have a true sense of the wonderful desert landscape. We camp again under amazingly clear, starry night skies. (18km, 8/9hrs trekking)

Day 4: Wadi Araba - Ras Feid

Today we leave the sand dune desert behind us and head back into the mountains. We have a gradual ascent across the desert to Abu Sakakin, lying at the foot of the mountains. From here we start a steeper ascent across small boulders and rocks to the foot of a steep and twisty track. This track takes us high into the mountains and provides a particularly challenging section! This is a remote but beautiful region with spectacular views west into the desert. After a break for lunch we continue up to the high saddle (720m), from where we have good views into the bheart of these stunning mountains. Our descent down to the river valley is steep and on small twisty track. Once down on the valley floor our route takes us through the beautiful Sakakin canyon before making camp above the river at Ras Feid. Night camping. (14km, 8/9hrs trekking)

Day 5: Ras Feid - Shkaret Msei'd

We leave camp behind us and enjoy a pleasant walk back through the Sakakin canyon to a huge clump of reeds. From there the track becomes tougher as we gadually climb back up into the Bedouine as they move with their animals from the desert to the higher and cooler regions for the summer. The views of the surrounding mountains and down to the desert below are outstanding. The track is tough with some steep climbs and rocky descents, but the rewards are superb! Eventually we climb up to a pass where we have tremendous views across the mountain range and desert beyond, and also to our final destination Shkaret Msei'd. We descend to the river valley and continue along the valley floor to Shkaret Msei'd, where we make camp. This is a tough day in some challenging terrain. Night camping. (8/9hrs walking)

Day 6: Shkaret Msei'd - Little Petra - campsite

After a good night's sleep and hearty breakfast we head inland, away from the mountains and desert landscapes, towards the ancient site of Little Petra. Our route follows an undulating track through low-lying hills and a couple of small settlements before suddenly arriving amongst the simple rock-hewn temples and stange sandstone formations of the site itself. These ruins are some of the oldest in the Middle East, dating back 9000 years. After touring the site we will continue weaving our way through the valleys to our campsite set amongst the rock formations. (8hrs walking)

Day 7: Petra - Dead Sea

Today is what we have all been waiting for: the trek into Petra. The huge tombs and buildings of Petra, carved out of the rock itself, are testament to the one-time wealth of the ancient capital of the Nabataeans. The trek takes us initially to the Monastery, which is an impressive carved building standing 43 metres high and 50 metres wide. From there we continue on our guided trek to the centre of Petra, before heading around Jebel al-Khubtha and the amazing red-striped sandstone rocks to Wadi Mataha. We then walk through the As-Siq to see the Treasury, the most famous and impressive sight at Petra. A further half-hour trek back through the Siq takes us to our waiting transport which we then take to the Dead Sae coast for two nights of relaxation and the comfort of a hotel with showers and comfortable beds! (7hrs walking / 4hrs drive)

Day 8:

A full day to relax and enjoy the Dead Sea coast. Celebration Meal.

Day 9:

Drive to Amman for the return flight back