Petra & Wadi Rum Trek

Enjoy a magical desert trek

Some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the world is found in the south of Jordan at Wadi Rum, a place of dramatic beauty which provides an ideal environment for trekking. Millennia of erosion have formed wonderful mountains (known as jebels) that rise out of the desert sands, creating exciting terrain that we explore from the valley bottom to the jebel tops. Throughout the trip we will be accompanied by local Bedouin and we shall be camping as they do, under the stars. Our trip will finish with a day visit to the ancient rock city of Petra, a must for any visitor to Jordan.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

In Jordan we are very proud to work with a local partner who received the Travelife Partner award in July 2021. Travelife is a certification system dedicated to achieving sustainable practices in the global tourism industry. In order to receive the award our Jordanian partner had to comply with over 100 criteria related to Corporate Social Responsibility. The Travelife standard is formally recognised for full compliance with the UN Sustainable Tourism Criteria.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
• This trip stays one night in Wadi Rum desert at the Exodus Private camp which is owned and managed by a local Bedouin family. The trekking crew accompanying the group are from local Bedouin families. This not only provides a source of income for these families but is a wonderful opportunity for our guests to interact with local people and share aspects of their traditions.
• Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• We follow designated routes on this trek following conservation policies.
• The crew and group collect rubbish where they find it and it sorted for recycling at the end of the trip. Any non-biodegradable waste generated during the camping in Wadi Rum is kept on board the support vehicle for responsible disposal at the end of the trip.
• Reusable plates and eating utensils are used for all meals.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
• The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites. On this trip we visit 2 national heritage sites and the entrance fees included generates income which is used for the upkeep and development of these important monuments. This trek is through Wadi Rum a protected area.
• We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• The camp we stay at on the first night uses solar panels for heating water.
• Walking trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support.
• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Visa

Jordan

Visas are required by most nationalities and can be obtained at the border or Amman airport.

We will arrange a free visa (usually 40 Jordanian dinars) for travellers booking a tour and any pre-tour arrangements through us, provided we receive full passport and flight details at least two weeks before arrival.

You will need to pay for the visa if we do not have these details two weeks before arrival or you are making your own pre-tour arrangements (ie extra nights before the tour that are not booked through Exodus).

Our airport representative will meet and assist you with obtaining the free visa on arrival in Jordan at Customs & Immigration. They will be carrying an Exodus sign.

Vaccination

Jordan

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. Please confirm all requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

Whilst trekking all meals are included. The 3 nights spent in hotels is on a bed and breakfast basis. You will be required to buy 2 lunches on days 2 and 7 and dinners on day 1 (depending on flight arrival time), 6 and 7. Allow about US$90 or 64JOD to cover these meals. We usually eat in restaurants where traditional food is served to allow maximum flexibility of choice, and, for those who wish, to try a 'mezze' style meal. If you are vegetarian, please note that main meals are limited in choice, however, mezze is almost always available in restaurants and is a good choice for vegetarians, usually costing approximately 15JOD or US$21 pp. Unlimited drinking water is provided free of charge whilst on the trek in Wadi Rum.

Alcohol is available in Jordan, but not widely. Many hotels do not sell alcohol but will often allow it to be brought in from elsewhere. It is best to plan ahead if you’ll want a drink, your tour leader will be able to tell you what’s possible and may be able to arrange a stop at a supermarket or liquor store (depending on location). In Petra, the unique Cave Bar in Petra Guesthouse is open to the public. A less expensive option is the bar in the Petra Palace Hotel which is also open to all.

Weather

Spring and autumn are very popular in Jordan as it is cooler, around 24ºC in the day and down to 8ºC at night. Rain is more likely, however, protracted bad weather is unlikely. It is hot and dry, but not unpleasant, throughout Jordan in the summer. Daytime maximum temperatures are around 32ºC in Amman.

Wadi Rum on average in summer is around 30ºC  though it can get as high as 40ºC.  At night it is usually around 10ºC cooler.  In winter it is much cooler and can get as low as  10ºC during the day.  In the evening it is around  OºC . There are occasions when there is rain or even snow in the desert.  If weather conditions require it we may need to modify the itinerary or the camp location for your comfort and safety. 

Aqaba is very hot when the air is still, but there is usually a breeze. Rain is unusual but possible. We travel in the shoulder months when temperatures are cooler and conditions ideal for walking. 

Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?

Activity Level: 4 (Moderate/Challenging) 

A good level of fitness is required. Previous trekking experience is desirable but not vital as long as you are confident of your physical condition. We use hotels in Amman and Petra but whilst trekking in the desert the facilities are basic so please take this into consideration when assessing whether this trip is right for you. Up to 6 hours a day will be spent trekking and you need to be fit enough to cope with this. We will be walking on sand and scrambling over rocky terrain on days 4 and 5. At times this can be relatively steep with uneven ground and in some instances ropes map be used.

Each day your main luggage will be transported in jeeps; all you will need to carry is your day pack.
Desert temperatures can be more extreme and it has been known to get down to freezing during the night. Please be prepared for this.

Whilst trekking the facilities are very basic (no toilets and showers) so please take this into consideration in assessing whether this trip is right for you.

During the winter months Jordan can experience some low temperatures so it is really important that you are adequately equipped for the nights in the desert. Conversely, during the summer months it can get very hot and you will need to ensure that you are hydrated and have appropriate sun protection.

You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference: http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf

Please note that Ramadan is expected to run from 22 March 2023 to 21 April 2023 and 10 March 2024 to 10 April 2024. Ramadan is a special time to visit Jordan as it is one of the most important periods in the Muslim calendar. Each evening the streets empty while people return home to break the fast and then there is an air of festivity every evening. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we continue to run trips however please be aware their energy levels may be slightly lower. Tourist sites are still open although closing times may be earlier than usual. Your leader will know how the timings for each day need to be adapted in order to still experience all the inclusions on this trip. Restaurants may close during the day and this is also accounted for in planning meal arrangements for your group. Shops are usually open though their hours may vary and they will definitely be closed during the breaking of the fast. To fully enjoy your holiday experience at this unique time of year we suggest patience and flexibility (in fact these are useful at any time of year on any overseas holiday).

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.