Explore Jordan and Sleep in a Martian Dome
Marvel at ancient Petra, float in the Dead Sea, snorkel the Red Sea and count shooting stars from your bed in the desert
What's Included?
Permits
All your permits and entry feesTransfers
Both airport transfers and everything in betweenActivities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, professional, English-speaking guidesMeals
All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 traditional Arabic dinnersHotel & Martian Dome
3 nights in a hotel, 1 in a lodge and 1 in a desert domeSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Marvel at the Milky Way and tuck into a Bedouin barbecue feast at an otherworldy desert camp
Spend the night in a sustainable guesthouse perched above the canyons and wadis of the Dana Biosphere, Jordan’s biggest nature reserve
Bounce through the dunes of Wadi Rum in a desert jeep and catch the kaleidoscope of colours at sunset
Hike the mountains that flank the approach to Petra’s ‘backdoor’, before soaking up the secrets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site itself
Key Information
Day 1
Touchdown in Jordan
You'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the ancient city of Madaba. You're free to check in after 2pm and the evening is free for you to explore the city, your briefing will be tomorrow morning.
Day 2
The Dead Sea to Dana
Driving
Hiking
After breakfast, you’ll hit the road south to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, for a float in the salty water and an optional beachside scrub with the famous mud. Then it’s onto the Dana Biosphere Nature Reserve for a short hike along a circular trail that traverses Al-Barrah, through the Siq, to Shaq al Reesh. The distance is not far but the rocky trail undulates and you'll climb 250m in just 3km. Check into your lodge and soak up the scenery from your perch on the edge of the precipitous cliffs of Wadi Dana.
Day 3
The backdoor to Petra
Hiking
Today you’ll start the journey to Petra. Hiking shoes at the ready, you'll approach via the less crowded 'backdoor' (negotiating the many steps requires some physical effort but the reward is most definitely worth it). You'll cross the desert and pass through Wadi Ghurab amidst the sandstone mountains that guard the approach to Petra. Continue via a Nabataean path onto a natural rock terrace before reaching a hidden plateau high above the impressive chasm of Wadi Siyyagh. Following the steps (almost 900 of them) down to ancient Petra and The Treasury, you'll have plenty of time to soak it all in and learn about its ancient past.
Day 4
Channel your inner Martian
Driving
Hiking
Today you’ll head south to the expansive Wadi Rum desert. You’ll start with a short hike through the 5km Barrah Canyon, one of the most spectacular corners of Wadi Rum, where multi-coloured cliffs and towers flank enormous sand dunes, desert oases and gorges. You’ll pause for an al-fresco hummus-based lunch before hopping on a desert truck to your Martian Dome accommodation. The area has been used in many films such as The Martian and Star Wars so expect it to feel a bit sci-fi as you bed down in your dome for the night.
Day 5
Wadi Rum to the Red Sea
Driving
After waking up to the desert sunrise, you'll head to the Red Sea in Aqaba, a port town with views across to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It’s relaxed today with time to swim or snorkel (rental available) in the balmy waters straight from the beach. Vitamin-D fuelled, you’ll jump back on the bus for the road trip to the capital, Amman. Be sure to wander down Rainbow Street, packed full of places to eat, drink and people watch - the perfect place to kick back with your crew and reminisce about your Jordan adventure.
Day 6
Transfer to Airport
After breakfast and final goodbyes with your team, you'll be returned to the airport in time for your flight home.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
For breakfast expect a buffet typical of 3-4-star hotel breakfasts all over the world. For dinner you'll get to experience traditional Arabic food - either Magloobah (rice with vegetables and chicken prepared in a traditional way with local spices) or Mansaf (rice served with lamb and yoghurt). All these dishes come with the classic Hoummus, Mtabbal (fried eggplant), and salad.
Lunches will generally be buffet style and if not included will cost approx $10pp. Dinner (where not included at your overnight spot) will be at local restaurants and will cost approx $15-$20pp. Your guide will be with you to make suggestions of where to eat and to arrange group meals.
Dinner at Wadi Rum on night 4 is a real experience. Here they serve the famous Zarb - rice, veggies, lamb and chicken cooked for 4-5 hours under the ground on coal and served with salads and side dishes.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just let your host know on booking.
What is the accommodation like?
Dana Biosphere Reserve
You'll spend one night at Dana Guesthouse Hotel. Perched on the edge of the precipitous cliffs of Wadi Dana, this beautifully styled structure offers breathtaking views of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Every room has its own terrace looking down into the reserve and you can even shower whilst keeping an eye on the skies for the often seen Lesser Kestrel. You'll stay in twin rooms by default but doubles can be requested for couples.
Dana Guesthouse contributes directly to the preservation of The Dana Biosphere Nature Reserve, an important conservation project established by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). Working directly with local villages and Bedouin communities, income-generating projects have been created that utilise the reserve's natural beauty and wildlife to generate employment opportunities. These include small handicraft enterprises and a range of tourism facilities, including Dana Guesthouse. Such ventures continue to make nature valuable and important to the lives of Dana residents and create a constituency of local support for the reserve.
Martian Dome
You'll spend one night in the heart of Wadi Rum’s majestic desert, sleeping in a Martian Dome at the Sun City Camp. Each dome allows you to marvel at the milky way from your bed - waking up to a desert sunrise is something quite special. You'll stay in twin-share domes by default (king-sized beds available for couples by request), each with air-conditioning, an external bathroom, seating area and terrace.
Madaba, Petra & Amman
During your overnight stays in Madaba, Petra and Amman you'll be tucked up in cosy local hotels. In Madaba, you'll stay in the Mosaic City Hotel or similar. In Petra you'll stay in the centrally located Petra Palace Hotel or similar and in Amman you'll stay in the Toledo Hotel or a hotel of the same standard. The exact hotel you stay in will be confirmed prior to departure based on group size and availability, all hotels are chosen for their excellent reputation, location and welcoming service.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and dome can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Easy
This is a relaxed trip that combines cultural exploration with relatively gentle activity. The hiking sections are short and will involve being on your feet for a maximum of 4 hours but there are some ascents/descents and rocky trails involved. The longest walk is in Petra (10 km) and it's worth noting that although the pace is gentle, it involves around 1300 steps in total (both up and down) so a reasonable level of fitness is necessary to avoid 'jelly legs'. In the Wadi Rum Desert the hike is short but walking in sand makes it harder work. This trip may not be suitable for those with knee problems due to the number of steps and the sandy terrain.
What’s more important is being comfortable with heights. There will be a few exposed sections so those with vertigo may not be too comfortable. Your guide will never be far away to help you get through it though.
What will I need to carry?
You'll only need to carry a small day rucksack containing your personal items, snacks and water during the daily activities and walks. Your main luggage will be transported for you.
Jordan is a very sunny country, with over 310 days of sunshine a year. May to October tends to be exclusively sunny with temperatures from the late teens to approx 25°C in the daytime, while the nights are cool and balmy. Rain is unlikely but not unheard of, so do be prepared, especially if travelling between November and March - the plus point being that you are out of the main tourist season so although likely to be a little cooler, you are guaranteed less people at the key sights. The weather in the height of summer (July-August) can get very hot, especially in the desert, with daytime temperatures averaging between 32-36°C
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Queen Alia International Airport, Amman
Catch any flight to arrive on Day 1
Ends
Queen Alia International Airport Amman
Depart any time on Day 6
Transfers
Arrival transfers from Amman airport to the hotel in Madaba are included for any time you choose to arrive on Day 1 or Day 2 of the tour (some flights arrive after midnight so fall in the early hours of Day 2). Departure transfers from the final hotel to Amman airport are included for any time you choose to depart on Day 6. If you need a transfer on other days then your host can arrange a private transfer for you, at additional cost. See the Optional Extras section for prices.
Travel options
There are frequent flights to Amman from airports in the UK and Europe. Choose any flight to arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 6 - or extend your stay if you wish. Some flights arrive shortly after midnight - if you arrive in Amman in the early hours of day 2 then your room will be ready and waiting for you but if your flight arrives in the early hours of Day 1, you will need to book an extra night's accommodation before the tour as rooms are not usually available for check-in until the mid-afternoon. Your host can arrange an additional night of accommodation, subject to availability. See the Optional Extras section for more prices.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What do I need to bring?
- Main bag (duffel bag or small suitcase)
- Day pack (15-25 litres +) - to carry your personal belongings on the walks
- Light rain or windproof jacket
- Dry fit t-shirts or tops (shoulders covered)
- Hiking trousers or long shorts
- Buff or neck scarf (for windchill/sand on the jeep)
- Hiking boots or shoes (worn in)
- Hiking socks (synthetic or wool)
- Pyjamas/something to sleep in
- Swimwear
- Flip flops or sandals
- Walking poles (optional)
- Water bladder or 2 water bottles
- Sun protection (sun hat, sunglasses and suncreen)
- Earplugs (optional)
- Insect repellent
- Personal first aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Toiletries (inc. travel towel and hand sanitiser)
- Snacks
Post-trip Accommodation in Amman (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Post-trip Accommodation in Amman (Single)
…
Post-trip Accommodation in Amman (Twin or Double)
Payable Before Departure
Post-trip Accommodation in Amman (Twin or Double)
…
Pre-trip accommodation in Madaba (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Pre-trip accommodation in Madaba (Single)
…
Pre-trip accommodation in Madaba (Twin or Double)
Payable Before Departure
Pre-trip accommodation in Madaba (Twin or Double)
…
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
Private Airport Transfer to/from Amman or Madaba Hotel (one way)
Payable Before Departure
Private Airport Transfer to/from Amman or Madaba Hotel (one way)
…
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