Petra to Wadi Rum Trek – 6 Days

The best thing about this six-day Petra to Wadi Rum trek is the way it leaves the famous sights behind without leaving Jordan’s most dramatic scenery. You begin near Petra, pass the Sabra Amphitheatre, and then walk through quiet mountain valleys, dry riverbeds, canyons, dunes, and wide desert spaces before reaching Wadi Rum.

I like two things here: you get a rare overland connection between two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the practical support is strong, with five nights of accommodation, three meals a day, a hiking guide, and the key transfers included. The main catch is simple: this is not a sightseeing walk. Day one covers 24 kilometers, some trails are not waymarked, and you need a strong level of fitness.

Key points to know before you book

• A true Petra to Wadi Rum crossing: You leave Petra’s main route and walk through remote southern Jordan rather than taking a direct vehicle transfer.
• Five nights under desert skies: Accommodation and breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included throughout the trek.
• A demanding first day: The opening hike is 24 kilometers and takes about six to eight hours, with difficult physical and trail ratings.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 14 people, with an English-speaking local hiking guide.
• A useful final transfer: After reaching Abassiya on day five, a jeep takes you into the Wadi Rum Protected Area.
• Plan your Jordan extension: The trek ends in Wadi Rum, with onward options toward Aqaba, the Dead Sea, or Amman arranged separately.

Why this route feels different from a Petra day trip

Petra is often experienced as a concentrated archaeological visit: the Siq, the Treasury, the Colonnaded Street, and the Monastery. This trek gives you a different side of the same region. You start inside the wider Nabatean area, then turn away from the main visitor path near Petra and head south toward Sabra Amphitheatre.

That change matters. You still have the drama of Petra’s sandstone country, but the focus shifts from carved monuments to distance, silence, and changing ground underfoot. The route crosses the southern desert mountain range, Wadi Araba, and the high desert around Wadi Rum.

You should not expect a marked European-style trail. Day two is specifically listed as not waymarked, and the route is described as remote and rugged. That is part of the appeal, but it also makes a local guide far more important than a printed map.

Day one: from Petra’s edge to a remote camp

The first morning begins at the Petra Museum in Wadi Musa at 7:30 am. A transfer from your hotel in Wadi Musa takes you to the trail start, so you do not need to arrange your own ride to the opening point.

The route heads south through the larger historical settlement of Petra. You pass the Sabra Amphitheatre, then continue mostly downhill toward camp. The figures tell the story clearly: 24 kilometers, six to eight hours, 380 meters of ascent, and 740 meters of descent.

Although the route loses more height than it gains, do not mistake that for an easy day. Twenty-four kilometers on rocky desert ground is a serious opening effort. Descents can be hard on knees and feet, especially when the trail is uneven or loose.

I would treat day one as a test of your footwear, water system, pacing, and general fitness. Keep your first hours controlled. You have five more days ahead, and the pleasure of the trek depends on arriving at camp with enough energy to eat, rest, and enjoy the evening.

The remote campsite is a major part of the experience. Instead of returning to Wadi Musa after a Petra visit, you spend the night out in the country you have just crossed. The precise accommodation style can vary under the accommodation arrangements, so confirm the setup before departure if tent type or bathroom facilities matter to you.

Day two: dry valleys and southern mountain country

Day two is shorter at 15 kilometers and takes about four to five hours. It is rated easy for physical challenge and moderate for trail challenge, with 290 meters of ascent and 320 meters of descent.

The route continues through rural desert mountains and rocky valleys. Oleander plants add a surprising touch of life to an otherwise dry setting. The combination of stone, open sky, and scattered vegetation gives you a good sense of how water shapes this region.

The trail is not waymarked. That detail deserves more attention than it might get on a standard tour description. You are not simply following colored signs from one rest stop to the next. Navigation belongs with the guide, and the route may feel more like a passage through local terrain than a formal hiking path.

This should be one of the more manageable days physically, but the moderate trail rating still suggests uneven footing. Bring shoes with good grip, and do not assume that the shorter mileage means you can ignore the heat.

Day three: wild mountains above the Jordan Valley

The third day continues south through wild desert mountains and broad desert valleys. You pass a cluster of mountains while gradually making your way down toward camp near the Jordan Valley.

No distance or walking time is provided for this day, so you should ask for the current estimate before departure. Conditions, route choices, and the group’s pace may affect the schedule.

The setting is the main reward. You are moving through a region that feels far removed from Jordan’s main roads and towns. The Jordan Valley adds a sense of scale as the route drops toward lower ground, while the mountain clusters give the day a strong visual rhythm.

This is also where the guide’s local knowledge becomes useful. The published route describes plants, valleys, mountain ridges, and riverbeds as part of the walking experience. Guides who have worked on similar Jordan hiking programs, including Habu el Bedul, Mahmood Attal, Raja, and Motaz, have been praised for their company, cultural explanations, humor, and care around camp. Your assigned guide may be different, so ask for the name and background before you go.

Day four: canyons, rock formations, and sand

Day four brings a different type of scenery. The route includes colorful canyons, rock formations, broad views, and sand dunes, with a mix of uphill and downhill walking before camp.

This variety keeps the trek from becoming a long repetition of brown rock and dry valleys. Canyons compress the view, rock formations provide detail, and sandy sections change the way you walk. Sand is visually soft but physically demanding, especially after several days on the trail.

The day ends at a scenic campsite. Again, the attraction is not a hotel facility or a built tourist center. It is the setting itself, and the sense that your overnight stop is part of the route rather than an interruption to it.

Because the day includes both climbs and descents, pace matters. You should be comfortable taking short breaks, eating before you feel depleted, and adjusting your expectations when sand slows the group. The guide can manage the route, but you still need to manage your own body.

Day five: climbing out toward Wadi Rum

The last hiking day begins with a long, gradual ascent out of the Jordan Valley. That wording matters. This is not a sharp mountain scramble, but a sustained climb that can feel tiring after four days of walking.

Later, you reach the desert plateau in the Wadi Rum area. The visual transition should be memorable: lower valley country gives way to the broad, high desert associated with southern Jordan. You have not yet reached the main Wadi Rum camp area, but you are moving into its wider setting.

At the Bedouin village of Abassiya, the walking section ends. A jeep transfer takes you to Wadi Rum. This is a smart logistical break. Instead of forcing the group to walk every final kilometer across a route that may be less rewarding, the tour uses a vehicle to complete the connection.

The transfer is included, as is the transfer from Hummeima to Wadi Rum listed in the tour arrangements. Confirm the exact meeting point and timing with the operator before departure, since the itinerary refers to both Abassiya and Hummeima in connection with this final movement.

Day six: a quiet morning in Wadi Rum

You wake in the Wadi Rum Protected Area among red sand dunes, sandstone mountains, and unusual rock formations. The trek ends here the morning after the hike, giving you a chance to appreciate the desert without immediately rushing into a departure vehicle.

The listed day-six duration is 11 hours, but the written schedule describes a morning finish rather than another full day of hiking. Treat this as an indication that your onward plans need checking, not as a promise of 11 more walking hours.

The tour does not include a complete onward Jordan itinerary. From Wadi Rum, you might continue to Aqaba and the Red Sea, head toward the Dead Sea, or return to Amman. Private extensions can be arranged, but they are separate from the $995 trek price.

What the $995 price really covers

At $995 per person, this is not a budget walk with a guide added on. You are paying for five nights of accommodation, five breakfasts, five lunches, five dinners, an English-speaking hiking guide, and the listed transfers.

That package has real value in a remote region. You do not have to organize food drops, find isolated camps, or arrange the transfer from the walking route into Wadi Rum. For a six-day crossing, those details can be worth as much as the guiding itself.

The price does not include the Jordan Pass, which covers the entry fee to Wadi Rum, or tips for guides, drivers, camp and hotel staff, and other service providers. It also excludes airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, and personal expenses.

I would budget beyond the advertised rate for gratuities and onward transport. You should also confirm exactly how the Jordan Pass applies to your wider Jordan itinerary before buying it, since this tour price does not include that pass.

Food, camps, and the rhythm of the trek

Three meals are included each day. That is useful on a route where there may be no practical chance to buy food during the walking sections. Breakfast gets you moving, lunch supports the long middle hours, and dinner matters most after a hard day.

Accommodation is included for five nights, but the available information does not specify every camp facility. If you need private bathrooms, electricity, a specific tent type, or a certain bedding arrangement, ask before booking rather than assuming.

The camp routine is likely to be one of the strongest parts of the trip for people who enjoy simple nights outside built-up areas. It also means you should pack with desert conditions in mind: reliable walking shoes, sun protection, layers for changing temperatures, and enough personal items for five nights away from a normal hotel base.

The guide can shape the entire experience

On a remote trek, the guide is not just a person who points out the next turn. The guide handles navigation, pacing, local context, and communication with the support team.

The strongest guide feedback associated with this company highlights warmth, humor, safety, and detailed explanations of monuments, plants, mountain ridges, and dry riverbeds. Motaz has been singled out for his command of local history and geography, while Raja has been praised for his professional and friendly manner. Habu el Bedul has been noted for his guiding, with Hussain and Eid receiving praise for camp support.

Those names are not a guarantee of who will lead your departure. Ask which guide is assigned to your dates and what support crew will accompany the group. The maximum of 14 people is a reasonable size for a route like this. It is large enough to create a social group, but small enough for the guide to monitor the pace and needs of the walkers.

Who should book this Petra to Wadi Rum trek

I would recommend this trip to you if you want Jordan through your boots rather than through a sequence of vehicle stops. It suits hikers who enjoy remote scenery, basic camp life, long walking days, and a route that feels less polished than a standard attraction visit.

It can also suit a family with older children if everyone is genuinely fit and ready for several consecutive days outdoors. A 13-year-old has completed a similar Jordan trek with the company, but that does not make this route easy for every child.

I would not choose it if you want a relaxed Petra holiday, daily hotel rooms, short walks, or a tightly marked trail. The first day alone is difficult, the route includes unmarked sections, and poor weather can affect operations.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. For your own cancellation, the refund drops to 50 percent when you cancel two to six full days before the start, and no refund is available inside two days.

My verdict: a serious walk with excellent route value

This is one of the more meaningful ways to connect Petra and Wadi Rum. The route gives you far more than two famous stops. It shows you the mountain country, dry valleys, Jordan Valley, sandy stretches, and high desert between them.

Book it if you are fit, comfortable with remote camps, and excited by the idea of walking for six days with a small group and local guide. Skip it if your priority is comfort or flexibility. At $995, the package is fair for the meals, five nights, guiding, and remote logistics, but the value only appears when you are ready for the physical work that makes the route special.

FAQ

How long is the Petra to Wadi Rum trek?

The experience lasts approximately six days. The hiking takes place across the first five days, with the tour ending in Wadi Rum on the morning after the final hiking section.

Where does the trek start?

The meeting point is Petra Museum in Wadi Musa, Jordan. The stated start time is 7:30 am, followed by a transfer from your Wadi Musa hotel to the trail start.

How difficult is the first day?

Day one covers 24 kilometers and takes about six to eight hours. It is rated difficult for both physical challenge and trail challenge, with 380 meters of ascent and 740 meters of descent.

Is the route waymarked?

The day-two route is specifically listed as not waymarked. You should be prepared to follow your English-speaking hiking guide through remote desert terrain.

What meals and accommodation are included?

Five nights of accommodation are included, along with five breakfasts, five lunches, and five dinners. The supplied details do not specify every accommodation facility.

Is transportation into Wadi Rum included?

Yes. A transfer from Hummeima to Wadi Rum is included, and the day-five schedule describes a jeep transfer from the Bedouin village of Abassiya into the Wadi Rum Protected Area.

Does the price include the Jordan Pass?

No. The Jordan Pass is not included. The tour information states that it covers the entry fee to Wadi Rum, while tips, insurance, airfare, airport transfers, and personal expenses are also excluded.