Camping and Hiking Adventure : Discovering the south

Wadi Rum is the star here: four days on foot among red dunes, gray mountains, sandstone arches, and open desert sky. You’ll sleep in camps, ride a 4×4 through the Moon Valley, and walk far beyond the usual short jeep stop. I especially like the multi-day desert hiking and the chance to travel with Bedouin guides who know this terrain as home.

I also like the route’s variety. Petra, Dana Nature Reserve, and Aqaba add ancient stone, canyon walking, and sea time to the desert. The main drawback is the pace: summit walks can last three to four hours, Burdah Arch takes about three and a half hours round trip, and the non-refundable price of $1,771.61 per person makes this a serious commitment.

Key points at a glance

• Four days in Wadi Rum: Walk through Jebel Hash, Wadi Sabet, Siq Albarrah, and the Burdah Arch area instead of seeing the desert only from a vehicle.
• Bedouin-led desert travel: An English-speaking local guide accompanies the hiking days, with 4×4 support and traditional camp meals.
• Petra with a guided visit: Spend a full day in the Nabataean city, with the guided portion continuing to Qasr al-Bint.
• Dana’s changing scenery: Descend from Al Mansoura into Al Ghouir Canyon, then camp above Wadi Araba.
• Aqaba finale: Finish with free time for beaches, palm-lined streets, and Red Sea coral reefs.
• Private format: Only your group takes part, and airport pickup and return transfer are included.

Four walking days in Wadi Rum

The route begins at King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, or at one of the land borders. A representative helps with immigration before a private, air-conditioned transfer takes you the roughly 76 kilometers to Wadi Rum. That short transfer matters. You reach the desert without first spending half a day on a long road from Amman.

At Wadi Rum, you meet an English-speaking Bedouin guide. The first outing is by 4×4 Jeep, passing through the broad desert associated with Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt. The historical connection is part of the appeal, but the real pleasure is physical: a jeep lets you cover the wide spaces quickly, reach rock formations that would take too long to approach on foot, and get a feel for the scale of the area before the longer walks begin.

Do not expect a polished resort-style desert stop. The appeal is the bivouac experience, with tents, cooking equipment, camp meals, and simple desert nights. You should be ready for basic conditions and long stretches outdoors. The supplied information does not specify tent facilities, bathroom arrangements, or whether beds are provided, so ask Salma Tours about those points before paying.

Jebel Hash and the Saudi Arabian border views

Day two brings the first major hike, a three to four-hour ascent of Jebel Hash. From the summit, you can see across both the Jordanian and Saudi Arabian deserts. This is the kind of viewpoint that makes a walking trip worthwhile: the desert opens in every direction, and the lack of buildings helps you understand its immense scale.

The hike is not described as technical, but the timing tells you to take it seriously. A three to four-hour mountain walk needs comfortable footwear, sun protection, and enough water. After descending, lunch is served in the shade, a small but important comfort in an exposed desert.

The afternoon continues through Halg Umm Nughra and across the dunes of Wadi Sabet. You return to camp on foot, so this is a full outdoor day rather than a single morning excursion. I like the balance between a summit, a shaded meal, and softer dune walking. The limitation is that the schedule leaves little room for a slow, lazy desert afternoon.

Gray and ochre mountains at Um Muqur

The third day keeps the focus on walking. You leave Wadi Sabet and head north through the gray and ochre Djebels, passing the Um Muqur and Um Sabatah massifs. The colors and rock shapes change as you move, which gives this section a different feel from the red dune country seen earlier.

This is also the final desert bivouac, so it is your last chance to spend an entire night under the open desert sky before the route turns toward Petra. The value here is not a single famous monument. It is the sense of moving through a remote place under your own power, with the guide setting a practical route through terrain that can look deceptively simple from a distance.

The itinerary does not give an exact walking time for day three. That makes it worth asking for a more precise estimate, especially if you are planning around fitness, heat, or limited hiking experience. A private trip can sometimes be adjusted, but the tour description does not promise changes to the fixed program.

Siq Albarrah and the climb to Burdah Arch

After breakfast on day four, you walk for about three hours through Siq Albarrah and its canyon. A siq is a narrow passage or gorge, and this section offers a closer view of the sandstone walls after several days of broad desert panoramas.

After lunch, a 4×4 takes you toward Jebel Burdah. The goal is the monumental natural arch high on the mountain. Reaching it takes about three and a half hours round trip, including the ascent and descent. Tea and biscuits wait after the walk, which is welcome after several demanding days.

Burdah is one of the physical high points of the trip, but it is also where you need to judge your own comfort. The route includes a mountain climb, and the provided information does not state the level of steepness, handrails, or trail surface. Ask the operator for current conditions if you have concerns about heights or uneven ground. You can still appreciate the rock formation from below, but the stated program is built around making the climb.

Dinner and another night at the bivouac follow. By now, you will have experienced the desert in several ways: from a jeep, a summit, a dune valley, a canyon, and a high arch. That range gives the Wadi Rum section real depth.

Petra from the Siq to Qasr al-Bint

Day five shifts from remote desert to one of Jordan’s great archaeological sites. After breakfast, you transfer to Petra and spend the full day exploring the ancient Nabataean capital. Lunch is included on-site, and you sleep at a hotel that evening.

The guided visit continues to Qasr al-Bint. That detail is useful because Petra is much larger than the Treasury alone. A visit that reaches Qasr al-Bint takes you farther into the former city and gives you more context for how the site functioned beyond its famous entrance.

You should still clarify what happens after the guided portion ends. The program says Petra is guided until Qasr al-Bint, but it does not state whether the guide remains with you for the rest of the day or how much independent time you have. Petra can be tiring after four days of hiking, so comfortable shoes and a realistic pace matter.

I like the timing of the hotel night. After several camp nights, you get a proper room and a chance to reset before the Dana hike. The drawback is that Petra receives only one full day, so this is a highlights visit rather than an exhaustive study of every trail and monument.

Al Ghouir Canyon and Dana Nature Reserve

Day six returns to the outdoors, this time in Dana Nature Reserve. You begin at Al Mansoura, at about 1,100 meters, and descend into Al Ghouir Canyon. The route passes between tall pink sandstone cliffs and then continues through one of Jordan’s most varied protected areas.

Dana covers about 308 square kilometers and extends from the Rift Valley toward the desert plains of Wadi Araba. The reserve drops more than 1,600 meters from its high points to the valley, producing several types of scenery: wooded highlands, rocky gravel slopes, open plains, and sand dunes. The description also points to varied wildlife and rare plants, though it does not promise sightings.

The descent is the key feature. Going downhill through a canyon can be hard on knees, and the itinerary does not give a walking time or difficulty grade. Ask the operator how long the Al Ghouir section normally takes and what transport or support is available if conditions change.

That night, you camp on the heights of Wadi Araba and eat a traditional Jordanian dinner. This is another simple outdoor night, but it differs from Wadi Rum because Dana gives you a sense of changing altitude and plant life rather than one vast sandstone desert.

Aqaba and the Red Sea finish

On day seven, you travel to Aqaba for a free day by the Red Sea. The city offers palm-shaded streets, sandy beaches, and coral reefs described as among the world’s richest for underwater life. A diving mask is all you need for a basic look beneath the water, according to the tour details.

This open day is a smart way to end an active program. You can rest after the canyon walk, enjoy the beach, or spend time in the water. The schedule does not include a specific boat trip, snorkeling guide, or water-sports package, so those would be separate arrangements unless Salma Tours confirms otherwise.

You stay at a hotel in Aqaba, then transfer to the airport on day eight. The airport return is included, which keeps the final morning simple. Since the start time is listed as noon, confirm your arrival details and the precise pickup plan if your flight or border crossing falls outside that schedule.

What the $1,771.61 price covers

At first glance, the cost is high. It includes eight days of transport and guiding, though the number of included hotel nights and the exact room standards are not fully specified. The package covers airport transfers both ways, visa entry, an air-conditioned car or van, the Wadi Rum 4×4 trip, entry tickets, a Petra guided visit, tents, cooking equipment, and 24-hour assistance.

Meals are another major part of the value. Six breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners are included. That matters in Wadi Rum and Dana, where finding independent meals is not practical during the camping sections. You are paying for a coordinated route with local support, not simply a driver and a hotel room.

The private format also affects the price. Your group participates alone, so you are not joining a large coach party. The program can feel more personal, and communication with the operator may be easier. Past arrangements handled by the company have included direct contact with Abdullah, who is described as responsive and flexible, while drivers and guides named in related Jordan trips include Naim, Adnan, and Tarek. Your assigned guide may be different, so confirm names and languages before departure.

Flights, personal expenses, and optional tips are not included. The cancellation terms are strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. I would only book after confirming your dates, fitness level, border or flight details, and camping expectations.

Who should choose this Jordan itinerary

I would choose this trip if you want Jordan through several different settings, with the desert as the main event. It suits people who enjoy walking for hours, sleeping in camps, and giving up some comfort in exchange for direct contact with the place.

It is also a good fit if you prefer private arrangements. The company’s support model includes airport assistance, private road transfers, local guides, and 24-hour contact. That can be reassuring if you are traveling alone or want help when plans need adjusting. Still, the supplied details do not promise that every change is free or possible, so discuss flexibility before booking.

You may want another program if your main goal is a relaxed Petra holiday, a luxury camp, or a short Wadi Rum visit. Four walking days plus the Dana descent make this active. The itinerary has no stated rest day until Aqaba, and several days combine walking with camp transfers.

Pack light but prepare well: sturdy walking shoes, sun protection, layers for changing desert temperatures, a refillable water container, and swimwear for Aqaba. Because gear and camp arrangements are not described in detail, ask what the tents include and what you must carry during each walk.

Should you book Camping and Hiking Adventure: Discovering the South?

Book it if you want a full southern Jordan route built around Wadi Rum hiking, not just a quick jeep ride. The strongest features are the four desert walking days, the Bedouin-led format, the Burdah Arch climb, a guided Petra visit, Dana’s canyon route, and a final Red Sea stay.

Think carefully if you dislike basic camping, long walks, uncertain trail details, or strict booking terms. At $1,771.61 per person, the value depends on using the included transport, meals, guides, camps, and admissions. Before committing, confirm the camp facilities, hiking difficulty, Petra guide arrangements, assigned guide, and airport timing. If those details suit you, this is a strong choice for an active private trip through Jordan’s south.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The program lasts approximately eight days, beginning with arrival at King Hussein International Airport or a Jordanian land border and ending with an airport transfer on day eight.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, Jordan, or at a land border. The listed ending point is King Hussein International Airport on Airport Street in Aqaba.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 12:00 pm. Confirm the exact pickup details with Salma Tours if you arrive by flight or cross a land border.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Two-way transfer between the airport and Wadi Rum is included, along with hotel pickup and transport in an air-conditioned car or van.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Who guides the hiking sections?

An English-speaking Bedouin local guide accompanies the hiking days in the desert. The specific guide’s name is not guaranteed in the supplied details.

What meals are included?

The package includes six breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners. Cooking equipment is also included for the camping sections.

Is the Petra visit guided?

Yes. A Petra guided tour is included through Qasr al-Bint, with a full day scheduled for exploring Petra and lunch on-site.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Flight tickets, personal expenses, and optional tips for the guide and driver are not included.