TREKKING FROM THE DANA NATURE RESERVE TO PETRA

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  ARRIVAL

  You will be greeted upon your arrival at the airport and transferred to a hotel in Amman.

• day 2

  Amman – Mansura

  After breakfast, we drive in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to Mount Nebo. This 1,000 m (3,300 ft) mountain is a very important Christian site, as it is here, on the edge of a ridge overlooking the Dead Sea, that Moses first saw the Holy Land, having led his people from Sinai. It is said that he died and was buried here. Mount Nebo offers fantastic views over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, with the city of Jericho in the West Bank usually visible from the summit, and Jerusalem on very clear days. We will have lunch near the imposing Crusader castle of Kerak. It is the largest and best-preserved of the Crusader castles in the region. It is located on top of a steep outcrop, an almost impregnable position. Built in 1132 by Baldwin of Jerusalem, it became famous during the Crusades as one of the fortresses in the chain of fortifications used in the holy war against Islam. We continue our journey south, enjoying the fantastic view of the magnificent Wadi Araba before briefly relaxing while observing the castle of Shoubak. We arrive at Mansura and walk to the campsite. 4.5 hours Transfer. 0.5 hour Trek. Camping

• day 3

  Mansura – Wadi Feinan

  Today, we travel through the mountains of Shara. The barren landscape suddenly changes when we enter the Daphna wadi, with its hot springs and palm trees. After lunch, we will descend the valley following the palm trees, reeds, and oleanders that bloom in spring. The Wadi Feinan gorge has an interesting archaeological landscape and was a region rich in prehistoric activity. During our walk, we will see the remains of a late Roman citadel, copper mines, elaborate water supply systems, and dwellings with Neolithic houses, in preserved two-story locations. Trek of 6 hours. Camping.

• day 4

  Wadi Feinan - El Forn

  Our trek follows the edges of the Shara mountains and crosses the Araba wadi, which looks like a small steppe dotted with acacias. After lunch, the trail enters a small canyon and follows the Wadi Barwas, climbing through a green valley up to the El Forn camp. Trek of 6 hours. Camping.

• day 5

  El Forn - Gabural Al Waheidat

  We walk in the Wadi Feith, with its stream that flows all year round, then we descend into the Wadi Sahawa. The trail then leads to our lunch spot at Tabqa Agla. After lunch, we take a Bedouin path offering beautiful views of the Araba valley up to Gabural Al Waheidat. Trek of 7 hours. Camping.

• day 6

  Gabural Al Waheidat - El Maisra

  We are heading towards El Farsh, where the cultivated fields indicate that we are getting closer to civilization. After lunch, we descend through a wild valley and walk along the sandstone cliffs to Little Petra, offering a first glimpse of Nabataean culture. We also visit the Neolithic village of al-Baidah before arriving at the El Maisra camp. Trek of 7 hours. Camping.

• day 7

  Petra

  A whole day to enjoy Petra, including a half-day guided tour of the rose-red city "half as old as time," which is one of the seven new wonders of the world. Petra was carved into the Sharah mountains by the Nabataeans, who became wealthy by controlling the incense trade routes across Arabia. A thousand years ago, Petra fell into obscurity, as its existence and location were kept secret by the local Bedouins, until 1812, the year when the Swiss explorer John Louis Burckhardt made his way to the site. Our guided tour of this unique and unforgettable site begins with a walk through the Siq, the narrow and winding fissure between towering cliffs, which we exit through a tiny gap to be confronted by the awe-inspiring splendor of the Treasury monument, the most elaborate ruin in Petra, carved into the sandstone rock. Local legend says that this tomb once stored the gifts of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon. We continue to discover the royal tombs, a Roman theater, and the colonnaded street, to name just a few of the amazing attractions that await you. We will also climb the 800 steps to admire the vast and impressive Monastery (Ed Deir), which enjoys a breathtaking view over the whole region and a mountain atmosphere. After lunch, which we will have on site, the afternoon is free to explore one of the most impressive and exciting sites of ancient history anywhere in the world. One option is to walk up to the High Place (Attuf Ridge), once a place of sacrificial offerings, which offers magnificent views over the Petra basin and towards Jebel Harun and Wadi Sabra. We celebrate the successful conclusion of our trek with a meal, then a comfortable hotel room in Petra. 6-hour trek. Hotel.

• day 8

  DEPARTURE

  We travel from Petra to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, in time for the check-in of our return flight.