Camping and Hiking Adventure : Discovering the south

Wadi Rum is the star here: four days on foot through red dunes, gray jebels, narrow canyons, and huge sandstone walls, with nights in a Bedouin bivouac rather than a standard sightseeing coach. I especially like the mix of serious desert walking and Petra, plus the way the trip finishes with a free day by the Red Sea.

The main consideration is the pace. The Burdah Arch climb takes about three and a half hours round trip, and the Jebel Hash hike lasts three to four hours before more walking in the afternoon. At $1,771.61 per person, the package can be good value if you use the included transport, meals, guides, camping, and hotel nights, but it is not a budget holiday.

Key points of this Jordan hiking tour

• Four full days in Wadi Rum: Walk across ocher dunes and between the Um Muqur, Um Sabatah, and other sandstone massifs.
• A useful blend of walking and 4×4 travel: The jeep ride helps cover long desert distances and reaches Jebel Burdah.
• Petra with a guided visit: Your Petra tour continues as far as Qasr al-Bint, with lunch included on site.
• Dana adds a different kind of terrain: Al Ghouir Canyon cuts through pink sandstone as the route drops from Al Mansoura toward Wadi Araba.
• A relaxed final day: Aqaba gives you time for beaches, palm-lined streets, or coral reefs before departure.
• Private arrangements: Only your group takes part, with airport pickup, private road transport, and 24-hour assistance.

Wadi Rum begins with a jeep and a Bedouin guide

Your trip starts at King Hussein International Airport or one of Jordan’s land borders. A representative helps with immigration, then a private air-conditioned car or van takes you the roughly 76 kilometers to Wadi Rum.

That short transfer gets you into the desert quickly. You meet an English-speaking Bedouin guide and begin with a 4×4 jeep tour through the Moon Valley. The route passes through the same broad desert country associated with Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt, but the real attraction is the rock itself: enormous sandstone walls, open sand, and shadows that change color as the sun moves.

I like this opening because it gives you a gentle introduction before the walking begins. The jeep lets you see how wide Wadi Rum really is. It also saves your legs for the hikes that follow.

The first night is at a desert camp or bivouac. Tents, cooking equipment, dinner, and breakfast are included. You should expect a simple outdoor setup rather than hotel comforts. That is part of the point, but you need to be comfortable with dust, basic facilities, and sleeping in a remote desert setting.

Jebel Hash offers the first serious climb

Day two is the first real test. You head south toward Jebel Hash and walk for three to four hours to the summit. From the top, you can see across both the Saudi Arabian and Jordanian deserts.

The climb is valuable because it changes your view of Wadi Rum. From the valley floor, the desert feels enclosed by rock walls. From Jebel Hash, it opens into a huge sweep of sand and distant mountains. After descending, you stop for lunch in the shade, a small detail that matters in a hot, exposed place.

The afternoon continues through Halg Umm Nughra and across the dunes of Wadi Sabet. This is a long day, even if the walking itself is not technical. Bring sturdy shoes, sun protection, and a refillable water bottle. The supplied information does not specify a water allowance, so ask the operator before departure how much drinking water you should carry each day.

Your Bedouin guide is important here. The route is not simply a marked city trail, and local experience helps with direction, pace, shade, and the character of the terrain. Salma Tours has also worked with guides and drivers named Abdullah, Adnan, Naim, and Tarek on other Jordan programs, but your assigned guide is not named in the tour details. Confirm that name before you go if personal contact matters to you.

Gray and ocher jebels make day three quieter

On the third day, you leave Wadi Sabet and walk north through gray and ocher jebels. The route passes Um Muqur and Um Sabatah before reaching the final desert bivouac.

This is likely the most peaceful day. There is no major named summit or famous monument competing for your attention. Instead, you get broad views, changing rock colors, and the slow rhythm of walking between isolated formations.

I like that the itinerary does not cram a new attraction into every hour. Four days in Wadi Rum work best when you have time to notice small changes in stone, sand, and light. Still, the remote setting means comfort is limited. If you want a private room, a daily shower, or a predictable evening schedule, this trip may feel demanding.

The final bivouac is also a useful moment to understand what camping means on this route. You receive a tent and meals, but the package does not promise luxury camp amenities. Cooking equipment is included, and dinner is part of the desert routine. Pack a warm layer for the evening, since desert temperatures can drop after sunset, although exact seasonal conditions are not provided.

Siq Albarrah and Burdah Arch fill the busiest desert day

After breakfast on day four, you walk for about three hours through Siq Albarrah and its canyon. A siq is a narrow passage, and this section gives you a change from open dunes to rock walls that close in around the route.

After lunch, a 4×4 takes you toward Jebel Burdah. This transfer is practical, not a shortcut to avoid walking. It connects two separate parts of the desert and places you near one of Wadi Rum’s major natural formations, the Burdah Arch.

The ascent to the arch takes about three and a half hours round trip. You should treat it as a proper mountain walk. The route includes uneven ground and climbing over rock, so suitable footwear matters. The itinerary does not give an exact elevation, technical grade, or age limit. Ask for those details if you have knee, balance, or mobility concerns.

After the descent, tea and biscuits provide a welcome pause before dinner and another night at the bivouac. This is one of the strongest days for scenery, but also one of the least forgiving for anyone who underestimates the walking. The package says most people can participate, yet a reasonable level of fitness is still necessary.

Petra brings Nabataean history after the desert

Day five shifts from open wilderness to one of Jordan’s essential ancient sites. After breakfast, you transfer to Petra and spend a full day exploring the Rose City, the former capital of the Nabataeans.

Petra is not a quick photo stop. The site spreads through valleys and rock-cut passages, and the approach to its monuments is part of the experience. Your guided visit is included as far as Qasr al-Bint, and lunch on site is also covered.

I value the guided portion because Petra rewards context. The carved facades are spectacular, but a guide can help you understand how the Nabataeans used this difficult terrain as a center of trade and settlement. The supplied program does not promise access beyond Qasr al-Bint, so ask what time is available for additional independent walking.

You sleep at a hotel that evening, a welcome reset after several nights outdoors. That change also makes the whole route more comfortable than a trip based entirely on camping. The balance is good: desert nights for atmosphere, then a hotel after Petra.

One practical point: the day before Petra is physically active, so you may arrive tired. I would use the evening before to organize your day bag and keep the next morning simple. The program includes entry tickets, but personal expenses and tips are not included.

Dana and Al Ghouir Canyon add a new side of Jordan

Day six begins with an English-speaking Bedouin guide and a transfer to Al Mansoura, at about 1,100 meters. From there, you descend into Al Ghouir Canyon, walking between tall pink sandstone cliffs.

This route is different from Wadi Rum. Instead of open desert views and isolated rock towers, you move through a cut in the stone. The Dana Nature Reserve covers about 308 square kilometers and stretches from the Rift Valley toward the desert plains of Wadi Araba. The stated vertical drop across the reserve is more than 1,600 meters, which explains the sharp change in scenery.

You pass through a mix of wooded highlands, gravel slopes, plains, and sand dunes. The reserve also supports varied wildlife and rare plant species. This is not just another canyon walk added to fill a day. It gives the trip ecological variety after the stark desert of Wadi Rum.

The precise walking time for Al Ghouir Canyon is not given, so ask about the day’s duration, distance, and elevation change before booking. Descending is often easier on the lungs than climbing, but it can be hard on knees and ankles. A guide is especially useful on a route where the surface and gradient change.

That night, you camp on the heights of Wadi Araba and eat a traditional Jordanian dinner. It is another simple outdoor night, but the setting should feel very different from Wadi Rum. You are now looking across a wider valley system after moving down from the reserve’s higher ground.

Aqaba closes the trip with salt water and free time

After breakfast on day seven, you head to Aqaba on the Red Sea. The day is intentionally lighter. You can rest on a sandy beach, walk through the palm-shaded city, or look for coral reefs with a snorkeling mask.

This free time is a smart ending. After repeated hikes and two camping sections, you get room to choose your own pace. The tour does not list a boat trip, a dedicated snorkeling guide, or scuba equipment. If you want a formal reef excursion, arrange it separately and confirm what is available locally.

You stay overnight at a hotel in Aqaba, then transfer to the airport on day eight. Since the meeting point is King Hussein International Airport and the return transfer is included, the route is tidy from arrival to departure.

What the $1,771.61 price includes

The price makes the most sense when you count the number of moving parts. You receive airport transfers both ways, immigration assistance and a visa entrance, private air-conditioned road transport, a 4×4 Wadi Rum tour, guides, site tickets, camping equipment, cooking equipment, and 24-hour assistance.

Meals are also substantial. Six breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners are included. Hotels are included where the program specifies overnight stays in Petra and Aqaba, while tents cover the camping nights. Flight tickets, tips, and personal spending remain yours.

For a private eight-day trip, this is a service-heavy package rather than a simple guided hike. You are paying for coordination across Wadi Rum, Petra, Dana, and Aqaba, not just for walking time. I would compare the price with the cost of arranging a private driver, Bedouin desert support, Petra entry and guiding, meals, hotels, and transfers separately.

The value is strongest for a small group that wants one organizer handling the route. It is weaker if you already have Jordan transport, hotels, or guides arranged. The activity is private, so only your group participates. That gives you more control over pace than a large group tour, although the itinerary does not promise unlimited changes.

Who should book this route

I would choose this trip if you want Jordan through your boots, not only through a vehicle window. You need to enjoy sustained walking, basic camping, and changing conditions. The program says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but it gives no detailed accessibility information for the canyon, desert climbs, or Burdah Arch.

It suits couples, friends, and small private groups that want a structured route without giving up outdoor time. It may also work well for solo customers who prefer organized transport and local support, though the package is priced per person and is private rather than a shared departure.

The balance of scenery is excellent: red and ocher Wadi Rum, gray jebels, Petra’s carved stone, Dana’s canyon and plant life, then Aqaba’s sea. The tradeoff is that the program is not leisurely until the final day.

The cancellation rule is strict. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so you should confirm flights, fitness, border arrangements, and the preferred travel dates before paying.

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

Book it if your priority is a serious southern Jordan hiking journey with Petra included and the practical work already arranged. The strongest parts are the four-day Wadi Rum route, the local Bedouin guiding, the Burdah Arch climb, and the change of scenery in Dana.

Think twice if you want luxury camps, short walks, or a flexible cancellation policy. I would also ask Salma Tours for the exact daily distances, water arrangements, camp facilities, guide assignment, and the planned Petra schedule before final payment.

For an active visitor who wants desert nights, ancient ruins, canyon walking, and a Red Sea finish in one private itinerary, this is a well-balanced way to see southern Jordan.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, Jordan, or at a Jordanian land border. The listed start time is 12:00 pm.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends with a transfer to King Hussein International Airport on day eight.

How long is the experience?

The program lasts approximately eight days.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Two-way airport transfers between the airport and Wadi Rum are included, along with hotel pickup and private transportation in an air-conditioned car or van.

Is a visa entrance included?

Yes, the package includes visa entrance assistance.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

Yes. An English-speaking Bedouin guide accompanies you during the desert hiking days, and an English-speaking guide is also provided for the Dana canyon section. A guided Petra visit is included as far as Qasr al-Bint.

Are meals included?

Yes. Six breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners are included.

Is camping equipment provided?

Yes. A camping tent and cooking equipment are included. The itinerary includes bivouac nights in Wadi Rum and a camping night on the heights of Wadi Araba.

Are flights included?

No. Flight tickets are not included. Personal expenses and optional tips for the guide and driver are also excluded.