120km Desert Trek: Wadi Rum to Petra Self-Launched Expedition in Jordan

Fly into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Amman. Take the JETT public bus or a shared taxi south to Madaba (~45 mins, ~£3–5), a historic mosaic-rich town that makes a great base for your first night. Check into a budget guesthouse, grab a falafel wrap from a local street stall, and get an early night before the adventure begins.

🚌JETT public bus or shared taxi from Amman Airport to Madaba (~£4)

🛏Mariam Hotel or similar guesthouse in Madaba (~£20–30/night twin share)

• →Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
• →Take JETT bus or shared taxi from Amman to Madaba (~£4)
• →Check into guesthouse and explore Madaba's mosaic church and old town streets
• →Rest and prepare kit for the expedition ahead

Catch an early JETT or public bus from Madaba to Aqaba via the Desert Highway (~3.5hrs, ~£8), then a local minibus or shared taxi to Wadi Rum Village (~45 mins, ~£5). At the visitor centre, arrange a jeep tour with a local Bedouin operator to reach the trailhead at Jebel Al Hash — these are easily booked on arrival or via WhatsApp in advance for around £20–30pp. Complete a 2–3 hour warm-up hike on the rocky plateau for sweeping 360° views, then head to your pre-booked Bedouin camp for dinner under the stars.

🚌JETT bus Madaba to Aqaba (~£8), shared taxi to Wadi Rum (~£5)

🛏Bedouin Directions Camp or similar Wadi Rum Bedouin camp (~£30–40/night including dinner and breakfast)

• →JETT bus from Madaba/Amman to Aqaba (~£8)
• →Shared taxi or minibus from Aqaba to Wadi Rum Village (~£5)
• →Jeep transfer with local Bedouin operator to Jebel Al Hash trailhead (~£20–25pp)
• →2–3 hour warm-up hike to mountain plateau with panoramic Wadi Rum views
• →Overnight at Bedouin camp with traditional dinner included

This is where the real expedition starts. Arrange a jeep with your Bedouin camp host to drive you further into Wadi Rum and drop you at Humeima, the Jordan Trail starting point (~£15–20pp shared). Your independently hired local Jordan Trail guide (pre-book via the Jordan Trail Association website or local outfitters in Wadi Rum, ~£40–60/day for the group split per head) will lead you through Abassiya village and down from the 3,281ft plateau through long wadi systems and narrow gorges. Camp wild tonight — bring a lightweight tent and sleeping bag from home or rent from a Wadi Rum outfitter (~£10/day).

🚌Jeep transfer to Humeima with Bedouin host (~£15pp)

🛏Wild camping (bring or rent tent and sleeping bag — ~£10/day rental from Wadi Rum outfitters)

• →Jeep transfer to Humeima trailhead (~£15pp)
• →Full day hike: ~16 miles, 7–9 hours along the Jordan Trail
• →Trek through Bedouin village of Abassiya and descend through narrow gorges
• →Wild camping under the Milky Way — set up your own tent

An early breakfast from your own supplies (stock up in Wadi Rum village before departure — dried fruit, nuts, bread, hummus packs are all cheap and available). Today's route through coloured canyons, rock formations, and sand dunes covers around 9 miles with rolling ascents and descents. Your local Jordan Trail guide will know the best shaded rest spots for lunch. Camp at Wadi Gseib near the Jordan Valley — a remote and beautiful spot.

🚌On foot (guide-led)

🛏Wild camping at Wadi Gseib

• →Early breakfast at camp from self-supplied provisions
• →Full day hike: ~9 miles, 5–6 hours through canyons and sand dunes
• →Navigate coloured rock formations and beautiful desert vistas
• →Wild camp at Wadi Gseib

A 10-mile day heading north through wild desert mountains and valleys. The Jordan Trail Association's free app and trail map (downloadable before departure) provides GPS waypoints for navigation — essential if your hired guide is more of a cultural host than a technical navigator. Arrive at the vast Wadi al-Saif valley and camp against the dramatic white and red sandstone cliffs. These remote stretches are where the Jordan Trail truly shines — you may go hours without seeing another person.

🚌On foot (guide-led)

🛏Wild camping at Wadi Al-Saif

• →Full day hike: ~10 miles, 5–6 hours heading north
• →Use Jordan Trail Association app for GPS navigation support
• →Pass through wild desert mountain ranges and wide valley systems
• →Wild camp at Wadi Al-Saif beneath red and white sandstone cliffs

A slightly shorter day (~9 miles, 4–5 hours) on a gradual northeast ascent through wadi systems lined with sandstone and oleander plants. You're now trekking ancient caravan routes that once connected Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia — a humbling stretch of trail. Arrive at the wild camp at Ga'a Mriebed to stunning elevated desert views as the sun sets.

🚌On foot (guide-led)

🛏Wild camping at Ga'a Mriebed

• →Lighter hiking day: ~9 miles, 4–5 hours on gradual ascent
• →Trek ancient caravan routes through oleander-lined wadis
• →Wild camp at Ga'a Mriebed with sweeping elevated desert views

The most dramatic day of the expedition: ~14 miles and up to 9 hours of trekking with 3,248ft of ascent. From Ga'a Mriebed, follow the jeep track and donkey path to Wadi Sabra, passing fortress ruins and reaching the remarkable Sabra Amphitheater. Ascend in zigzags toward Stuah Nebi Haroun and push north into Petra, passing the Lion Fountain, Garden Tomb, and the High Place of Sacrifice with sweeping Royal Tomb views. Descend via the Madras Trail to the Obelisk Tomb and into Wadi Musa. Reward yourself with a night at a Bedouin-style cave camp or desert lodge near Petra — book in advance via Booking.com.

🚌On foot all day; short local taxi into Wadi Musa at end (~£3)

🛏Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp or Petra Moon Hotel, Wadi Musa (~£30–45/night)

• →Epic final trekking day: ~14 miles, 7–9 hours with major ascent
• →Pass Sabra Amphitheater, fortress ruins, and Stuah Nebi Haroun
• →Enter Petra via the 'Back Door' — Lion Fountain, Garden Tomb, High Place of Sacrifice
• →Descend Madras Trail past Obelisk Tomb into Wadi Musa
• →Overnight at Petra Moon Hotel or Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp near Petra

Buy your Petra entry ticket directly at the gate (1-day pass ~£55pp for non-Jordanians — budget traveller tip: a Jordan Pass bought before arrival for ~£95 covers the visa fee AND Petra entry, saving you money overall if you're visiting from the UK). Start your hike from Wadi Musa and re-enter Petra via the Back Door through Wadi Ghurab, skirting the final peak to reach the rock terrace overlooking The Monastery. Descend Nabataean steps to the Treasury, explore tombs, temples, and the colonnaded street, then exit through the famous Siq gorge. Back at camp, toast your achievement with a Bedouin dinner.

🚌On foot throughout Petra

🛏Seven Wonders Bedouin Camp or Petra Moon Hotel, Wadi Musa (~£30–45/night)

• →Purchase Petra entry (included in Jordan Pass ~£95, or standalone ~£55/day)
• →Hike Wadi Ghurab and approach The Monastery from the back route
• →Explore the Treasury, Royal Tombs, Roman Theatre, and colonnaded streets
• →Exit Petra via the Siq — the famous narrow and colourful gorge
• →Traditional Bedouin dinner back at camp

Take an early JETT public bus or shared taxi from Wadi Musa/Petra north toward the Dead Sea (~3hrs, ~£10–12). The Dead Sea Spa Beach public access is available at a handful of beaches — Amman Beach (~£15 entry with towel and locker) is popular and well-run. Float in the hyper-saline water, slather yourself in therapeutic black mud, and soak tired trekking legs in the lowest place on earth. Afterwards, catch an onward bus or shared taxi to Amman (~1hr, ~£4) and check into a central hostel or budget hotel in Rainbow Street or downtown Amman for your final night. Head out for a celebratory dinner of mansaf, mezze, and knafeh at a local restaurant.

🚌JETT bus or shared taxi Petra to Dead Sea (~£12), taxi/bus Dead Sea to Amman (~£4)

🛏Luzmila Hotel, Jordan Tower Hotel, or similar budget hotel in central Amman (~£25–35/night)

• →JETT bus or shared taxi from Petra to Dead Sea (~£10–12)
• →Float and mud bath at Amman Beach or O Beach Dead Sea (~£15 entry)
• →Bus or shared taxi from Dead Sea to central Amman (~£4)
• →Celebratory final dinner in downtown Amman — try mansaf or mezze

Enjoy a final Jordanian breakfast of foul medames, eggs, and tea at a local café before checking out. Take the Airport Express Bus from 7th Circle or Abdali Bus Station to Queen Alia International Airport (~35 mins, ~£3) or grab a metered taxi (~£15–20). Depart with extraordinary memories of one of the Middle East's greatest long-distance treks.

🚌Airport Express Bus to AMM (~£3) or taxi (~£15–20)

🛏N/A (departure day)

• →Final Jordanian breakfast at a local café in Amman
• →Airport Express Bus to Queen Alia International Airport (~£3) or taxi (~£15–20)
• →Depart from AMM