Self-Launched Jordan Trail Desert Trek: Wadi Rum to Petra
10 days · Jordan
Much Better Adventures charges £1,725
No-markup version: ~£1,290 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic 120km Jordan Trail trek from Wadi Rum to Petra. You'll arrange your own guesthouse stays in Madaba and Amman, a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum, an independent locally-guided desert trek along the Jordan Trail's Humeima–Petra section with a Bedouin support crew and camel/4x4 baggage transfer, two nights at a Bedouin camp near Little Petra, and a cheap local bus/private transfer combination for the Dead Sea swim. Costs assume you book a small-group or private desert trek through a Petra/Wadi Rum-based local operator (a realistic share for 2–4 people), plus budget guesthouses and public/shared transport elsewhere. All figures are approximate and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Amman, transfer to Madaba
Madaba
Fly into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). Skip the private transfer and take the Sariyah airport shuttle bus to Amman's Tabarbour bus station (~3 JOD / £3.30) or a shared/public taxi to Madaba (~10-12 JOD / £11-13, roughly 30 mins). Check into a budget guesthouse in the centre of Madaba. In the afternoon explore St George's Church with its famous mosaic map and the Madaba Archaeological Park, then pick up cash and small notes (useful for trek tips) and buy any last snacks and water purification tablets. Evening: cheap falafel/hummus dinner (~3-5 JOD).
🚌Sariyah airport shuttle bus (~3 JOD) or shared taxi (~12 JOD)
🛏Budget guesthouse in central Madaba (private room, shared bathroom), ~£25
- →St George's Church mosaic map
- →Madaba Archaeological Park
- →Orientation walk of Madaba old town
Local bus south to Wadi Rum and a warm-up hike
Wadi Rum
Take a morning JETT or Trust bus from Amman (7th Circle / Abdali) to Aqaba and get off at Wadi Rum junction, or book a seat on a JETT Wadi Rum service — roughly 10-15 JOD and 4-5 hrs. A pre-arranged Bedouin camp jeep picks you up at the visitor centre (usually included in camp/jeep packages). Afternoon warm-up hike near Jebel Al Hash or a short jeep tour through the Valley of the Moon, timed to avoid the midday heat. Sunset from a dune, dinner at the camp, and an early night under the stars.
🚌JETT/Trust bus Amman–Wadi Rum junction (~12 JOD), camp jeep pickup included
🛏Bedouin desert camp in Wadi Rum (tented twin/private, shared shower block), ~£30 including dinner and breakfast
- →Wadi Rum jeep tour
- →Warm-up hike beneath Jebel Al Hash
- →Sunset dune walk
- →Stargazing
Trek day 1: Humeima to Abassiya plateau
Jordan Trail (Humeima)
Your local trek operator's 4x4 collects you at sunrise and drives you to Humeima, where your supported trek begins. Hike ~26km/7-9 hrs along the Jordan Trail past the Bedouin village of Abassiya, up onto the 1,000m plateau and down a long wadi towards Petra. Your support crew (booked privately through a Wadi Rum/Petra trekking outfit) moves bags and camp by vehicle/camel. Wild camp with dinner cooked by the crew.
🚌4x4 transfer to trailhead and vehicle/camel baggage support (included in trek package)
🛏Wild camping in tents provided by your trek operator (shower and toilet tents arranged)
- →26km Jordan Trail hike
- →Abassiya plateau and wadi gorges
- →Wild camping under the Milky Way
Trek day 2: Wadi Aheimar to Wadi Gseib
Jordan Trail (Wadi Aheimar)
A shorter ~15km/5-6 hr day through coloured canyons, rock formations and sand dunes, with gradual ascents and descents. Your guide picks shaded lunch stops. Camp at Wadi Gseib near the Jordan Valley. Carry 2-3 litres of water per day — your crew refills from vehicle tanks.
🚌Baggage moved by support vehicle/camel
🛏Wild camping in tents (trek operator supplied)
- →15km canyon and dune hike
- →Wild camping at Wadi Gseib
Trek day 3: Wadi Gseib to Wadi Al-Saif
Jordan Trail (Wadi Al-Saif)
~16.5km/5-6 hrs north through open desert mountains and valleys to the wide valley of Wadi al-Saif, camping below a huge white-and-red sandstone cliff. Settle into trail rhythm, drink tea with your Bedouin crew and learn a little Arabic.
🚌Baggage moved by support vehicle/camel
🛏Wild camping in tents (trek operator supplied)
- →16.5km desert mountain hike
- →Bedouin campfire evening
Trek day 4: Wadi Al-Saif to Ga'a Mriebed
Jordan Trail (Ga'a Mriebed)
A lighter ~14km/4-5 hr day heading northeast uphill past oleander and sandstone beds, following the ancient caravan route. Arrive early at the Ga'a Mriebed camp — good time to dry kit, rest and watch the sunset over the escarpment.
🚌Baggage moved by support vehicle/camel
🛏Wild camping in tents (trek operator supplied)
- →14km caravan-route hike
- →Sunset over the escarpment
Trek day 5: into Petra via Wadi Sabra
Petra
The big finale — ~23km/7-9 hrs and ~990m of ascent. Follow jeep tracks and donkey paths down to Wadi Sabra, rest at the Sabra Amphitheatre, zig-zag up past Stuah Nebi Haroun and enter Petra via Wadi Farasa, the Lion Fountain, Garden Tomb and the High Place of Sacrifice, then down the Madras Trail to Wadi Musa. A short jeep transfer takes you to a Bedouin camp hidden in the rocks near Little Petra. Buy your Jordan Pass online in advance (70-80 JOD, covers the Petra entry fee and visa, ~£78-90).
🚌Short jeep transfer to camp (included in trek package)
🛏Bedouin desert camp near Little Petra (tented room, shared facilities), ~£40 half board
- →23km hiking finale
- →Petra back-door entry (Wadi Farasa, High Place of Sacrifice)
- →Royal Tombs viewpoints
Petra full day via the Back Door
Petra
Start walking directly from camp and enter Petra via Wadi Ghurab, reaching the rock terrace above the Monastery before descending the Nabataean steps into the main site. Spend the day exploring the Treasury, Royal Tombs, theatre and colonnaded street, then exit through the Siq. Optional licensed local guide for 2-3 hrs (~35-50 JOD, bookable at the visitor centre or via GetYourGuide). Back to camp for a Bedouin dinner.
🚌Walk in from camp; optional local minibus back to camp (~5 JOD)
🛏Bedouin desert camp near Little Petra (tented room, shared facilities), ~£40 half board
- →Monastery via the back door
- →Treasury and Siq
- →Optional licensed Petra guide
Dead Sea float and on to Amman
Dead Sea / Amman
Shared taxi or minibus from Wadi Musa/Little Petra towards Amman, stopping at a public Dead Sea beach (Amman Beach or a cheaper local beach) for a float and mud bath (~20-25 JOD entry at tourist beaches; free/low-cost at local access points — bring your own towel and rinse water). Then continue by bus/shared taxi to Amman. Budget hotel in downtown Amman (Jabal Amman or Hashemite Plaza area). Evening: cheap kebab/hummus dinner or a hammam.
🚌Shared taxi/minibus to Dead Sea (~15 JOD) then to Amman (~8 JOD)
🛏Budget hotel in downtown Amman, ~£30
- →Dead Sea float and mud bath
- →Amman downtown evening walk
- →Optional hammam
Amman to the airport
Amman
Breakfast, then either the Sariyah airport bus (~3 JOD) or a shared taxi (~12-15 JOD) to Queen Alia International Airport for your flight home. If you have time, a quick walk through the Roman Theatre or the Citadel before departure.
🚌Sariyah airport bus (~3 JOD) or shared taxi (~13 JOD)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Optional Roman Theatre or Citadel visit
- →Amman food market stop
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,290 | £1,725 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £435 per person (25%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,290
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Jordan Trail Desert Trek: Wadi Rum to Petra cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,290 per person for 10 days in Jordan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,725 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,290 — a saving of roughly £435 (25%) per person.
How long is the Jordan trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Jordan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Jordan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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