The Dana to Petra Trek is a 5-day, roughly 75 km hike along the Jordan Trail, from Dana Biosphere Reserve to the ancient city of Petra, which you enter through the back way past the Monastery. You walk 14 to 17 km a day for 5 to 7 hours, sleep three nights in wilderness camps and one in a Bedouin camp, and need to be reasonably fit. National Geographic named it one of the world’s best hikes, and we run it as a small-group trip nearly every month in season.

Dana to Petra at a glance

Distance: about 75 km over 5 trekking days
Daily walking: 14 to 17 km, 5 to 7 hours
Difficulty: moderate to challenging; you should be reasonably fit
Accommodation: 3 nights wilderness camping, 1 night Bedouin camp, then a hotel in Petra
Luggage: carried for you every day; you only carry a daypack
Group size: 2 to 15 people
Best seasons: spring and autumn (our busiest months are March to the end of June and September to early January)
Tours: the 9-day Dana to Petra Trek + Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea from US$1,695, or the 5-day Dana to Petra mini adventure from US$1,145

Where is the Dana to Petra Trek?

The trek runs through southern Jordan, along the Sharah Mountains high above the Wadi Araba desert. It is the most famous section of the Jordan Trail, the national hiking trail that crosses Jordan from Umm Qais in the north to Aqaba on the Red Sea. It starts in Dana village, about a 2.5-hour drive south of Amman, and ends in Petra.

See the route, satellite view and elevation profile on our interactive Dana to Petra Trek map.

The route, day by day

Day 1: Dana village to Mansoura (15 km)

The trek begins in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, which spans four distinct ecozones and an astonishing variety of plants, birds and wildlife, from blue-copper lizards to desert foxes. You follow a trail above Dana Valley, then descend into Al Khashasha Valley to your first wilderness camp. 5 to 7 hours, 260 m up, 690 m down.

Day 2: Mansoura to Furon (14 km)

The most demanding climb comes early: about an hour of ascent through the mountains, rewarded with views over the Sharah Mountains and Wadi Araba that stay with you all the way to camp. 5 to 7 hours, 563 m up, 170 m down.

Day 3: Furon to Ghbour Whedat (17 km)

The wildest and most remote day. You pass Ras Al-Feid and follow Bedouin shepherd paths along the Sharah Mountains, with black, rugged peaks above and steep canyon drops below, until the landscape softens into mushroom-shaped rock formations. 750 m up, 920 m down.

Day 4: Ghbour Whedat to Little Petra (14 km)

Signs of life return: Bedouin camps, sheep pens and small farms, then the first Nabataean ruins, including wine and olive presses and ancient water channels. You climb through a sandstone canyon and descend a narrow flight of steps into Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), a trading outpost of Petra on the old caravan routes. Hot showers wait at the Bedouin camp. 610 m up, 560 m down.

Day 5: Little Petra to Petra, through the back door (14 km)

The grand finale. A track leads down Wadi Ghurab and along an ancient Nabataean route to a hidden plateau above Wadi Siyyagh, where the Monastery (Ad Deir), Petra’s largest monument, suddenly appears. After a rest at the Bedouin café, Nabataean steps take you down into the main city, past tombs, temples and the theatre, to the Treasury and out through the Siq. 496 m up, 519 m down.

How hard is the Dana to Petra Trek?

It is five days in a row of 5 to 7 hours of walking, so you should be reasonably fit to enjoy it. The terrain mixes firm ground with loose stones and gravel, with long climbs and descents. Day 2 has the steepest climb and Day 3 the most elevation change. Because your luggage is moved for you every day, you only carry a daypack, and a local hiking guide with a donkey accompanies the group for safety on the first days.

Not sure it’s right for you? Read How fit do you need to be to hike or cycle in Jordan?

Where do you sleep?

Wilderness camps (3 nights): our local Bedouin support team sets up camp before you arrive, so you can sit down with tea when you finish walking. Tents have foam mattresses, sheets and blankets, so you don’t need a sleeping bag. There is a shower tent and a toilet tent, and solo travellers get their own tent at no extra cost. Expect no electricity for charging until Little Petra.

Bedouin camp near Little Petra (1 night): a fixed camp with hot showers and a chance to charge your devices.

Petra (1 night): a 3-star hotel after you finish the trek.

What do you eat?

All meals are included while trekking. Dinners are prepared fresh by our Bedouin team at camp, and vegetarian and vegan options are available.

When is the best time to hike Dana to Petra?

Spring and autumn give the most comfortable walking days. Nights in the camps are cool all year, and in November, December and February they can be cold, so bring warm layers, a hat, gloves and a light rain jacket. We run few departures in summer because of the heat. See Best time to visit Jordan for walking, cycling and culture.

Which tour should you choose?

Dana to Petra Trek + Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea (9 days, from US$1,695): the full trek, a night in Wadi Rum with a jeep safari, and time at the Dead Sea. Includes 8 nights’ accommodation, meals from Day 2 to Day 8, a licensed English-speaking guide, transport and daily luggage transfers. An extension to Aqaba and the Dead Sea can be added.
Dana to Petra mini adventure (5 days, from US$1,145): the core trek only, joining the full-adventure group from Amman and finishing at the Petra Visitor Center. Ideal if you’re combining it with your own plans.
Private Dana to Petra trek: on your own dates, at your pace, with options to shorten steep sections. Ask us.

Not included: the Jordan Pass (visa and entrance fees), airport transfers, tips, travel insurance and flights.

What to pack

Lightweight hiking shoes with good grip
Hiking poles, if you like extra knee support on loose, steep ground (optional)
A daypack, reusable water bottles, sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
Long trousers and a warm layer for evenings at camp; extra warm clothes and a rain jacket from November to February
A power bank, as there is no charging in the wilderness camps

Watch the trek

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Dana to Petra Trek?

About 75 km over five days, 14 to 17 km a day.

Can I hike Dana to Petra without a guide?

The route is remote, with no shops, water points or signal for long stretches, and camps need supplies brought in. Most hikers go with a local operator that handles guides, camps, water, food and luggage.

Do I need to carry my own bags?

No. Your main luggage is transferred every day, so you only carry a daypack.

Do I need a sleeping bag?

No. We provide foam mattresses, sheets and blankets in the wilderness camps.

Can solo travellers join?

Yes. Solo travellers get their own tent at no extra cost in the wilderness camps.

See dates and book the Dana to Petra Trek