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The Dana to Petra Trek- The most iconic section of The Jordan Trail

Voted by National Geographic as one of the 15 best hikes in the world, the Dana to Petra Trek is the undisputed crown jewel of the 650-kilometer Jordan Trail. For millennia, ancient spice caravans and Bedouin pastoralists navigated these isolated mountain passes, desert wadis, and sandstone gorges. Traversed over six legendary days, this route leaves modern infrastructure behind—guiding travelers from the high-altitude forests of the Dana Biosphere Reserve across the desert floor of Wadi Araba, culminating in an awe-inspiring, crowd-free back-door arrival at The Monastery (Ad Deir) in Petra.

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​Operated under our specialized active division, Discovery Terhaal, Discovery Circle Tours serves as the premier B2B Destination Management Company (DMC) for wilderness expeditions in Jordan. We provide international adventure brands, hiking clubs, and active tour operators with turnkey, white-label trekking operations—combining certified wilderness guides, 4x4 baggage transfers, mobile Bedouin camps, and full safety compliance.

The Day - by - Daya Trekking Itinerary Breakdown

Day 1: The Descent from Dana to Feynan

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  • Stats: ~14 km | 4 to 5 Hours | Terrain: Steep mountain descent leveling into a broad desert valley.

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  • The Walk: Dropping 800 vertical meters in the first two hours, the trail plunges down the dramatic cliff faces of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Leaving the cool highland oak forests behind, the path levels into a serene walk along the wide valley floor framed by towering mountain walls, ending at the iconic, off-grid Feynan Ecolodge.

Day 2: Across the Stony Hamada to Wadi Barwas

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  • Stats: ~16 km | 6 Hours | Terrain: Flat, open gravel desert (hamada) and dry riverbeds.

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  • The Walk: A day of vast horizons across flat desert terrain. With the high mountain ranges to the east and the sweeping Wadi Araba desert stretching endlessly west, travelers traverse a series of dry wadis, passing ancient Roman aqueducts, ancient copper slag heaps, and ruined watermills before establishing a mobile wilderness camp at Wadi Barwas.

Day 3: The Ascent to Ras el-Feid]

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  • Stats: ~13 km | 5 to 6 Hours | Terrain: Rocky mountain ascents, goat tracks, and canyon riverbeds.

 

  • The Walk: Leaving the flat desert floor behind, the trail turns sharply upward for a demanding 3-hour climb across boulders and winding Bedouin goat tracks. Navigating a tight canyon, the group emerges onto a high mountain saddle with sweeping views back over the desert before descending a rocky track to camp near the spring of Ras el-Feid.

Day 4: Into the Sandstone Wilderness of Shkarat Msei'd

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  • Stats: ~14 km | 5 to 6 Hours | Terrain: Technical rocky scrambles, riverbeds, and pale sandstone formations.

 

  • The Walk: Following a dry riverbed upward into the mountains, the trail grows technical—requiring light scrambling over rock steps—before descending to a year-round mountain stream. The terrain softens into the pale, smooth sandstone hills that mark the outer wilderness boundaries of Petra, ending at the Shkarat Msei'd camp.

Day 5: The Moonscape to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)

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  • Stats: ~14 km | 5 Hours | Terrain: Smooth sandstone plateaus, rock-cut steps, and ancient settlements.

 

  • The Walk: The landscape transforms into a pale sandstone moonscape. Crossing smooth rock domes and passing Bedouin encampments, hikers spot the first ancient rock-cut Nabatean steps. A brief scramble leads to a plateau before dropping into the Neolithic settlement of Beidha and the narrow canyon of Little Petra.

Day 6: The Secret Back - Door Reveal of The Monastery (Ad Deir)

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  • Stats: ~12 km | 3 to 4 Hours | Terrain: Cliffside mountain ledges and rock-carved ancient trails.

 

  • The Walk & Reveal: Setting out from Little Petra, the trail hugs a dramatic mountain ledge suspended high above the Araba Valley floor. After hours of dramatic mountain walking, the path curves one final time through a narrow rock gap—revealing the colossal, rose-gold facade of The Monastery (Ad Deir) glowing in the sun, entering Petra completely away from main visitor crowds.

Operational Factsheet & Expedition Stats

Dana Petra - Route Notes

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  • Total Trekking Distance: 84 km over 6 Days

  • Grade & Physical Rating: Strenuous / Moderate Hard (requires good physical fitness & sure-footedness)

  • Accommodation Setup: Mix of Eco-lodges, fixed campsites and full mobile Bedouin wilderness camps.

  • Best Travel Seasons: Autumn October to December and Spring March to May (ideal temperatures and daylight hours

  • B2B Service Range: Licensed Trek Leaders, 4x4 luggage vehicles, campp chefs, mess tents, water. resupply and 2 day Petra park passes.

B2B Wilderness Logistics - The Discovery Advantage

Operating a multi-day remote wilderness expedition across four distinct bio-geographical zones requires rigorous field logistics, local community ties, and strict risk management. As your dedicated B2B partner, we manage the operational complexity so you can market a world-class, high-margin adventure product:

 

  • White-Label Field Execution: All wilderness camp crews, trek leaders, support vehicles, mess tents, and client briefing packs carry your agency's brand identity.

 

  • Seamless Luggage Portage & Mobile Camps: Clients hike with light daypacks. Our 4x4 support logistics team transfers main luggage between eco-lodges, wilderness camps, and mobile Bedouin bivouacs equipped with hot meals, mess tents, and camp amenities.

 

  • Safety & Emergency Protocols: Every departure is led by Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified guides, equipped with satellite tracking devices, emergency medical kits, secondary 4x4 sweep vehicles, and direct evacuation support.

 

  • Community-Based Tourism (CBT): We contract local Bedouin guides, camel/mule handlers, and camp chefs from the local communities of Dana, Feynan, and Petra, directly supporting sustainable rural economies.

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