Trek To Petra

Back Door Monastery Approach

The 7km trail from Little Petra sneaks into Petra via desert plateaus and 800 descending steps, revealing the Monastery crowd-free…

Wadi Al Ghuweir Canyon Traverse

Lush palm-fringed slot canyons on the Dana-Petra route demand scrambling through waterfalls and riparian oases, a verdant contrast…

Bedouin Camp Nights

Overnight in goat-hair tents with local guides on the Jordan Trail, sharing mansaf feasts and zarb underground ovens under desert …

This 80km flagship hike traces ancient hunters' paths from Dana Reserve through gorges, ridges, and hamada desert to Petra's Monastery, blending physical challenge with profound solitude. Trekkers camp Bedouin-style amid wildlife and geological drama unmatched elsewhere in Jordan. ★★★★★ | Spring/Fall | Mid-range

The 7km trail from Little Petra sneaks into Petra via desert plateaus and 800 descending steps, revealing the Monastery crowd-free before plunging past Royal Tombs to the Treasury. It showcases Nabataean genius in a quiet, cinematic descent. ★★★★★ | Spring/Fall | Budget

Lush palm-fringed slot canyons on the Dana-Petra route demand scrambling through waterfalls and riparian oases, a verdant contrast to Jordan's arid expanses. Day hikes here end at Feynan Ecolodge for immersion in biblical-era copper mines. ★★★★☆ | Spring | Mid-range

Overnight in goat-hair tents with local guides on the Jordan Trail, sharing mansaf feasts and zarb underground ovens under desert stars, forging bonds with nomad families tied to these trails for generations. ★★★★★ | Fall | Mid-range

Wander Chalcolithic smelting sites in the Arabah Valley en route from Dana, where 5,000-year-old slag heaps reveal Jordan's metallurgical past amid stark wadi scenery. ★★★★☆ | Spring | Budget

Summit passes above 1100 meters on the trek, with panoramic Rift Valley views rivaling any in the Middle East, transitioning from oak woodlands to barren plateaus. ★★★★☆ | Fall | Mid-range

Flat 4.7km jeep-track prelude to the Back Door, traversing open badlands with Siq al-Ghurab canyon vistas, ideal for sunrise acclimation. ★★★☆☆ | Spring | Budget

Post-trek ascents to the Monastery's clifftop perch via stone steps, framing its Hellenistic facade against endless sandstone horizons. ★★★★★ | Fall | Budget

Steep 5.6km drop from Monastery past triclinia and facades into Petra's colonnaded heart, unveiling layers of the Nabataean capital. ★★★★☆ | Spring | Budget

Launch from this 15th-century Ottoman hamlet, hiking initial 16km descent into the canyon for a time-warp immersion in rural Jordan. ★★★★☆ | Fall | Mid-range

Cross endless flat desert expanses between gorges, testing endurance on loose gravel amid fossilized seabeds from prehistoric times. ★★★☆☆ | Spring | Budget

Follow faded trade routes once bustling with spice merchants, now silent trails linking Petra to distant oases. ★★★★☆ | Fall | Mid-range

Low-light desert skies at trek night 2 reveal Milky Way vistas, paired with solar-powered Bedouin hospitality. ★★★★☆ | Fall | Mid-range

Dramatic sandstone narrows on Back Door route, echoing Petra's Siq but in pristine wild isolation. ★★★★☆ | Spring | Budget

Emerge from trek into Petra's civic core, tracing Roman-influenced streets amid towering monuments. ★★★★★ | Fall | Budget

Detours off main descent to Nabataean banquet halls carved into cliffs, hinting at ritual feasts. ★★★☆☆ | Spring | Budget

Scan for ibex, eagles, and Nubian ibex on high passes, in Dana Reserve's diverse micro-ecosystems. ★★★☆☆ | Spring | Mid-range

Arrive at the iconic facade from above via trek, flipping the classic postcard reveal. ★★★★★ | Fall | Budget

Participate in trail-side meals slow-cooked in sand pits, a nomadic staple perfected on these routes. ★★★★☆ | Fall | Mid-range

Climb Nabataean-hewn staircases linking wadis, engineering marvels for water-harvesting eras. ★★★★☆ | Spring | Budget

Mid-trek ascents with 360-degree views over Petra's hidden valleys, prepping for the finale. ★★★☆☆ | Fall | Mid-range

Jordanian yogurt-rice specialty shared fireside, fueling trekkers with Bedouin lore. ★★★★☆ | Fall | Budget

Learn seasonal risk navigation in slot canyons, adding thrill to spring treks. ★★★☆☆ | Spring | Budget

Triumphant end at Wadi Musa base, swapping blisters for Petra Day Pass stamps. ★★★★☆ | Fall | Budget

Optional summit spurs on the trail to Jordan's loftiest views before Monastery drop. ★★★☆☆ | Spring | Mid-range

First-person account of the 80km Dana-Petra trek, detailing daily breakdowns, terrain shifts, and pilgrim transformation. Covers packing and fitness needs. https://www.baldhiker.com/the-jordan-trail-dana-to-petra/

Complete 2026 guide to the Back Door Trail from Little Petra, with segment distances, landmarks like Wadi Siq al-Ghurab, and descent timings. https://jordanmw.com/the-back-door-to-petra/

Overview of the Dana-Petra linear trek as Jordan Trail's finest, highlighting gorges, Bedouin camping, and arrival at the Monastery. https://www.keadventure.com/holidays/jordan-trekking-dana-petra

Compares Petra entry routes, emphasizing the 5-7 day Dana Reserve trek through canyons versus standard gates, with provider costs. https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/middle-east/jordan/which-trek-to-petra-is-right-for-you

Details an 8-day trek via Wadi Rum to Petra's Monastery, including highest peak challenges and guided Petra tours. https://www.britishexpeditionco.co.uk/trek-to-ancient-site-of-petra