10 days hiking Jordan's nature reserves

Qaia - Ajloun Forest Reserve

Day 1: Welcome to Jordan!

After your arrival at the airport, you will be met by your driver. He will take you north to your first location, the Ajloun Nature Reserve.

Established in 1987, Ajloun Forest Reserve is located in the Ajloun highlands north of Amman. It consists of Mediterranean hill-like country, ranging from 600 - 1100 meters above sea level, with a series of small and medium winding valleys.

Enjoy the scenic views here!

Ajloun - Orjan - Azraq Wetland Reserve

Day 2: Visit the Majestic Ajloun Castle

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up and take you to Ajloun Castle to explore the impressive Muslim fortress.

Then travel to the start of Abraham’s Path, where your guide will meet you to hike with you along one of the stages to the small village of Orjan. You will stop for lunch with a local family, before visiting some of the environmental initiatives in the area.

In the late afternoon, your driver will meet you and take you east to Azraq, where you will spend the night.

Azraq - Desert Castles - Madaba

Day 3: Enjoy the Beautiful Azraq Wetlands

After breakfast, head out to visit the Azraq Wetland Reserve, a nature reserve located near the town of Azraq in the eastern desert of Jordan.

An oasis for migratory birds, Azraq was established in 1978 and covers 12 square kilometers. You will then go on to visit Azraq Castle, a 13th-century castle built of local black basalt.

On your drive towards Madaba, you’ll also stop at two other desert castles before arriving in the late afternoon in the small town of Madaba. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Mt Nebo - Dead Sea - Wadi Mujib

Day 4: Explore the History of Madaba

This morning, have a delicious breakfast, then go on to explore the beautiful mosaics and churches of Madaba.

After lunch, your driver will meet you and take you down to the Dead Sea, stopping along the way to see Mt. Nebo - the final resting place of Moses which also has fantastic views over 4 countries.

You can spend the afternoon relaxing at the saltiest lake in the world, the Dead Sea.

Wadi Mujib - Karak - Dana Biosphere Reserve

Day 5: Experience the Serene Mujib Biosphere Reserve

This morning, you will cross the road to the Mujib Biosphere Reserve. This wonderful reserve, which ranges from an altitude of 900m above sea level to 400m below, was originally established to breed the Nubian ibex, but now supports a wide variety of species.

Today you’ll hike the Siq Trail. The trail follows the river to the head of the Mujib Gorge. You’ll wade upstream, climb up small waterfalls and swim through small pools to reach a 20m high waterfall. You’ll have time for a swim and to relax before returning to the Visitor Center.

You’ll then drive to Karak and have time for lunch and to visit the castle before travelling further down the King’s Highway to Dana Nature Reserve.

Dana Valley - Feynan Ecolodge

Day 6: Travel through the Magical Dana Nature Reserve

Dana Nature Reserve is Jordan’s largest Nature Reserve and after a hearty breakfast, you’ll have the chance to explore it by hiking down the Dana Valley to Wadi Araba with a local guide.

The trail starts at a height of 1200 meters and throughout the walk, you’ll notice the surprisingly diverse ecosystem which contains about 600 species of plants, 45 species of mammals like ibex, mountain gazelle, and red fox, and 180 species of birds.

A packed lunch will be provided along the way, and at the end of the trail, you’ll be welcomed at the Feynan Ecolodge.

Feynan Ecolodge - Little Petra

Day 7: Experience Rustic Life at Feynan Ecolodge

In the morning, you will have the chance to join in some of the activities arranged by the Ecolodge – learn how to bake Bedouin bread, make Arabic coffee, take part in a cooking demonstration or join a morning hike.

After lunch, you will be driven up through the mountains to Little Petra and have time to explore this suburb of Petra. Later, travel to your overnight stay, 7 Wonders Bedouin Camp. Spend an amazing night sleeping under the stars in the camp.

Petra

Day 8: Hike across Gorgeous Petra

After breakfast, your 4x4 jeep will arrive to take you to the start of the ‘Backdoor hike’. With beautiful views over Wadi Araba, this fantastic hike takes you into Petra, avoiding the 800 steps of the usual route.

The guide will show you the way and at the end of the trail you’ll find The Monastery, Petra’s largest monument.

You have the rest of the afternoon to explore Petra -the Roman Colonnaded Way, Royal Tombs and of course the impressive Treasury. A walk through the Siq takes you to the entrance, where a car will return you to camp.

Petra - Wadi Rum

Day 9: Marvel at the Spectacular Sights of Wadi Rum

Today you have the morning to explore some more of Petra– you can make the climb to the viewpoint to look down onto the Treasury as the morning sun hits it or climb up the mountain opposite to the High Place of Sacrifice and take the trail down to the Garden Temple Complex.

After lunch, you will be transferred south to The Wadi Rum Protected Area - a beautiful desert of dunes and towering sandstone mountains. A jeep safari will take you to see some of the sights. Visit the Nabatean inscriptions, canyons, sand-dunes and Lawrence of Arabia’s House.

Dinner will be served in the evening and you can spend another night under the stars at Khaled’s Camp.

Wadi Rum - Qaia

Day 10: Farewell, Jordan!

In the morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast! Afterward, your driver will pick you up and take you to the airport to catch your flight home.

Safe travels, and do visit again!