The adventure awaits
Are you more interested in adventure and adventure than comfortable hotels and fine dining in tourist restaurants? Do you want to experience not only the sights, but also what it's like to watch the sunset in the middle of the mountains, tired and sweaty, and then have a meal cooked by a Bedouin for dinner? Do you want to meet the locals, talk to them and understand how they live? Then join our tour :)
What will we experience on our journey?
- We will experience a three-day journey through the mountains, ranked by National Geogrpahic as one of the top 15 treks in the world. The journey takes us through the beautiful Danu Nature Reserve to the heart of the mountains. Canyons, hills and breathtaking views await us. And at the end of it all, we emerge in the rock town of Petra.
- We will discover one of the ancient wonders of the world, ancient Petra: we will delve into the nooks and crannies of the lost city carved into the rocks and explore its fascinating buildings and history.
- Snorkelling on the Red Sea, renowned not only for its crystal clear waters but also for its magnificent coral reefs and colourful sea creatures. And on the seabed we might even see a plane or tank wreck :)
- Trip through the unique desert Wadi-rum, which will make you feel almost like you're on Mars. We'll take a short hike to experience what it's like to walk in the desert and explore the rest of this incredible place with a jeep tour.
- We'll also visit the lowest place in the world, the Dead Sea. We'll "float" on its salty surface and then splash around in its healing mud :)
- We'll explore the local culture: we'll eat local food, stop by a Bedouin family for tea and also cook dinner with the Bedouins in their traditional way. And our Bedouin guide will answer all our curious questions about the life of the locals and their culture .
- We will experience countless sunrises and sunsets and at night we will be able to admire the beauty of the night sky that can only be seen in places far from all civilization 😍
What is included in the price?
- Airfare from Vienna to Amman (and back :-) )
- Visa
- Accommodation
- Most meals (see individual day descriptions for details; vege versions can be arranged for vegetarians)
- Hire of a minibus including a driver to take us between locations
- Entrances to most paid sites (Petra, Dana, Wadi-rum, Citadel, etc.)
- A local Bedouin guide to guide us on the trek from Dana to Petra
- Luggage transfer on the trek from Dana to Petra to each day's destinations
- Hiring a donkey to go with us for the two days we will be moving in the middle of the mountains and who will "load" any tired travelers :)
- Half day jeep tour in the desert including lunch
- Buddy who will be looking after your satisfaction throughout
- Bankruptcy insurance
What does the price not include?
- Transportation to and from Vienna (although I can arrange for us to travel together from Prague and Vienna if you wish)
- Fee for checked baggage on the plane
- Travel insurance
- Optional extra activities (Petra by Night (17 JOD), dinner with Bedouins (10 JOD), camel ride (20 JOD), etc... All can be found in the descriptions of each day :) )
- Dead Sea entrance fee (approx. 25 JOD)
Who is the trip for?
This trip is more likely to be enjoyed by those who seek experiences rather than comfort when travelling. We will be sleeping in campsites and occasionally in tents, we will probably be really hot (or maybe wet), our feet will hurt and we will certainly have various other "aches and pains". If you know that this would spoil your enjoyment of your holiday, you probably wouldn't really enjoy this trip. On the contrary, you will enjoy the trip if:
- you prefer to have a meal prepared by an ordinary local instead of a dinner in a fancy restaurant,
- you think the view from the top of the hill is worth all the sweat and blisters in the world,
- you want to meet the locals and understand how they live and think (and don't mind that you probably won't fully understand in the end anyway :-) )
- you want to not only see the country, but also "experience" it,
Can I do it?
We have to expect to walk for the first few days. We will be walking about 20 - 25km each time over rough terrain, with about 1-1.5km of elevation gain on the most challenging day. However, if you are used to walking and know that you can walk 25 km, the route should not be a problem for you. We will have enough time to do everything in peace and on the most difficult days we will be accompanied by a donkey, which will take any tired participants further :) In addition, we will overcome everything without our heavy backpacks, which we will have transported to the destinations of the day, so that we can enjoy the beauty of the landscape we will be walking in peace.
Our first day will be mostly travel. In the afternoon we will depart from Vienna and arrive in Amman, the capital of Jordan. We won't be staying there too long, as a minibus will be waiting for us at the airport to take us to our final destination, Dana. Here we will have dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening in peace. We probably won't get there until later in the evening, so we probably won't have time or energy for more activities.
Accommodation and food: We will be sleeping in a small hotel, so all amenities including showers will be available. Please bring your own food for the journey during the day. If you wish, we will go to the village for dinner in the evening (dinner is not included in the trip price and will cost about 10 JOD).
At first, while we are full of strength, we set out on the promised trek into the mountains. National Geographic has ranked this trek among the top 15 treks in the world, and no wonder. Not only will we be constantly passing through stunning landscapes, but the scenery changes every few kilometres, so there is always something to see - we'll pass through canyons, climb hills, see wide plains, dry riverbeds and places with rich vegetation.
The opening day of our expedition will be rather peaceful and relaxing. Most of the day will be downhill or on flat ground, giving us time to get used to the sunny Jordanian climate. We will start strategically on a hill, allowing us to enjoy a majestic view of the valley we will subsequently pass through right from the start. Our journey will take us through the largest nature reserve in Jordan, allowing us to enjoy a unique landscape of wild vegetation surrounded by magnificent rock formations.
To tea with the Bedouins? Of course! :-)
Next, our journey takes us to Feynan, a place with one of the oldest settlements in the world. We'll see some remains from the time of the Romans, and we'll also start to encounter the first Bedouin tents here. One of them belongs to the family of our guide Suleiman-and since Suleiman is also my friend, we got invited to his house for tea :) And so, while we sip Bedouin tea in a Bedouin tent, Suleiman will tell us a bit about how Jordanian Bedouins live like this 👳👍
Accommodation and food: We will be provided with full board: we will have breakfast at the hotel, lunch will be cooked by Suleiman on the way and dinner will be at the campsite.
We will be staying in the camp of a local Bedouin family, and this will be our first encounter with the classic wool Bedouin tents that we will be staying in for most of our days in Jordan. We'll have beds, blankets and showers, although you need to be prepared that the hot water may not run.A journey to the heart of the mountains
On this day we will face our biggest challenges. But don't worry, we'll make it :) We will start at dawn, so that we can reach the biggest hills before the midday heat. The advantage is that this will allow us to watch the sunrise along the way and believe me, it's worth it if we get lucky :) We will be passing through a completely different landscape than the previous day. Through the rocky plains we will gradually reach the foot of the mountains and then we will climb up the pass to the top. And as a reward, we will be rewarded with many breathtaking views along the way. And that's not all, in the midst of this dry, inhospitable landscape we will find a hidden natural pool with clear water in which we will be able to bathe and refresh ourselves after the long journey.
Accommodation and food: again we will be provided with full board. We will have breakfast at the campsite, lunch will be cooked by our guide and dinner will be cooked by a local favourite chef at the overnight stay. This time the journey will take us into the middle of the mountains, far from civilization. Not only will we not find any villages, but also no campsites - so the tents, mattresses and blankets will be brought to our overnight stay by local Bedouins (if you prefer to bring your own sleeping bags and mattresses, feel free to bring them, but you don't have to). Mr. Bedouin will also prepare dinner for us and again there will be much to look forward to - he is a popular cook who cooks at Bedouin weddings and other festive occasions and his food is simply delicious 👌
Back to the Past
On this day, we will slowly but surely begin to return to civilization. The first kilometres will still be through wild mountain scenery and we will continue to enjoy the spectacular views. During the day, however, we will start to encounter Bedouin tents again and even come across the first remnants of the settlement of the creators of Petra - the ancient Nabataeans. We have one last few canyons to go and before we know it we emerge in the "suburb" of Petra, known as Little Petra. The first structures carved into the rocks will appear in front of us, which, although smaller in scale, certainly do not lose their impressiveness.
Near Mala Petra is our camp where we will spend the next two nights. Again, we will have a Bedouin camp at our disposal, and if you are interested, you can have dinner on the spot and then just enjoy a well-deserved rest after a long journey. :)
Dinners with Bedouins
But for those of you who are looking for more adventure, I have another option. You can come with me to meet my Bedouin friend Raed and join him in preparing dinner in the traditional Bedouin way. This activity is not included in the price of the trip and the cost per person will be approximately 10 JOD. It should also be added here that although the local Bedouins are very friendly and will be happy to host us if they can, long term planning is not their forte. So it may happen that at the last minute we learn that dinner is not possible for some reason. But I believe that won't happen :)
For the really good ones I can also arrange an overnight stay in a Bedouin cave carved into the rocks back in Nabataean times (for about 20 JOD).
Accommodation food: again we can look forward to full board. Breakfast will still be from the cook at the overnight stay, lunch from our guide and dinner at the camp or Bedouin. We will sleep in a Bedouin camp with full comfort - Bedouin tents, beds, blankets and hot showers.
Petra, wonder of the world
Today's day will be dedicated to a tour of one of the wonders of the world, the ancient city carved into the rocks, Petra. And there will be plenty to see! Remember when Indiana Jones roamed the mysterious rock city in The Last Crusade? That's exactly where we're going! 👌 But first, the last 7 km of our expedition await us - from Little Petra to the "big" one we will walk the way of the old Nabateans. And at the end, the iconic "Monastery" will suddenly peek out at us - and since, unlike the crowds of tourists arriving by bus, we'll get to Petra from the opposite direction, we'll be able to enjoy the Monastery in peace, with a minimum of tourists 😉 But that's not all for today! Petra will amaze you with its vastness and magnificence, and we will certainly have plenty to do until five o'clock when the area closes.
Those who will be tired can return to the campsite and enjoy a peaceful evening. Others can join me in town for dinner and once it gets dark, we'll head out for Petra by Night - an evening light show where the Treasury building in Petra is illuminated by hundreds of candles, allowing us to enjoy the atmosphere of this mysterious place through a completely different lens than we've seen during the day. On top of that, musicians will be playing traditional instruments, which will add to the atmosphere. Tickets for Petra by Night cost 17 JOD.
And then if you're still in the mood, we can sit down for a drink at the supposedly oldest pub in the world, the so-called Cave Bar, located right next to Petra :)
Accommodation and food: we'll have breakfast at the campsite, lunch somewhere along the way (not included in the price of the trip, expect about 15 JOD or if you're happy with toast or something smaller, about 5 JOD). Dinner is included in the price of the campsite, but those who want to attend Petra by night won't be able to make it. We will therefore stop for dinner in town (approx. 10 JOD), or we can grab something at a local shop (2-3 JOD). We will sleep in the same campsite as the previous day.
Today we are going to have a well-deserved rest day. We will have breakfast at the campsite, but if we agree, we can go to a small local bakery instead, where they will not only show us how the bakers make traditional pancakes, but we will also be able to make our own pancakes. And then they will serve us our surely hilarious creations with other local delicacies for breakfast :) (this morning entertainment costs about 10 JOD per person).
What will we discover on the sea day?
We will then move to Aqaba and here our main goal will be clear: snorkeling. This is because this destination is renowned not only for its crystal clear waters, but also for its rich biodiversity and stunning coral reefs that create a home for a multitude of animals and colourful fish. But not only that, there is also an airplane or tank wreck on the seabed near the shore, adding another dimension to this already interesting snorkeling destination.
To Mars!
After a rest and a bath, we move on to the Wadi Rum desert in our minibus. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unique character - sand dunes, rock formations and canyons create a unique landscape that looks like you've just stepped on Mars. It's no coincidence that movies like Star Wars, Dune and The Martian were filmed here :-)
Sunset from the back of a camel
On arrival at the campsite, there will be another experience for those interested: you will be able to enjoy a roughly one-hour camel ride to see the sunset. The ride is not included in the tour price and will cost 20 JOD. If you decide to enjoy the sunset in a more traditional way, you can just climb the nearby hill above the campsite, which has a beautiful view of the desert, or just sit in front of the tent and relax :)
After dinner, we'll have a campfire outside and watch the sky full of stars that you just don't see here.
Accommodation and food: we will have breakfast either at the campsite or at a local bakery, depending on our choice. We will buy lunch in the akaba (about 10 JOD in the restaurant, or street food about 5 JOD). And dinner will be waiting for us again at the campsite. We will sleep in a beautiful Bedouin camp hidden under the rocks in the middle of the desert. Again we can look forward to all the comforts - Bedouin tent, bed, blankets, showers.
A trip through the desert
In the morning, we will set off with the brave ones to watch the beautiful sunrise over the desert, while the others can sleep in and get up for the delicious breakfast served at the camp. After breakfast, we will go on a hike in the desert - we will have about 10 kilometers to go, during which we will experience firsthand what it is like to move in such a desert and that it is something completely different from what we are normally used to :) We will also get to the more remote places of the desert, where the usual tourist does not visit and we will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of this incredible place in peace.
Jeep tour
We will meet our guide at noon or early afternoon who will have already prepared lunch for us. And then for the rest of the day we will be on the back of a jeep that will take us to all the most interesting places in the area. We'll see sand dunes, sandstone "bridges" and ancient inscriptions in the rocks, and we'll finish with a sunset view. The more adventurous will also be able to try "sandboarding" - snowboarding down sand dunes 😂
Accommodation and food: we will be fully catered for again today - breakfast at the campsite, lunch as part of the jeep tour and dinner again at the campsite. We will sleep in the same campsite as the previous day.
Dead Sea, the lowest place in the world
This day we will have a long transfer back to Amman. But we will make the journey more enjoyable with an unforgettable experience, a visit to the Dead Sea. We will bathe in its salt water and enjoy the special properties of the water, which on the one hand will make us so excited that we can easily read the newspaper while swimming, but on the other hand will make us clumsy chickens while moving in the water :) And when we get tired of it, we'll make ourselves even more mud men and women and splash the healing mud from the Dead Sea on ourselves. Then we can test for ourselves if its effects are as beneficial as they say or if it is just an exaggerated rumour (I think it is not :-) ).
The best place to bathe in the Dead Sea is in one of the hotel resorts - you get changing rooms, showers, a nice beach, mud to splash on yourself and lunch included. You will need to prepare about 25 JOD for entry (not included in the trip price).
Back to civilization
In Amman, the capital of Jordan, we will have dinner at a local bistro, which is famous for its falafel and rumor has it that the King of Jordan himself likes to go there sometimes (dinner is not included in the price of the trip, depending on what you have for lunch it will cost about 5 JOD). Depending on our strength, we will then either sit somewhere and enjoy our last evening in peace or go into town to enjoy the night atmosphere of this bustling city.
Accommodation and food: We'll have breakfast at the campsite, have lunch as part of our entry to the Dead Sea resort and go into town for dinner. We'll sleep in a nice hostel right in the center of Amman so we'll be close to everywhere.
Capital of Jordan
Since our flight doesn't leave until the evening, we'll have time to explore Jordan's capital on our last day. We'll see the so-called "Citadel"- a hill that was inhabited thousands of years ago and has since been occupied by various civilians who have taken turns leaving their marks and monuments there. In the city, we'll take a peek into the Roman amphitheatre, browse the local marketplace full of different colours and scents, and see Jordan's largest mosque.
Towards the evening, our minibus will take us to the airport and from there we will only have a flight back to Vienna.
Food: Breakfast can be ordered at the hostel for 4 JOD (3 JOD if there are at least 5 of us :-) ). We will have lunch somewhere in the city (about 10 JOD, or cheaper options - street food 5 JOD, shop 2 - 3 JOD). Dinner we will have to manage on the way home, I like to order lasagna for 7 EUR on the Ryanair plane we are flying :-)
Are you more interested in adventure and adventure than comfortable hotels and fine dining in tourist restaurants? Do you want to experience not only the sights, but also what it's like to watch the sunset in the middle of the mountains, tired and sweaty, and then have a meal cooked by a Bedouin for dinner? Do you want to meet the locals, talk to them and understand how they live? Then join our tour :)
What will we experience on our journey?
- We will experience a three-day journey through the mountains, ranked by National Geogrpahic as one of the top 15 treks in the world. The journey takes us through the beautiful Danu Nature Reserve to the heart of the mountains. Canyons, hills and breathtaking views await us. And at the end of it all, we emerge in the rock town of Petra.
- We will discover one of the ancient wonders of the world, ancient Petra: we will delve into the nooks and crannies of the lost city carved into the rocks and explore its fascinating buildings and history.
- Snorkelling on the Red Sea, renowned not only for its crystal clear waters but also for its magnificent coral reefs and colourful sea creatures. And on the seabed we might even see a plane or tank wreck :)
- Trip through the unique desert Wadi-rum, which will make you feel almost like you're on Mars. We'll take a short hike to experience what it's like to walk in the desert and explore the rest of this incredible place with a jeep tour.
- We'll also visit the lowest place in the world, the Dead Sea. We'll "float" on its salty surface and then splash around in its healing mud :)
- We'll explore the local culture: we'll eat local food, stop by a Bedouin family for tea and also cook dinner with the Bedouins in their traditional way. And our Bedouin guide will answer all our curious questions about the life of the locals and their culture .
- We will experience countless sunrises and sunsets and at night we will be able to admire the beauty of the night sky that can only be seen in places far from all civilization 😍
What is included in the price?
- Airfare from Vienna to Amman (and back :-) )
- Visa
- Accommodation
- Most meals (see individual day descriptions for details; vege versions can be arranged for vegetarians)
- Hire of a minibus including a driver to take us between locations
- Entrances to most paid sites (Petra, Dana, Wadi-rum, Citadel, etc.)
- A local Bedouin guide to guide us on the trek from Dana to Petra
- Luggage transfer on the trek from Dana to Petra to each day's destinations
- Hiring a donkey to go with us for the two days we will be moving in the middle of the mountains and who will "load" any tired travelers :)
- Half day jeep tour in the desert including lunch
- Buddy who will be looking after your satisfaction throughout
- Bankruptcy insurance
What does the price not include?
- Transportation to and from Vienna (although I can arrange for us to travel together from Prague and Vienna if you wish)
- Fee for checked baggage on the plane
- Travel insurance
- Optional extra activities (Petra by Night (17 JOD), dinner with Bedouins (10 JOD), camel ride (20 JOD), etc... All can be found in the descriptions of each day :) )
- Dead Sea entrance fee (approx. 25 JOD)
Who is the trip for?
This trip is more likely to be enjoyed by those who seek experiences rather than comfort when travelling. We will be sleeping in campsites and occasionally in tents, we will probably be really hot (or maybe wet), our feet will hurt and we will certainly have various other "aches and pains". If you know that this would spoil your enjoyment of your holiday, you probably wouldn't really enjoy this trip. On the contrary, you will enjoy the trip if:
- you prefer to have a meal prepared by an ordinary local instead of a dinner in a fancy restaurant,
- you think the view from the top of the hill is worth all the sweat and blisters in the world,
- you want to meet the locals and understand how they live and think (and don't mind that you probably won't fully understand in the end anyway :-) )
- you want to not only see the country, but also "experience" it,
Can I do it?
We have to expect to walk for the first few days. We will be walking about 20 - 25km each time over rough terrain, with about 1-1.5km of elevation gain on the most challenging day. However, if you are used to walking and know that you can walk 25 km, the route should not be a problem for you. We will have enough time to do everything in peace and on the most difficult days we will be accompanied by a donkey, which will take any tired participants further :) In addition, we will overcome everything without our heavy backpacks, which we will have transported to the destinations of the day, so that we can enjoy the beauty of the landscape we will be walking in peace.
Our first day will be mostly travel. In the afternoon we will depart from Vienna and arrive in Amman, the capital of Jordan. We won't be staying there too long, as a minibus will be waiting for us at the airport to take us to our final destination, Dana. Here we will have dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening in peace. We probably won't get there until later in the evening, so we probably won't have time or energy for more activities.
Accommodation and food: We will be sleeping in a small hotel, so all amenities including showers will be available. Please bring your own food for the journey during the day. If you wish, we will go to the village for dinner in the evening (dinner is not included in the trip price and will cost about 10 JOD).
At first, while we are full of strength, we set out on the promised trek into the mountains. National Geographic has ranked this trek among the top 15 treks in the world, and no wonder. Not only will we be constantly passing through stunning landscapes, but the scenery changes every few kilometres, so there is always something to see - we'll pass through canyons, climb hills, see wide plains, dry riverbeds and places with rich vegetation.
The opening day of our expedition will be rather peaceful and relaxing. Most of the day will be downhill or on flat ground, giving us time to get used to the sunny Jordanian climate. We will start strategically on a hill, allowing us to enjoy a majestic view of the valley we will subsequently pass through right from the start. Our journey will take us through the largest nature reserve in Jordan, allowing us to enjoy a unique landscape of wild vegetation surrounded by magnificent rock formations.
To tea with the Bedouins? Of course! :-)
Next, our journey takes us to Feynan, a place with one of the oldest settlements in the world. We'll see some remains from the time of the Romans, and we'll also start to encounter the first Bedouin tents here. One of them belongs to the family of our guide Suleiman-and since Suleiman is also my friend, we got invited to his house for tea :) And so, while we sip Bedouin tea in a Bedouin tent, Suleiman will tell us a bit about how Jordanian Bedouins live like this 👳👍
Accommodation and food: We will be provided with full board: we will have breakfast at the hotel, lunch will be cooked by Suleiman on the way and dinner will be at the campsite.
We will be staying in the camp of a local Bedouin family, and this will be our first encounter with the classic wool Bedouin tents that we will be staying in for most of our days in Jordan. We'll have beds, blankets and showers, although you need to be prepared that the hot water may not run.A journey to the heart of the mountains
On this day we will face our biggest challenges. But don't worry, we'll make it :) We will start at dawn, so that we can reach the biggest hills before the midday heat. The advantage is that this will allow us to watch the sunrise along the way and believe me, it's worth it if we get lucky :) We will be passing through a completely different landscape than the previous day. Through the rocky plains we will gradually reach the foot of the mountains and then we will climb up the pass to the top. And as a reward, we will be rewarded with many breathtaking views along the way. And that's not all, in the midst of this dry, inhospitable landscape we will find a hidden natural pool with clear water in which we will be able to bathe and refresh ourselves after the long journey.
Accommodation and food: again we will be provided with full board. We will have breakfast at the campsite, lunch will be cooked by our guide and dinner will be cooked by a local favourite chef at the overnight stay. This time the journey will take us into the middle of the mountains, far from civilization. Not only will we not find any villages, but also no campsites - so the tents, mattresses and blankets will be brought to our overnight stay by local Bedouins (if you prefer to bring your own sleeping bags and mattresses, feel free to bring them, but you don't have to). Mr. Bedouin will also prepare dinner for us and again there will be much to look forward to - he is a popular cook who cooks at Bedouin weddings and other festive occasions and his food is simply delicious 👌
Back to the Past
On this day, we will slowly but surely begin to return to civilization. The first kilometres will still be through wild mountain scenery and we will continue to enjoy the spectacular views. During the day, however, we will start to encounter Bedouin tents again and even come across the first remnants of the settlement of the creators of Petra - the ancient Nabataeans. We have one last few canyons to go and before we know it we emerge in the "suburb" of Petra, known as Little Petra. The first structures carved into the rocks will appear in front of us, which, although smaller in scale, certainly do not lose their impressiveness.
Near Mala Petra is our camp where we will spend the next two nights. Again, we will have a Bedouin camp at our disposal, and if you are interested, you can have dinner on the spot and then just enjoy a well-deserved rest after a long journey. :)
Dinners with Bedouins
But for those of you who are looking for more adventure, I have another option. You can come with me to meet my Bedouin friend Raed and join him in preparing dinner in the traditional Bedouin way. This activity is not included in the price of the trip and the cost per person will be approximately 10 JOD. It should also be added here that although the local Bedouins are very friendly and will be happy to host us if they can, long term planning is not their forte. So it may happen that at the last minute we learn that dinner is not possible for some reason. But I believe that won't happen :)
For the really good ones I can also arrange an overnight stay in a Bedouin cave carved into the rocks back in Nabataean times (for about 20 JOD).
Accommodation food: again we can look forward to full board. Breakfast will still be from the cook at the overnight stay, lunch from our guide and dinner at the camp or Bedouin. We will sleep in a Bedouin camp with full comfort - Bedouin tents, beds, blankets and hot showers.
Petra, wonder of the world
Today's day will be dedicated to a tour of one of the wonders of the world, the ancient city carved into the rocks, Petra. And there will be plenty to see! Remember when Indiana Jones roamed the mysterious rock city in The Last Crusade? That's exactly where we're going! 👌 But first, the last 7 km of our expedition await us - from Little Petra to the "big" one we will walk the way of the old Nabateans. And at the end, the iconic "Monastery" will suddenly peek out at us - and since, unlike the crowds of tourists arriving by bus, we'll get to Petra from the opposite direction, we'll be able to enjoy the Monastery in peace, with a minimum of tourists 😉 But that's not all for today! Petra will amaze you with its vastness and magnificence, and we will certainly have plenty to do until five o'clock when the area closes.
Those who will be tired can return to the campsite and enjoy a peaceful evening. Others can join me in town for dinner and once it gets dark, we'll head out for Petra by Night - an evening light show where the Treasury building in Petra is illuminated by hundreds of candles, allowing us to enjoy the atmosphere of this mysterious place through a completely different lens than we've seen during the day. On top of that, musicians will be playing traditional instruments, which will add to the atmosphere. Tickets for Petra by Night cost 17 JOD.
And then if you're still in the mood, we can sit down for a drink at the supposedly oldest pub in the world, the so-called Cave Bar, located right next to Petra :)
Accommodation and food: we'll have breakfast at the campsite, lunch somewhere along the way (not included in the price of the trip, expect about 15 JOD or if you're happy with toast or something smaller, about 5 JOD). Dinner is included in the price of the campsite, but those who want to attend Petra by night won't be able to make it. We will therefore stop for dinner in town (approx. 10 JOD), or we can grab something at a local shop (2-3 JOD). We will sleep in the same campsite as the previous day.
Today we are going to have a well-deserved rest day. We will have breakfast at the campsite, but if we agree, we can go to a small local bakery instead, where they will not only show us how the bakers make traditional pancakes, but we will also be able to make our own pancakes. And then they will serve us our surely hilarious creations with other local delicacies for breakfast :) (this morning entertainment costs about 10 JOD per person).
What will we discover on the sea day?
We will then move to Aqaba and here our main goal will be clear: snorkeling. This is because this destination is renowned not only for its crystal clear waters, but also for its rich biodiversity and stunning coral reefs that create a home for a multitude of animals and colourful fish. But not only that, there is also an airplane or tank wreck on the seabed near the shore, adding another dimension to this already interesting snorkeling destination.
To Mars!
After a rest and a bath, we move on to the Wadi Rum desert in our minibus. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unique character - sand dunes, rock formations and canyons create a unique landscape that looks like you've just stepped on Mars. It's no coincidence that movies like Star Wars, Dune and The Martian were filmed here :-)
Sunset from the back of a camel
On arrival at the campsite, there will be another experience for those interested: you will be able to enjoy a roughly one-hour camel ride to see the sunset. The ride is not included in the tour price and will cost 20 JOD. If you decide to enjoy the sunset in a more traditional way, you can just climb the nearby hill above the campsite, which has a beautiful view of the desert, or just sit in front of the tent and relax :)
After dinner, we'll have a campfire outside and watch the sky full of stars that you just don't see here.
Accommodation and food: we will have breakfast either at the campsite or at a local bakery, depending on our choice. We will buy lunch in the akaba (about 10 JOD in the restaurant, or street food about 5 JOD). And dinner will be waiting for us again at the campsite. We will sleep in a beautiful Bedouin camp hidden under the rocks in the middle of the desert. Again we can look forward to all the comforts - Bedouin tent, bed, blankets, showers.
A trip through the desert
In the morning, we will set off with the brave ones to watch the beautiful sunrise over the desert, while the others can sleep in and get up for the delicious breakfast served at the camp. After breakfast, we will go on a hike in the desert - we will have about 10 kilometers to go, during which we will experience firsthand what it is like to move in such a desert and that it is something completely different from what we are normally used to :) We will also get to the more remote places of the desert, where the usual tourist does not visit and we will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of this incredible place in peace.
Jeep tour
We will meet our guide at noon or early afternoon who will have already prepared lunch for us. And then for the rest of the day we will be on the back of a jeep that will take us to all the most interesting places in the area. We'll see sand dunes, sandstone "bridges" and ancient inscriptions in the rocks, and we'll finish with a sunset view. The more adventurous will also be able to try "sandboarding" - snowboarding down sand dunes 😂
Accommodation and food: we will be fully catered for again today - breakfast at the campsite, lunch as part of the jeep tour and dinner again at the campsite. We will sleep in the same campsite as the previous day.
Dead Sea, the lowest place in the world
This day we will have a long transfer back to Amman. But we will make the journey more enjoyable with an unforgettable experience, a visit to the Dead Sea. We will bathe in its salt water and enjoy the special properties of the water, which on the one hand will make us so excited that we can easily read the newspaper while swimming, but on the other hand will make us clumsy chickens while moving in the water :) And when we get tired of it, we'll make ourselves even more mud men and women and splash the healing mud from the Dead Sea on ourselves. Then we can test for ourselves if its effects are as beneficial as they say or if it is just an exaggerated rumour (I think it is not :-) ).
The best place to bathe in the Dead Sea is in one of the hotel resorts - you get changing rooms, showers, a nice beach, mud to splash on yourself and lunch included. You will need to prepare about 25 JOD for entry (not included in the trip price).
Back to civilization
In Amman, the capital of Jordan, we will have dinner at a local bistro, which is famous for its falafel and rumor has it that the King of Jordan himself likes to go there sometimes (dinner is not included in the price of the trip, depending on what you have for lunch it will cost about 5 JOD). Depending on our strength, we will then either sit somewhere and enjoy our last evening in peace or go into town to enjoy the night atmosphere of this bustling city.
Accommodation and food: We'll have breakfast at the campsite, have lunch as part of our entry to the Dead Sea resort and go into town for dinner. We'll sleep in a nice hostel right in the center of Amman so we'll be close to everywhere.
Capital of Jordan
Since our flight doesn't leave until the evening, we'll have time to explore Jordan's capital on our last day. We'll see the so-called "Citadel"- a hill that was inhabited thousands of years ago and has since been occupied by various civilians who have taken turns leaving their marks and monuments there. In the city, we'll take a peek into the Roman amphitheatre, browse the local marketplace full of different colours and scents, and see Jordan's largest mosque.
Towards the evening, our minibus will take us to the airport and from there we will only have a flight back to Vienna.
Food: Breakfast can be ordered at the hostel for 4 JOD (3 JOD if there are at least 5 of us :-) ). We will have lunch somewhere in the city (about 10 JOD, or cheaper options - street food 5 JOD, shop 2 - 3 JOD). Dinner we will have to manage on the way home, I like to order lasagna for 7 EUR on the Ryanair plane we are flying :-)
itinerary by Lenka Kopeckova
The adventure awaits
Are you more interested in adventure and adventure than comfortable hotels and fine dining in tourist restaurants? Do you want to experience not only the sights, but also what it's like to watch the sunset in the middle of the mountains, tired and sweaty, and then have a meal cooked by a Bedouin for dinner? Do you want to meet the locals, talk to them and understand how they live? Then join our tour :)
What will we experience on our journey?
- We will experience a three-day journey through the mountains, ranked by National Geogrpahic as one of the top 15 treks in the world. The journey takes us through the beautiful Danu Nature Reserve to the heart of the mountains. Canyons, hills and breathtaking views await us. And at the end of it all, we emerge in the rock town of Petra.
- We will discover one of the ancient wonders of the world, ancient Petra: we will delve into the nooks and crannies of the lost city carved into the rocks and explore its fascinating buildings and history.
- Snorkelling on the Red Sea, renowned not only for its crystal clear waters but also for its magnificent coral reefs and colourful sea creatures. And on the seabed we might even see a plane or tank wreck :)
- Trip through the unique desert Wadi-rum, which will make you feel almost like you're on Mars. We'll take a short hike to experience what it's like to walk in the desert and explore the rest of this incredible place with a jeep tour.
- We'll also visit the lowest place in the world, the Dead Sea. We'll "float" on its salty surface and then splash around in its healing mud :)
- We'll explore the local culture: we'll eat local food, stop by a Bedouin family for tea and also cook dinner with the Bedouins in their traditional way. And our Bedouin guide will answer all our curious questions about the life of the locals and their culture .
- We will experience countless sunrises and sunsets and at night we will be able to admire the beauty of the night sky that can only be seen in places far from all civilization 😍
What is included in the price?
- Airfare from Vienna to Amman (and back :-) )
- Visa
- Accommodation
- Most meals (see individual day descriptions for details; vege versions can be arranged for vegetarians)
- Hire of a minibus including a driver to take us between locations
- Entrances to most paid sites (Petra, Dana, Wadi-rum, Citadel, etc.)
- A local Bedouin guide to guide us on the trek from Dana to Petra
- Luggage transfer on the trek from Dana to Petra to each day's destinations
- Hiring a donkey to go with us for the two days we will be moving in the middle of the mountains and who will "load" any tired travelers :)
- Half day jeep tour in the desert including lunch
- Buddy who will be looking after your satisfaction throughout
- Bankruptcy insurance
What does the price not include?
- Transportation to and from Vienna (although I can arrange for us to travel together from Prague and Vienna if you wish)
- Fee for checked baggage on the plane
- Travel insurance
- Optional extra activities (Petra by Night (17 JOD), dinner with Bedouins (10 JOD), camel ride (20 JOD), etc... All can be found in the descriptions of each day :) )
- Dead Sea entrance fee (approx. 25 JOD)
Who is the trip for?
This trip is more likely to be enjoyed by those who seek experiences rather than comfort when travelling. We will be sleeping in campsites and occasionally in tents, we will probably be really hot (or maybe wet), our feet will hurt and we will certainly have various other "aches and pains". If you know that this would spoil your enjoyment of your holiday, you probably wouldn't really enjoy this trip. On the contrary, you will enjoy the trip if:
- you prefer to have a meal prepared by an ordinary local instead of a dinner in a fancy restaurant,
- you think the view from the top of the hill is worth all the sweat and blisters in the world,
- you want to meet the locals and understand how they live and think (and don't mind that you probably won't fully understand in the end anyway :-) )
- you want to not only see the country, but also "experience" it,
Can I do it?
We have to expect to walk for the first few days. We will be walking about 20 - 25km each time over rough terrain, with about 1-1.5km of elevation gain on the most challenging day. However, if you are used to walking and know that you can walk 25 km, the route should not be a problem for you. We will have enough time to do everything in peace and on the most difficult days we will be accompanied by a donkey, which will take any tired participants further :) In addition, we will overcome everything without our heavy backpacks, which we will have transported to the destinations of the day, so that we can enjoy the beauty of the landscape we will be walking in peace.
Our first day will be mostly travel. In the afternoon we will depart from Vienna and arrive in Amman, the capital of Jordan. We won't be staying there too long, as a minibus will be waiting for us at the airport to take us to our final destination, Dana. Here we will have dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening in peace. We probably won't get there until later in the evening, so we probably won't have time or energy for more activities.
Accommodation and food: We will be sleeping in a small hotel, so all amenities including showers will be available. Please bring your own food for the journey during the day. If you wish, we will go to the village for dinner in the evening (dinner is not included in the trip price and will cost about 10 JOD).
At first, while we are full of strength, we set out on the promised trek into the mountains. National Geographic has ranked this trek among the top 15 treks in the world, and no wonder. Not only will we be constantly passing through stunning landscapes, but the scenery changes every few kilometres, so there is always something to see - we'll pass through canyons, climb hills, see wide plains, dry riverbeds and places with rich vegetation.
The opening day of our expedition will be rather peaceful and relaxing. Most of the day will be downhill or on flat ground, giving us time to get used to the sunny Jordanian climate. We will start strategically on a hill, allowing us to enjoy a majestic view of the valley we will subsequently pass through right from the start. Our journey will take us through the largest nature reserve in Jordan, allowing us to enjoy a unique landscape of wild vegetation surrounded by magnificent rock formations.
To tea with the Bedouins? Of course! :-)
Next, our journey takes us to Feynan, a place with one of the oldest settlements in the world. We'll see some remains from the time of the Romans, and we'll also start to encounter the first Bedouin tents here. One of them belongs to the family of our guide Suleiman-and since Suleiman is also my friend, we got invited to his house for tea :) And so, while we sip Bedouin tea in a Bedouin tent, Suleiman will tell us a bit about how Jordanian Bedouins live like this 👳👍
Accommodation and food: We will be provided with full board: we will have breakfast at the hotel, lunch will be cooked by Suleiman on the way and dinner will be at the campsite.
We will be staying in the camp of a local Bedouin family, and this will be our first encounter with the classic wool Bedouin tents that we will be staying in for most of our days in Jordan. We'll have beds, blankets and showers, although you need to be prepared that the hot water may not run.A journey to the heart of the mountains
On this day we will face our biggest challenges. But don't worry, we'll make it :) We will start at dawn, so that we can reach the biggest hills before the midday heat. The advantage is that this will allow us to watch the sunrise along the way and believe me, it's worth it if we get lucky :) We will be passing through a completely different landscape than the previous day. Through the rocky plains we will gradually reach the foot of the mountains and then we will climb up the pass to the top. And as a reward, we will be rewarded with many breathtaking views along the way. And that's not all, in the midst of this dry, inhospitable landscape we will find a hidden natural pool with clear water in which we will be able to bathe and refresh ourselves after the long journey.
Accommodation and food: again we will be provided with full board. We will have breakfast at the campsite, lunch will be cooked by our guide and dinner will be cooked by a local favourite chef at the overnight stay. This time the journey will take us into the middle of the mountains, far from civilization. Not only will we not find any villages, but also no campsites - so the tents, mattresses and blankets will be brought to our overnight stay by local Bedouins (if you prefer to bring your own sleeping bags and mattresses, feel free to bring them, but you don't have to). Mr. Bedouin will also prepare dinner for us and again there will be much to look forward to - he is a popular cook who cooks at Bedouin weddings and other festive occasions and his food is simply delicious 👌
Back to the Past
On this day, we will slowly but surely begin to return to civilization. The first kilometres will still be through wild mountain scenery and we will continue to enjoy the spectacular views. During the day, however, we will start to encounter Bedouin tents again and even come across the first remnants of the settlement of the creators of Petra - the ancient Nabataeans. We have one last few canyons to go and before we know it we emerge in the "suburb" of Petra, known as Little Petra. The first structures carved into the rocks will appear in front of us, which, although smaller in scale, certainly do not lose their impressiveness.
Near Mala Petra is our camp where we will spend the next two nights. Again, we will have a Bedouin camp at our disposal, and if you are interested, you can have dinner on the spot and then just enjoy a well-deserved rest after a long journey. :)
Dinners with Bedouins
But for those of you who are looking for more adventure, I have another option. You can come with me to meet my Bedouin friend Raed and join him in preparing dinner in the traditional Bedouin way. This activity is not included in the price of the trip and the cost per person will be approximately 10 JOD. It should also be added here that although the local Bedouins are very friendly and will be happy to host us if they can, long term planning is not their forte. So it may happen that at the last minute we learn that dinner is not possible for some reason. But I believe that won't happen :)
For the really good ones I can also arrange an overnight stay in a Bedouin cave carved into the rocks back in Nabataean times (for about 20 JOD).
Accommodation food: again we can look forward to full board. Breakfast will still be from the cook at the overnight stay, lunch from our guide and dinner at the camp or Bedouin. We will sleep in a Bedouin camp with full comfort - Bedouin tents, beds, blankets and hot showers.
Petra, wonder of the world
Today's day will be dedicated to a tour of one of the wonders of the world, the ancient city carved into the rocks, Petra. And there will be plenty to see! Remember when Indiana Jones roamed the mysterious rock city in The Last Crusade? That's exactly where we're going! 👌 But first, the last 7 km of our expedition await us - from Little Petra to the "big" one we will walk the way of the old Nabateans. And at the end, the iconic "Monastery" will suddenly peek out at us - and since, unlike the crowds of tourists arriving by bus, we'll get to Petra from the opposite direction, we'll be able to enjoy the Monastery in peace, with a minimum of tourists 😉 But that's not all for today! Petra will amaze you with its vastness and magnificence, and we will certainly have plenty to do until five o'clock when the area closes.
Those who will be tired can return to the campsite and enjoy a peaceful evening. Others can join me in town for dinner and once it gets dark, we'll head out for Petra by Night - an evening light show where the Treasury building in Petra is illuminated by hundreds of candles, allowing us to enjoy the atmosphere of this mysterious place through a completely different lens than we've seen during the day. On top of that, musicians will be playing traditional instruments, which will add to the atmosphere. Tickets for Petra by Night cost 17 JOD.
And then if you're still in the mood, we can sit down for a drink at the supposedly oldest pub in the world, the so-called Cave Bar, located right next to Petra :)
Accommodation and food: we'll have breakfast at the campsite, lunch somewhere along the way (not included in the price of the trip, expect about 15 JOD or if you're happy with toast or something smaller, about 5 JOD). Dinner is included in the price of the campsite, but those who want to attend Petra by night won't be able to make it. We will therefore stop for dinner in town (approx. 10 JOD), or we can grab something at a local shop (2-3 JOD). We will sleep in the same campsite as the previous day.
Today we are going to have a well-deserved rest day. We will have breakfast at the campsite, but if we agree, we can go to a small local bakery instead, where they will not only show us how the bakers make traditional pancakes, but we will also be able to make our own pancakes. And then they will serve us our surely hilarious creations with other local delicacies for breakfast :) (this morning entertainment costs about 10 JOD per person).
What will we discover on the sea day?
We will then move to Aqaba and here our main goal will be clear: snorkeling. This is because this destination is renowned not only for its crystal clear waters, but also for its rich biodiversity and stunning coral reefs that create a home for a multitude of animals and colourful fish. But not only that, there is also an airplane or tank wreck on the seabed near the shore, adding another dimension to this already interesting snorkeling destination.
To Mars!
After a rest and a bath, we move on to the Wadi Rum desert in our minibus. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unique character - sand dunes, rock formations and canyons create a unique landscape that looks like you've just stepped on Mars. It's no coincidence that movies like Star Wars, Dune and The Martian were filmed here :-)
Sunset from the back of a camel
On arrival at the campsite, there will be another experience for those interested: you will be able to enjoy a roughly one-hour camel ride to see the sunset. The ride is not included in the tour price and will cost 20 JOD. If you decide to enjoy the sunset in a more traditional way, you can just climb the nearby hill above the campsite, which has a beautiful view of the desert, or just sit in front of the tent and relax :)
After dinner, we'll have a campfire outside and watch the sky full of stars that you just don't see here.
Accommodation and food: we will have breakfast either at the campsite or at a local bakery, depending on our choice. We will buy lunch in the akaba (about 10 JOD in the restaurant, or street food about 5 JOD). And dinner will be waiting for us again at the campsite. We will sleep in a beautiful Bedouin camp hidden under the rocks in the middle of the desert. Again we can look forward to all the comforts - Bedouin tent, bed, blankets, showers.
A trip through the desert
In the morning, we will set off with the brave ones to watch the beautiful sunrise over the desert, while the others can sleep in and get up for the delicious breakfast served at the camp. After breakfast, we will go on a hike in the desert - we will have about 10 kilometers to go, during which we will experience firsthand what it is like to move in such a desert and that it is something completely different from what we are normally used to :) We will also get to the more remote places of the desert, where the usual tourist does not visit and we will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of this incredible place in peace.
Jeep tour
We will meet our guide at noon or early afternoon who will have already prepared lunch for us. And then for the rest of the day we will be on the back of a jeep that will take us to all the most interesting places in the area. We'll see sand dunes, sandstone "bridges" and ancient inscriptions in the rocks, and we'll finish with a sunset view. The more adventurous will also be able to try "sandboarding" - snowboarding down sand dunes 😂
Accommodation and food: we will be fully catered for again today - breakfast at the campsite, lunch as part of the jeep tour and dinner again at the campsite. We will sleep in the same campsite as the previous day.
Dead Sea, the lowest place in the world
This day we will have a long transfer back to Amman. But we will make the journey more enjoyable with an unforgettable experience, a visit to the Dead Sea. We will bathe in its salt water and enjoy the special properties of the water, which on the one hand will make us so excited that we can easily read the newspaper while swimming, but on the other hand will make us clumsy chickens while moving in the water :) And when we get tired of it, we'll make ourselves even more mud men and women and splash the healing mud from the Dead Sea on ourselves. Then we can test for ourselves if its effects are as beneficial as they say or if it is just an exaggerated rumour (I think it is not :-) ).
The best place to bathe in the Dead Sea is in one of the hotel resorts - you get changing rooms, showers, a nice beach, mud to splash on yourself and lunch included. You will need to prepare about 25 JOD for entry (not included in the trip price).
Back to civilization
In Amman, the capital of Jordan, we will have dinner at a local bistro, which is famous for its falafel and rumor has it that the King of Jordan himself likes to go there sometimes (dinner is not included in the price of the trip, depending on what you have for lunch it will cost about 5 JOD). Depending on our strength, we will then either sit somewhere and enjoy our last evening in peace or go into town to enjoy the night atmosphere of this bustling city.
Accommodation and food: We'll have breakfast at the campsite, have lunch as part of our entry to the Dead Sea resort and go into town for dinner. We'll sleep in a nice hostel right in the center of Amman so we'll be close to everywhere.
Capital of Jordan
Since our flight doesn't leave until the evening, we'll have time to explore Jordan's capital on our last day. We'll see the so-called "Citadel"- a hill that was inhabited thousands of years ago and has since been occupied by various civilians who have taken turns leaving their marks and monuments there. In the city, we'll take a peek into the Roman amphitheatre, browse the local marketplace full of different colours and scents, and see Jordan's largest mosque.
Towards the evening, our minibus will take us to the airport and from there we will only have a flight back to Vienna.
Food: Breakfast can be ordered at the hostel for 4 JOD (3 JOD if there are at least 5 of us :-) ). We will have lunch somewhere in the city (about 10 JOD, or cheaper options - street food 5 JOD, shop 2 - 3 JOD). Dinner we will have to manage on the way home, I like to order lasagna for 7 EUR on the Ryanair plane we are flying :-)
Are you more interested in adventure and adventure than comfortable hotels and fine dining in tourist restaurants? Do you want to experience not only the sights, but also what it's like to watch the sunset in the middle of the mountains, tired and sweaty, and then have a meal cooked by a Bedouin for dinner? Do you want to meet the locals, talk to them and understand how they live? Then join our tour :)
What will we experience on our journey?
- We will experience a three-day journey through the mountains, ranked by National Geogrpahic as one of the top 15 treks in the world. The journey takes us through the beautiful Danu Nature Reserve to the heart of the mountains. Canyons, hills and breathtaking views await us. And at the end of it all, we emerge in the rock town of Petra.
- We will discover one of the ancient wonders of the world, ancient Petra: we will delve into the nooks and crannies of the lost city carved into the rocks and explore its fascinating buildings and history.
- Snorkelling on the Red Sea, renowned not only for its crystal clear waters but also for its magnificent coral reefs and colourful sea creatures. And on the seabed we might even see a plane or tank wreck :)
- Trip through the unique desert Wadi-rum, which will make you feel almost like you're on Mars. We'll take a short hike to experience what it's like to walk in the desert and explore the rest of this incredible place with a jeep tour.
- We'll also visit the lowest place in the world, the Dead Sea. We'll "float" on its salty surface and then splash around in its healing mud :)
- We'll explore the local culture: we'll eat local food, stop by a Bedouin family for tea and also cook dinner with the Bedouins in their traditional way. And our Bedouin guide will answer all our curious questions about the life of the locals and their culture .
- We will experience countless sunrises and sunsets and at night we will be able to admire the beauty of the night sky that can only be seen in places far from all civilization 😍
What is included in the price?
- Airfare from Vienna to Amman (and back :-) )
- Visa
- Accommodation
- Most meals (see individual day descriptions for details; vege versions can be arranged for vegetarians)
- Hire of a minibus including a driver to take us between locations
- Entrances to most paid sites (Petra, Dana, Wadi-rum, Citadel, etc.)
- A local Bedouin guide to guide us on the trek from Dana to Petra
- Luggage transfer on the trek from Dana to Petra to each day's destinations
- Hiring a donkey to go with us for the two days we will be moving in the middle of the mountains and who will "load" any tired travelers :)
- Half day jeep tour in the desert including lunch
- Buddy who will be looking after your satisfaction throughout
- Bankruptcy insurance
What does the price not include?
- Transportation to and from Vienna (although I can arrange for us to travel together from Prague and Vienna if you wish)
- Fee for checked baggage on the plane
- Travel insurance
- Optional extra activities (Petra by Night (17 JOD), dinner with Bedouins (10 JOD), camel ride (20 JOD), etc... All can be found in the descriptions of each day :) )
- Dead Sea entrance fee (approx. 25 JOD)
Who is the trip for?
This trip is more likely to be enjoyed by those who seek experiences rather than comfort when travelling. We will be sleeping in campsites and occasionally in tents, we will probably be really hot (or maybe wet), our feet will hurt and we will certainly have various other "aches and pains". If you know that this would spoil your enjoyment of your holiday, you probably wouldn't really enjoy this trip. On the contrary, you will enjoy the trip if:
- you prefer to have a meal prepared by an ordinary local instead of a dinner in a fancy restaurant,
- you think the view from the top of the hill is worth all the sweat and blisters in the world,
- you want to meet the locals and understand how they live and think (and don't mind that you probably won't fully understand in the end anyway :-) )
- you want to not only see the country, but also "experience" it,
Can I do it?
We have to expect to walk for the first few days. We will be walking about 20 - 25km each time over rough terrain, with about 1-1.5km of elevation gain on the most challenging day. However, if you are used to walking and know that you can walk 25 km, the route should not be a problem for you. We will have enough time to do everything in peace and on the most difficult days we will be accompanied by a donkey, which will take any tired participants further :) In addition, we will overcome everything without our heavy backpacks, which we will have transported to the destinations of the day, so that we can enjoy the beauty of the landscape we will be walking in peace.
Our first day will be mostly travel. In the afternoon we will depart from Vienna and arrive in Amman, the capital of Jordan. We won't be staying there too long, as a minibus will be waiting for us at the airport to take us to our final destination, Dana. Here we will have dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening in peace. We probably won't get there until later in the evening, so we probably won't have time or energy for more activities.
Accommodation and food: We will be sleeping in a small hotel, so all amenities including showers will be available. Please bring your own food for the journey during the day. If you wish, we will go to the village for dinner in the evening (dinner is not included in the trip price and will cost about 10 JOD).
At first, while we are full of strength, we set out on the promised trek into the mountains. National Geographic has ranked this trek among the top 15 treks in the world, and no wonder. Not only will we be constantly passing through stunning landscapes, but the scenery changes every few kilometres, so there is always something to see - we'll pass through canyons, climb hills, see wide plains, dry riverbeds and places with rich vegetation.
The opening day of our expedition will be rather peaceful and relaxing. Most of the day will be downhill or on flat ground, giving us time to get used to the sunny Jordanian climate. We will start strategically on a hill, allowing us to enjoy a majestic view of the valley we will subsequently pass through right from the start. Our journey will take us through the largest nature reserve in Jordan, allowing us to enjoy a unique landscape of wild vegetation surrounded by magnificent rock formations.
To tea with the Bedouins? Of course! :-)
Next, our journey takes us to Feynan, a place with one of the oldest settlements in the world. We'll see some remains from the time of the Romans, and we'll also start to encounter the first Bedouin tents here. One of them belongs to the family of our guide Suleiman-and since Suleiman is also my friend, we got invited to his house for tea :) And so, while we sip Bedouin tea in a Bedouin tent, Suleiman will tell us a bit about how Jordanian Bedouins live like this 👳👍
Accommodation and food: We will be provided with full board: we will have breakfast at the hotel, lunch will be cooked by Suleiman on the way and dinner will be at the campsite.
We will be staying in the camp of a local Bedouin family, and this will be our first encounter with the classic wool Bedouin tents that we will be staying in for most of our days in Jordan. We'll have beds, blankets and showers, although you need to be prepared that the hot water may not run.A journey to the heart of the mountains
On this day we will face our biggest challenges. But don't worry, we'll make it :) We will start at dawn, so that we can reach the biggest hills before the midday heat. The advantage is that this will allow us to watch the sunrise along the way and believe me, it's worth it if we get lucky :) We will be passing through a completely different landscape than the previous day. Through the rocky plains we will gradually reach the foot of the mountains and then we will climb up the pass to the top. And as a reward, we will be rewarded with many breathtaking views along the way. And that's not all, in the midst of this dry, inhospitable landscape we will find a hidden natural pool with clear water in which we will be able to bathe and refresh ourselves after the long journey.
Accommodation and food: again we will be provided with full board. We will have breakfast at the campsite, lunch will be cooked by our guide and dinner will be cooked by a local favourite chef at the overnight stay. This time the journey will take us into the middle of the mountains, far from civilization. Not only will we not find any villages, but also no campsites - so the tents, mattresses and blankets will be brought to our overnight stay by local Bedouins (if you prefer to bring your own sleeping bags and mattresses, feel free to bring them, but you don't have to). Mr. Bedouin will also prepare dinner for us and again there will be much to look forward to - he is a popular cook who cooks at Bedouin weddings and other festive occasions and his food is simply delicious 👌
Back to the Past
On this day, we will slowly but surely begin to return to civilization. The first kilometres will still be through wild mountain scenery and we will continue to enjoy the spectacular views. During the day, however, we will start to encounter Bedouin tents again and even come across the first remnants of the settlement of the creators of Petra - the ancient Nabataeans. We have one last few canyons to go and before we know it we emerge in the "suburb" of Petra, known as Little Petra. The first structures carved into the rocks will appear in front of us, which, although smaller in scale, certainly do not lose their impressiveness.
Near Mala Petra is our camp where we will spend the next two nights. Again, we will have a Bedouin camp at our disposal, and if you are interested, you can have dinner on the spot and then just enjoy a well-deserved rest after a long journey. :)
Dinners with Bedouins
But for those of you who are looking for more adventure, I have another option. You can come with me to meet my Bedouin friend Raed and join him in preparing dinner in the traditional Bedouin way. This activity is not included in the price of the trip and the cost per person will be approximately 10 JOD. It should also be added here that although the local Bedouins are very friendly and will be happy to host us if they can, long term planning is not their forte. So it may happen that at the last minute we learn that dinner is not possible for some reason. But I believe that won't happen :)
For the really good ones I can also arrange an overnight stay in a Bedouin cave carved into the rocks back in Nabataean times (for about 20 JOD).
Accommodation food: again we can look forward to full board. Breakfast will still be from the cook at the overnight stay, lunch from our guide and dinner at the camp or Bedouin. We will sleep in a Bedouin camp with full comfort - Bedouin tents, beds, blankets and hot showers.
Petra, wonder of the world
Today's day will be dedicated to a tour of one of the wonders of the world, the ancient city carved into the rocks, Petra. And there will be plenty to see! Remember when Indiana Jones roamed the mysterious rock city in The Last Crusade? That's exactly where we're going! 👌 But first, the last 7 km of our expedition await us - from Little Petra to the "big" one we will walk the way of the old Nabateans. And at the end, the iconic "Monastery" will suddenly peek out at us - and since, unlike the crowds of tourists arriving by bus, we'll get to Petra from the opposite direction, we'll be able to enjoy the Monastery in peace, with a minimum of tourists 😉 But that's not all for today! Petra will amaze you with its vastness and magnificence, and we will certainly have plenty to do until five o'clock when the area closes.
Those who will be tired can return to the campsite and enjoy a peaceful evening. Others can join me in town for dinner and once it gets dark, we'll head out for Petra by Night - an evening light show where the Treasury building in Petra is illuminated by hundreds of candles, allowing us to enjoy the atmosphere of this mysterious place through a completely different lens than we've seen during the day. On top of that, musicians will be playing traditional instruments, which will add to the atmosphere. Tickets for Petra by Night cost 17 JOD.
And then if you're still in the mood, we can sit down for a drink at the supposedly oldest pub in the world, the so-called Cave Bar, located right next to Petra :)
Accommodation and food: we'll have breakfast at the campsite, lunch somewhere along the way (not included in the price of the trip, expect about 15 JOD or if you're happy with toast or something smaller, about 5 JOD). Dinner is included in the price of the campsite, but those who want to attend Petra by night won't be able to make it. We will therefore stop for dinner in town (approx. 10 JOD), or we can grab something at a local shop (2-3 JOD). We will sleep in the same campsite as the previous day.
Today we are going to have a well-deserved rest day. We will have breakfast at the campsite, but if we agree, we can go to a small local bakery instead, where they will not only show us how the bakers make traditional pancakes, but we will also be able to make our own pancakes. And then they will serve us our surely hilarious creations with other local delicacies for breakfast :) (this morning entertainment costs about 10 JOD per person).
What will we discover on the sea day?
We will then move to Aqaba and here our main goal will be clear: snorkeling. This is because this destination is renowned not only for its crystal clear waters, but also for its rich biodiversity and stunning coral reefs that create a home for a multitude of animals and colourful fish. But not only that, there is also an airplane or tank wreck on the seabed near the shore, adding another dimension to this already interesting snorkeling destination.
To Mars!
After a rest and a bath, we move on to the Wadi Rum desert in our minibus. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its unique character - sand dunes, rock formations and canyons create a unique landscape that looks like you've just stepped on Mars. It's no coincidence that movies like Star Wars, Dune and The Martian were filmed here :-)
Sunset from the back of a camel
On arrival at the campsite, there will be another experience for those interested: you will be able to enjoy a roughly one-hour camel ride to see the sunset. The ride is not included in the tour price and will cost 20 JOD. If you decide to enjoy the sunset in a more traditional way, you can just climb the nearby hill above the campsite, which has a beautiful view of the desert, or just sit in front of the tent and relax :)
After dinner, we'll have a campfire outside and watch the sky full of stars that you just don't see here.
Accommodation and food: we will have breakfast either at the campsite or at a local bakery, depending on our choice. We will buy lunch in the akaba (about 10 JOD in the restaurant, or street food about 5 JOD). And dinner will be waiting for us again at the campsite. We will sleep in a beautiful Bedouin camp hidden under the rocks in the middle of the desert. Again we can look forward to all the comforts - Bedouin tent, bed, blankets, showers.
A trip through the desert
In the morning, we will set off with the brave ones to watch the beautiful sunrise over the desert, while the others can sleep in and get up for the delicious breakfast served at the camp. After breakfast, we will go on a hike in the desert - we will have about 10 kilometers to go, during which we will experience firsthand what it is like to move in such a desert and that it is something completely different from what we are normally used to :) We will also get to the more remote places of the desert, where the usual tourist does not visit and we will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of this incredible place in peace.
Jeep tour
We will meet our guide at noon or early afternoon who will have already prepared lunch for us. And then for the rest of the day we will be on the back of a jeep that will take us to all the most interesting places in the area. We'll see sand dunes, sandstone "bridges" and ancient inscriptions in the rocks, and we'll finish with a sunset view. The more adventurous will also be able to try "sandboarding" - snowboarding down sand dunes 😂
Accommodation and food: we will be fully catered for again today - breakfast at the campsite, lunch as part of the jeep tour and dinner again at the campsite. We will sleep in the same campsite as the previous day.
Dead Sea, the lowest place in the world
This day we will have a long transfer back to Amman. But we will make the journey more enjoyable with an unforgettable experience, a visit to the Dead Sea. We will bathe in its salt water and enjoy the special properties of the water, which on the one hand will make us so excited that we can easily read the newspaper while swimming, but on the other hand will make us clumsy chickens while moving in the water :) And when we get tired of it, we'll make ourselves even more mud men and women and splash the healing mud from the Dead Sea on ourselves. Then we can test for ourselves if its effects are as beneficial as they say or if it is just an exaggerated rumour (I think it is not :-) ).
The best place to bathe in the Dead Sea is in one of the hotel resorts - you get changing rooms, showers, a nice beach, mud to splash on yourself and lunch included. You will need to prepare about 25 JOD for entry (not included in the trip price).
Back to civilization
In Amman, the capital of Jordan, we will have dinner at a local bistro, which is famous for its falafel and rumor has it that the King of Jordan himself likes to go there sometimes (dinner is not included in the price of the trip, depending on what you have for lunch it will cost about 5 JOD). Depending on our strength, we will then either sit somewhere and enjoy our last evening in peace or go into town to enjoy the night atmosphere of this bustling city.
Accommodation and food: We'll have breakfast at the campsite, have lunch as part of our entry to the Dead Sea resort and go into town for dinner. We'll sleep in a nice hostel right in the center of Amman so we'll be close to everywhere.
Capital of Jordan
Since our flight doesn't leave until the evening, we'll have time to explore Jordan's capital on our last day. We'll see the so-called "Citadel"- a hill that was inhabited thousands of years ago and has since been occupied by various civilians who have taken turns leaving their marks and monuments there. In the city, we'll take a peek into the Roman amphitheatre, browse the local marketplace full of different colours and scents, and see Jordan's largest mosque.
Towards the evening, our minibus will take us to the airport and from there we will only have a flight back to Vienna.
Food: Breakfast can be ordered at the hostel for 4 JOD (3 JOD if there are at least 5 of us :-) ). We will have lunch somewhere in the city (about 10 JOD, or cheaper options - street food 5 JOD, shop 2 - 3 JOD). Dinner we will have to manage on the way home, I like to order lasagna for 7 EUR on the Ryanair plane we are flying :-)
