Stretch your limits in Jordan
Canyon through the Wadi Mujib, glamp in the desert of Wadi Rum with a sunrise camel ride and hike the secret back route to Petra.
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Trip Highlights
Desert stargazing
Stay at an award-winning ecolodge and see the unpolluted skies light up with thousands of stars
Wadi Rum glamping
Glamp in the stunning lunar landscape of the Wadi Rum, with a sunrise camel ride
Petra with a twist
Hike a secret “back door” route to Petra and marvel at the treasury by candlelight
Canyoning hit
Glide down waterfalls and scramble around ravines in the mighty Wadi Mujib (depending on the weather)
Bedouin living
Learn the art of Bedouin cooking and trek through Bedouin villages in the Dana Nature Reserve
The Dead Sea
Float in the mineral-rich Dead Sea and watch the sun go down over the horizon
What's included
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7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners, including a candlelit feast at Little Petra
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7 nights’ accommodation in twin room hotels, including a unique desert lodge
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All activities, from canyoning to a secret Petra hike, included. Local Flash Pack guide and driver
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Max 14 Flashpackers
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Private airport transfers anytime on Day 1, country travel in private minibus and jeeps
About the trip
Our week-long adventure to Jordan is brimming with bucket-list moments.
Saddle up for a sunrise camel ride in the lunar-like beauty of the Wadi Rum and chase across the reddened dunes in a convoy of jeeps. Canyon the hidden ravines of the Wadi Mujib and float in the ethereal Dead Sea. Unwind with a day-long trek in the Dana Nature Reserve, washed down with rooftop stargazing. And come face-to-face with local culture as you learn the life of Bedouin farmers and sleep in luxury glamping tents.
From the bustle of downtown Amman to the beauty of Wadi Rum, this is one non-stop rollercoaster of delights, topped off with a secret ‘back door’ trail to Petra and a chance to see the ancient Rose Red City glow in the light of a thousand night-time candles. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled across the set of a Hollywood blockbuster, yet this is Jordan and there is no CGI necessary.
Where you will stay
Feynan Ecolodge
Ecolodge on the edge of Dana Biosphere Reserve
Based on the caravanserai rest stops that once dotted Middle Eastern trading routes, this atmospheric Bedouin retreat makes a great departure point for hiking trails. While facilities are basic, this wilderness escape offers an invaluable insight into desert living.
Why we stay here
The nightly three-course vegetarian meals are a memorable experience, served up alfresco and by candlelight. The rooftop is great for stars.
Wadi Mujib Chalets
Stone chalet village overlooking the Dead Sea
An insanely photogenic village perched by the lowest point on earth, with access to a secluded beach and uninterrupted ocean views
Why we stay here
There are more luxurious resorts in the Dead Sea region but none come close to the remote location and character of this coastal hideaway. Wallow in your terrace hammock as you watch the sun go down over the shimmering horizon.
Desert camp, Wadi Rum
Bedouin desert camp in the heart of the Wadi Rum
Instagram-friendly, Bedouin-decorated tents, each with a comfy bed and a candle-lit pathway. Facilities are basic, but the breathtaking views make up for this.
Why we stay here
The early morning camel treks across the desert are brilliant. Don’t miss the late-night star gazing and chatting round the nightly campfire.
The Flash Pack Promise
Here at Flash Pack, we’re committed to unique adventures that deliver great value for money. We pack our trips with epic experiences (unlike other companies, all activities are included), hand-pick stylish hotels and match you with like-minded people.
Itinerary
Day 1
The hillsides of awesome Amman
Welcome to Amman, one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating cities. A private driver will meet you at the airport and whisk you to your hotel. Jordan’s ancient capital is spread across seven hills, with a rich tapestry of desert-tinged architecture that promises to wow all who wander her streets. Most flights get in late so we’ll save the real adventure for tomorrow. But if do you arrive early, make the most by embracing the capital’s dynamic downtown district. Here, you’ll find a lively hub of ornate mosques, delicious mezze cuisine and earthy Roman ruins. Make a beeline for the sprawling souk, where you can buy literally anything from flip-flops to shisha pipes and silver jewellery. Or pop by a Shawarma stall to feast on grilled chicken wraps drizzled with tahini sauce. Delicious Baba ghanoush and dough balls filled with creamy white cheese are also on the menu here. Say hi life in the Middle East!
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Day 2
Canyon a Wadi and float in the Dead Sea
We’ll start by visiting the city’s ancient citadel before travelling two hours south to the Wadi Mujib (April – October, and depending on the weather), and a thrilling whirl at canyoning. Bond with your fellow Flashpackers as you clamber through a series of dramatic ravines and hidden gorges, heaving one another over giant rocks and sliding down chutes in the shadow of towering sandstone cliffs. Along the way we’ll reach a large waterfall, where you can leap into naturally formed plunge pools (rain levels dependent). The adventure then continues to the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, with peaceful chalets offering uninterrupted views of the iconic Dead Sea. This striking landscape is an Instagram-lover’s dream and we’ll get right to the heart of it with an evening bathe in the famously buoyant waters. Cover yourself in mineral-rich mud before floating effortlessly as you watch the sun go down over the lowest point on Earth.
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Day 3
Hike the desert and lie beneath the stars
Today we head over to Dana Biosphere Reserve, a remote area of biodiversity that sits near Jordan’s border with Jerusalem. We’ll dust off our hiking boots for a 14-kilometre trek across sand dunes, pink-tinted valleys and open plains. This is a chance to reconnect with nature in a wilderness of staggering natural beauty. This region spans 320 square kilometres and four different bio-geological zones, with rare wildlife including the Sand Cat, the Lesser Kestrel and the Spiny-Tailed Lizard. Along the way, we’ll pass Bedouin villages with plenty of mint tea stops and a energy boosting pack lunch. Just before sundown, we’ll arrive in Feynan eco-lodge, a unique retreat that’s completely off-grid. Expect hundreds of glowing lanterns and candles at this desert hideaway, along with hearty home-cooked food and friendly locals. Lie out on the rooftop for a front-row seat to the stars, in a place of zero light pollution.
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Day 4
Bedouin culture and candlelit Petra
Explore your surroundings this morning by choosing from a host of activities run by Feynan eco-lodge. Ride a mountain bike to nearby villages, join a local Bedouin family for tea or learn how to cook a three-course veggie lunch (subject to availability). Afterwards, we’ll depart for the Rose Red City of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This jaw-dropping city was carved out of a rock face by the Nabateans more than 2,000 years ago and remained hidden until the 19th century. As night draws in, prepare to see the ancient sandstone empire light up in the glow of 1,500 candles, casting shadows across its beautifully-carved facades. Live Bedouin music will create a hushed and peaceful environment, as you walk spellbound down a two-kilometre stretch of the narrowly-winding Siq to reach the Treasury (as seen in Indiana Jones). It’s a stunning spectacle and one that promises to lighten your bucket list considerably.
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Day 5
A secret route to a long-lost world
Today we’ll a hike a secret “back door” trail to Petra, allowing us to see the city emerge in the opposite direction to most other visitors. Climb up a long fleet of steps before letting loose in a maze of caves, temples and tombs chiselled out of the dusty-pink cliffs. This is true Indiana Jones territory with a sense of history so palpable, you can practically catch the scent of incense traders who once wandered the narrow stone gorges. Let your inner explorer run free in this archaeological playground, stopping for a picnic at the majestic Monastery. Then we ramble around Petra’s other headline acts, including the Theatre, the Street of Facades and the spectacular Treasury (in daylight this time). After a long, hard day of walking, there might just be time for a Turkish Bath nearby before we gather for a Bedouin feast in the twinkling lights of Little Petra, Petra’s off-radar neighbour.
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Day 6
Explore the Wadi Rum by jeep
From Indiana Jones to Lawrence of Arabia, we’re heading to the striking red desert of Wadi Rum. Jump aboard a fleet of 4×4 desert jeeps to race across an ethereal landscape of jagged mountains, giant craters and rippling sand dunes that stretch away into the horizon. This is your chance to go flying down towering sand drifts and stand in awe by ancient rock formations, including naturally formed bridges and the Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Jabal al-Mazmar). Scramble your way up to amazing viewpoints, with the tapestry of a timeless and mysterious world unfolding before you. Unless you’re a budding astronaut, this is the closest you will come to visiting Mars. Then, after the highs of all this off-roading, we’ll find a prime spot to watch a breathtaking sunset from. The changing colours here will gradually become a thick blanket of stars, perfect for a night of glamping at your Bedouin retreat.
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Day 7
A sunrise camel ride and sunset in the city
As the rising sun casts a serene pink hue across the vast landscape, even the grumpiest of morning people will become eager early risers today. Let’s just say a desert sunrise is worth getting up for, particularly when you’re admiring it atop a caravan of camels. Saddle up on your “ship of the desert” for a timeless dawn ride across the Wadi Rum that’ll have you feeling like a born nomad. After breakfast at our luxury camp, we’ll head along the desert highway on a five-hour drive back to the capital Amman. Spend a few hours soaking up the energy of this eclectic city before we gather together for farewell dinner at a legendary local restaurant. Then it’s time to hit up some of Amman’s buzzing rooftop bars; it’s your last night in this awesome country, so get those drinks in and enjoy!
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Day 8
Love you and leave you, Jordan
Flashpackers, the time has come to bade adieu to lovely Jordan. But before you howl into your morning dallah (coffee pot), consider all the awesome new memories you’re returning home with. Together with your Flashpacking pals, you’ve navigated the ravines of the Wadi Mujib, floated in the Dead Sea and hiked the hills of the Dana Nature Reserve. You’ve gone off grid in a unique eco-lodge, marvelled at Petra by day and by candlelight, and taken a sunrise camel ride across the rippling dunes of the Wadi Rum. You’ve glamped beneath a bed of stars, explored the buzzing capital and watched the sun go down over ancient rock formations. You’ve tried fabulous local food, ticked off bucket-list moments and made a host of new friends along the way. So head home safe in the knowledge of how amazing it’s been. Or, grab a camel and hit the hills – your call.
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On the map
Important notes
- Fly into and out of Amman International Airport (Queen Alia International Airport).
- Flights into Jordan can arrive at rather unsociable hours, so don’t worry if your flight arrives at around midnight on day 1 as you’re likely not the only one and this is why we have no plans for the first day the adventure.
- Hotels in Jordan are not quite as flash as we would hope. This adventure sees you stay in a variety of comfortable city hotels and more rustic lodgings with amazing views. Please be aware that our desert accommodation have basic facilities.
- Canyoning in Wadi Mujib is a seasonal activity which is only open from 1st April to 31st October. Please note that the activity may be cancelled due to bad weather.
- For trips that miss out on this adventure, we have another awesome plan which includes seeing Mount Nebo and the ridiculously warm waterfall at Ma’in Hot Spring. For more information please give us a call.
- Temperatures can get quite low during the winter, especially in the mountains or in the desert at night so do please remember to pack a jumper!
- Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control. From time to time we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh.
- We take safety very seriously on Flash Pack adventures, click here to learn more.
