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Itinerary
Day1:
Amman. Arrive and transfer to hotel in the centre of town,
approx 45 minutes away.
Day 2: Dana - Feinan Ruins
After an early breakfast and detailed trip briefing we leave for
the start of our trek. Our drive takes us south through a
diverse desert landscape to the small village of Dana. The
village is also within a relatively new 320km square nature
reserve of the same name. The landscape within the park is very
diverse, encompassing plateau, mountain, valley and desert
environments. Our trek starts from the village, where we begin
our descent along a twisting track to the desert floor (approx
250m above sea level). We pass through different eco-systems
with varying flora and fauna, eventually reaching our campsite
on the desert floor next to the ruins of Feinan. These are the
remains of the ancient Byzantine church dating back to 4000BC.
Night camping. (13km, 7/8hrs trekking)
Day
3: Feinan Ruins - Wadi Araba
We wake early and after a good breakfast load up the equipment
and set off on our day's trek. Our route today takes us across
hamada, stoney desert, with beautiful jagged mountains
rising up to 1400m to our east. To the west and northwest open
desert descends towards the Dead Sea 400m below sea level. The
morning's route takes us around several small hills before we
head out across open desert towards Wadi Barwaz at the foot of
the mountains for lunch. Wadi is the name given to a
dried-up river bed or water course, a regular feature in this
dry landscape. After lunch and a brief rest we head south-west
into the desert. We gradually descend across hamada, and later
into a region of small sand dunes in Wadi Araba. The views are
awe-inspiring and you have a true sense of the wonderful desert
landscape. We camp again under amazingly clear, starry night
skies. (18km, 8/9hrs trekking)
Day
4: Wadi Araba - Ras Feid
Today we leave the sand dune desert behind us and head back into
the mountains. We have a gradual ascent across the desert to Abu
Sakakin, lying at the foot of the mountains. From here we start
a steeper ascent across small boulders and rocks to the foot of
a steep and twisty track. This track takes us high into the
mountains and provides a particularly challenging section! This
is a remote but beautiful region with spectacular views west
into the desert. After a break for lunch we continue up to the
high saddle (720m), from where we have good views into the heart
of these stunning mountains. Our descent down to the river
valley is steep and on small twisty track. Once down on the
valley floor our route takes us through the beautiful Sakakin
canyon before making camp above the river at Ras Feid. Night
camping. (14km, 8/9hrs trekking)
Day 5: Ras Feid - Shkaret Msei'd
we leave camp behind us and enjoy a pleasant walk back through
the Sakakin canyon to a huge clump of reeds. From there the
track becomes tougher as we gradually climb back up into the
Bedouin as they move with their animals from the desert to the
higher and cooler regions for the summer. The views of the
surrounding mountains and down to the desert below are
outstanding. The track is tough with some steep climbs and rocky
descents, but the rewards are superb! Eventually we climb up to
a pass where we have tremendous views across the mountain range
and desert beyond, and also to our final destination Shkaret
Msei'd. We descend to the river valley and continue along the
valley floor to Shkaret Msei'd, where we make camp. This is a
tough day in some challenging terrain. Night camping. (8/9hrs
walking) |
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Day
6: Shkaret Msei'd - Little Petra - campsite
After a good night's sleep and hearty breakfast we head inland,
away from the mountains and desert landscapes, towards the
ancient site of Little Petra. Our route follows an undulating
track through low-lying hills and a couple of small settlements
before suddenly arriving amongst the simple rock-hewn temples
and stange sandstone formations of the site itself. These ruins
are some of the oldest in the Middle East, dating back 9000
years. After touring the site we will continue weaving our way
through the valleys to our campsite set amongst the rock
formations. (8hrs walking)
Day 7: Petra - Dead Sea
Today is what we have all been waiting for: the trek into Petra.
The huge tombs and buildings of Petra, carved out of the rock
itself, are testament to the one-time wealth of the ancient
capital of the Nabataeans. The trek takes us initially to the
Monastery, which is an impressive carved building standing 43
metres high and 50 metres wide. From there we continue on our
guided trek to the centre of Petra, before heading around Jebel
al-Khubtha and the amazing red-striped sandstone rocks to Wadi
Mataha. We then walk through the As-Siq to see the Treasury, the
most famous and impressive sight at Petra. A further half-hour
trek back through the Siq takes us to our waiting transport
which we then take to the Dead Sae coast for two nights of
relaxation and the comfort of a hotel with showers and
comfortable beds! (7hrs walking / 4hrs drive)
Day 8:
A full day to relax and enjoy the Dead Sea coast.
Celebration Meal.
Day 9:
Drive to Amman for the return flight back
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