Petra and Wadi Rum trekking holiday
Highlights
Ammam | Trekking in Wadi Rum | Siq el Barrah desert canyon | Jebel Burdah | Arch of Burdah | Wild camping | Night in Bedouin camp | Um Fruth rock-bridge | Wadi Khashkhasheh | Siq el Khazali | Lawrence House | Wadi Um Ishrin | Rose City of PetraDescription of Petra and Wadi Rum trekking holiday
This Petra and Wadi Rum trekking holiday is pure magic. The chance to trek for five days in Jordan’s desert region is one of the most heavenly hiking experiences, and then finishing it all off at one of the finest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, the Rose City of Petra, really is a dream come true for many hikers.One of the most magnificent aspects of this eight day holiday is also the fact that, although Petra can be packed with tourists, most of your time here is spent exploring serene Jordanian wilderness. Wild camping under the most star studded skies you have ever seen, exploring the rugged beauty of Jordan’s deserts, such as the Siq el Barrah canyon and various different wadis, the highlight being Wadi Rum. Hosted by the Bedouin who still inhabit this terrific terrain, the local name for Wadi Rum translates as "Valley of the Moon" due to its other worldly feel of the jagged mountains, wind-sculpted rocks and vast plains.
We will trek through this landscape, becoming familiar with its extraordinary mountains, known as jebels, that rise out of the desert sands, as well as with valleys carving their way in between these natural sculptures. One of the highlights is a hike to Jebel Burdah where we climb to an incredible viewpoint at Burdah Arch, where we also camp for the night. Surreal and sublime, the Jordanian deserts never disappoint.
There are never enough superlatives to describe our final stop at Petra either. This ancient capital was carved into pink sandstone and, despite harsh desert conditions, has stood the test of time since 312 BCE. It simply is one of those life moments that you will never forget, and having enjoyed the local people’s company and shared their pride of place for the five days building up to this visit, you can’t fail to feel moved by the Jordan’s crowning glory in a country where the welcome is beyond warm, and the sites are beyond spectacular.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com
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Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
Accommodation and Meals:You will spend 3 nights in 3 star hotels, 1 night in a full service basic camp and 3 nights wild camping. With the majority of this trip spent camping in various situations, we make less of a negative impact on the environment than if we were to use permanent accommodation solely. Many of the camps used are run by Bedouin families so we know we are directly benefiting local communities with our business. The hotels are also locally staffed as per law in Jordan, so our stay here is also in support of local employment. Where meals are provided, ingredients will be sourced from a local market wherever possible. There will also be plenty of chance to eat in a variety of restaurants selling ‘mezze’ style regional specialties like kebabs, fresh salads, and bread with hummus.
Activity:
As much of the trip is spent trekking and climbing, we have less of a negative impact on the environment than tours which only rely on vehicles. We try to minimise litter as much as possible and are careful to emphasise that clients should not damage or remove pieces from any historical sites we visit. As we hire local guides as well as Bedouin guides, we can ensure that our activity has a positive effect on the economy and that our clients take away some of their passion and knowledge of Jordan. Our guides are trained in responsible travel issues and will be able to convey these in briefings.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
The Impacts of this Trip
Local Craft and Culture:
Usually guides take clients to the market on the day going from Petra to Wadi Rum or Aqaba. This is a great cultural experience where clients can buy their own vegetables and fruit and even see how some meals are prepared- like falafel. The cultural highlight of the trip for many is the visit to UNESCO World Heritage city, Petra. There is a full day here to explore the ancient, rose-coloured rock buildings including El Khazneh (the treasury) and El Deir (the Monastery). There are some local handicrafts and souvenirs available here like hand painted ceramics, jewellery and vases filled with coloured sand. Clients can also support the community by purchasing donkey or horse rides from local people.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
Accommodation and Meals:You will spend 3 nights in 3 star hotels, 1 night in a full service basic camp and 3 nights wild camping. With the majority of this trip spent camping in various situations, we make less of a negative impact on the environment than if we were to use permanent accommodation solely. Many of the camps used are run by Bedouin families so we know we are directly benefiting local communities with our business. The hotels are also locally staffed as per law in Jordan, so our stay here is also in support of local employment. Where meals are provided, ingredients will be sourced from a local market wherever possible. There will also be plenty of chance to eat in a variety of restaurants selling ‘mezze’ style regional specialties like kebabs, fresh salads, and bread with hummus.
Activity:
As much of the trip is spent trekking and climbing, we have less of a negative impact on the environment than tours which only rely on vehicles. We try to minimise litter as much as possible and are careful to emphasise that clients should not damage or remove pieces from any historical sites we visit. As we hire local guides as well as Bedouin guides, we can ensure that our activity has a positive effect on the economy and that our clients take away some of their passion and knowledge of Jordan. Our guides are trained in responsible travel issues and will be able to convey these in briefings.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
The Impacts of this Trip
Local Craft and Culture:
Usually guides take clients to the market on the day going from Petra to Wadi Rum or Aqaba. This is a great cultural experience where clients can buy their own vegetables and fruit and even see how some meals are prepared- like falafel. The cultural highlight of the trip for many is the visit to UNESCO World Heritage city, Petra. There is a full day here to explore the ancient, rose-coloured rock buildings including El Khazneh (the treasury) and El Deir (the Monastery). There are some local handicrafts and souvenirs available here like hand painted ceramics, jewellery and vases filled with coloured sand. Clients can also support the community by purchasing donkey or horse rides from local people.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
2 Reviews of Petra and Wadi Rum trekking holiday
In depth story review
Reviewed on 16 Oct 2017 by Angela Allan
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sitting round the camp fire at night - so still and so many stars.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Light weight long sleeved shirts for the heat of the day.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely benefited local people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good
Reviewed on 17 Apr 2016 by Jill Marquis
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking in the desert and the wide open space and peace and quiet. Somehow the actual rhythm of the walking was almost mesmeric and I felt I could walk for hours
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Big hat, suntan lotion, water 'platypus' to go in your day pack, good camera and a willingness to get on with anything that was put in front of you.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not sure - although local people involved in 'jeeping' our stuff around. We certainly left desert as deserted as when we arrived.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazing
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