Illustrative artwork — an impression of Wadi Rum & the Jordan Trail to Petra, not a literal photograph.
The Jordan Trail's approach to Petra begins in Wadi Rum, a desert of towering red sandstone massifs and wind-carved dunes in southern Jordan. Because the route crosses a remote protected area before reaching the ancient rock-carved city, hikers typically spend at least one night in a Bedouin-run desert camp rather than pushing straight through, with nearby towns filling in the rest of the trip.
Why hike here
What makes this stretch of the Jordan Trail remarkable is the scale of the landscape: sandstone towers rising straight out of flat desert floor, their color shifting from ochre to deep red as the light moves through the day. Walking here means long stretches of open dune and gravel plain, broken by narrow canyons and the occasional stand of desert vegetation, with a Bedouin guide reading the terrain the way a sailor reads water. Camping out under a sky with almost no light pollution is part of the experience, and the near-total quiet of the desert at night is something few hikers forget. The route's payoff is the shift from open desert into the narrow approach toward Petra's rock-carved facades, a landscape change that feels earned rather than sudden.
Getting there
Most hikers fly into one of Jordan's international airports and connect onward by road, since this section of the Jordan Trail sits in the country's remote south. Aqaba, on the Red Sea coast, functions as the practical gateway for reaching Wadi Rum and arranging a guided desert trek, while Wadi Musa, the small town that sits beside Petra, is the usual base at the trail's far end for visiting the ancient site. Road transfers link the two, and most trekking arrangements handle transport between the desert and the trailhead as part of the guided trip.
Where to stay
The realistic options, closest-to-the-trail first. Book through the official links — we don't list prices or availability because they change all the time.
Illustrative — evokes the setting, not a specific property. For example: Bedouin-run desert camps (tents and dome "bubble" tents) among the sandstone towers
Most visitors — you sleep in a desert camp, often as part of a guided trip.
Camps are run by local Bedouin; a guide is the norm for trekking the desert.
Bedouin camps (book ahead)For example: Hotels and guesthouses in Wadi Musa, the town beside Petra
Everyone visiting Petra at the end of the trek.
Wadi Musa is the base for Petra; Aqaba is the base for Wadi Rum.
Nearby-town lodgingPermits & rules
Wadi Rum is a protected area with an entry fee, and desert trekking is done with local Bedouin guides who also run the camps. This is remote desert — heat, sun and water are the real challenges, so travel in spring or fall, carry far more water than you expect, and don’t navigate the dunes alone.
Gear you'll want for this trip
Matched to the terrain and conditions here. Real products — check current price on Amazon.
Common questions
Where do hikers actually sleep on this route?
Most itineraries include at least one night in a Bedouin-run desert camp in Wadi Rum, staying in traditional tents or dome-style 'bubble' tents, often as part of a guided package. Outside the desert itself, hotels and guesthouses in Wadi Musa near Petra and in Aqaba fill out the rest of a typical trip.
Do you need a permit or guide to trek in Wadi Rum?
Wadi Rum is a protected area with an entry fee, and independent desert trekking isn't the norm — trips are typically arranged with local Bedouin guides, who also run the area's camps. Booking through a guide covers both the trekking route and the overnight camp stay in one arrangement.
When's the best time to hike this section?
Spring and fall are the best windows, with milder daytime temperatures for desert walking. Summer in Wadi Rum gets very hot, and while winter days can be pleasant, desert nights turn cold. Whenever you go, sun, heat, and water management are the real challenges, so plan around shade and carry more water than you think you'll need.
Complete gearsets for this trip
Full curated kits built for exactly this kind of hike — what to bring, why, and links to similar gear.
Lodging details are compiled from official parks, refuge associations and reservation systems and can change without notice. We publish no prices, availability or ratings — always confirm current information on the official site before booking or setting out. Product links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; prices and availability are shown on Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.