PETRA TO RUM
Connecting the two legendary sites of Petra and Wadi Rum is a week-long trek across one of the longest stretches of wilderness on the Jordan Trail. Here in the empty, high-elevation desert, stargazing is at its best, and silent contemplation comes naturally. Beginning with deep, rugged wadis and leading into open
sandy plains surrounded by otherworldly sandstone buttes, this segment of the trail takes you deep into the places where humans seldom go. While Wadi Rum may offer visitors a taste of desert silence, the trek into it is the real thing.
Days: 5
Length: 90.6km
Main sites in the Petra to Rum Region:
- Petra
- Jebel Haroun (mountaintop burial place of Aaron, off-route)
- Humeima, ancient and Umayyad ruins
- Sandstone mountain “islands” in a sea of sand
- Wadi Rum, Jebel Rum, and Jebel Um Ishrin
Wadi Musa is packed with hotel options and Wadi Rum with Bedouin camps offering a similar experience, often also including jeep or camel tours. Rum village also has the “rest house,” a small restaurant where you can camp in the back yard with a provided tent (3JD) or your own tent (2JD).
Throughout most of the route, wild camping is the only option. The suggested stages each end at a recommended campsite; these are sometimes close to water and sometimes not. The longest stretch without water is from Humeima to Shakriya, so plan accordingly to carry plenty of water for the day-and-a-half hike, and camp without a water source!
ACCOMMODATIONS
The very isolated landscape has plenty of spots for discreet camping, particularly amid the sandstone mountains from Humeima onward. Wadi Rum and its surroundings are similarly replete with quiet spots. In all cases, the lack of water is the largest challenge to unsupported camping; the trail includes as many water points as possible, but sometimes long distances between refills are still necessary.
DAY 1: PETRA TO GAA’ MRIEBED
- Distance: 22.1 km
- Time: 6-8 hours (not including detours)
- Physical Challenge: Difficult
- Trail Difficulty: Difficult
- Waymarked: No
DAY 2: GAA’ MRIEBED TO WADI AL-SAIF
- Distance: 14.3 km
- Time: 4-5 hours
- Physical Challenge: Easy
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Waymarked: No
DAY 3: WADI AL-SAIF TO WADI GSEIB
- Distance: 12.3 km
- Time: 3-4.5 hours
- Physical Challenge: Moderate
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Waymarked: No
DAY 4: WADI GSEIB TO WADI AHEIMAR
- Distance: 15.6 km
- Time: 5 – 6 hours
- Physical Challenge: Difficult
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Waymarked: No
DAY 5: WADI AHEIMAR TO HUMEIMA
- Distance: 26.3 km
- Time: 7-9 hours
- Physical Challenge: Difficult
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Waymarked: No
