BEDOUIN TREK TO PETRA

Transcription

1 BEDOUIN TREK TO PETRA

2 Itinerary Overview Trek to the hidden Rose-Red City of Petra along ancient footpaths through spectacular desert, wadis (canyons), and jagged mountain terrain with nomadic Bedouins whose Nabatean descendants once controlled trade along these routes between the Far East and Africa. Celebrating the 25 th anniversary of Wildland Adventures and the 200 th anniversary of the rediscovery of Petra, our 50 mile, six-day trek starts at the beautiful Feynan Ecolodge in the Dana Nature Reserve and concludes hiking amongst the huge red rock-hewn tombs and buildings of Little Petra and the impressive Monastery via the back side of Petra a route few travelers ever see. Led by Yamaan Safady, the native Jordanian guide who pioneered the route, the trek to Petra is fully outfitted with overnight accommodations in comfortable Bedouin tent camps, and hearty meals made from local ingredients from farms and herdsman in the region. At the end of each day lounge on large overstuffed pillows and colorful carpets under the canvas tent sharing stories, music and dance with the Bedouin crew. Beyond trekking to Petra, we explore Roman ruins in Jerash, watch the sun set behind red mountains and towering sand dunes of Wadi Rum, and relax and rejuvenate in the healing waters of the Dead Sea. DAY DATE OVERNIGHT HOTEL MEALS HIGHLIGHTS Thurs, Oct 11 Fri, Oct 12 Sat, Oct 13 Sun, Oct 14 Mon, Oct 15 Tues, Oct 16 Wed, Oct 17 Thurs, Oct 18 Fri, Oct 19 Sat, Oct 20 Sun, Oct 21 Mon, Oct 22 AMMAN Amman Marriott Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel AMMAN Amman Marriott BL FEYNAN Feynan Ecolodge BD WADI BARWAS Wadi Barwas camp BLD RAS EL FEID Ras el Feid camp BLD SHKARET MSEI D BEIDHA Shkaret Msei d camp Ammarin Bedouin Cooperative Society Camp BLD BLD PETRA Movenpick Petra BL WADI RUM Wadi Rum camp BD DEAD SEA DEAD SEA DEPARTURE Dead Sea Marriott Dead Sea Marriott B B B Visit Jerash, hike and lunch with local family in Ajloun Reserve, Orjan Soap House visit Drive Amman to Dana Nature Reserve, explore Dana village, trek to Fenyan Trek Fenyan to Wadi Barwas, ancient Christian church ruins Trek Wadi Barwas to Ras el Feid, juniper forests, Sharah Mountains views Trek Ras el Feid to Shkaret Msei d, Edomite village ruins Trek Shkaret Msei d to Beidha, Nabatean rock cut steps, views of Aaron s Tomb, Ammarin Bedouin camp, Little Petra Trek Beidha to The Monastery, explore Petra with local guide, Petra Kitchen optional Morning Petra exploration, afternoon 4x4 vehicle excursion into Wadi Rum and desert camp overnight Visits to Kerak, Madaba, and Mt. Nebo Day at leisure at Dead Sea. Transfer to Amman for international flight -2-

3 Itinerary in Detail DAY 1 : AMMAN On arrival at Queen Alia Internationa al Airport, you ll be met and transferred to Amman. Considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Amman is an exciting mix of the ancient and modern, boasting world class hotels, restaurants, local souks and shopping centers, and cultural sites of interests. Once the capital of the Ammonites in 1200 BCE, known in the Old Testament as Rabbath-Ammon, Amman was renamed Philadelphia (Greek for "Brotherhood Love") as part of a loose alliance of ten city-states bound by powerful commercial, political and cultural interests under allegiancee to Rome. After the Byzantine period when Philadelphiaa was the seat of a Christian Bishop the region became part of the Islamic caliphate and its original Semitic name Ammon or Amman was restored. We enjoy delicious mezas and Arabic delicacies. Dinner and overnight Amman Marriott (or similar). Note: Plan to arrive a day early to adjust to the time and enjoy a guided tour based on your interests possibly including the Roman Theatre, King Hussein Palace, the archaeological museum atop the citadel, and walking among local neighborhoods enjoying the cafe culture, art galleries, and shopping in the souks. DAY 2 : AMMAN, JERASH AND AJLOUN NATURE RESERVE We begin our journey through Jordan s fascinating history with a visit to Jerash, one of the world s most extensive restorations of a provincial Roman town exploring its theaters, temples and colonnaded streets. The hilltop Castle of Ajloun, with its strategic view over the Jordan Valley, was built to protect the region from nvading Crusaders as one of a chain of forts which lit beacons at night to pass signals from the Euphrates as far as Cairo. In the afternoon, we visit the Ajloun Nature Reserve for a hike through the mountainous and agriculturall villages of Rasun, Orjan and Baoun. As we meander through the verdant olive groves and orchards of fruit trees, we meet and share lunch with a local family who has tilled this soil for generations. We visit the Orjan Soap House, a cottage workshop run by local women who make a variety of olive oil soaps using natural recipes passed down through generations. All proceeds from our visit go to help support the local women of the area. Dinner and overnight Amman Marriott (or similar). DAY 3: DANA VILLAGE FEYNAN ECOLODGE Distance: 7..5m/12k Time: 5/6 hrs Altitude: 850 meters (1/2 mile) descent After an early breakfast we depart Amman for the drive to the Dana Nature Reserve where our epic 6-day trek to Petra begins. The Dana Nature Reserve is a breathtaking landscape of wadis (canyons or valleys) and mountains extending from the top of a rift valley to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba, a drop of nearly 5,000ft in elevation. This vast nature reserve is habitat for endangeredd species including ibex, mountain gazelle, badgers, red fox and wolf. We start hiking from Dana, a 6,000 year-old ancient stone village which was -3-

4 nearly abandoned during this century but is now coming back to life with assistance from local conservation groups and determination of the local population. Our trail contours huge escarpments of the Wadi Dana, along impressive white sandstone domes overlooking the reserve below before descending through all four of Jordan s eco-zones, each with a distinctive landscape and complex of flora and fauna. Overnight at Feynan Ecolodge, recognized as one of the top fifty ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Note: An alternative to hiking directly to the Feynan Ecolodge on day 1, trekkers can spend the night at the Dana Guest House or Rummana Camp in Dana and then proceed onward to Feynan through Dana Reserve the following day. Leaving from Rummana Camp adds 5k and 3 hours to the hike. DAY 4: TREK FEYNANN LODGE W Distance: 9m/12k: Time: 5/6 hrs. Altitude: undulating, mostly level WADI BARWAS Leaving the serenity of the Feynan Ecolodge in the early morning, we gradually descend the rocky desert trail through Wadi Arabaa framed by the steep rocky walls of the Sharah Mountains on one side and Jordan s Rift Valley on the other. Walking through Feynan village we ll visit some of the oldest archeologicall ruins on earth including those of ancient churches built by remind the early Christians who were forced to work the in the nearby copper mines. Lone trees provide shade for a lunch and tea break before we continue along the sinuouss trail through the stony desert. As late afternoon draws to a close, a beautiful light falls on the mountains around us as we Photo credit: Peter Potterfield arrive to the outlet of the Wadi Barwas canyon where our traditional Bedouin tent is set under the towering Sharah Mountains. Wadi Barwas is a natural slot canyon with seasonal water, a perfect place to wash up and enjoy relaxing in the shade! For dinner each night, the Bedouin crew prepares a hearty meal featuring soup, salads, hummus and pita, olives, kebabs and other local favorites. Overnight Camp Wadi Barwas. DAY 5: TREK WADI BARWAS RAS EL FEID Distance: 5.5m/9k Time: 6/7 hrs Altitude: 700m (2300 ft) ascent / 250m (820ft) descent We begin our ascent highh into the Sharah Mountains. A well defined Bedouin track switchbacks up the outer side of the mountain to reach a small pass where impressive pinnacles are backlit in the morning sun. Passing through a juniper-filled ravine we break out onto open ground that climbs to a highh pass. From here we clearly we see the oasiss of vegetation and reeds that marks our next camp in the gorge underneath and the trail as it snakes its way across the mountainside. Leaving the refreshing breeze of the pass we cross a broad escarpment leading beneath high red rock wall. We reach a small oasiss paradise for lunch by a spring after which we continue trekking up the dry canyonn to our campsite on a high plateau overlooking the deep canyons below. Overnight Camp Ras el Feid. -4-

5 DAY 6: TREK RAS EL FEID SHKARET MSEI D Distance: 10m/16k Time: 8/9 hrs. Altitude: 170m (560 ft) ascent, 150m (490 ft) descent, 300m (985 ft) ascent Today is the most scenic day of the hike, a long but rewarding day into the 'heart' of a seldom visited wildernesss of Jordan. The trail cuts up into the mountains passing the ruins of an Edomite village with spectacular views looking back down to Wadi Araba. Photoo credit: Peter Potterfield The trail contours across the mountain side, ascending to small passes and descending to dry wadis with new vistas appearing at each turn of the trail. On the narrow and remote section of trail we ll keep an eye out for the elusivee ibex and blue Sinai lizard near the spring at Hudus, beforee ascending gradually to the final pass and camp for the night. This is a classic day and our last night to celebrate with our Bedouin crew. Overnight Camp Shkaret Msei d. DAY 7: TREK SHKARET MSEI D BEIDHA V Distance: 9m/14k Time: 5/6 hrs. Altitude: 150m (500 ft) ascent, 250m (800 ft) descent VIA LITTLE PETRA The ancient site of Little Petra is today s destination. The trail transitionss from the rugged mountains to mushroom-topped hills, steep gullies and smooth sandstone plateaus, reminiscent of the southwestern U.S. We encounter our first set of rock-cut steps carved by the Nabateans, the ancient tribe who originally built Petra. Meandering through this ancient land we re surrounded by dome-toppedd walls and a myriad of miniature canyons rife with rock ledges, just large enough to support small meadows which Bedouin families use as summer encampments. Navigating these narrow passage ways and scrambling up the slick red sandstone, we emerge onto a high plateau where a small white dot is visible on a distant mountain top across the canyons this is Aaron' s Tomb built just above the fabled Rose Red city of Petra. Descending from the plateau to the small town of Beidha, we make a visit to Little Petra, a small collection of carved stone facades foreshadowing the much grander city we ll exploree the following day. As night approaches, we arrive at the Bedouin-style Ammarin camp, located in a wonderful bowl of hills, featuring the usual Jordanian dinner feast plus the luxury of electric lights and a hot shower! Overnight Ammarin Bedouin Cooperative Society Camp. DAY 8: PETRA TREK BEIDHA B TO PETRA VIA THE MONASTERY Distance: 3.5m/6k to Monastery, 4m/6km inside Petra; total 7.5m/12km; Time: 3/4 hrs to Monastery, 5/6 hours inside Petra Altitude: 110m (360 ft) ascent, 100m (330 ft) descent, 100m (330ft) ascent From our campsite, our path today is a more popular trail though still far from crowded. Following along the sandstone cliffs and up ancient staircases, it only takes a few hours to reach our destination. And then suddenly it appears in alll its ancient grandeur around a sharp bend - the Monastery. We have arrived in Petra, via the back door. Our six days and 50 miles of trekking are rewarded with this spectacular view of the jewel of Petra nearly devoid of other visitors. Rediscovered and introduced to the western world in 1812 by the Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt, Petra is one of the most important archeological sites in the Middle East. Rated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Petra is listed as one of the contemporary Seven Wonders of the World. Petra s wealth and grandeur have been immortalized by the remarkable facades carved from the sheer rock walls of the valley. Inside the Petra valley are tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples, arched gateways and colonnaded streets carved from the kaleidoscopic-colored sandstone. Although for centuries it was militarily impenetrable, by 106 AD the city fell to the Romans who -5-

6 Photo credit: Peter Potterfield conquered Petra s garrison by cutting off the water supply. Petra had already fatally declined in wealth and importance, its place taken by Palmyra in Syria, whose ascendancy to the primary trade city of the Near East was rapid. After some time contemplating the Monastery we descendd on a paved path into the valley, where we are guided past the Royal Tombs, Qasr el Bint, the Mountain Ridge Church, the Great Temple, Royal Tombs, Urn Tomb, the unique Theatre, Street of Facades and, of course, the famous Treasury. From here we journey out throughh the dramatic and much photographed slot canyon known as the Siq with the knowledge that today, unlike most other visitors who fight the morning crowds, we ll only walk this infamous path once as we leave, our epic trek to Petra now complete. Overnight in the Movenpick Petra Hotel. Note: Optional evening excursion to The Petra Kitchen: For those interested in putting to use the cooking skills they learned from the Bedouin on the trail and master more secrets of the Levantine cuisine. During this informal cooking glass, we ll prepare a full Jordaniann meal, working alongside local women under the supervision of a local chef. Each evening meal includes soup, cold and hot mezza and salads, and a main course all typical Jordanian dishes. DAY 9: WADI RUM We return to Petra in the early morning to further explore the extensive complex with a local guide. After lunch, we ll depart Petra for the rugged expanse of Wadi Rum. This breathtaking landscape is best experienced by 4x4 jeep. Zigzagging around, over and down towering sand dunes surrounded by imposing mountains is a humbling experience even for the most seasoned explorer. Rum's terrain is often described as "a Martian experience" due to awe inspiring shades of red that flood the landscape through the color of its sand and mountains. Time slows to a crawl in this desert as evidenced by the time worn mountains that can only be described as melting into the dunes below them. A night under a perfect star lit sky in this vast region will awaken your senses to the simple life of the Bedouin who has inhabited this region for centuries. Today you will have time to climb sand dunes, hike throughh the valley of the moon, and to climb some of the rock faces (optional for climbers). You ll arrive in your private camp in the heart of Wadi Rum, hosted by local Bedouins. And who says sundowners are just for African safaris??! As the sun begins to descendd behind the red mountains of the area, you ll experience a sundowner Jordanian- style, sipping traditional Bedouin tea brewed to perfection as the sun setss over the dunes. Dinner will be an ancient tradition known as Zarb - lamb, chicken, and vegetables are cooked slowly undergroundd for hours until the meat is literally falling off the bone! After dinner, falll asleep under the stars listening to traditional Bedouin and Arabic music played on the Oud and Arabic Tabla. Overnight Wadi Rum camp. DAY 10: MT. NEBO, MADABA, M KERAK Departing Wadi Rum and our Bedouin hosts, we head north on the 3000-year-old Kings' Highway. We first visit Mount Nebo, where Moses is supposed to have first viewed the 'Promised' Land just before his death. Next, we visit the 6th century Madaba Church with its Byzantine mosaic floor map - the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land in existence. En route to Kerak, the Kings' Highway plunges 6000 meters into Jordan's miniature Grand Canyon - Wadi Mujib (Biblical Arnon). The massive crusader fortress at -6-

7 Kerak was built in 1136 ACE by the Christian invaders, and fell to Salah ud Din Al-Ayyoubi in 1189 AD. Overnight at the Dead Sea Marriott Hotel and Spa. DAY 11: DEAD SEA Today, some well-deserved relaxing and pampering is in order! Enjoy a full day filled with spa treatments, infinity pools and the healing powers of the Dead Sea (spa treatments at additional cost). Make sure you cover yourself with the Dead Sea mud filled with minerals which will make your skin feel softer than it ever has. Enjoy food and drink and soak up the rays at the lowest point on earth! Overnight at the Dead Sea Marriott Hotel and Spa. DAY 12: DEPARTUREE After breakfast and an early morning dip in the healing waters of the Dead Sea, transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for your international departure. E END OF SERVICES Actual routes and activities may vary. Local trip coordinators reserve the right to change accommodations to similar quality alternatives. -7-

8 PRICING: Starts at $4995 per person with a minimum of 6 guests. Ask about custom/private trips. INCLUDED SERVICES Airport transfers and land transportation as noted; accommodations as noted Private vehicles with English-speaking driver and private guide for groups of 6 or more Local guides at all sites Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the program Trekking guide Yamaan Safady for days 4-8 Fully supported trek (guests only carry day packs) Transportation as needed during the trek 4x4 jeep tour in Wadi Rum Meals as indicated [B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner] Pre-departure services of Wildland Adventures NOT INCLUDED SERVICES International flights to Jordan Visa for Jordan Airport departure taxes Tips and gratuities Alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks Meals not indicated above Extra costs for optional excursions or services on own or to be paid direct Travel insurance Extra costs due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. Your trekking guide Yamaan Safady, our trekking guide and the trailblazer of this backdoor trek to Petra, is an engineer by education. With a passion for Jordan s wild natural sites, Yamaan started organizing one and two day hiking excursions for friends, both local Jordanians and ex-pats working in Amman. After the hikes became increasingly popular, he started guiding longer hikes and exploring new trails farther afield. Eventually, he decided to turn his love for sharing Jordan s natural beauty and historical treasures into a new career as a certified tour guide. The Trek to Petra was designed to give a truly authentic view of Jordan s landscape and local community. To ensure this, Yamaan lived with members of the local community for 3 months to follow their off-road migratory, shepherding and hunting paths and develop strong relationships and mutual respect with the local tribes. Yamaan received the Paul Morrison Top Guide Award in the Royal Geographical Society of London in He is certified in Mountain Search and Rescue and Remote First Aid by the Jordan Civil Defense and Adventure First Aid in the UK. In addition to guiding, he worked as a project manager and consultant to the Royal Society for Conservation of Nature (RSCN), spearheading the development of ecotourism projects throughout Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. This included designing hiking, 4x4 and mountain biking trails around the Feynan Ecolodge as well as the Petra Trek route. -8-

9 Accommodations MARRIOTT HOTEL, AMMAN This renowned and luxurious hotel is centrally located, 4km from Amman center and 35km from Queen Alia International Airport. The Marriott has 14 floors, 293 rooms, 25 suites and 182 guest rooms specifically designed for the business traveler. Hotel facilities include four restaurants, two bars, 24-hour room service, coffee shop, cocktail lounge, complimentary coffee in lobby, laundry valet, shoe shine, hair salon/barber, concierge services, gift shop / news stand, PC & printer available, secretarial services available, safe deposit box at front desk, rental car desk, airline desk, plus an executive floor with eight meeting rooms, express check-in & checkout. All bedrooms are equipped with work desk with lamp, voice mail, ata ports on phone, TV with remote control, cable/satellite, mini-bar, air conditioning, iron and ironing board, hairdryer in-room safe, cribs available. All rooms have en suite private bathrooms. FEYNAN ECOLODGE, DANA NATURE RESERVE Constructed in 2005 by renowned architect Ammar Khammash deep in the heart of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, and hailed by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the top fifty eco lodges in the world, the solar-powered Feynan Ecolodge offers the only complete eco-experience in Jordan. Owned by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and operated by EcoHotels, Feynan Ecolodge integrates conservation and socioeconomic development while promoting the importance of the natural environment. Located 215k south of Amman off the Dead Sea-Aqaba highway, the arabesque architecture of the 26-room lodge with its courtyards and terraces and candle-lit charm, blends elegantly into the natural environment. Hotel facilities include solar generated electricity and heat, a restaurant, bar, concierge, hiking facilities and nature guides, laundry service etc. and a rooftop terrace with breathtaking panoramic vistas of Wadi Feynan. Each room offers a different view of the surrounding mountains and is equipped with candles nestled in recesses, TV, phone, and en-suite bathrooms. MOVENPICK PETRA Movenpick Petra is a 5-star hotel boasting a prime location in the historic city of Petra, with easy access to the world-renowned ruins. This luxurious hotel provides guests with elegant rooms fully equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and balconies. In-room data ports, coffee/tea makers and minibars with complimentary bottled water, room service, bathrobes, direct-dial telephones, complimentary newspapers and satellite televisions are standard in each room. Refresh yourself in the sparkling outdoor pool, or take advantage of the resort s health club and spa facilities. At day s end, after your explorations of Petra, toast the evening from the lovely rooftop terrace under the stars. -9-

10 WADI RUM CAMP This comfortable campsite is located deep in the desert far from any other encampments. Guests sleep in canvas tents with floors covered in rugs, each supplied with two camping beds, linens, pillow, extra blankets, bedside table, drawers and a mirror. The camp is fully staffed with 24 hour service, full bar and clean bathrooms. There is a lounge area under Bedouin tents where a bonfire is lit in the evenings and traditional Bedouin meals are served. MARRIOTT HOTEL, DEAD SEA The Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa is tucked between the mountains and the Dead Sea not far from Mount Nebo and the Jordan River. Hotel facilities include multiple restaurants and bars, three outdoor pools and whirlpools, mineral spa treatments, concierge, money exchange etc. All 233 rooms and 17 suites are equipped with A/C, a mini-bar, individual climate control, hair dryer, iron, cable /satellite TV, wireless internet access, en suite private bathrooms. -10-

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