Multi-Day Petra Plans: Dana Trail, Wadi Rum

Travel advisory, October 2026: Jordan is affected by the wider regional conflict involving Iran that began in 2026. At the time of writing, the US State Department rates the whole country Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”, and Level 4, “Do Not Travel”, for the borders with Syria and Iraq and a few named areas. The UK FCDO advises against travel only within 3 km of the Syrian border and gives no warning for Petra, Wadi Musa or Wadi Rum. Petra and Wadi Musa are open, but flights can be disrupted and conditions can change at short notice. Read the US State Department advisory and the UK FCDO advice before you book and again before you fly.

Petra rewards more than one day. The options below range from a relaxed two-day visit to a four-day trek that arrives at Petra on foot. Prices are in Jordanian dinars (JD).

Two days in Petra

A two-day ticket costs 55 JD for visitors who sleep in Jordan, against 50 JD for one day. The Jordan Pass Explorer costs 75 JD for two consecutive Petra days. A sensible split uses day one for the Main Trail, the Treasury and the High Place of Sacrifice, then day two for the back road to the Monastery and the Al-Khubtha viewpoint. The park closes between 4:00 and 6:00 pm depending on the season, so plan to be at the gate before closing both days.

Dana to Petra on the Jordan Trail

The official Dana to Petra section of the Jordan Trail takes 4 days and covers about 72.4 to 72.6 km. It has four stages: Dana to Wadi Malaga, Wadi Malaga to Ras Al-Feid, Ras Al-Feid to Little Petra, and Little Petra to Petra, which arrives by the back door. Some operators sell 5-day versions with different stage lengths. The route is unmarked and remote, and the trail organisers strongly recommend hiring a local guide. Read the stage notes at jordantrail.org .

  • Contact Dana management before you enter the reserve, and pay its fee there. Entry is 10 JD for non-Jordanians.
  • Buy your Petra ticket at the new office at the Nabatean Cultural Village.
  • Wild camping is allowed everywhere along the route except inside the Dana reserve.
  • Carry plenty of water. June to August is hot, and spring and autumn suit walkers better.

Petra and Wadi Rum

A common three-day shape is Petra by day, a night in Wadi Musa, then Wadi Rum on day two with a night in a desert camp. Wadi Rum is about 107 km from Wadi Musa, a drive of 1.5 to 2 hours. Pick a named camp and check what the price includes before you pay.

Jordan Pass basics

The Jordan Pass bundles Petra entry with a visa fee waiver of 40 JD. The waiver needs the pass bought before arrival and a stay of at least two nights. The pass is valid for three months from entry, and one month after you first use it at a site. Show the pass at the ticket office if you want to use the back road. Prices are on jordanpass.jo . Petra by Night is not included in the pass.

Where to stay

Wadi Musa has hotels beside the gate, which suit two-day visits because you can reach the park at opening. Compare rooms with a search such as Booking.com in Wadi Musa .

For daily routes, read more: Petra walking routes and day trips from Wadi Musa .