Multi Day Trips: Petra, Dana and Wadi Rum

October 31, 2026

Travel advisory, 31 October 2026. The wider 2026 regional conflict involving Iran affects Jordan. 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 Syria and Iraq borders and a few named areas. It has also named Ma’an city and parts of Ma’an Governorate separately. The UK FCDO advises against travel only within 3 km of the Syrian border and lists no warning for Petra or Wadi Rum. Petra and Wadi Musa are open and operating, though 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. The rest of this page is written for a normal visit.

Two days in Petra

Petra needs two days, and the 2-day ticket costs 55 JD for visitors who sleep at least one night in Jordan, or 75 JD with the Jordan Explorer pass. Spend day 1 on the Main Trail, the Treasury and the High Place of Sacrifice. On day 2 take the Back Door trail or the Monastery, then the Al-Khubtha viewpoint if you still have energy. Use Wadi Musa for both nights, not Ma’an city.

Dana to Petra on the Jordan Trail

The Jordan Trail links Dana to Petra in 4 days, about 72 km, over stages 601 to 604. It starts in Tafilah Governorate and ends in Ma’an Governorate. Buy the Petra pass at the Nabatean Cultural Village office, and hire a guide, which is strongly recommended. RSCN handles Dana reserve bookings through rscn.org.jo .

Petra plus Wadi Rum

A 2 to 3 day version spends the nights in Wadi Musa and then adds an overnight desert camp in Wadi Rum, which belongs to Aqaba Governorate. Wadi Rum is 1.5 to 2 hours south of Wadi Musa, and the protected-area fee is about 5 to 7 JD per person. Book a named camp ahead instead of picking one on arrival.

A southern Jordan loop

The King’s Highway runs from Amman through Madaba, Karak, Dana and Shobak to Wadi Musa and takes about 4 to 4.5 hours without stops. The Desert Highway is shorter at about 235 km and 3 hours. A loop can give Wadi Musa 2 nights, stop at Shobak on the way north and visit Dana and Karak, with Wadi Rum and Aqaba as the southern extension. Shobak lies north of Wadi Musa and Wadi Rum lies south, so give each its own day rather than combining them.

Money and timing

The Jordan Pass waives the 40 JD visa fee if you buy it before you arrive and stay at least 2 nights in Jordan. Terms are at jordanpass.jo . Petra closes between 4 and 6 PM depending on the season, so plan your longest walks for the morning. Summer is hot at 35 to 40 C or more, and spring and autumn are the best months.