Backpacking in Jordan brings together ancient cities, desert adventures, local food and opportunities to meet people along the way. You can spend a morning exploring Amman, walk through Petra’s sandstone passages and finish another day watching the light change across Wadi Rum.
A rewarding trip does require planning. Transport connections, admission fees and remote excursions can account for a substantial part of your budget, so choose a realistic route and compare complete prices.
Use this guide to shape your journey, then browse activities and local experiences with Excursions Jordan.
Where to Go Backpacking in Jordan
Amman: Start with Food, History and Neighbourhood Walks
Jordan’s capital is a useful starting point for exploring the country.
Visit the Citadel and Roman Theatre, browse downtown markets and make time for neighbourhood cafés. Local bakeries and casual restaurants offer opportunities to enjoy falafel, hummus, foul and fresh bread without relying on expensive dining.
Choose accommodation that suits your arrival arrangements and transport plans. Amman’s hills mean a short distance on a map can involve a demanding walk.
Petra: Give Yourself Time to Explore
Petra deserves more than a rushed stop between long transfers.
Walk through the Siq to the Treasury, then choose further exploration according to your energy and available time. The Royal Tombs and Monastery involve additional walking, so leave enough time for the return journey.
Staying in nearby Wadi Musa can make an early start easier. Compare accommodation, transport and admission together when deciding how many days to spend.
Wadi Rum: Plan a Supported Desert Experience
Wadi Rum offers sandstone mountains, open valleys and opportunities to explore with local guides.
Compare excursions and camps carefully. A low overnight rate may exclude sightseeing, meals or transport from the meeting point.
Confirm who will collect you, where the activity begins and what your booking includes. Remote walking and mountain routes need appropriate preparation and expertise.
Browse desert adventures and other Jordan experiences
Aqaba: Add Time Beside the Red Sea
Aqaba provides a coastal change of pace after inland sightseeing.
You can explore the city, enjoy a beach day or choose a boat, snorkelling or diving experience. Compare accommodation by location as well as price: staying farther from your planned activity may add transport costs.
For marine outings, check equipment, supervision and participation requirements. Do not assume every boat trip includes snorkelling or every beach offers free access.
Madaba: Mosaics and a Slower Pace
Madaba offers an introduction to Jordan’s mosaic heritage, including the historic map in St George’s Church.
It can suit travellers who enjoy smaller-scale city exploration, with time for food stops and nearby attractions. If visiting Mount Nebo or the Dead Sea afterwards, arrange the connections rather than assuming frequent public transport between every stop.
Dana: Choose a Walk That Matches Your Experience
Dana’s changing landscapes make it appealing for travellers interested in nature and walking.
A short guided outing and a multi-day trek require very different preparation. Check route access, guiding requirements, accommodation and water arrangements before setting out.
Ask about the exact location of your accommodation, as properties described as being “in Dana” may have different access arrangements.
Mujib: An Activity to Plan Carefully
Mujib offers dramatic canyon scenery, but individual routes have specific requirements.
Some experiences involve water, swimming and negotiating obstacles. They should not be described as suitable for every ability.
Confirm seasonal operation, age restrictions, equipment, weather conditions and your suitability before travelling. Respect closures and keep an alternative plan available.
Hiking Sections of the Jordan Trail
The Jordan Trail connects northern Jordan with Aqaba through varied landscapes and communities.
You can choose a shorter section rather than attempting the full route. Start by assessing daily distances, elevation changes and how remote the section is.
Do not assume continuous signposting, mobile reception, accommodation or reliable drinking water. Arrange supplies, navigation and onward transport in advance, using local expertise where appropriate.
Where to Stay on a Backpacking Budget
Hostels, guesthouses, simple hotels and camps offer different ways to manage costs and meet other travellers.
Before booking, check:
Whether the price is per person or per room.
Taxes and any additional charges.
Breakfast and kitchen facilities.
Bathroom arrangements and room security.
Reception availability for late arrivals.
Transport costs to your planned activities.
Recent reviews can help identify practical issues that photographs do not show. At desert camps and remote lodges, confirm meals and transfers before comparing prices.
Getting Around Jordan
Scheduled Coaches
Scheduled coaches can be useful for some intercity journeys. Check current routes, departure points, fares and luggage arrangements directly with the operator.
A service described as “Amman to Petra” may have a specific collection point and return timetable, so confirm the details before booking accommodation or activities around it.
Local Buses and Minibuses
Local services can provide economical transport, but coverage and departure arrangements vary. Some departures depend on passenger demand rather than a strict timetable.
Ask locally about the correct station, likely departure window and return options. Allow flexibility instead of building a tight connection around an uncertain service.
Taxis and Shared Transfers
Compare the total cost of a transfer with other travellers when practical. Confirm whether the price is per person or per vehicle, and agree on the destination and any stops.
For prearranged collection, verify the driver through your original booking contact.
Guided Activities
A guided excursion can be useful for a particular destination or remote route while leaving the rest of your trip independent.
Check the departure point carefully. Transport to a camp, a sightseeing excursion and a guided hike are different services.
Explore activities and transfer listings across Jordan
Keeping Your Budget Under Control
Start with the expenses that shape your itinerary: admission, accommodation, longer journeys and activities you particularly want to enjoy.
Then allow for food, drinking water, mobile data, tips and a contingency reserve.
To improve value:
Plan a route that reduces backtracking.
Compare total costs, including admission and transfers.
Enjoy local food and bakery breakfasts.
Share suitable transport costs.
Check whether a pass or existing booking already covers admission.
Leave flexibility for changing weather or transport arrangements.
The cheapest advertised option is not always the best value once additional charges are included.
What to Pack
Choose equipment around your actual itinerary rather than a generic desert packing list.
Comfortable walking shoes, adaptable clothing, sun protection and a power bank are useful for many trips. Bring warmer layers for cool evenings and winter travel.
For outdoor activities, follow the provider’s equipment advice. Carry reliable drinking water and personal medication, and save important bookings and contact details offline.
A lighter bag makes transfers easier, but do not cut essential clothing or equipment from a remote hiking plan.
Travelling Independently and Responsibly
Check current official travel advice, entry requirements and insurance coverage before departure.
Stay aware of your surroundings, use established providers and tell someone your plans before remote excursions. Choose a manageable pace and allow yourself rest days.
Support local businesses where possible, ask permission before photographing people and leave natural and archaeological places undisturbed.
If extending your journey beyond Jordan, research each border and destination separately. Regional proximity does not guarantee straightforward entry or transport.
Build Your Journey with Excursions Jordan
Backpacking gives you the freedom to combine independent discovery with selected local experiences.
Excursions Jordan brings together activities from local providers across the country. Compare cultural visits, desert excursions, outdoor activities and coastal outings, checking each listing’s requirements and inclusions.
Choose the experiences that matter most, plan the essential connections and leave room for the encounters that make the journey your own.
Discover tours, activities and local experiences with Excursions Jordan