Exquisite, Tailormade Holidays to
Jordan
If you want to get to know Jordan, the best way to do it is on foot. And nowhere in the country is this truer than in the Dana Nature Reserve, a remarkable area boasting a vast array of flora and some staggering birdlife.
Back to nature
For all the Middle East’s many attractions and remarkable scenery, all too often nature is not high enough on the list of reasons for visiting. At Dana this can change. There are spectacular walks, jaw-dropping vistas, cosy, characterful places to stay, chances to meet and talk to the local people, and a peace and quiet you’ll struggle to find anywhere else.
Responsible tourism
Jordan’s nature reserves are protected by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Jordan (RSCN). This includes not only the area surrounding Dana and Feynan, but also a number of other fabulous regions across the country, including Ajloun and Wadi Mujib.
The work they do is exceptional – they work with local people and communities, who in turn look after their hotels, campsites and guiding, and the money these places make is ploughed back into the reserves themselves to secure their future and maintain old traditions, craftsmanship and local knowledge.
For people who like to travel knowing that their visit has made a positive contribution to the region, we recommend a stay in Dana highly.
Accommodation: Dana Guest House
The Dana Guesthouse is a simple lodge which Queen Nur of Jordan described as possessing “ten star views” – and she is absolutely right. The building sits at the top of a valley, feasting on the view into a nature reserve which drops sharply away from the balconies of the hotel.
The hotel is run by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Jordan (RSCN), who employ a responsible approach to tourism, and seek to encourage local communities to play an active part in both the preservation of areas of natural beauty and the welcoming of tourists. The spirit of their work is well embodied in Dana, where local guides take you for walks through the region’s delightful flora and food is locally prepared according to traditional recipes.
The ten rooms are very simple – only one has an en-suite bathroom – but it is not the reason to stay here. The area is resplendent, especially in spring, and it is a side of Jordan all too often missed along the standard trail.
Accommodation: Feynan Eco Lodge
The Feynan Eco Lodge is a remarkable lodge at the foot of the valley. Reached either by road – or more spectacularly by hiking from Dana – the reward is a stay in one of the 26 en suite rooms, nestled safely in the middle of nowhere. The rooms are simple, but feature solar-heated showers, and in the evening are lit by twinkling candlelight. At leisure, the terraces provide views in all directions of the valley, as well as a rooftop one from which the stars of the clear night sky burst into life.
The dining provided at the hotel is entirely vegetarian, but a feast of the best of what the region has to offer. Teas, herbs, jams are all grown on the reserve, while mealtimes are a communal affair, with freshly-baked flat breads and ingredients sourced from nearby farms.
All this makes Feynan a delight to visit, and a perfect complement to a stay in the Dana Nature Reserve.
Dana Nature Reserve in a Jordan itinerary
Because of its size, it is easy to get around Jordan by road without spending too long travelling.
With ten nights to spare, this trip through the country which takes in not just the classic highlights such as Petra and Wadi Rum, but also gets you back to nature with a visit to the Dana Nature Reserve and nights at the Dana Guest House and Feynan Eco Lodge.
All our programmes are privately-guided, with excellent representatives and experts to look after you from start to finish.
Day 1 – You arrive in Amman, are met by a local representative and whisked through the city’s airport and taken directly in a private car to your hotel for a three-night stay in the capital.
Day 2 – Your sightseeing begins with a walking tour of the capital, Amman, before a journey north to Jordan’s most impressive Roman ruins, the city of Jerash.
Day 3 – The short journey south takes you to the Christian town of Madaba for a walking tour and a lunch with a local family, as well as taking in the vista from the spectacular Mount Nebo, laden with religious significance.
Day 4 – You leave Amman for Petra, travelling down the famed King’s Highway, a spectacular winding road through the valley which runs down the centre of Jordan. En route you take in two of Jordan’s Crusader Castles – those at Kerak and Shawbak, before arriving in Petra for the night.
Day 5 – On your first day of exploring the sprawling remains of Petra, you spend the morning being guided by an expert local guide, before continuing into the rest of the city at your own pace.
Day 6 – After experiencing some of the classic highlights of the city yesterday, the day is free to return to some of your favourite landmarks or to seek out some new ones.
Day 7 – In the morning you leave Petra and make your way south to Wadi Rum for a jeep tour through the desert, before continuing north to Dana, where you spend the afternoon free to explore the area around the Dana Guest House.
Day 8 – With your guide you hike for the day down the valley until arriving at Feynan, where you spend the night at the Feynan Eco Lodge.
Day 9 – Continuing from Feynan, you head north to the Dead Sea, where you check into a spa hotel to enjoy a couple of days at leisure.
Day 10 – The day is at leisure by the Dead Sea.
Day 11 – In the morning you are met by your representative and driven to the airport in time for your flight on to the UK.
Like this itinerary? How to book
At African Explorations everything we arrange is on an individual, tailor-made basis, with arrangements made based on your preferences.
If this Jordan itinerary with time in Dana and Feynan fits the bill then we can book it for you just this way. If not, we can refine it, add or take away from it, or start from scratch until you have the trip you want!
But if you have any questions, or want to begin planning or booking your trip, call our specialists on 01993 822 443 to discuss it further.
Find out more about Jordan
There’s no better way to discuss the alternatives than to give us a call on 01993 822 443 and chat to our Jordan specialist about how to combine this into your trip.
Of course, you can also continue browsing our Jordan section here:
