JORDAN BEDOUINES & CAMELS

Years ago I met a young bright Bedouin when I walked the length of Jordan (650km) with my donkey Yustra. His name was Salman and he stopped me on my travels, curious to find out what I was doing there. In his desert.

After listening to my story with shock and amazement -‘Sleeping under the stars and in caves? Walking for weeks through the desert to get here? With a donkey? You are one of us!’-he invited us to his family’s camp in the desert.
We had lots to talk about! Finding out we had much in common, though our worlds are at the same time a million miles apart.

We chatted for days about our shared love for both animals, nature, life and the traditional Bedouin ways of his ancestors.

Around the campfires at night more and more family members joined our conversations and I told them how I wished more people could experience this..
They didn’t need long to come up with the following grand idea:

‘Let’s organize a trip in which people can experience the desert in true Bedouin style. We’ll travel by foot, our luggage carried on camels, cook on open fires and share meals under the stars. We’ll show the best kept secrets of the desert and proudly share the lifestyle of our ancestors. We would love that!’

And so this trip was born..

Therefore: I invite you to join us on a trip to arguably the most spectacular desert landscape on the planet: Wadi Rum, Jordan. An area where being a desert dweller is in every man’s genes. I’ll bring you to Salman and his family, who will guide us through empty valleys with red and white sand dunes, past canyons and unearthly rock formations, while climbing peaks and enjoying magnificent views. Our Bedouin guides will teach us their ways and introduce us to the wonders of my favorite animals: camels. The camels will carry our luggage and there will also be camels available for riding. They are the best trained (loved) camels I ever met, so you can really get up close and personal with them.

Salman and his family will cook Bedouin-style for us, tell us  stories and sing us the songs of ancient times around the campfire at night. We will climb, hike, play with camels and enjoy stars like you’ve never seen them before. Yalla!

All nights we sleep under the stars out in the desert and end the trip in the same Bedouin camp where I sept first, back in 2019.

This trip is suited for travelers with a moderate fitness and an interest in both the nature and the culture of Jordan. There is no age limit, but general fitness is required, as we aim at hiking around 10-15 kilometers a day. In sand. Camelriding is optional.

Trip price includes all costs inside Wadi Rum

• transport from Amman to Wadi Rum
• all food
• bedouin guides, cameleers and chef
• camels & gear
• support crew in Wadi Rum

Excluding

• Your flight to and from Jordan
• Visa (free if you purchase a Jordan Pass)
• Transport from Wadi Rum after trip (approx $30 per taxi to Aqaba, or $30pp by bus to Amman)
• Bring your own tent, mat and sleeping bag

ITINERARY

March 26: meet at 17.30 at a to be announced location in Amman for early local dinner

March 27: 8 am departure to Wadi Rum, start trek, first night in the desert

March 28-31st: deserthikes, camelriding, climbing to viewpoints, bedouin talks, fires, camping under the stars (total 5 nights camping, 6 nights in the desert)

April 1st: last day of hiking, arriving in bedouincamp where youll enjoy a real bed and a quick hot shower

April 2nd: 4WD to petroglyph canyon, return to Wadi Rum, end of the trip

Most participants stay on after the trip to visit other Jordan highlights like the Red Sea (great snorkeling), the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib (canyon), Jerash, Ma’an hot springs, Um Qais and of course the jewel of the Middle-East: PETRA!

Included in your application will be an extensive description and (if needed) help organizing your visit to Petra ’through the back door’. Having visited this magnificent site nine times before, I have lots of tips for you and recommend you dont miss out :)