You are probably thinking whether Dana should be added to your itinerary in Jordan or not, right? Well, the short answer is: YES, definitely. In this blog article, you will understand the infrastructure around Dana and get information about non-guided-hikes. Also in this post, recommendations where to stay and how to continue your journey from Dana onwards.

1. What you should know before coming to Dana

2. Orientation in Dana

3. Accommodation in Dana 

4. Hiking in Dana

5. Getting to / from Dana 

Dana is stunning beautiful

When you are on a short trip in Jordan and need to decide between Petra, Wadi Rum or Dana, my recommendation is very clear: Come to Dana! 

Rural Location

Even though Dana is recommended in every travel book about Jordan, you are depending pretty much on yourself here in terms of supplies and transportation. Also most of the hikes are not marked. So you need either a guide or a GPS-device. (and download the trail beforehand). Also it happened to us, that 2 gas stations run out of 95-fuel.....which gave us a little adrenaline with am almost empty gasoline stock in our car. 

Hiking is mostly one-way

Dana is a paradise for hiking. But maybe not as what yo imagine. Most of the tracks are guided-only AND one-way. This means you either need to arrange a pick-up transport back to where you started, or you have to hike the same way back as you came. However, in this blog article I will share all the knowledge about the few circle hikes and paths you can do without guide! 

Limited Information

Getting information about Dana before your trip seems difficult. Even when you are in Dana, maps of tracks are roughly developed. I recommend to rely on applications like komoot and to read a lot of reports from people who have been to Dana. I hope that this blog article will answer most of your questions already!

Dana is not cheap

You will be surprised for such a rural destination the prices in the guesthouses, and even in the very simple tents, are quite high! Dana is not necessarily a budget destination. You can get a cheap deal for the night (as example in Al-Nawatef Camp) but be prepared for shared bathrooms and no heating/AC). Also, getting to Dana with drivers will cost more than to other parts of Jordan, because also the population knows well, that Dana attracts a lot of tourists. 

If section 1 in this blog post didn't not put you off to go to Dana, you are probably still reading :) That´s great. Dana should not be missed for any reasons. So its worth to save a little bit more and include to Dana to your itinerary.

What does it mean, "Dana"? It is a place on the map. It is a tiny heritage village, with roughly fifty houses left....Dana itself is a vast area covering several biosphere reservats. Dana Village is a collection of simple Bed&Breakfasts as well as some proper Hotels. Here is definitely no mass tourism. It´s best advised to book all your needed meals also with your accommodation. There are no other options to eat! When you stay in Dana Village, you have two little supermarkets, that sell a lot of snacks, sweets, some fruits, coffee and so on. For anything more fancy, like a pharmacy or a repair shop for your car, you have to drive to Al-Qadisiya Village, what people call the "New Dana". 

Dana Guesthouse 

This guesthouse is run by Wild Jordan RSCN. Prices start from 70 JD for a double room including breakfast. Location is superb, rooms are tidy and clean. Everything is one the pricier side...dinner (15 JD), guided hikes (72 JD) and pick up from Feynan Eco Lodge after the Wadi Dana Hike (70 JD).

Al Nawatef Camp

 This is a bidget option to stay in Dana and it attracts many young backpackers. Athmosphere is nice, guides cost only 15 JD per person for a hike.

Al Rumana Campsite 

You can hike to this campsite via the White Dome Trail (see above). Beautiful spot and you have 3 different hiking trails in front of your doorstop that are open without guide !

Feynan Eco Lodge 

This hotel is ranked among the ten best Eco Lodges in the World. Prices are high, staying here an experience. It is ideal to stay here after the Wadi Dana hike.

***Elephant Rock***

In the middle inside of the protected area of Dana is a very nice path that brings you from the top of the white, round-shaped exotic looking rocks down to the valley, through steep and narrow Wadis. We followed the GPS track on Komoot, but unlike mentioned there, the path is no longer for an average hiker a circle...meaning you need to walk back the way you came, which is not boring at all within these fantastic landscapes. 

Check out the full hike on komoot application. 

Check out the starting point of this hike. Even if you do not want to hike there, come here only for the sunset. It is amazing. 

In all cases you need to reach this point by car. The closest hotels are Dana Guesthouse and Al-Nawatef Camp.

***White Dome Trail***

The White Dome Trail is a spectacular hike from Dana heritage village all the way to Al-Rummana Campsite. You walk always on the same altitude. That makes it also suiteable for non-professional hikers. You can either walk one way and arrange a pick up back to Dana Village, or of course stay a night in Al-Rummana Campsite.

***Dana View Trail***

If you are staying at Dana Guesthouse, this trail is directly at your doorstep. Follow it with GPS on komoot application.

***Wadi Dana***

A famous 23 Kilometer track from Dana Village to Feynan Eco Lodge. Usually the hike takes 7 hours and you can do it without guide. Once you reached the destination, no worries, there are cheaper options to recover one night than staying in Feynan Eco Lodge (which is among the top 10 World´s best eco lodges).

***Sunset Hikes Al Nawatef Camp***

If staying at Al Nawatef Camp, you can get yourself a guide for 15 JD per person and join one of the stunning sunset hikes, around 2 hours, in vast nature, off any marked path!

***Jordan Trail Stage Dana to Little Petra***

If you are into hiking, you might have heard about the Jordan trail. A 600 km long trail across Jordan. It is said that the most stunning stage is from Dana to Little Petra. So while in Dana, you have the chance to walk actually a few kilometers ON the Jordan Trail. The hikes is in the beginning the same as the one through Wadi Dana towards Feynan Eco Lodge, but continues more after you passed the Lodge. On the homepage for Jordan Trail you find useful maps and information. If you have time, start in Dana and walk 4 days to Little Petra. You can do so without guide but arrange with local bedouins to set up a so-called free-camp. Their telephone numbers are online.

***Trails from Al-Rummana Campsite***

If you chose Al Rummana Campsite as your accomodation, you have at least 3 very nice short hikes (up to 2 hours) that can be done without guide. At the campsite they can tell you about it or you will find them on hiking apllications. The three trails are: Rummana Mountain Trail, The Cave Trail, and Rummana Campsite Trail.

There is a very useful homepage when planning hikes in Jordan or especially in Dana. They categorized hikes up to 2/4/6 and 8 hours.

Public Transport: Getting to Dana by public transport is pretty cheap but takes a lot of time! Make sure you start your day early enough and check the different steps on this blog post from Backpack Middle East.

Rented Car: That´s anyway a great choice for Jordan - to rent a car. The prices are reasonable and you are much more independant and safe time.

Driver to/from Aqaba: We have our most kindest and trustworthy driver in Aqaba, we know him since long time and he offers the trip for us Dana - Aqaba 70 JD, his name is hassan and his WhatsApp is: 00962790373104. Check my collection about how to spend your time in Aqaba.

Driver to/from Amman: Super reliabe and funny dude...Haitham. He can pick you up for around 80 JD. His Whatsapp is: 00962799239914. Check also my inside guide about Amman.

Car Sharing: There are some Facebook Groups, such as Solo-Travellers Jordan or Jordan Travel Community where rides are shared.

Hitchhiking: If you are such type of traveller and not on a tight time schedule, hittchiking in Jordan is safe and reasonable (they might ask for a fuel contribution), many Jordanians do it just the same way...to wait at major junctions for a lift.