Dana Reserve to Feynan Ecolodge: Unique Hike & Cultural Experience – 3 Days

DANA RESERVE TO FEYNAN ECOLODGE

ACTIVITY NAME

DANA RESERVE TO FEYNAN ECOLODGE

WHERE

Dana Biosphere, JORDAN

Price From

1195 USD

BOOK NOW
  • Hike the best reserve in Jordan
  • Learn the ways of ancient Arab culture including how to make Kohl as well as Arbood
  • Spend a day with a local Shepherd and support the Bedouin community
  • Stay in a unique, award-winning ecolodge in the wilderness

DANA RESERVE TO FEYNAN ECOLODGE

THIS THREE-DAY CULTURAL IMMERSION EXPERIENCE IS LIKE NO OTHER. YOU WILL SPEND TIME GETTING TO KNOW THE MAGNIFICENT DANA RESERVE AS WELL AS ITS INHABITANTS.

Dana Biosphere Reserve was founded in 1989 and is Jordan’s greatest nature reserve. Located in south-central Jordan, Dana Biosphere Reserve encompasses 308 square kilometres (119 sq mi) and is considered to be the area in and around the Dana village. The varied geology of Dana contains limestone, sandstone, and granite. The area of Wadi Dana also features magnificent wind-cut sandstone cliffs. The reserve is a location for Earth lovers and adventure seekers alike.

 

DETAILS OF THIS EXPERIENCE

Exploring the incredible Dana Biosphere Reserve allows you to discover stunning scenery as well as a sheer variety of new and exotic species of plant and animal life while connecting with the local Bedouin culture. Not only that, but travellers also get to go on a unique hike through four different bio-geographical zones within the Dana Reserve, this is the only place in Jordan where this can be done!
It all begins with day one, where you will hike from the reserve all the way to Feynan on the Wadi Dana Trail.
During this 14 km hike you will get to explore the spectacular geographical region as well as learn about its fascinating history. Keep an eye out along the way, Dana Reserve is known for its rare plant and animal life. Once you arrive at Feynan, you will get to witness the fantastic view from 325 metres above ground as well as enjoy some quality time with a local Bedouin while possibly sipping on a sweet tea. Day two is slightly less active, more hands on, but just as special as the previous day. The second day is dedicated to Arabian culture, more specifically to Kohl and Arbood. You will spend the first half of the day learning how to make one of the most ancient cosmetic products known to man, Kohl. Then you will learn how to make traditional Arabic bread known as, Arbood. Learning now to make this earthy delight will grant you major bragging rights back home. The day will end with a sunset hike over a mountain overlooking the Bedouin camps.
The final day, day three, is as authentic as it gets.
During this approximately eight-hour experience you will get to live, granted rather briefly, as if you were a Shepherd. This is the Mother of all cultural experiences. Spend time with a local Shepherd. Watch as he guides his family’s goats towards the Feynan wilderness. Share some Arbood bread and sweet Bedouin tea. Get to know Dana Reserve in all its natural splendour.
UNIQUE LODGES EXPERIENCE – DANA RESERVE BIOSPHERE

FACT SHEET

SEASON

All year except May 15 – June 15 (Ramadan)

STARTING TIME

8:00AM

DURATION

3 Days (from 8AM on Day 1 until late afternoon on Day 3)

DEPARTURE POINT

Pick up from your hotel in El Calafate

RETURN DETAILS

Feynan Ecolodge

GROUP SIZE

Min 1 - Max 15

AGE RESTRICTIONS

Minimum age: 18

DIFFICULTY

Average. Hike from Dana Biosphere Reserve is going down but is a long 14km trail with various terrain. The day with the local shepherd you must keep up with their walking pace to follow the goats and may walk off trail but nothing strenuous.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

140 USD

SOLO TRAVELLER SUPPLEMENT

920 USD 

WHY IS THIS A  WILDTHENTIC EXPERIENCE?

Stop time for a few days and live as the ancient Arabs. This singular experience provides you with a unique hike through Jordan’s magnificent Dana Reserve as well as some quality time to enjoy time amongst the local Bedouins.

Enjoy quality time with beautiful people in a superb remote area while learning millennia old crafts and living as the shepherds do. This is as authentic as it can get!

AGENDA FOR YOUR ADVENTURE

 
DAY 1
  • 8:00 Pick up at Dana Guesthouse
  • Hiking from Dana to Feynan Lodge, from 1,200m to 325m above sea level The hike is a 14km intermediate trail and takes 6 to 8 hours. Stops on the way for traditional sweet tea
  • Dinner & overnight in Feynan Ecolodge
DAY 2
  • Local experience making kohl, 2 hours
  • Lunch at the lodge
  • Afternoon local experiences of making Arabic coffee and Arbood Arabic bread
  • Sunset scenic hike excursion, 2 hours including 40-45min walking
  • Dinner & overnight in Feynan Ecolodge
DAY 3
  • 7:30 After breakfast, spend the day with a local shepherd (approx. 8 hours)
  • Traditional lunch shared with shepherd
  • Back to Feynan Ecolodge where the experience ends
  • You may decide to extend your stay here or move to another destination

 NOTES

  • Price based on 2 people sharing
  • Inclusions: Transportation from Dana Guesthouse & Feynan Lodge, all meals, hot drinks and snacks, parks fees, English-speaking guide, private transportation for 3 days, 2-night accommodation in Feynan Lodge, activities as per itinerary.
  • Exclusion: Transfer to Dana, alcoholic beverage, tips and personal expenses.
  • Voucher info: You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this experience.
  • Local operator information: Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher.
  • Cancelation policy: If you cancel at least 60 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a USD300 cancellation fee. If you cancel between 59 and 30 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee. If you cancel within 29 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

WILDTHENTIC TRAVELERS TESTIMONIALS

"Wonderful place, unique stay on nature reserve

Cannot praise this place highly enough and sad we only stayed 1 night. Super friendly local staff, mostly bedouin who live on the reserve. This lodge is to be commended for involving them in sustainable tourism. Healthy vegetarian food. Unique decor – candlelit in evenings except for bathrooms which have solar powered hot water. You can stargaze on the roof with one of the staff (suleiman) who has an Instagram account, walk on your own or go for guided treks. We did a 14k walk down the gorge from Dana Guesthouse – also in the reserve. Being Dec it was chilly in the evening but staff gave us hot water bottles and extra blanket. Magical – would like to return in spring for flowers and birds. Lucky we saw the native nubian ibex. Walked amongst sheep and goats and met some bedouin children. Absolutely lovely. Recommend highly and hope to return. Guests were mix of foreign and local (Jordan nationals). Hope this initiative spreads wider. Particularly impressive was no plastic rule. Filter water is always available. All waste is recycled, felt guilty walking in with plastic bottle of water. Despite being in a park there were no flies or mosquitos though room has nets so maybe at other time of year. Very clean. After here we went to totally hideous Holiday Inn at Dead Sea – from heaven to hell. So much waste – food, water and over consumption by large tour groups. And flies everywhere. "
TripAdvisor User
janegardner December 18, 2017

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