- Region
- Tafileh Governorate
- How long
- 2 nights
- Reserve size
- ≈ 292 km² — Jordan's largest (RSCN, est. 1989)
- Altitude range
- ≈ 1,500 m on the plateau near Qadisiyyah (Dana village ≈ 1,200 m) to below sea level in Wadi Araba
- Entry
- JD 10 + 16 % tax for foreigners (JTB, as of November 2026)
- From Petra
- ≈ 70 km, 1.25 h
In short
- The Dana Biosphere Reserve drops from the highland village of Dana down a great canyon to the desert of Wadi Araba, crossing four climate zones in a single day's walk.
- The classic hike is the Wadi Dana trail, about 14 km and 5–6 hours downhill to Feynan Ecolodge, a solar-powered, candle-lit lodge run with local Bedouin.
- Feynan was one of the ancient world's great copper-mining centres; slag heaps and Roman-era mines still dot the landscape.
- Dana sits on the King's Highway between Karak and Petra — a perfect two-night break on a road trip.
Why go to Dana
Standing on the terrace of Dana village at sunset, looking down a canyon of red, white and purple rock towards the haze of Wadi Araba, is one of Jordan's quiet great moments. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) created the reserve in 1989; it was among the first in the region to link conservation with local jobs, from guides and lodge staff to the craft workshops where village women dry fruit and make jewellery.
Because the reserve falls from about 1,500 m to below sea level, it contains Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian and Sudanian habitats — rare in such a small area — with juniper and oak on the heights and acacia in the desert below. Ibex, sand cats and many birds, including griffon vultures, live here.
Book tours in Dana & FeynanLive times, prices and free cancellation terms on GetYourGuide.
Check availabilityDana village
The stone village of Dana, built centuries ago on the canyon rim and largely abandoned in the 20th century, has been partly restored as guesthouses and workshops. Wander its lanes, visit the RSCN Nature Shop and craft centre and walk to the viewpoints on the edge. The RSCN Dana Guest House and several family-run hotels make it an easy base.
Hiking: the main trails
| Trail | Length / time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wadi Dana Trail (Dana → Feynan) | ≈ 14 km, 5–6 h one way | Downhill, self-guided or guided; arrange transport/luggage |
| Rummana Mountain Trail | ≈ 2.5 km, 2–3 h | From Rummana campsite; views and birds |
| Wadi Ghuweir Trail | ≈ 16 km, 6–7 h | Wet canyon to Feynan; guide required, season-dependent |
| Village viewpoint walks | ≈ 1 h | Short and easy from Dana village |
Feynan Ecolodge and the copper mines
At the bottom of the canyon, Feynan Ecolodge (opened 2005) runs on solar power and candlelight, serves vegetarian meals and offers activities with Bedouin hosts — bread-making, coffee ceremonies, shepherd walks and stargazing. It is a member of National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World. Book directly with the lodge.
The surrounding hills hold one of the ancient Levant's richest copper districts. Mining and smelting here go back to the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages, peaked again in the Iron Age and under Rome (when it was known as Phaino), and left black slag heaps you can still see.
Tours
GetYourGuide has few ready-made Dana tours; most visitors drive themselves on the King's Highway and book RSCN guides locally, or walk from Dana to Petra on the Jordan Trail with a specialist operator. The live listing below shows current options.
Who lives in the reserve
Semi-nomadic Bedouin families graze goats in the lower reserve around Feynan, and the villagers of Dana and Qadisiyyah farm the terraces above. RSCN's model is to involve them as guides, cooks, drivers and craftspeople; visiting a Bedouin tent for coffee with a Feynan guide is one of the most memorable experiences in the reserve.
Dana Biosphere Reserve in brief
The reserve spans four of the world's biogeographic zones — Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian and Sudanian — which is why it has such variety: juniper and oak on the heights, sand dunes and acacias in the lowlands, and in between around 800 recorded plant species, along with Nubian ibex, sand cats, wolves and dozens of raptor species.
- Managed by
- Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)
- Established
- 1989; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1998 (RSCN)
- Area
- About 292 km² — Jordan's largest nature reserve
- Altitude
- From above 1,500 m at Qadisiyyah down to the Wadi Araba lowlands
- Entry
- JD 10 + 16% tax for foreign visitors (Jordan Tourism Board, November 2026); not in the Jordan Pass
How many days in Dana?
- One night: sunset from the village terraces, a short rim walk at dawn, then on to Petra or north to Karak.
- Two nights: add the Wadi Dana trail down to Feynan with a night at the lodge, or a guided rim trail and a day of village crafts.
- Four to five days: continue from Feynan towards Little Petra on the Jordan Trail with a guide — the Dana-to-Petra section is about 72.6 km over four hiking days, according to the Jordan Tourism Board.
Dana fits naturally into a King's Highway road trip between Karak and Petra; Petra is about an hour and a quarter by road.
Who Dana suits
Dana is for walkers, birdwatchers, photographers and anyone who wants a slower, quieter Jordan. It is less suited to travellers who want restaurants and nightlife — the village has a few guesthouses and that is it — and the steep descents to Feynan are demanding for people with knee or mobility problems. Families with older children enjoy the eco camps on the plateau and short rim walks; the full descent to Feynan is a long day for young legs.
Where to stay
Guesthouses in Dana village, eco camps on the plateau and the Feynan Ecolodge at the bottom of the valley.
Wild Dana Eco Lodge
Dana & FeynanEco lodge on the rim of the Dana valley with excellent reviews.
See on Booking.comDana Tower Hotel
Dana & FeynanRustic, characterful guesthouse in Dana village beloved by hikers.
See on Booking.comAl-Nawatef ECO camp - Dana Nature Reserve
Dana & FeynanEco camp near the reserve with valley views and home-cooked meals.
See on Booking.comSee all hotels in Dana & Feynan on Booking.com
Hotel links go to Booking.com, where you see live prices and availability. We do not list prices because they change daily; JordanTravel.com may earn a commission.
Plan your visit to Dana & Feynan
- Things to doCanyon hikes, sunset viewpoints, village crafts, Bedouin coffee and bread-making,…
- ToursHow to book guided hikes in Dana and Feynan, and what GetYourGuide currently offers for…
- Getting thereBy car on the King's Highway, by taxi from Petra or Tafileh, and how to reach Feynan…
- Where to stayGuesthouses in Dana village, eco lodges and camps on the rim, heritage stays nearby and…
- When to goSeasons in the highlands and the desert below, the best months for the Dana–Feynan hike…
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Dana?
By car on the King's Highway (about 1.25 h from Petra, 3 h from Amman), or by taxi from Petra or Tafileh. See getting to Dana.
Do I need a guide for the Wadi Dana trail?
The trail is waymarked and many walk it independently, but RSCN guides are available and recommended in hot weather or if you are inexperienced.
Is the Dana reserve included in the Jordan Pass?
No. Pay the RSCN entrance fee (JD 10 + tax for foreigners as of November 2026).
Is the Dana to Petra hike worth it?
For fit hikers, yes — it is one of the most celebrated sections of the Jordan Trail and ends at Petra's 'back door'. It takes about four hiking days and should be done with a guide and logistics support.
Can I visit Dana as a day trip from Petra?
Yes — Dana village is about an hour and a quarter by road. You will have time for the viewpoints and a short rim walk, but not the full descent to Feynan.
Is there mobile signal in Dana?
Usually in the village and on the rim; coverage is patchy or absent deep in the canyon and around Feynan.
What should I pack for Dana?
Hiking shoes, layers for cold evenings on the rim, a sun hat, a head torch, water bottles and cash — there are no ATMs in the village.
Sources and official information
Facts were checked against these official sources in November 2026. Opening hours, prices and timetables change, so confirm before you go.
JordanTravel.com is an independent guide, not the official site of the Jordan Tourism Board, the Government of Jordan or any operator. Some links are affiliate links: tours go to GetYourGuide and hotels go to Booking.com, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
