March 9, 2024 - March 16, 2024

jordan

"Join the Wadi Rum Challenge and trek through the stunning desert landscape of Jordan in support of the Army Benevolent Fund."


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Join us on an unforgettable adventure as we trek through the stunning desert landscape of Wadi Rum in Jordan, all in support of the the Army Benevolent Fund which provides lifelong support to soldiers, former soldiers, and their families.

The home of several Bedouin tribes, the vast Wadi Rum is most famous for its association with British Army Officer T. E. Lawrence, who passed through several times during the Arab Revolt of 1917–18.  In the 1980s shots of Wadi Rum in the 1962 film ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ were responsible for kick-starting Jordan’s tourist industry and introducing travellers to this spectacular place.

The trek will give an opportunity to immerse you in a world of military-like banter and foster an unparalleled sense of teamwork. As you traverse the rugged terrain and overcome obstacles, you’ll forge bonds with your fellow trekkers and experience the unique camaraderie that comes with facing challenges together. The demanding nature of the trek will give you an insight into military desert exercises and push you to your limits, but with the support and encouragement of your team, you’ll emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.

So, if you’re looking for an adventure that will test your mettle and leave you with unforgettable memories, look no further than our Soldiers’ Charity trek to Wadi Rum.

How much is it?

Registration fee: £500 (non-refundable).

Fundraising target: £2600

Challenge highlights

  • Trekking between 22 – 25km per day in the majestic Wadi Rum (a World Heritage site)
  • Finding dramatic, hidden desert scenery, including sandstone domes, rock formations and granite and basalt striated mountains
  • Experiencing the Bedouin culture and cuisine
  • Wild camping beneath spectacular desert skies
  • Summiting Um Dami, Jordan’s highest mountain
  • Trip finishes with a guided tour to the ancient city of Petra

Interested in entering as part of a corporate or work team?

Do you know five people or more interested in entering a team from your company? If so, contact us on [email protected] call 07392 081730 / 07891 847262 to find out more.

 

 

Your journey begins at London Gatwick, where a Soldiers’ Charity representative will meet you at the airport. Setting off on the morning flight, on a direct route taking roughly 5hrs 40mins, we will arrive at Aqaba, Jordan’s southernmost city located where the Jordanian, Egyptian and Israeli borders meet, in the late afternoon.  We will be welcomed by our trek partner Mountain Leader and Jordanian team at the airport and then it is a short transfer by bus to our hotel.

Before dinner, we will have a team briefing from the Mountain Leader, who will tell us all that we need to know about the days that follow. It will include a comprehensive safety briefing, encompassing everything from toilet etiquette, and camp organisation, through to foot care and hydration, and everything in between.   

Overnight in 3-star hotel in Aqaba, dinner.  

Day 2 – Aqaba to Seven Pillars of Wisdom – Camp 1 Lawrence Camp

After an early breakfast, we transfer by bus from Aqaba to the Wadi Rum visitors centre, where we meet our open topped 4WD jeeps that will take us into the Wadi Rum and to the start of the trek.

Our trek begins close to the Seven Pillars of Wisdom (named after the autobiography and in honour of TE Lawrence, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ who spent time here) which is the first iconic site in the Wadi Rum.  The seven leaning pillars are formed of a base of rock which is 4.6 billion years old, with a sandstone cap which is a relative newcomer at a mere 500 million years old!  After trekking around the base, we then leave the tourist jeeps far behind as our route takes us off the beaten track and into the Jabel mountain area.

We trek through the narrow canyons and siqs, (Arabic for ‘gateway’), enjoying the frankly awe-inspiring setting.  We continue through the canyons, with our guides pointing out petroglyphs and inscriptions on the flat rock faces which rise straight out of the sand below.  The inscriptions are ancient drawings of humans and animals, thought to be instructions and messages to fellow long gone travellers about the route and hidden springs.  We continue, before finally seeing the welcome site of our camp for the night, close to the Lawrence House.  We will enjoy another amazing meal, and when the sun sets, can gather around one of the campfires, having a tired but happy chat, under amazing Arabian skies.

Approx. 15km, 5 hours trekking

Overnight wild camping and full board.

Day 3 – Lawrence House – Um Fruth Bridge – Nugra Canyon – Camp 2 Sunset Camp

 Leaving camp early after breakfast, we reach the Lawrence House, named after Lawrence of Arabia, who stayed there once, although the foundations of the house are much older, and are probably Nabatean, the ancient Arabian people who built Petra as their capital.  We begin to trek, away from the house, over a sandy plain, edged with sheer, ochre red canyon walls, and dotted with stunning rock formations. We reach Um Fruth bridge, which is probably the last time we will see any other tourists until our final day.  The bridge is a spectacular rock formation, with a narrow rock ledge spanning two larger points, about 20m above the ground.  We will have lunch just past this point, before continuing our trek over the plain, and then descending through the narrow Nugra Canyon.  Before reaching our camp for the night, we will have a sandy climb up a moon rock canyon and will be rewarded with specular views across the vast Rum plains.

The sunsets at this camp are incredible, and will we aim to be in camp so that we can watch the sun go down, before a tasty and hearty supper.

Approx. 25km, 8 – 9 hours trekking

Overnight wild camping and full board

Day 4 – Sunset Camp to Um Ad Dami – Summit – Camp 3 – Um Ad Dami Camp

Leaving Sunset Camp after breakfast, we continue heading south towards the Red Mountains.  We trek towards Um Ad Dami, and the site of our next camp.  Reaching there, we have a quick snack and a hot drink, before grabbing our packed lunches and beginning our mountain ascent. The first part of the ascent is steep and while we need watch our footing on the large boulders, this is not a technical climb, and our guides will be there to help you. It takes between 1.5 – 2 hours to reach the summit and we will be rewarded with views across the Wadi Rum and over to the Red Sea and south into Saudi Arabia. After many photo opportunities under the Jordanian flag, we descend to our camp at the base of the mountain, for some rest and dinner.

Approx. 10km, 6-7 hours trekking

Overnight wild camping and full board. 

Day 5 – Um Ad Dami Camp to Camp 4 – Candle Camp

After breakfast, we head westwards, through a very different landscape where the rock formations are squatter and a much deeper red, verging almost on black.  This provides a contrast with the sand beneath our feet and the blue sky above.

After a hearty lunch and a chance to rest our legs, we set off towards our very special final camp where we are introduced to a new form of eating – Mansaf! Tonight, we can enjoy the magical setting of Candle Camp and share stories around the memorising campfire under the stunning desert night skies.

Approx. 25km, 9-10 hours trekking

Overnight wild camping and full board.

Day 6 – Candle Camp to trek finish

Today is the final day of our challenge and we start early, continuing to head north, passing through some narrow canyons and weird, wind sculpted rock formations, such as the mushroom! We head on towards Burrah Canyon, the most spectacular one we have seen so far, before eventually emerging into our final canyon, Lawrence Canyon.  We finish our trek at the faces of TE Lawrence and King Abullah carved into the stones.

After we take many photos to remind us of our achievement, we take to the 4WD jeeps again to drive out of the Wadi Rum, and to the fixed desert camp owned by Harb, our chief Bedouin guide who has been with us throughout our trek.  Basic but comfortable, we experience Harb’s amazing hospitality and the traditional ‘Zarb’ form of cooking!

25km in total, 7- 8 hours trekking

Fixed desert camp, full board. 

Day 7 – Ancient City of Petra

After a very early breakfast, we say goodbye to our desert team.  The 4WD open topped jeeps will collect us once more and will drive us to where our minibus is waiting.  We will then transfer to the ancient city of Petra (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes).   After walking down the narrow siq (canyon), you will emerge at the Treasury, the setting for the final scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  It’s nothing short of spectacular!  Trekking through the site to the Monastery is recommended.  It’s 3.7 miles from the entry to the siq and involves 909 feet of climbing but is well worth it!  Or simply wander through the site, soaking up the unique atmosphere and the ancient sites. After a late lunch, we transfer back to Aqaba and your hotel, ready for a hot shower and a celebration!

Overnight in 3 Star hotel, Aqaba and full board.

Day 8 – Aqaba and fly home This morning we have time to explore the souks of Aqaba (there are some interesting spice stalls, and the market sells all sorts of fresh produce.  Some is familiar, some is not!).  Or, if you prefer, simply stay at the hotel and relax, before we meet for a late lunch and then head to the airport.

We return to London Gatwick in the evening.

Breakfast, lunch

Option 1: Minimum Fundraising

Join us for a memorable adventure while supporting the Army Benevolent Fund. It’s easy to get started! Simply complete our online registration and pay a £500 non-refundable fee. Pledge to raise a minimum of £2600 in sponsorship, with at least 80% (£2076) received by the Army Benevolent Fund at least ten weeks before departure. We’ll provide you with ongoing support and a dedicated fundraising team page to make it effortless for you. Once you meet the requirements, your place on the challenge is secured.

Option 2: Self-Funding 

Embark on an incredible journey with the Army Benevolent Fund through our self-funding option. Get started easily by completing our online registration and paying a £500 non-refundable fee. The total trip cost is £2095 per person, with a final payment of £1595 due 10 weeks before departure. We ask you to commit to raising an additional £1000 per person for our charity, and at least 80% (£800) must be received by the Army Benevolent Fund ten weeks before departure. We’ll provide you with support and guidance throughout the process. Experience the adventure, knowing you’ve made a positive impact.

On registration you will automatically have an individual fundraising page created as part of our teams’ fundraising efforts. This will allow you to share your fundraising journey with your friends and family and see how your fellow adventures are doing.

What’s Included

  • International economy class flights between London Gatwick and Aqaba.
  • All transfers by minibus or bus as per itinerary.
  • Accommodation in shared rooms in Aqaba, Desert camp; shared tents on trek.
  • All meals from dinner on day of arrival to Breakfast on day of departure, bottled water supplied on trek.
  • Jordanian Visa.
  • Experienced team leaders, guides and in-country support crew, jeep support during trek.
  • A full bespoke training guide (Supplied by our trekking partner).
  • Finishers medal.

 

Welcome to our Wadi Run Challenge photo gallery, beautifully captured by the skilled photographers at Behind the Lens Media. Explore the stunning desert landscape of Jordan and the incredible feat of our challenge participants as they trek through Wadi Rum in support of the Army Benevolent Fund. Browse through our gallery and witness the breathtaking moments of adventure, camaraderie and triumph on this unforgettable journey. Stunning images from our 2022 trip.

 

 

 

Sponsorship

There are many sponsorship opportunities available for The Frontline Walk and My Frontline Walk, which will give your brand excellent exposure to our audience and allow you to get involved with these unique event, such as:

  • A number of excellent opportunities to promote your products, services and brand to our audience
  • Various levels of sponsorship tiers are available based on your overall investment, including Headline, Major and Associate Sponsor levels.

Previous Sponsors have included: Annington Homes & Ancestry UK, as well as sponsors-in-kind such as Military History Matters and Mornflake.

To discuss specific or bespoke packages, or for further information, please contact us on 020 7811 3201 or [email protected]

"Join the Wadi Rum Challenge and trek through the stunning desert landscape of Jordan in support of the Army Benevolent Fund."


Sign up now!
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