Cycle the Jordan Trail to Petra

The cycling was equal parts challenging and rewarding – the breathtaking vistas and sense of accomplishment made every kilometre worthwhile. We were a mixed group from different backgrounds, ages, and levels of cycling experience, but we all gelled really well. The group dynamic was supportive, good-humoured, and made the experience even more enjoyable.

Laith, Ahmed, and the rest of the team were outstanding – they truly made the trip ‘non plus ultra’. Everything was exceptionally well organised and we were looked after from start to finish. Laith kept us motivated – yalla habibi! – and faithfully guided us across mountains, deserts and mudflats. He has an impressive encyclopaedic knowledge of all things Jordan, and his passion for sharing it shone through.

Ahmed kept us well-nourished and the bikes in prime condition. Ever-present in the support vehicle, he somehow managed to conjure up delicious snacks at will, providing a much-needed boost after some tricky (yet rewarding) ascents!

Jordan is rich in culture, history, stunning landscapes, and incredibly welcoming people, and there’s no better way to experience it than on a bike. The long list of glowing reviews is entirely deserved and I’d wholeheartedly recommend this trip to anyone.

I didn’t fully believe the other reviews—until I experienced it myself. The whole trip was incredibly well organized! Every part of it—from the breathtaking views, delicious food, rich culture, warm-hearted people, to the stunning cycling trails—went far beyond my expectations. Truly unforgettable!

How do you even begin to capture what it’s like cycling through Jordan with Much Better Adventures? If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be: wow (or maybe whoa, or whoa-wow, if that were a word).

From day one, it was a full-blown adventure extravaganza. Jaw dropping landscapes, a culture rich enough to write volumes about, trails that were both thrilling and grin inducing, food that nourished both body and soul, and most importantly, a truly ridiculous amount of laughter.

Our group of eight couldn’t have been more perfect. We spanned different ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels, but none of that mattered. What united us was a shared spirit of adventure and a collective “heck yes” attitude. And Jordan? Oh, Jordan gave us everything, and then some. This trip was really humbling and helped to clear many misconceptions I had previously held.

Special shoutout and standing ovation to our incredible guide Laith and our behind-the-scenes hero, Ahmed. These two sprinkled some serious Jordanian magic over the whole experience. Laith wasn’t just a guide, he was a historian, a comedian, a motivator, and by the end, a true friend. His knowledge and passion for Jordan, its people, its ancient stories, and its modern pulse, transformed the trip into something deeply meaningful.

Ahmed (aka “The Snack-Man”) was always there, every step of the way, when we needed him arms full of treats, water, bike tools, and good vibes. Quietly efficient, always supportive, and probably part-camel, given how much water he packed.

I came on this trip chasing Petra and the Dead Sea. I left with a deep love for Jordan, its land, its stories, and its people. I’m already dreaming of going back.

If you’re on the fence about doing this trip, hop off and get on a bike. Go experience the joy of “Jordanian flat” for yourself. (Spoiler: it’s not flat, but it’s totally worth it).

From start to finish this trip was special. In Laith we had a guide who was unfailingly knowledgeable, patient, decent and good fun. His passion for Jordan and it's people was obvious and this in combination with his knowledge of it's history gave us an insight into the many layers of this country. I particularly enjoyed him explaining the attributes of the camel! We had a great group who encouraged and helped each other. If you're thinking of doing this trip don't hesitate. You won't regret it. It was unforgettable and so much more than I'd expected.

There was no sign that any conflict was happening close by.

Fresh off the saddle from cycling the Jordan Trail to Petra and Wadi Rum, and while my legs are shot, I’ve never felt more alive. What an incredible journey! Picture this: a group of wonderful, warm-hearted and like-minded adventurers combined with endless sunshine, jaw-dropping landscapes, and more hummus and pitta bread than you ever thought possible. Every day brought something new and was unique it its own way — grinding climbs, sweeping descents, and views that made you forget your quads were on fire. Petra was every bit as majestic as you'd hope (and then some), but it was the journey there that made it unforgettable. And Wadi Rum? Easily one of the most breath-taking landscapes I've ever seen in my life… period… Just Wow! The real MVP of the trip, though? Our guide, Furat. Equal parts guide, historian, comedian, cycling coach and first-aider… Through his stories and insights, Jordan’s history and culture truly came alive. His passion for his people, land, and heritage was contagious. I left the trip not just fitter, but with a deeper perspective—and, perhaps most importantly, with a few long-held misconceptions set straight. Oh, and the food. The food! Every meal was a flavour-packed celebration of Jordanian hospitality. I’m still dreaming about the mezze spreads and smoky, slow-cooked dishes served in the middle of nowhere by the locals… Just magic! During our daily cycle rides, our amazing support driver and mechanic, Ahmed, made sure that we were stuffed with local treats… Definitely recommend the sugary ginger! If you’re after an adventure that pushes your limits, fills your soul, and leaves you grinning from ear to ear — this is it. Go. Just go.

The real MVP of the trip, though? Our guide. Equal parts guide, historian and comedian, and cycling coach, he brought Jordan’s culture to life with stories and just the right number of snack breaks. His passion for his people, land, and heritage was infectious, and I came away not only fitter but far richer in perspective.

Oh, and the food. The food. Every meal was a flavour-packed celebration of Jordanian hospitality. I’m still dreaming about the mezze spreads and smoky, slow-cooked dishes served in the middle of nowhere with views to die for.

If you’re after an adventure that pushes your limits, fills your soul, and leaves you grinning like a mad person on a bike—this is it. Go. Just go.

100% amazing trip. Loved every minute. Totally blasted my expectations. Highlight was the amazing trails by bike. Furat was the best guide. Thank you so much. Booking next adventure now!

The whole experience was incredible, from the guides and support teams, to the other adventurers - this team just seemed to gel together nicely.

The cycling terrains were an experience. Having never really cycled off road, I was pleased that by day 5 it took way less concentration to stay upright!

Huge thanks to Furat who made the experience more than the cycling. He gave us some topical insights into the culture of Jordan which I’m sure we’ll continue to discuss between us, should we meet again.

What a trip - so glad we booked this! Furat is an absolute gem of a person; couldn't have asked for a better guide! Happy to share information about the Jordanian culture, which gave us such an insight into both similarities and differences in our cultures.

The scenery is spectacular; the Jordanians super friendly; and the food is amazing! I even coped with the camping as a soft city dweller! Interspersing the wild camping with the posh camping is definitely the right move.

As described, this is a predominantly offroad cycling experience so some mountain biking experience wouldn't go amiss; or at the very least a willingness to give it a go!

Experiencing other countries by bike is the best!

If anyone is thinking ‘Middle East - unsafe’ or ‘Arab country - attitudes to women’: Don’t worry, Jordan feels so safe, friendly. Personally I could have enjoyed more bike miles , but that’s maybe just me. Every day had real highs, despite lack of sleep in desert tents, it was hard not to keep smiling. You don’t need heavy duty footwear for the hiking- just one pair of decent trainers and some sandals for the beach is fine. Don’t bother taking snacks or energy bars - you’ll get more than you need! Again, just me, but I wouldn’t plan to spend too much time in Amman at either end of the trip, there’s some interesting bits but it can be sooo hot! And if you spend time there after your holiday, it is likely to feel like a let-down after the week you’ll have just experienced. May be worth - as I did - grabbing a couple of bottles in duty free on the way out for those ‘dry’ nights camping 😂, and a pack of cards / small board games useful for the evenings.

An excellent time in Jordan with some good (mixed terrain) cycling. The support and guiding was first rate (nothing was ever too much effort for our guide, Furat). Jordan has some real gems in Petra (astounding), Wadi Rum (incredible) and the Dead Sea (everything you’ve heard is true).

Just home after an amazing week cycling the Jordan trail, what an adventure! If you’re thinking about it just do it ! This trip is an incredible way to see and experience Jordan on bikes on and off road, hikes and camping.

The scenery, culture and history were brought alive by our Tour Guide Furat who has a wealth of knowledge and experience of this wonderful country. He was great at guiding us through a variety of terrains. The support of Ahmed was also of the highest quality sorting the odd puncture and providing endless yummy Jordanian snacks and water.

Trip of a lifetime you will not be disappointed! Thank you Furat and Ahmed for kindness, hospitality and passion for your incredible country.

Words cannot explain how incredible this trip is! The cycling is a good challenge but you are fully supported and fed with treats along the way! The wild camping spots and glamping sites are beautiful and give a great insight into Jordanian culture. Our guide Furat was a huge part of our experience with his extensive knowledge and openness. As a person travelling solo, everyone was super welcoming and trip is great at encouraging everyone to bond from the start. Cannot recommend the trip enough, just book it - the photos do not do it justice!

Forget what you may have heard - Jordan is one of the safest countries I've visited and I've travelled to over 50 countries and the people are so warm, witty and welcoming. The journey you will be taken on will have you believing you've been transported to the film set of Indiana Jones at times and the breadth of landscapes from mountain ranges to Petra, the desert to the Red Sea and the Dead Sea is nothing short of breathtaking. The food is prepared by locals based off of recipes dating back generations in their family - It's unlikely you'll experience more authentic cuisine or hospitality outside of this tour. Above all, our guide Furat was exceptional in every way - his passion and love of his country, people and culture is nothing short of infectious and he went above and beyond to show us Jordan through his eyes and it opened our eyes to this sacred corner of the world. You may arrive in Jordan alone, but you'll leave with wonderful memories and friendships. Whether you're flying solo, as a couple or with friends - I cannot recommend this experience enough.

Cycling through Jordan with Much Better Adventures (MBA) was nothing short of extraordinary. This trip was a great mix of adventure, culture, and breath taking landscapes, making for an unforgettable experience.

The journey was made even more remarkable thanks to Furat and Ahmed, our phenomenal guides. Their knowledge, warmth, and enthusiasm brought Jordan’s rich history and stunning scenery to life, ensuring every rider felt welcomed and well cared for. Their passion for the region and their ability to navigate both the terrain and the group dynamics made this adventure truly special.

The highlights were endless. Seeing Petra was amazing. Walking into the site via the less used back way was great and a made for a less crowded entry to the site. Visiting Wadi Rum was another extraordinary day, the desert landscape was something out of a dream (or movie even). The wild camping nights were great, bringing a raw and immersive element to the journey that made us feel truly connected to the land, and our Bedouin hosts cooked up some fantastic meals. Then came the dramatic contrast, after days of cycling staying in 4* hotels for 2 nights which was a real treat. On the final day the grand finale was spending an afternoon at the Dead Sea, floating effortlessly in its mineral-rich waters. It was the ultimate way to reflect on the incredible adventure.

Our bike riding adventure through Jordan was nothing short of magical for me. From the moment we touched down in Madaba, the journey unfolded like a dream.

We pedaled through the breathtaking Dana Nature Reserve, tracing the historic King's Highway to Shobak. Each day brought new wonders—from rugged climbs along the Araba Valley’s rim to serene descents into the majestic rose-red city of Petra. Camping under star-lit skies in Bedouin camps the desert silence, added a soulful touch to the experience.

The ride across the dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum was surreal—cycling past sandstone mountains and endless mudflats.

We ended our biking journey on the shores of the Red Sea, soaking in the sun and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. A float in the Dead Sea capped it all off, leaving us refreshed and full of awe.

This wasn’t just a cycling trip—it was a deeply immersive journey through history, culture, and nature, bound together by the rhythm of our wheels and the spirit of adventure. Jordan, with its raw beauty and warm hospitality, gave us memories we’ll never forget.

Thank you Laith & Captain Nadhir for making this trip memorable.

Good Adventure The Cycling Experience was great The Locations were great Great Cultural Experience and Beautiful Roads. Very professional support Crew, and Laith is an excellent guide. Got picked up and dropped off at the airport on time.

Thoroughly enjoyable trip. Came for the cycling but the non cycling activities were a real bonus.

Very well organised and superbly delivered. Lots packed into every day, with amazing scenery, great food from local sources all shared with a group of positive, like-minded people.

This was one of the best holidays I’ve had … and at 61 years of age, I’ve had a few!

It was an amazing and hugely rewarding experience to cycle and hike through some more remote parts of the central and southern Jordanian landscape. Our route was ‘off the beaten track’ and gave us a taste of rolling hills, craggy mountains, sandstone canyons and majestic deserts.

Our guide, Laith, somehow managed to cater for a range of ages (from 20 to 74), fitness levels and cycling abilities and provided a really fascinating insight into Jordanian history and contemporary life. Ahmed, our support driver (aka ‘ginger man’), took excellent care of the group and our bikes, with an abundant supply of water and energy boosting treats (nuts, sultanas, dates, pretzels and candied ginger, as well as chocolate). When the terrain got a little more challenging, Ahmed provided an unobtrusive pick-up service in the 4x4 support vehicle.

Overnight, we wild camped (2 nights), glamped (2 nights) and stayed in very comfortable hotels (3 nights). Having vowed, more than 20 years ago, never to camp again, I can’t believe how much I enjoyed wild camping or how well I slept. We arrived at our camp sites to find tents and crude but functional ‘facilities’ erected. It was such fun to get back to basics and sit around a fire digging into traditional fare prepared by local people. The glamping every other night provided an opportunity to freshen up and recharge our batteries -metaphorically and literally.

I was part of a group of 11 people, three couples/pairs and five singletons. A major joy of the holiday was to get to know new people from all over the world and to share some extraordinary experiences with them - breathtaking landscapes, long downhill freewheeling, cycling in sand, covering our bodies in mud and laughing like children as we floated with feet and arms aloft - to name but a few.

Somehow, we managed to cover the ‘sites’ of Jordan (Petra, the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, the Red Sea the Dead Sea) and I enjoyed them all enormously. This holiday was so much more than the sum of those parts, however, and was an experience that I’ll treasure in my memory for years to come.

The question is, where to next!

Excellent all round trip that combines, cycling, local gastronomy, history, Our guide made a big difference.

This is distinctly a review of two parts. First, Jordan. It was majestic. What an extraordinary country. The places we saw, the people, the food were all incredible. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Petra and Wadi Rum are two of the best places I’ve been. Our guide, Furat was outstanding. Charming, helpful and working tirelessly to make things run smoothly for us knackered cyclists. We all salute you. Bravo. Hope to see you in England one day soon. Secondly, Much Better Adventure. Their job is to package trips run by local operators, selling them to people in England , who would otherwise not have thought about cycling in Jordan. It’s simple. They implicitly rely on the goodwill of customers not to cut out the middle man (Much Better Adventures), which would hardly be rocket science. So you’d have thought customer service would be the number one priority. Afraid not. This feels like a company run by an over zealous bean counter. They chased and harried me for money, they threatened to cancel our trip unless I payed full price for one of our lot who couldn’t make it. I’m sure they felt secure in the small print. But in the end it took the local operator to make London see sense: You live and die by good customer service. Talk about the tail wagging the dog. Guys you really need to have a rethink and look in the mirror. It was shockingly bad. In the end it was all worth it because Jordan was amazing. Thankyou Furat and team.

My week in Jordan happened to be the best holiday I ever had. The landscapes are breathtaking, the cultural sites wonderful and the Jordanians are the nicest you'll ever met. Every day came with new stunning views and surprises. The organization of the trip and ethics of the staff were to the highest standard. Already thinking of my next booking with MBA.

I've done a few group cycling holidays before and they were great. This was above and beyond the best, though. Every day was different, the riding was exhilarating, challenging but not overly so, and the landscapes spectacular. The wild camping, which I thought might be a chore, was actually one of the highlights, looking down on the desert from high up in the hills, the glow of the campfire, the moon and stars and the far-off lights of some distant village. Food was brilliant all the way through, Petra didn't disappoint and snorkelling the Red Sea and dipping in the Dead Sea felt like nice ways to end. Our ride leader, Laith, was outstanding all the way through, always offering historical and cultural insights everywhere we went, and our support driver\bike mechanic Ahmed was quietly effective in everything he did. Between them, they made what was already brilliant, something truly special. They helped ensure that Jordan, a country I didn't know a great deal about, will be strong in my memory for years to come.

If you've arrived at this page and this review, you clearly have some interest in your own adventure in Jordan. Don't think twice about it, you won't find too many other experiences like it.

This a well thought out and coordinated experience following parts of the Jordan Trail. Each day was perfectly balanced between cycling and engaging with genuine Jordanian people and their customs. Our tour guide, Laith, was always keen to impart fascinating information about the areas and communities we were visiting in a very thorough and passionate manner. His knowledgeable, friendly and professional manner made this experience so much more than just a cycling trip. The variation on basic and luxury Bedouin camps whilst cycling were perfect and allowed you to truly feel you were having an authentic tour of nature as well as feeling refreshed. The support vehicle was extremely well equipped with water, snacks, spares and the ability to “tap out” when needed. This in particular made my experience possible due to an aversion to heights which meant that some of the vistas and terrain were too challenging. Ahmed, the support driver, was amazing. Rest breaks and lunches were very well coordinated, and mostly included toilet facilities, which is always a bonus! Would strongly recommend this trip to anyone wishing to have an immersive cycle tour of Jordan.

Everything about this trip was incredible. I booked it for the cycling, but there were so many highlights to this trip, that the cycling ended up being just a part of what made it so special.

From the moment we set off on the bikes, we were treated to spectacular landscapes, culminating on the first day with a wild camp and mountain views.

Our guide Laith was exceptional. His humour, knowledge and enthusiasm for cycling and Jordan more generally was such a highlight. It enhanced everything that we saw and did throughout the trip. The support vehicle was also amazing, with Ahmed keeping our bikes in top condition each day, and supplying us with the best mid-ride snacks. The food more generally was another unexpected highlight. Everything we ate was delicious and kept us fuelled for an action-packed week.

The team takes improving and perfecting this trip so seriously. It was great having Anton cycling with us to check the recent updates and improvements in the itinerary. Our group were unanimous that changing the campsite on the first cycling day was a brilliant update and a fantastic way to end our first day on the bikes.

There really are too many highlights to mention, but hiking to Petra, camping in the desert, watching the sunset in Wadi Rum, mastering cycling through the short stretches of sand, gliding over mudflats on the bike and snorkelling in the Red Sea are all things that I will remember for life.

With the current uncertainty with Jordan’s neighbours, I got to experience Jordan’s hospitality, warmth, friendliness and stability without the usual tourist crowds that sometimes detract from these experiences.

This trip was excellent. The first day's cycling was a good break in, although the route was nothing special. However after that the route, the views and the coutryside we cycled through just got better and better. The highlights were of course Petra and Wadi Rum, which was just so stunning! The additional extra of an early morning camel ride out into the sand dunes to watch the sun rise should not be missed, it was simply stunning. As a celiac I had been worried about the food, but I did not need to worry, I was so well looked after and there was always plenty of options for me including GF protein bars as additional snacks.

It was a little cold when we arrived and I would recommend plenty of warm clothes for camping and nightimes if you are going in March but the daytime temperatures were great for cycling.

I loved this trip, it was well organised, well guided and attracted a great group of fellow travellers. Highly recommended.

Don’t do this trip if you like a lie-in! Every minute is filled with an activity. If you’re not cycling you are going on a camel ride, a desert safari by jeep, visiting Petra or snorkelling in the Red Sea.

Our guide, Furat, was excellent. His advice on the cycling, knowledge of his country and religion plus a great sense of humour added immeasurably to our experience. The driver of the support vehicle, Ahmed, was a great bike mechanic and supplier of endless delicious snacks and much needed water.

The cycling was challenging, mainly due to the off road surfaces which changed from loose stones on tracks to deep sand.

The accommodation ranged from one night in a tent to glamping to hotels. For one night the accommodation was changed from a tent to a hotel because the weather was cold - very thoughtful and much appreciated.

The communication from the company was excellent. Right from the beginning we were kept informed of unseasonably cold weather plus arrival flight issues. And the setting up of a WhatsApp group was a great way for the group to get to know each other before the holiday started.

We’ve done several group holidays, but we have never been with a group that bonded so quickly or had so much fun together. Thank you Much Better Adventures for introducing us to so many lovely people!

I’ll start by saying that I have had many adventures and this was my 5th with MBA and they have all great! The Jordan trail to Petra probably makes into the top two I’ve ever been on.

Highlights for me were the watching the Sunset in Wadi Rum, visiting Petra, and the dip in the Dead Sea, and of course, the people on the trip.

The views whilst cycling were amazing.

The level of cycling was fairly easy - although a level of fitness is required - and it’s all rollable - the ability to handle an MTB on loose gravel, rocky sections of jeep tracks, and over/ through potholes would be beneficial to those with limited MTB experience.

Furat, the guide, was immense. His knowledge of his country was fantastic and his willingness to share personal insights into his culture made the trip even more memorable.

Missing Jordan and my fellow adventurers already!

Definitely be back for another MBA!

Well organised trip with lots of highlights (Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum). Tasty food and great snacks during the rides.

mixed types of accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary (you need to be ok with basic at times but always clean).

Cycling is mostly off road and not too challenging apart from 2 of the days. Had fun trying to master the sand with the rest of our group.

Furat was very knowledgeable and helpful. His colleague Laith who will start to take tours soon was also fabulous.

I would highly recommend the trip, Jordan is needing tourist support more than ever and was perfectly safe to visit.

Tour was compromised a little by the Heathrow shutdown which delayed most of the group by a day, however from airport pick-up everything ran really smoothly. Some of the cycling was challenging however most managed without a problem, even the not especially fit 64 year old that was me. The itinerary was pretty well packed full and Furat, the group leader kept us all fully appraised of what was ahead of us at every juncture. The support driver was brilliant, sorting the odd flat tyre or chain issue and keeping us fed and watered at the frequent stops along the way. We had a really great group that got on really well together, hugely supportive and encouraging with plenty of laughs and banter along the way. Highlights; there were so many, but Camel ride to sunrise at 6am, Jeep desert safari in Wadi Rum, Petra, Dead Sea to name but a few. Accommodation was grand, tents one night, a couple of nights Glamping and decent hotels the remainder. I would highly recommend this tour.