Cycle the Jordan Trail to Petra: The E-Bike Edition

Our e-biking adventures let you experience the beauty of nature and uncover hidden gems of a destination. An e-bike isn't just a fitness shortcut – it's your gateway to exploring further, reaching more remote and wild places. Rather than seeing e-bikes as an 'easy option,' we see them as a powerful enabler, giving you the freedom to discover areas that would otherwise be difficult to access – unlocking a whole new level of adventure.

Riding an e-bike feels similar to riding a regular bike, but with a little extra oomph from the electric motor, providing a smooth, effortless boost on tough climbs or rough terrain. This allows you to focus on the journey and soak up the surroundings, without getting overly fatigued. You’ll still need to pedal, but you can easily adjust the level of assistance to match your preferences. Essentially, it’s great fun and a fantastic way to explore further.

On all of our biking trips, we’ve found a local host who has put together a perfect route, and has expert guides to navigate for you all the way. We also send a van that transports your overnight luggage, provide high-quality bikes, and supply you with delicious snacks to keep you going.

Yes, you can definitely book last minute, although this trip does regularly sell out, so we recommend booking early to guarantee your spot on the trip. If requesting a spot less than 31 days in advance, the host will need to check accommodation availability before accepting your booking (please do not buy flights until your booking has been confirmed by the host).

Your e-bike will assist with about 25% of the effort on an average ride, meaning you'll provide about 75% of the effort. There will be moments when you'll need to switch to Boost mode for short bursts of power, especially on challenging terrain or steep sections. However, most of your ride will be in Eco and Trail modes, with Eco mode often being your go-to on climbs to conserve battery life throughout the day. This balance ensures a smooth, enjoyable ride while still giving you the thrill of exploration on two wheels.

In terms of speed, the power assistance on e-bikes is typically capped at around 15mph. If you want to go faster, you'll need to pedal harder! You can adjust the power levels to match your pace and terrain. Your cycling guide will brief you on how to use the different modes to optimize your ride and make the battery last:

Eco Mode: Low power for energy efficiency, giving you longer battery life on flat terrain.
Auto Mode: Automatically adjusts the power based on terrain and your pedaling effort for a more balanced ride.
Sport Mode: Provides mid-range power, ideal for moderate hills and faster cruising.
Turbo Mode: Delivers maximum power, perfect for steep hills or when you want to ride fast.

When it comes to battery power, the e-bike batteries are typically charged overnight, usually at your accommodation. There will be a couple of spare batteries in the support vehicle just in case. However, if you manage your battery usage throughout the day (for example, by avoiding using turbo mode all the time), you’ll find that the battery lasts long enough for most rides without any issues.

You’ll be riding Cannondale Trail Neo 2 or Trek Powerfly 5 E-Bikes, both high-performance aluminum framed e-bikes designed for a variety of terrains, from smooth roads to trails. These bikes are equipped with a Bosch Performance Line CX drive motor (M510) for excellent power on climbs and descents, and Bosch battery (625W/h) for long-lasting rides. Each bike comes with a mounted LCD digital display for easy tracking of speed, distance, and battery status.

Before your trip, your host will ask for your height to ensure the correct frame size is provided. Each bike is equipped with a water bottle cage, standard flat pedals, and male/standard saddles. If you prefer to use your own saddle and pedals (including SPDs), feel free to bring them, and they’ll be fitted for you.

On some days, you'll cycle point to point; on others, there'll be a transfer of up to one hour to get you between locations. This helps keep you off busy roads and on the best cycling routes. The Jordan Trail by e-bike takes a bit of piecing together to ensure the riding will be fun and stress-free, and the van will provide some time to kick back and take in the changing landscapes.

In the event of poor weather such as heavy rain, strong winds, and/or storms, conditions may become unsafe to complete the planned rides on this trip. Your guide will assess the conditions and weather forecasts and make a decision with your safety in mind. If it becomes necessary to change the planned itinerary, an alternative route or activity will be offered.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive, and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location, and lodging, and in some places, options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully before your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND Jordanian cuisine is deeply rooted in Bedouin traditions, Levantine flavors, and a culture of generous hospitality. Meals are often shared, with dishes built around grains, legumes, and seasonal vegetables, alongside spiced meats and rich dips like hummus and mutabbal. Olive oil, herbs, and flatbreads are staples, and many everyday dishes are naturally plant-based.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Jordanian cuisine offers a variety of delicious vegetarian options such as falafel, hummus, moutabbal, baba ghanoush, mujaddara (lentils and rice), stuffed vegetables, fresh salads, and flatbreads.

Vegan -Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. In addition to classic dishes like falafel and hummus, vegan-friendly options may include lentil and vegetable soups, okra or green bean stews in tomato sauce, roasted seasonal vegetables, vine leaves (waraq enab), tabbouleh, and a variety of mezze prepared without dairy.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are non-existent in Jordan. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal -Halal diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Halal food is widely available in Jordan, and in practice, almost all food served throughout the country is Halal. As a predominantly Muslim country, restaurants, hotels, and food suppliers follow Halal standards as a norm, making it easy for you to dine with confidence.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Celiac, please see Allergies section below) -Gluten-Free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, options will be more limited compared to those without dietary requirements. While your local hosts will do their best, it’s worth knowing that gluten-free supplies are generally only available in Amman and Madaba. In more remote areas, it's not possible to source specialist products, so meals will be based on naturally gluten-free dishes rather than substitutes. That said, most standard meals already include several options without gluten, even without special preparation. Please do consider bringing your favorite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.

Lactose Free -Lactose-Free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Many traditional dishes are naturally lactose-free or can easily be prepared without dairy, such as grilled meats, rice and vegetable dishes, legumes, salads, and mezze based on olive oil rather than yogurt or cheese.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team before booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip, and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when traveling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods, and labeling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. While your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

You shouldn’t drink tap water in Jordan. The support vehicle will have large containers of water that you can top your water bottles up with. At most hotels, drinking water should be purchased; unfortunately, very few hotels currently provide refilling stations.

Yes. Trips to Jordan have been running as normal throughout the conflict – check out our latest customer reviews! Much Better Adventures operate trips in line with the British FCDO travel advice and also consult with security advisors, both of whom have confirmed that trips are safe to run. We continue to receive real-time updates from the FCDO and our local host in Jordan will also inform us immediately should anything change locally. In case you have any questions, we have prepared some additional information about travel to Jordan during the Middle East Conflict.

If you’re based in the United States, you can check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For travelers from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your government, as guidance may vary.

Tourists are not allowed to bring drones, binoculars, or some large telephoto camera lenses into Jordan. These will be confiscated at the airport and returned on departure, so please do not risk bringing these on your trip. Even if these are missed by airport security, your guide cannot allow them to be used, as this can have legal consequences if you are caught.

Ramadan is expected to take place from February 17 to March 19, 2026. The national holiday of Eid ul-Fitr will follow for 2-3 days. Ramadan is an Islamic festival where the religious do not eat or drink during daylight hours. While this is a really interesting time to travel, especially to witness celebrations where the fast is broken in the evenings, you can expect some business hours will be shortened, alcohol is not permitted during daylight hours, and some restaurants will be closed during this festival period. Activities for local people tend to be limited during the day, and the nights are very active in cities with lots of different foods being sold and consumed. Ramadan will not affect the inclusions on your trip, although you should be aware that dinners will be served after locals break their fast in the evenings.

Yes, you need to bring your own bike helmet on this adventure. It should meet recognized safety standards, display a relevant certification mark, and be in good condition. It is mandatory for all riders to wear a helmet whenever cycling.

Please make sure your helmet is:

• A purpose-built bike helmet that meets a recognized safety standard and displays a relevant certification mark, including (but not limited to):

  • CE/EN 1078 (UK & Europe)
  • CPSC or Snell B90/B95 (USA)
  • AS/NZS 2063 (Australia & New Zealand)

• In good condition:

  • ideally no more than five years old
  • not involved in a crash
  • no visible cracks/dents, compressed foam, or damaged straps

• A good fit:

  • sits level (not tipped back)
  • snug, secure and stable when fastened (doesn't rock or slide)
  • retention system and straps work properly

If your helmet isn’t suitable on arrival:

• you may need to rent or buy a suitable helmet locally (availability varies by destination)
• if a suitable helmet can't be sourced, you may be unable to join some or all cycling activities on safety grounds, in line with your booking conditions

Need help choosing or fitting a helmet?
For advice see British Cycling’s guidance.

Bike Safety Please see our cycling safety guidance for further information.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates daily, so prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Jordan's climate is characterized by long, hot, and dry summers, and short, cool winters. The climate is influenced by Jordan’s location between the subtropical aridity of the Arabian desert areas and the subtropical humidity of the eastern Mediterranean area.

The optimal seasons to explore Jordan by bike are March to May, and September to December, when the temperature is comfortably warm but not scorching hot. The daytime temperatures during these times are around 73-81°F, and the nights are cooler, but not cold.

Traveling in December will be cooler, but it also means that the main sites (such as Petra) are far quieter. While the days are usually sunny and around 59-68°F, the nights can be very cold in the desert, and on occasion drop to near zero. Your reward is crisp, clear night skies in the desert.