Cycle the Jordan Trail to Petra

It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country; however, we realise that organising your own trip can be a total faff. On our cycling trips, we've found a local guide who has put together a perfect route and will navigate for you all the way. We send a van that transports your overnight luggage, as well as providing high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you going. Faff eliminated! All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the landscape with your fellow tourers. You don't need to be a lycra-clad 'roadie' although they're welcome too!

Have a read of our article on cycling difficulty levels (opens in new tab) for further information on selecting the right level of bike adventure for you.

You'll be riding Scott Aspect 740 bikes. These are light hardtail aluminium mountain bikes - perfect for riding on-road and for the gravel tracks over the desert. You'll need to let your host know your height, to ensure the correct frame size is supplied. The bikes are equipped with one water bottle cage. They all come with standard flat pedals and unisex saddles. If you would rather pack your own saddle and pedals (including SPDs), please do and these will be fitted for you.

Will the brakes be set up the way I'm used to? Brake set-up varies by country, in Jordan your bike's brakes may may be on the opposite side to what you're used to at home (your rear brake lever will be on the right rather than the left. Your guide will cover this during your bike fitting and warm-up ride – just let them know if this is unfamiliar to you so they can help you get comfortable with it before you set off.

Can I bring my own bike? Bringing your own bike is discouraged. This is due to a lack of storage for bike boxes/bags, and also, the support trailers are tailored to fit the bikes the host provides, which means safe carriage of your personal bike cannot be guaranteed. In addition, your own bike may require special parts for maintenance which may not be locally available, nor possible for the support vehicle mechanics to repair, so the use of the bikes provided by your host is recommended.

Yes, you will cycle point to point during the trip. Each day, you'll travel from one location to the next, cycling along the Jordan trail through nature reserves and desert landscapes, from Madaba to Wadi Rum.

E-bike upgrades are not available for this trip; you’ll be riding mountain bikes as listed in the trip inclusions. Keeping everyone on the same bike type helps maintain a comfortable group pace, simplifies logistics and ensures a more inclusive experience. We do, however, have a growing collection of e-bike adventures (opens in new tab) which you can explore.

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

Yes, you can definitely book last minute, although this trip does regularly sell out, so we recommend that you book 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).

Ramadan will take place throughout February and early March. 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, 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. However, in hotel restaurants and tourist areas, food and drink are served as normal and Ramadan will not affect the inclusions on your trip. Liquor stores are likely to be closed for the month, but in tourist enclaves bars stay open (some may not allow alcohol outdoors – but inside is generally okay).

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 (opens in new tab).

For current Government advice about travelling in Jordan, have a read of the FCDO pages (opens in new tab).

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.

In the event of heavy rain, strong winds or storms, conditions may be unsafe to complete the planned rides. Your guide will monitor the forecasts and make decisions with safety in mind. If needed, the itinerary may be adjusted and an alternative route or activity 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 accommodation, 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 prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on 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 flavours 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 Coeliac, 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 favourite 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 (opens in new tab) 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 prior to 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 travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling 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. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Yes, you need to bring your own cycle helmet on this adventure. It should meet recognised 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 cycling helmet that meets a recognised 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 (opens in new tab).

Cycle Safety Please see our cycling safety guidance (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab). 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 are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website (opens in new tab), where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information (opens in new tab) 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 on a daily basis so this does mean that 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 are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers 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. Check out our Community Values (opens in new tab) – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

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 (opens in new tab) for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Jordan's climate is characterised 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 23-27°C, and the nights are cooler, but not cold.

Travelling 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 15-20°C, 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.