Status:

This trip is running as normal. Learn more.

Cycle the Jordan Trail to Petra

Pedal through vast desert landscapes and remote nature reserves, pausing at Wadi Rum for a snooze under the Milky Way

From

Trip Ref #10266

Cycle the Jordan Trail to Petra

Pedal through vast desert landscapes and remote nature reserves, pausing at Wadi Rum for a snooze under the Milky Way

DURATION
7 nights
LOCATION
Jordan
ANNUAL LEAVE
5 days off work
SEASON
Mar-May, Sept-Dec
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 people
MEETING POINT
Queen Alia International Airport, Amman
ACCOMMODATION
Classic

Hotel · Wild camping · Glamping

OVERALL RATING

5.0

Based on 66 reviews
DIFFICULTY
Moderate

You'll need to have average fitness and should have experience riding back-to-back days with moderate elevation gain

Take on sections of the pioneering Jordan Bike Trail, all the way to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra

Cycle ancient camel caravan paths to the majestic Wadi Rum, hopping in a desert Jeep in search of the sunset

Swim, or float, in the Dead Sea. The lowest point on earth, famous for its healing properties

Day 1

Arrive in Amman

The start point for today is your hotel in central Madaba. You'll be met at the airport and transferred to Madaba and are free to check in after 2pm.

Day 2

And we're off!

Cycling

38km · 600m up · 700m down

Heading south, you’ll jump on the bus and head to Dana Nature Reserve where you’ll get set up with your bike before hitting the road. Cycling through this biosphere reserve is pretty spectacular - you’ll start at the Wadi Dana viewpoint before continuing on the ancient trade route known as the King’s Highway all the way to Shobak, home to one of the few Crusader castles remaining in Jordan. You'll head to a small hamlet for your first night camping, hosted by a local Bedouin family.

Day 3

The long and winding road

Cycling

47km · 950m up · 1400m down

After a substantial hummus-based breakfast, you’ll cycle straight from the camp, tackling a brief climb out of Shobak. Today is one of the most epic stages of the Jordan Bike Trail; you’ll follow the upper rim of the Araba Valley and gaze towards the mountains of Petra, proper wilderness riding on a mixture of dirt tracks and roads. Your reward is The Little Petra Bedouin Camp, scattered with fire torches and carpet through the desert, this is a deserving slice of luxury after a good day on the saddle.

Day 4

To the rose red city of Petra

Hiking

12km · 200m up · 200m down

Cycling

34km · 330m up · 1350m down

An extra early start today for a spectacular hike to Petra. You’ll enter the ancient city via the 'backdoor' and will have a little time to explore the sites and learn all about its ancient past with a local specialist guide before leaving the same way, usually in the early afternoon. Following a short jeep transfer to the hilltop village of Rajif, you’ll pedal off-road for the long descent towards Wadi Rum. Your overnight spot is a remote wild campsite set up by a local Bedouin family who will cook some traditional fodder. Time to hit the hay - either climb into your tent or grab your mattress and sleep ‘open-air’ - highly recommended for star-gazing fans.

Day 5

Cross the 'Desert Highway' to Wadi Rum

Cycling

60km · 400m up · 450m down

You’ll get a true taste of Middle-Eastern desert landscape today as you make your way through isolated caravan tracks, crossing the desert highway and marvelling at how ancient navigation worked in such vast spaces. Having made it to Wadi Rum, you’ll jump in a desert Jeep to explore the many valleys, canyons, gorges and vistas that make up this desert playground - hiking and scrambling is the only way to do it! Bed down in an established Bedouin camp with shared luxurious tents, this is basically glamping in the desert.

Day 6

To the Red Sea

Cycling

40km · 200m up · 400m down

Driving

1.5hrs

Last day on the bike today. A Jeep transfer will take you out of camp and then you’ll spend a couple of hours cycling on the desert mudflats around Wadi Rum continuing your journey south. Later on, you’ll hop on the bus for a short ride to Aqaba, Jordan’s ‘window to the sea’. You’ll have a bit of time to kick back and relax or grab a snorkel and marvel at the underwater life that the Red Sea offers.

Day 7

Float away...

Driving

5 hrs

Having made it to the very south of the country, you’ll spend today road-tripping your way back up north. You’ll stop at a few points of interest and get to the Dead Sea for lunchtime. Enjoy the sunshine at the lowest point on earth, give yourself a mud bath, gaze towards Jerusalem or simply spend the afternoon trying to keep your balance in the Dead Sea's salty waters. You'll then continue on to Amman for the night.

Day 8

Back to the airport

Driving

0.5-1hr

After breakfast and final goodbyes with your team, you'll be returned to the airport in time for your flight home. Or if you choose to extend your stay, enjoy a wander around the many sites of bustling Amman.

Included

Guides

Local, professional, English-speaking guides and bike mechanics

Accommodation

3 nights in a hotel, 2 nights wild camping and 2 nights glamping in a Bedouin desert camp

Meals

All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 traditional Arabic dinners and snacks while cycling

Transfers

Both airport transfers and travel between locations

Equipment

Scott Aspect 740 bikes and all your desert camping equipment

Permits

All permits and entry fees to the sites

Luggage Transfer

A desert truck to carry all your overnight kit

Support Vehicle

To hop into if your legs need a rest

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Some meals as described

Tips for your guides

Visas where required

Day 1

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2

Wild camping · Twin or single tent

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 3

Glamping · Twin tent

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4

Wild camping · Twin or single tent

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Glamping · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6 – Day 7

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 8

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

For breakfast at the hotels expect a buffet typical of 3-star hotel breakfasts all over the world. Lunches will generally be buffet style at local cafes and will cost approx $10pp. Dinner (where not included) will be at local restaurants and will cost approx $15-$20pp. Your guide will be with you to make suggestions of where to eat and to arrange group meals.

For dinner while camping, you'll experience traditional Arabic food - typical dishes are Magloobah (rice with vegetables and chicken prepared in a traditional way with local spices) or Mansaf (rice served with lamb and yoghurt). All these dishes come with the classic Hummus, Mtabbal (fried eggplant) and salad. Dinner at Wadi Rum at the Bedouin camp is a real experience. Here they serve the famous Zarb - rice, veggies, lamb and chicken cooked for 4-5 hours under the ground on coal and served with salads and side dishes.

Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just let your host know on booking.

What is the accommodation like?

Madaba, Aqaba and Amman

During your overnight stays in Madaba, Aqaba and Amman you will be tucked up in cosy local 3* hotels. The exact hotel you stay in will be confirmed nearer the time based on group size and availability, but all are chosen for their excellent reputation, location and welcoming service. Some examples are the Mosaic City Hotel in Madaba, My Hotel in Aqaba and the Toledo Hotel in Amman.

Rainbow Camp and Little Petra Camp

You will spend two nights in Bedouin camps nestled into the vast expanse of Little Petra and Wadi Rum. Each tent is equipped with beds, mattresses, blankets and pillows, with showers and toilets available also. You'll be treated to traditional Bedouin cuisine cooked on an open fire and both camps are the perfect place for a spot of star-gazing and to watch the sun rise the next morning.

Wild Camping

You will spend one night totally in the wild and one camping in the garden of a Bedouin family. Your crew will set up the campsite for you, as well as a 'washroom' for a quick spruce with some hot water and a toilet tent. A local Bedouin family will also be at the campsite to prepare some delicious meals for you to enjoy under the stars. Solo travellers will get their own tent by default for a little more privacy.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, your host will provide private tents as standard while wild camping on Days 2 and 4 (without additional charge). However, if you'd like your own space for every night of the tour, an optional solo upgrade can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Queen Alia International Airport, Amman

Catch any flight to arrive on Day 1

Ends

Queen Alia International Airport, Amman

Depart any time on Day 8

Transfers

Arrival transfers from Amman airport to the hotel in Madaba are included for any time you choose to arrive on Day 1 or Day 2 of the tour (some flights arrive after midnight so fall in the early hours of Day 2). Departure transfers from the final hotel to Amman airport are included for any time you choose to depart on Day 8. If you need a transfer on other days then your host can arrange a private transfer for you, at additional cost. See the Optional Extras section for prices.

Travel options

There are frequent flights to Amman from airports in the UK and Europe. Choose any flight to arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 8 - or extend your stay if you wish. Some flights arrive shortly after midnight - if you arrive in Amman in the early hours of day 2 then your room will be ready and waiting for you but if your flight arrives in the early hours of Day 1, you will need to book an extra night's accommodation before the tour as rooms are not usually available for check-in until the mid-afternoon. Your host can arrange an additional night of accommodation, subject to availability. See the Optional Extras section for more prices.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What do I need to bring?

SLEEPING
3-Season sleeping bag, 4-Season for Nov-Mar dates (optional - mattresses, bedding and pillows are provided while camping) Sleeping bag liner (optional)

CYCLE KIT
Helmet (required)
Pedals and saddle if you would rather use your own (these will be fitted to the bike for you)

CLOTHES
Padded cycling shorts
Sports top or cycling jersey
Fleece jacket or similar jacket for the evenings
Rain and windproof lightweight jacket
Trousers/leggings for the evenings
Cycling gloves
Buff or neck scarf
T-shirts
Underwear & socks
Sunglasses and sunhat
Pyjamas/something to sleep in
Cycling shoes/trainers (bring your own pedals if using cleats)
Sandals
Hiking shoes or boots for hike into Petra

FOR NOV-MAR TRIPS ONLY A down jacket
Set of thermals (merino wool the best)
Hat
Gloves

OTHER
Swimwear (for hotels/beach)
Bumbag or small handlebar bag for riding
Quick-dry travel towel Universal travel adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel Insurance documents
Earplugs
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (including blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Alcohol hand-gel
Reusable water bottle
Energy bars and snacks Small torch

*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Post-trip Accommodation in Amman (Single)

Payable Before Departure

Post-trip Accommodation in Amman (Single)

Post-trip Accommodation in Amman (Twin or Double)

Payable Before Departure

Post-trip Accommodation in Amman (Twin or Double)

Pre-trip accommodation in Madaba (Single)

Payable Before Departure

Pre-trip accommodation in Madaba (Single)

Pre-trip accommodation in Madaba (Twin or Double)

Payable Before Departure

Pre-trip accommodation in Madaba (Twin or Double)

Optional Private Room and Tent Upgrade

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room and Tent Upgrade

Private Airport Transfer to/from Amman or Madaba Hotel (one way)

Payable Before Departure

Private Airport Transfer to/from Amman or Madaba Hotel (one way)

- James(October 2023)

This is an amazing trip and has the perfect balance of physical efforts and then amazing rewards at the destinations. The first day cycling is the hardest due to the hills and then generally gets slightly easier each day. The views and scenery are amazing and Furat our guide was so knowledgeable and very well organised. Loved every minute of it!!

- David(October 2023)

A very enjoyable experience with a great group of people. Much Better Adventures have everything arranged throughout the trip through the brilliant local host Furat who is super organised. The bikes were good and the adventure great, although on a couple of days, fitness needed to be slightly more than the suggested moderate. Other activities that were also available throughout the week were also great and worth doing including the hike, camel riding, beach club, snorkelling in the Red Sea and swimming in the Dead Sea. Be prepared for a couple of nights of roughing it when wild camping followed by a couple of nights of luxury in the hotels. Food was local Jordanian cooked by the hosts at each venue and was good throughout and snacks provided throughout the cycling. All in all, a great trip and thoroughly recommended to see the beautiful sights of Jordan

- Sebastian(October 2023)

Amazing guides, awesome route and stunning landscape. Even though I couldn't complete the entire tour due to an accident, the guides took great care of me. I will be back!

- Matt(October 2023)

I went on this trip with my partner and we've been lucky enough to do a few amazing trips now, but this one is firmly at the top and will take some beating. The amount of cycling and the mix of terrain was just right - challenging enough without being exhausting and leaving enough time in the day to pack in other things such as camel rides, sunrise/sunset viewing etc. The food provided was amazing and plentiful, the accommodation was a good mix of wild camping, glamping and nice hotels and all good value for money. Our host Furat (and his team) was fantastic - enthusiastic, inclusive, passionate and it was a pleasure to learn about this amazing country and the culture in a pretty unique way. Highly recommended!

- James(October 2023)

What a fantastic trip! Cannot recommend enough. The variety of landscapes, the sites and the adventure was brilliant. Furat was very knowledgeable, took care of us and made for an unforgettable trip.

- Ruth(October 2023)

Wow! Wow! Wow! If you are not sure which adventure to book stop looking and book this one. I felt sorry when I saw people touring Jordan by bus when we jumped on our bikes. The itinerary was jam packed and the cycling was outstanding…desert, road, mud flats, off road and some fantastic long, scenic downhills. Don’t worry about your ability…you can easily jump on support truck if you are too tired/don’t fancy the uphill parts. Bikes great condition. You don’t actually have to carry anything as the truck is with you at all times. It is great to end the trip with a float and mud rub at the Dead Sea. Finally, this trip was made by two outstanding and fun guides Furat and Anas. They were fun and looked after us all. A real credit to MBA.

- Paula Helena(October 2023)

Cycling in Jordan was really good experience. Furat and Anas were amazing guides, always making jokes, talking about lical culture and helping when needed. There were some hard parts on the road, but the cycling was aleays very fun. The views and food were also really good.

- Rhian(October 2023)

A great experience throughout. Our guide Furat was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and culture of the country and shared so much with us through the trip. Both he and our support driver Anas were friendly, cheerful and welcoming. I have little mountain biking experience and found the more technical off road sections challenging but very doable. Jordan is a beautiful, welcoming country and seeing it by bike is the way to go.

- Clare(October 2023)

N/A

- Hilary(October 2023)

The trip was the most amazing experience. Our guide was excellent and packed in so many activities. Scenery was fabulous, the local people were very friendly, the country felt very safe and and the food was excellent. I cannot speak highly enough of every aspect of it.

We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 367kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

The terrain might be undulating and astonishing, but this trip is designed for cyclists of average fitness able to cover around 45km (average) each on back-to-back days. There are sections of smooth tarmac on deserted roads that are a joy to ride but also some prime gravel tracks that carve through the majestic desert.

No technical skill is required, just some strong legs and a sense of adventure! There will also be a desert truck to transport your overnight stuff, so if the going gets too tough or too hot, you can always jump in for a bit of respite.

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 even send a van that transports your overnight luggage and provide 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!

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. They all come with standard flat pedals and male/standard saddles. If you would rather pack your own saddle and pedals (including SPD's), please do and these will be fitted for you.

The cycling terrain is approximately 60% on gravel/dirt tracks, 10% on packed sand and about 30% on roads. There is also a mixture of gradients, including undulating rides, flats, downhill and uphill sections.

We recommend booking more than 31 days in advance to guarantee your spot on the trip. However, if requesting to book between 31 and 15 days in advance your host will need to check accommodation availability before accepting your booking (please do not book flights until your booking has been confirmed by the host). Unfortunately it is not possible to book this particular tour within 14 days of departure as your host has to register a final list of passenger details for the required permit at this stage (this is a legal requirement of the Jordanian authorities and cannot be flexed).

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

Jordan has a hot, dry climate characterised by long, hot, 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 April and September to November. When the temperature is comfortably warm but not scorching! The daytimes are around 23-27 °C approximately and the nights are cooler but not cold. Travelling in December will be cooler but also means that the main sites are far quieter and 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 desert night skies!

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice however, we suggest the below as a guideline per person:

Cycling guide: $5+ per person per day Support vehicle driver: $4+ per person per day Wilderness camping support team: $3+ per person per day Local guides: $3+ per person per guide Hotel porters: $2 per person per day Restaurants: £1 per person Jeep drivers: $2 per person

Of course, you are free to tip more or less and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - while often expected, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

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

Ramadan will take place from 22nd March to 20th April 2023 and 10th March to 8th April 2024. 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 (although some may not allow alcohol outdoors - but inside is generally okay).

The transfer vehicle will have a large vat of water that you are able to top your water bottles up with. Most hotels will also provide safe drinking water so single-use water bottles should not be needed.

We are monitoring the UK government travel advice closely in response to the conflict over the border in Israel and Palestine. In addition, we are in close contact with our local hosts in Jordan in relation to the situation. Trips in Jordan remain unaffected and are running as scheduled. Last updated: Wednesday 11 October 2023

For current advice about travelling in Jordan, have a read of the FCO pages here.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

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 (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.

Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.

Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.

From

Pay In Installments

You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.

Full Financial Protection

Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.

Similar Trips

From