Jordan Hike & Bike
8 Days Starting in Amman and ending in
Visiting: Jordan
Tour Overview
Jordan will be unveiled to you as we experience its majestic ruins and beautiful sights on this unforgettable multi-activity adventure. This trip combines hiking and exploring the Red Rose City of Petra and the stark desert environment of Wadi Rum, and two days cycling the Jordan Bike Trail. A major highlight is ascending Jabal Umm Ad-Dami, the highest peak in Jordan, where no technical climbing experience is required, but a keen sense of adventure to undertake the requisite scrambling for majestic views of Wadi Rum's dramatic desert landscapes across to Saudi Arabia in the distance.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Join Amman
Welcome to the Kingdom of Jordan. Arrive and make your way to your hotel in Amman or book an airport transfer with us (additional cost applies).
Amman is one of the oldest cities in the world, inhabited since the bronze age. The city is growing into a modern city but retains its character and history. Depending on your flight arrival time, you may have free time to explore the capital city on your own.
Overnight: 3-star hotel in Amman.
Day 2 : Trek To Petra, Explore Petra
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Little Petra (hiking start point) Today we will enter Petra via ‘the Back Door,’ avoiding most of the crowds. We will hike a beautiful route up out of the desert valley that skirts around a sandstone mountain into a hidden high plateau and the back entrance to Petra. Your hike is rewarded as you approach the Monastery - the largest and best-preserved facade in all of Petra. Without the crowds of the main sites below, this site is great for photos. View the impressive Amphitheatre, carved into the mountain about 2000 years ago, with a capacity of 4000 spectators. Finally be awestruck by the Treasury - the most well known facade in Petra, expertly carved into the side of the cliff and standing almost 40 metres tall. Exit the Nabatean city through the magnificent tall slot-canyon main entrance to Petra known as the Siq.
Overnight: 3-star hotel in Wadi Musa (Petra).
Walking: 14km, 5 hours walking, difficulty level - challenging
Day 3 : Visit Petra
A highlight of any trip to Jordan is to see first-hand the archaeological wonders of Petra. Famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system, the Rose City is not to be missed. We will start on the main trail before quickly departing near the Obelisk Tomb. From there, we will head out on the Madras Trail, tucked in the hills south of the Siq (1.5km; 1.5 hours hiking, difficulty level - moderate). From this back entrance, we’ll climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice with sweeping views of the Royal Tombs (3km, 4 hours hiking, difficulty level - hard). Afterward, you will pass many sites including the Renaissance Tomb, the Soldier Tomb, and then finishing at the Colonnaded Street in the Ancient Roman City in the heart of Petra. From the centre of Petra, you will have free time to further explore the magical site on your own or head back to enjoy the cave bar or get some rest. You can head back down along the Street of Facades and the main trail, or for the adventurous, there are several good options to explore – including Jabal Khubtha, Um Bayyara, and more.
Overnight: 3-star hotel in Wadi Musa (Petra).
Day 4 : Visit Shobak Castle, Cycle To Little Petra (46Km)
This morning, we drive a short distance to visit Shobak Castle. The first of the Crusader Castles built in Jordan, it was constructed by Baldwin I in 1115 and surrendered in 1189 to the Great Salahdin. From Shobak we start our cycle on one of the most epic stages of the Jordan Bike Trail to Little Petra. Mostly on dirt tracks with a section of paved roads, this route leads us around the mountains of Dana and Petra with great views across the Jordan Valley. Lunch boxes will be provided on our way by a local family from Petra. Close to the end of the ride enjoy a visit to Little Petra – an ancient suburb of Petra. Tonight we will stay at a Bedouin camp, hidden behind the region’s typical sandstone mushroom rocks, where you will get a first-hand impression of the traditional Bedouin hospitality.
Ride Stats: 46 Km; +945m; -1255m; Max grade: 16.4%; Avg grade: 1.1%
Overnight: Bedouin Camp in Little Petra.
Day 5 : Cycle From Little Petra To Wadi Rum (60Km)
Starting at approximately 1600m our trail winds down a pleasant descent to the village of Toghra where the pavement meets the dirt. Today’s cycle is a long descent off-road towards Wadi Rum followed by an enjoyable flat section on hard sand in the wide-open desert. Upon arrival in Wadi Rum, jump on a jeep safari to explore this World Heritage Site, traveling around Wadi Rum’s valleys, canyons, dunes, and deserts, discovering rock inscriptions, majestic views of mountains and landscapes, and narrow gorges. At each stop you have the opportunity to hike and scramble and explore in your own time.
Ride Stats: 60 Km; +350m; -1200m; 45% off-road.
Overnight: Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum.
Day 6 : Hike Up Jabal Umm Ad-Dami (1854M)
After an early breakfast, we’ll head out by jeep to Jabal Umm Ad-Dami near the southernmost point of the nature reserve and the border with Saudi Arabia. This moderate hike will take 2-3 hours (one-way) from the bottom to the top where amazing panoramic desert views await. After the hike, a desert cooked lunch will be served.
Overnight: Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum.
Walking: 6 hours hiking, difficulty level - moderate.
Driving: 2 hrs
Day 7 : To Dead Sea, Transfer To Amman
Today, we will leave the desert and proceed to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. You can spend some time floating in the salty waters, try out the ‘magical’ Dead Sea mud, relax by the pool, or pamper yourself with some spa treatments (at own cost) – the perfect cure if your legs are still tired and sore from all the hiking and cycling. In the late afternoon, we will drive to Amman.
Note - It is possible to have a departure flight on day 7. If you choose to do so, we recommend a flight that departs at least after 7.00pm.
Overnight: 3-star hotel in Amman.
Day 8 : In Amman, Trip Concludes
After breakfast at the hotel, make your own way to the airport or book an airport transfer with us (additional cost applies).
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 nights hotel -
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
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4 nights in 3 star hotels on a twinshare basis
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3 nights in Bedouin camp on a twinshare tent basis with communal bathroom facilities
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English-speaking local guide (except on Days 1 & 8), cycling guide for the 2 cycling days, and local sightseeing guide in Petra on Days 2 & 3
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support vehicle for the 2 cycling days
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private transport
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medical kit
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mountain bike and cycling helmet (option to upgrade to e-bike at additional cost, subject to availability)
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basic spares and tools
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snacks and water while cycling
What's Not Included
What You Carry
In your daypack you will need to carry extra clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rainjacket, water bottle, camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip balm etc.
Accommodation
4 nights hotel
We use comfortable 3-star hotels in Amman and Wadi Musa (Petra), twin share with private facilities. Please do not expect the hotels to be of a western standard. In some towns the accommodation is basic, but comfortable, clean, secure and all rooms with en suite bathrooms.
In Little Petra and Wadi Rum, we stay in a standard bedouin style tent on a twin-share basis. These are fixed-site, touristic Bedouin Camps, staffed by locals. Bathrooms are normally communal, with a women’s and men’s public bathroom. The tents do not have A/C or heater, but the desert normally has cooler temperatures at night.
Wadi Rum sits on a plateau that is 900 metres above sea level. Due to changing weather patterns in recent times the weather in December, January and February (winter months) has become unpredictable. Accordingly you may experience very cold temperatures at night (down to or below 0 degrees Centigrade), plus rainy and muddy conditions. We strongly recommend that you bring extra warm clothing and waterproof clothing if travelling in the winter.
Grading
These trips involve trekking, walking and cycling for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. Our Introductory to Moderate trips are not ‘easy’ trips and you will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. The two cycling days are the most difficult part of the trip. Both cycling rides are about 50 kilometres or 30 miles long on dirt jeep tracks. Other than the two cycling days, the trip includes moderate difficulty hiking with a little bit of scrambling.
Suggested preparation: We recommend 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise three times a week, from a minimum of three months period to your departure. This can include swimming, jogging, hard walking or cycling - good cardiovascular exercise. For treks, hill or stair walking with a 7kg daypack is also highly recommended at least once a week. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is advised.
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have offices on three continents which means your travelling companions will be just that – international and wonderfully eclectic. Part of small group travel means that although travellers come from various locations and backgrounds, you will be travelling with like-minded companions who, like you, are keen to share the experience and forge lifelong friendships.
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What about environmental impact?
We believe that adventure travel revolves around establishing a strong relationship with the people and environments in which we operate. Our responsible travel policies have been carefully developed to ensure that we minimise the impact of our presence and help to protect the regions we visit while contributing positively to the local community.
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What should I pack?
Your pre-departure documents include a detailed packing list with items that you need to bring. While most of the equipment for daily activities is included in your tour cost, some items like helmets and hiking boots are best brought from home. The pre-departure documents also include information on layering and recommended brands for various items to ensure you are fully prepared for your trip.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes. World Expeditions does not require single travellers to pay a surcharge for travelling alone on the vast majority of our trips. Our holidays are primarily on a twin share basis, so if you are joining the group as a solo traveller, we will match you with someone of your own gender. The choice is yours however; if you prefer not to share, we do offer single supplements for private occupancy.
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Are tips included in my trip price?
Tips are not included in the tour cost. Tipping is a personal thing, do not worry about how much, or when, to tip. Tipping guidelines are provided for certain destinations in our pre departure information upon booking, however the best advice will be provided by your tour leader.
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Am I suited to small-group travel?
We recognise that many of our travellers have not been on a ‘group trip’ before. Yet what our departures provide is both structure and flexibility, allowing you plenty of freedom within the framework of the itinerary. You’ll find that with our maximum group size at 16, you’ll travel in a minimal impact style with a great group of like-minded travellers.
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Can you advise which vaccinations are recommended?
While our pre-departure kit provides information on vaccinations, we suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
World Expeditions allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform world expeditions, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
World Expeditions requires a minimum deposit of 400 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of world expeditions charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.