From Petra to the Desert Jordan Jordan Discover some of Jordan's most beautiful sights from the saddle! Your riding adventure starts in little Petra, a beautiful archeological site built by the Nabateans. You will then head south to the Wadi Rum, where you will ride from camp to camp, exploring this beautiful red-sand desert and its interesting rock formations. Depending on the package you choose, you might also discover the beautiful Red Sea, float on the incredible Dead Sea and roam through the impressive Shobak castle! Camping Ride with vehicle support Progressive Ride (no camping) Meeting: Madaba Airport: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) Transfer: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) Riders: Min 2 riders Max 10 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman. Transfers from/to the airport is included and flexible in time.

Important note: The Beidha Ride is subject to weather conditions. In case this ride is not possible, it will be replaced by an extra day of riding in the Wadi Rum Desert.

2024 Sample Itinerary: 10-day program (July & August) - subject to changes

This program includes 5 riding days.

Please, note that a shorter version (7 days and 6 nights) of this program is available (July & August only). That shorter option would end after the monastery tour in Petra. If you choose this option, an extra fee needs to be paid for your transfer from Petra to Amman.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Arrive in Amman, pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Madaba.
Meals included: none
Overnight at Hotel in Madaba

Day 2 (Sunday): Shobak
Early departure for the road of kings, in the footsteps of the crusaders. We will stop to visit the castle of Kerak located (approx. 1.5 hours drive from Madaba). This castle is one of the most important fortresses built by the Crusaders. 
After the visit, we continue our road towards Shobak for approximately 1 hour. Shobak Castle (also known as Montreal Krak) sits on a rocky outcrop. Perched dramatically like a ship on the crest of a hill, Shobak Castle was the first to be built by the Crusaders in Transjordan, about 1000 years ago.
We will enjoy our lunch at Shobak where the horses and team are waiting. Then, departure on horseback to explore the national park of the HIshe forest, with a breathtaking view of the Wadi Araba. Night in bivouac
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp near Shobak

Day 3 (Monday): Beidha Ride
After breakfast, we leave quietly on the pleasant paths that lead us to Beidha.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp near Beidha

Day 4 (Tuesday): Little Petra Ride
By following narrow mountain paths, we make our way towards Little Petra. We can see in the distance the Jabal Haroun Monastery of the brother of Moses. At the end of the day, we cross the Siq al Barid.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp near Djebel Haroun

Day 5 (Wednesday): Canyon Ride
We spend the whole day on horseback on the site of Little Petra and enjoy the view of the a beautiful canyon! Then, we head to Wadi Musa and spend the night at the hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel near Petra

Day 6 (Thursday): Petra Ride
We leave our hotel very early at daybreak, a tea will be offered by your guide. The crossing of Petra on horseback is done before the official opening of the site! We ride about 1.5 kilometer on the cobblestones path, through the Siq, before arriving in front of the Khazneh (Treasure), the most famous monument of the ancient city of Petra!
Your horses will take you on a magical day through the site, until nightfall when you join the superb Seven Wonder Camp! Evening around the fire and traditional music to end this exceptional daye in style.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Seven Wonders Camp

Day 7 (Friday): Petra Monastery Tour (no riding)
We leave our camp for a tour of Petra by foot. This visit gives us more time on foot to explore the mythical site. The tour starts from little Petra with a 4X4 bus that will take you to the monastery, sparing you the 3000 steps!!
After the visit of the monastery, free day on the site.
In the evening, transfer to Aqaba (2.5 hrs), where you spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Aqaba

Day 8 (Saturday): Red Sea (no riding)
This morning, take the Shuttle Bus of the Berenice Dive Club to enjoy the Red Sea Beaches, Snorkeling, Diving …. etc. (activities to be paid extra) 
Lunch is included. In the afternoon, transfer to Wadi Rum to enjoy a beautiful night with the Bedouins, including dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp in Wadi Rum

Day 9 (Sunday): Dead Sea (no riding)
After breakfast early departure to the Dead Sea. We expect to arrive at the resort in time for lunch and a 'floating' experience. At the end of the day, we will transfer you to Madaba. Dinner at one of the oldest restaurants in Madaba.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Madaba

Day 10 (Monday): Departure
Breakfast and transfer to Amman Airport for flight back home.
Meals included: Breakfast



2023 & 2024 Sample Itinerary: 9-day program (Jan-May & Sep-Dec) - subject to changes

This program includes 5 riding days.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Arrive in Amman, pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Madaba.
Meals included: none
Overnight at Hotel in Madaba

Day 2 (Sunday): Petra
After breakfast (around 8am), transfer to Petra (3 hours’ drive) to visit this legendary site. Through the narrow gorge (the "Siq"), we walk up to the central temple, which was carved into a mighty rock face.
From the time of the Romans there are still some pillars left, the countless caves are still much older. An impressive play of shapes and colors awaits you.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel near Petra

Day 3 (Monday): Beidha Ride
After breakfast, meeting with the local team and allocation of horses. Today, we discover "Little Petra", Baidah from the saddle.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bedouin Camp

Day 4 (Tuesday): Red Rocks & Inscriptions
This morning, we meet the horses and team in Diseh, a small village located east of the Wadi Rum protected area. We will ride south in direction of Barrah canyon. We will reach our camp for lunch and take a break of 2 to 3 hours according to weather. Then, we will have a lovely afternoon ride, looking at the famous red Um Twiguy rock and Thamudic inscriptions. We will ride for about 4-5 hours today.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping

Day 5 (Wednesday): Barrah Canyon Ride
Today, we will ride through Barrah Canyon, another spectacular place in Wadi Rum, surrounded by high cliffs, where we often see climbers. At the end of the canyon, we reach our lunch spot.
In the afternoon, your guide will find the best ways to cross secret canyons to reach the camp before sunset!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping

Day 6 (Thursday): Burdha Arch Ride
After breakfast in camp, we ride towards the Burdha arch area. Crossing nice sandy red landscapes and impressive stone sand canyons, we will stop for lunch at the bottom of Burdha Mountain.
Afternoon ride on a nice track with a beautiful view of the Wadi Rum red mountains.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping

Day 7 (Friday): Last Ride
For our last riding excursions in the heart of wadi rum, we will go to Ghazaly canyon and Lawrence' House. At the end of our riding day, we say goodbye to our horses and the team.
Then, transfer to Madaba. Our dinner is at one of the oldest Restaurants in Town (7 to 10 minutes’ Walk from Hotel).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Madaba

Day 8 (Saturday): Dead Sea
After breakfast (around 9 am), transfer to the Dead Sea where you can swim & float in the lowest spot on Earth untill sunset.
In the evening,transfer back to Madaba.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Madaba

Day 9 (Sunday): Departure
Breakfast and transfer to Amman Airport for flight back home.
Meals included: Breakfast

----------------------------------

2023 & 2024 Sample Itinerary: 8-day program (Jan-May & Sep-Dec) - subject to changes

This program includes 5 riding days.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Arrive in Amman, pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Madaba.
Meals included: none
Overnight at Hotel in Madaba

Day 2 (Sunday): Petra
After breakfast (around 8am), transfer to Petra (3 hours’ drive) to visit this legendary site. Through the narrow gorge (the "Siq"), we walk up to the central temple, which was carved into a mighty rock face.
From the time of the Romans there are still some pillars left, the countless caves are still much older. An impressive play of shapes and colors awaits you.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel near Petra

Day 3 (Monday): Beidha Ride
After breakfast, meeting with the local team and allocation of horses. Today, we discover "Little Petra", Baidah from the saddle.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Bedouin Camp

Day 4 (Tuesday): Red Rocks & Inscriptions
This morning, we meet the horses and team in Diseh, a small village located east of the Wadi Rum protected area. We will ride south in direction of Barrah canyon. We will reach our camp for lunch and take a break of 2 to 3 hours according to weather. Then, we will have a lovely afternoon ride, looking at the famous red Um Twiguy rock and Thamudic inscriptions. We will ride for about 4-5 hours today.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping

Day 5 (Wednesday): Barrah Canyon Ride
Today, we will ride through Barrah Canyon, another spectacular place in Wadi Rum, surrounded by high cliffs, where we often see climbers. At the end of the canyon, we reach our lunch spot.
In the afternoon, your guide will find the best ways to cross secret canyons to reach the camp before sunset!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping

Day 6 (Thursday): Burdha Arch Ride
After breakfast in camp, we ride towards the Burdha arch area. Crossing nice sandy red landscapes and impressive stone sand canyons, we will stop for lunch at the bottom of Burdha Mountain.
Afternoon ride on a nice track with a beautiful view of the Wadi Rum red mountains.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight Camping

Day 7 (Friday): Last Ride
For our last riding excursions in the heart of wadi rum, we will go to Ghazaly canyon and Lawrence' House. At the end of our riding day, we say goodbye to our horses and the team.
Then, transfer to Madaba. Our dinner is at one of the oldest Restaurants in Town (7 to 10 minutes’ Walk from Hotel).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Madaba

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Breakfast and transfer to Amman Airport for flight back home.
Meals included: Breakfast


Non-Riders
Non-riding guests can join this trip on request. Hiking activities and camel rides can be arranged.

                                            Wadi Rum area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	58	62	68	77	85	90	93	92	87	79	69	60
Average Low Temperature (°F)	37	40	45	52	59	64	68	68	64	58	48	40
Average High Temperature (°C)	14	16	20	25	29	32	34	33	30	26	21	16
Average Low Temperature (°C)	3	4	7	11	15	18	20	20	18	14	9	5

Source: NOAA
 

Seasons
Jordan is blessed with a Mediterranean climate for pleasurable year-round travel. Amman is sunny and cloudless from May to early November, with average temperatures around 23° C (73 F). Rain falls in many areas across the country on higher ground between October and March.

Summer (June to August)
Amman and most areas around the country are not excessively hot, chiefly due to the moderating influence of altitude. Although days in summer can be hot, nights are often rather chilly. The Jordan Valley, the Red Sea Coast and the Eastern Desert can be extremely hot in summer however.

Autumn (September to November)
This time of year usually sees mild temperatures and pleasant weather.

Winter (December to February)
The Jordan Valley and the Red Sea Coast is warm during winter while most of the country can get quite chilly at times. The Eastern Desert can get bitterly cold and dry.

Spring (March to May)
Springtime brings optimal weather and landscape is generally lush with greenery due to the wintery rains.

Note: Jordan is an Islamic country, so in order to suit local behavior, one should keep shoulders and knees covered.

All luggage is transported for you by vehicle.

Clothing
- Riding equipment such as riding pants, helmet, boots, and half leg chaps
- Long sleeved shirts to protect against the sun
- Fleece/warm pullover for camp
- Broad rimmed hat
- Swimsuit
- Sandals for camp
- Light riding trousers

Equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Flash light with spare batteries
- Personal medications
- Sunglasses
- Small towel
- Soap and shampoo
- Sunblock
- Bum bags to protect items from sand
- Hat and light scarf
- Towels (for camp)
- Toilet paper (or just tissues) and a lighter 
- Solar batteries for camp as there is no electricity

Nice to have extras
- Seat saver to put on the saddle
- Lightweight camera with spare batteries
- Riding gloves
- Face cloth
 

Average ratings from 1 tour feedback (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date patrick howard 6/19/2024

Accommodations
This is a wilderness ride, so nights are spent in a mixture of hotels and camping.

Description
You'll enjoy private bathrooms in the hotels and shared facilities while camping. Hotels are subject to change based on availability.

Please, note that the 9-day and 8-day options include all nights at a fixed camp while in the Wadi Rum desert.

10-day Accommodation Itinerary for 2024 - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Madaba
Night 2: Camp near Shobak
Night 3: Camp near Beidha
Night 4: Camp near Djebel Haroun
Night 5: Hotel near Petra
Night 6: Seven Wonders Camp
Night 7: Hotel in Aqaba
Night 8: Camp in Wadi Rum
Night 9: Hotel in Madaba

7-day Accommodation Itinerary for 2024 - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Madaba
Night 2: Camp near Shobak
Night 3: Camp near Beidha
Night 4: Camp near Djebel Haroun
Night 5: Hotel near Petra
Night 6: Seven Wonders Camp

9-day Accommodation Itinerary for 2023 & 2024 - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Madaba
Night 2: Hotel near Petra
Night 3: Bedouin Camp
Night 4-6: Camp in Wadi Rum
Night 7-8: Hotel in Madaba

8-day Accommodation Itinerary for 2023 & 2024 - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Madaba
Night 2: Hotel near Petra
Night 3: Bedouin Camp
Night 4-6: Camp in Wadi Rum
Night 7: Hotel in Madaba

Hotel in Madaba
This small hotel offers modern ensuite bedrooms, all equipped with a TV, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Guests can relax in the small garden or go for a swim in the pool. 

Hotel near Petra
This beautiful hotel provides guests with comfortable bedrooms featuring air conditioning, private facilities, a TV and Wi-Fi internet access. The hotel has a rooftop offering great views over the surrounding.

Seven Wonders Camp
You will sleep in comfortable Bedouin tents equipped with a full bed. Facilities are shared (men and women bathrooms/showers are in separate units).

Hotel in Aqaba
This 4* hotel offers comfortable rooms featuring air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi access, a fridge, a kettle and ensuite bathroom with hair dryer.

Bedouin Camp
This lovely Bedouin Camp is located in Little Petra. It is equipped with private tents with real beds as well as shared shower facilities. Wi-Fi access is available.
It is possible to upgrade to a tent with private bathroom for an extra fee.

Camp in Wadi Rum
While camping, you sleep in tents with a mattress or under the stars (you choose). You need to bring our own sleeping bag as nights can be cold in the desert.
Water and shower tents can be provided on request. Toilets are outdoors.

Room Occupancy
The single supplement fee is mandatory if we are unable to find another person willing to share a room with you.



Meals
If you choose the 10-day tour, all meals are included except for dinner on Day 1 and lunch on Day 7.
If you choose the 9-day or 8-day tour, all meals are included except for dinner on Day 1 and lunch on Day 2.

The meals often feature traditional dishes with goat, sheep or chicken, often served with rice and vegetables. Hummus, local bred and fruits are also very common.
Soft drinks (water, tea and instant coffee) are included with meals but not in hotels.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions if given prior notice.

Tack:		English with saddlebag
Horses:		Pure-bred Arabs & Anglo-Arabs
Pace:		4-7 hours in the saddle per riding day Going forward at all gaits | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3 to 5 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 10
Weight:		Max 199 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 10 riders

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.