Jordan Cycling Adventure: 12 day discovery by bike

Start your day with breakfast before you departure north to visit Jerash. As an exceptional archaeological site, it attracts visitors for the incredible state of preservation of its remains. The gateway to the city, Hadrian's Triumphal Arch sets the tone for the visit. Here time has stood still in the middle of antiquity. Visitors discover the hippodrome and then the temple of Zeus. To the south, the ancient theater and the forum are among the emblematic monuments of Jerash. A superb street adorned with 200 columns stretches for 800 meters: the Cardo Maximus. Then visit the churches and temples of the city: the cathedral, the church of Saint-Théodore, the church of the Viaduct and that of Saint-Côme-et-Damien. They remind us of the Byzantine presence in these places. The Macellum (Roman market), the nympheum and the Temple of Artemis bear witness to the rise of Greco-Roman civilisations in the region. Further north, the tetrapylon closes the visit to the site. Continue to the fortress of Ajloun known as Qal'at Ar-Rabad, built in 1184 by 'Izz ad-Din Usama bin Munqidh, a general of Saladin, Ajloun is a superb example of Islamic architecture. End of the day Transfer to Madaba. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mosaic City Hotel 3* or similar

After your breakfast, the visit to the city of mosaic begins. You will discover many churches including the oldest in the world, Saint George, which houses an amazing mosaic dating from the sixth century. As  part of the archaeological park, the Church of the Virgin Mary captivates with its central mosaic, which is an example of harmony and geometric proportion. For the record, the church was dug up in 1887 in the basement of a private property. Continue the pilgrimage to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, otherwise known as the Shrine of the Beheading of John the Baptist. At the end of the tour, your ATVs will be waiting for you, ready for the ride to Afterwards drive to Mount Nebo which offers spectacular views of the Holy Land and the Dead Sea. Here you will find the memorial of Moses, the place from which he is said to have discovered the Holy Land. Departure by mountain bike to the Dead Sea, arrival at the end of the afternoon at the Dead Sea. Free time to float on the salty water and relax. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Cycling Distance: 60 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mujib Chalets 3* or similar

After breakfast at the hotel, get ready for a thrilling start to the day! Our first adventure is a 2-3 hour aquatic hike along the Siq Trail in the Wadi Mujib Canyon. This stunning reserve is known for its dramatic gorges and beautiful rivers, making for an unforgettable journey through the water. Following our aquatic adventure, we'll begin our mountain bike ride south. We’ll pedal for 20 kilometers along the shores of the Dead Sea, giving you a unique perspective of this remarkable landscape. Since the altitude change between the Dead Sea and the plateau where Kerak is located is significant, we'll transfer you by vehicle to the city. Upon arrival, we'll visit the majestic Kerak Castle, a powerful fortress built by the Crusaders in the 12th century. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel in Kerak.
Cycling Distance: 35 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Falcon Rock hotel 3* or similar

Our suggestion: Wadi Mujib Siq Trail is generally open from April to the end of October. If it is closed during your travel period you will hike in Wadi Hasa Canyon. This canyon, still unknown and wild, is ideal for an aquatic hike in the sun. It's a very long and beautiful canyon that descends from East to West to reach the Dead Sea.

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll transfer out of the city to begin our ride. We'll start by cycling crossing the beautiful Wadi Hasa canyon, a place mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as a stop for the Prophet Jacob. Our journey continues south, taking us through villages and mountainous landscapes until we arrive at Dana village. This charming, ancestral village is located within the Dana Biosphere Reserve, a site recognized and protected by UNESCO. We'll settle in for the evening, with dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel in the valley. This day offers a fantastic ride through diverse scenery, from the historic canyon to the peaceful mountain villages, leading us to our destination in the heart of a nature reserve.
Cycling Distance: 60 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Dana Trail Hotel 2* or similar
Optional upgrade: Dana Guesthouse Ecolodge 3*

After breakfast, we'll visit the stunning, ancestral village of Dana, with its historic stone houses. We'll begin our ride with a short climb, before joining the beautiful corniche paths that offer a breathtaking, panoramic view of the Wadi Araba valley. The terrain changes throughout the day, starting with stony limestone and patches of red earth, and eventually becoming volcanic. We’ll stop for a well-deserved lunch near the historic Crusader castle of Shobak. After exploring the castle, our route takes us through the villages of the Shobak region as we make our way to Little Petra. We'll visit this smaller, equally impressive version of the famous Pink City. The day ends with dinner and an overnight stay at your Bedouin camp, giving you time to relax and reflect on the day's adventure.

Cycling Distance: 60 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Bedouin camp in Little Petra

* You can choose to start mountain biking at Shobak Castle and not in Dana, to do 40 km by bike today.

After breakfast, we’ll depart for the short 10-kilometer transfer to the ancient city of Petra. You will have a full day dedicated to exploring this unique and incredible place, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The city was built over 2,600 years ago by the Nabataeans, who sculpted monumental tombs, staircases, palaces, and temples directly into the rock. The stone's natural red and pink hues give Petra its famous "Pink City" nickname. Our visit will begin with a walk through the magnificent Siq, a narrow gorge that dramatically opens up to reveal the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh). After admiring this spectacular façade, we will continue along the main trail to see the Street of Facades, the Roman theater, and the Royal Tombs, all masterfully carved into the cliffs. Our route will take us to the heart of the city, where we will see the Colonnaded Street and other impressive ruins. After a full day of exploration, we'll return to the hotel for a well-deserved dinner and a relaxing evening.
Cycling Distance: 10 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: La Maison Hotel 3* or similar

After breakfast, we'll transfer outside the village to meet our mountain bikes for a last day of cycling. It will bring us to the Wadi Rum desert. Our ride begins on a high plateau, where we'll be treated to sweeping, panoramic views of the entire desert landscape below. We'll then start our exhilarating descent, navigating the terrain as we make our way into the heart of the "Valley of the Moon." At the end of our ride, we'll switch gears and hop into a 4x4 vehicle for a transfer to our traditional Bedouin camp. Here, under a sky full of stars, you'll enjoy a well-deserved dinner and spend the night in the quiet stillness of the desert.
Cycling Distance: 70 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Quiet Village Camp or similar

After breakfast, we'll drive to the magnificent Wadi Rum desert to enjoy a thrilling three-hour 4x4 tour, immersing ourselves in what many call one of the most beautiful deserts in the world. The landscape here is a constantly shifting spectacle of dramatic sandstone mountains and vast stretches of red sand. Our journey will take us through the stunning Siq Albarrah, a quiet canyon that allows us to appreciate the serene beauty of this part of the desert. In the late afternoon, we'll embark on a two-to-three-hour walking tour to discover some of the desert's hidden wonders. You'll have the chance to witness a breathtaking sunset as the light hits the dunes, painting the landscape in shades of gold and orange. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at your Bedouin camp, where you'll spend the night under a blanket of stars.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Quiet Village Camp or similar

After breakfast, we'll transfer to the coastal city of Aqaba. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy this vibrant, sea side, city and its beautiful surroundings. Aqaba is a perfect place to relax, soak up the sun, and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. You can simply unwind by the sea, or for the more adventurous, you might choose to discover the spectacular underwater world, known for its incredible coral reefs. The evening is free to explore the city's lively atmosphere before settling in for the night at a hotel in Aqaba.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Marina Plaza 3* or similar. Upgrade Luxotel Aqaba 4*, Intercontinental Aqaba 5*

• Optional experience: Embark on a boat to discover the hidden world beneath the waves by scuba diving or snorkeling, including lunch.

After breakfast, we'll drive to the Roman city of Umm Ar Rasas, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its remarkably preserved Roman and Byzantine mosaics. From there, we'll continue to the capital city of Amman. Our first stop is the Citadel (Jabal al-Qala), perched on a hill with a stunning panoramic view of the city's hills and countless mosques. This ancient site offers a glimpse into Amman's history, from the Roman era to the Islamic period. Next, we'll visit the heart of the Old Town to see the impressive Roman Theater. Built in the 2nd century, this magnificent structure is still in use today and can seat up to 6,000 people. We'll conclude our day with dinner at Tawaheen Alhawa, a restored former caravanserai that is a favorite gathering spot for Jordanian families. We'll spend the night in Amman, reflecting on our journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel artal 3* or similar

After breakfast, transfer to Amman Airport for departure, with unforgettable memories of Jordan’s landscapes and culture.
Meals: Breakfast