Holiday Highlights
- Discovering Jerash – the most well-preserved Roman city, outside of Rome
- Exploring Petra – The Red Rose City
- Cycling Jordan’s deserts & dramatic canyons
- Desert star gazing in the dramatic Wadi Rum
- Dead Sea dipping and your very own DIY spa treatment
- Bedouin hospitality and feasting on delicious local food
- Crusader castles & the historic city of Amman
Itinerary
From your chosen departure airport you’ll be arriving into Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) – often late in the evening.
On arrival you’ll be met by the Saddle Skedaddle guide/representative / driver who will transfer you to your accommodation in Amman. (Transfer approx 30 Minutes – 1 Hour, depending on arrival time and traffic)
Amman is one of the oldest cities in the world, inhabited since the bronze age and is growing into a modern city, while retaining its character and history. Depending on your flight arrival time, you may have free time to explore a little on your own.
Overnight in Amman
Day 2 Amman - Jerash - Cycle Madaba to Dead Sea
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 300 Metres Approx.
After breakfast in Amman, we hop in the minibus and head north (around an hour’s drive) to explore the ancient city of Jerash, a real gem of the Roman world and one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Middle East. With grand colonnaded streets, towering temples, and chariot-worthy plazas, it’s a fascinating place to stretch our legs and dive into Jordan’s rich past.
From here, we head south (transfer around 1.5 hours) to the bustling town of Madaba, where our cycling adventure begins! After a quick intro to the bikes and a familiarisation ride, we hit the road on a scenic paved route.
The real highlight of the day awaits as we reach Ma‘in and begin an unforgettable, descent via Panoramic Road down towards the Dead Sea. This stretch is pure magic, think winding mountain roads, big-sky views, and a thrilling drop to the lowest point on earth.
Once we reach our hotel by the water’s edge, there’s time to kick back, enjoy a float in the salty sea, and soak up the surreal, peaceful surroundings.
Overnight: Dead Sea
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Day 3 Dead Sea - Karak to Wadi Hasa - Shobak
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 540 Metres Approx.
We kick off the day with a scenic transfer south (around 1.5 hours) to the historic city of Karak, home to one of Jordan’s most impressive Crusader castles. Perched high above the town, Karak Castle is a sprawling fortress with thick stone walls, vaulted halls, and a labyrinth of passageways just waiting to be explored. It’s a brilliant place to get a feel for the strategic minds of the Crusaders and soak in some epic views over the surrounding valleys.
After exploring the castle, it’s time to jump on our bikes. We begin riding from the outskirts of Karak, pedalling through peaceful rural countryside and enjoying some exhilarating descents as we make our way along a section of the legendary King’s Highway. Keep your eyes peeled for the striking Tanour Dam as we ride beyond the borders of the Karak Governorate.
Our journey on two wheels ends at Wadi Hasa, where we hop in the minibus for a transfer of approx 1 hour to Shobak, our base for the night and a perfect spot to unwind after a day in the saddle.
Overnight: Shobak
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Day 4 Cycle Shobak to Little Petra
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 610 Metres Approx.
Today we set off straight from our hotel on two wheels, rolling through quiet roads towards the mighty Shobak Castle, a dramatic Crusader fortress perched high above the valley floor. Built by King Baldwin I back in 1115, this was the first of Jordan’s Crusader castles and held strong for over 70 years before finally surrendering to the legendary Salahdin. It’s an atmospheric spot with incredible views and a rich sense of history.
From the castle, we continue riding along the iconic King’s Highway, a route steeped in history and surrounded by sweeping desert landscapes. Along the way, we’ll be welcomed by a local family in Petra who will serve us a traditional Jordanian lunch, expect warm hospitality and hearty flavours to refuel us for the afternoon stretch.
Our ride finishes with a visit to the enchanting Little Petra, a tucked-away Nabatean site that’s often missed by the crowds. Once a bustling suburb of Petra and an important rest stop for camel caravans, it’s a fascinating place to explore, with narrow rock-cut passageways and hidden tombs offering a great teaser for the main event tomorrow.
From here, it’s just a short spin to our Bedouin camp, nestled among towering red rock formations. Tonight, we settle in for a truly memorable experience, dinner is a traditional Bedouin feast, and the evening brings storytelling, warm fires, and some of the best stargazing skies you’ll ever see. A perfect end to an unforgettable day.
Overnight: Little Petra
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- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
No visit to Jordan would be complete without a journey into the heart of its most iconic site, the incredible Red Rose city of Petra, one of the Modern Seven Wonders of the World. After breakfast, we will head to the Little Petra visitor centre. From here, a short shuttle ride brings us to the trailhead for our backdoor adventure into Petra, a quieter, more scenic route that most tourists never see.
We’ll follow an ancient Nabataean path that winds through the Araba mountains, offering sweeping views all the way to the Negev Desert. The trail skirts the mountainside along a natural rock terrace, now adapted for walkers, before narrowing slightly and opening up onto a hidden plateau high above Wadi Siyyagh. Just when you think the views can’t get any better, the mighty façade of The Monastery suddenly appears, carved directly into the cliff face. It’s a jaw-dropping sight and a moment to remember.
From here, it’s a descent via original Nabataean steps into the heart of ancient Petra. We make our way past weathered tombs and temples, through the awe-inspiring canyons, and past the world-famous Treasury, with its intricately carved façade. Finally, we stroll through the narrow, winding Petra Siq before emerging into the modern-day comforts of Wadi Musa, with its welcoming cafés, shops, and hotels. It’s a truly unforgettable day, packed with wonder at every turn.
Day 6 Petra to Wadi Rum - Sunset Jeep Tour
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 355 Meters Approx.
Back in the saddle, today’s ride begins in the small town of Rajif, perched at 1,575 metres above sea level. We’ll enjoy a predominantly downhill route that sweeps us through vast, otherworldly desert landscapes on our way toward the legendary Wadi Rum.
On arrival at Rum Village, we meet our Bedouin hosts and hop into 4WD vehicles for an off-road adventure deep into the protected heart of the Wadi Rum desert. Our home for the night is a traditional Bedouin camp, beautifully tucked away in a peaceful corner of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After settling in and sipping some sweet local tea, we tuck into a freshly prepared lunch before heading out again, this time for a 2-hour sunset jeep safari.
The next few hours are a feast for the senses, as we rumble through sweeping valleys, past towering sandstone mountains, over golden dunes, and into narrow, ancient canyons etched with millennia-old rock inscriptions. Along the way, there’s time to stretch our legs with short hikes, soaking up the magic of each unique stop.
As the sun dips below the horizon, we return to camp to watch the desert sky come alive in a blaze of colour. Dinner is a highlight, a traditional Zarb, a Bedouin-style feast of meat and vegetables slow-cooked beneath the sand. And as night falls, there’s no better way to end the day than lying back under Wadi Rum’s incredible star-filled sky, reflecting on a truly unforgettable desert experience.
Overnight: Wadi Rum Camp
Show ProfileDay 7 Wadi Rum - Cycle the Mud Flats - City Tour of Amman
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Ascent: 235 Metres Approx.
After breakfast, we hop into jeeps for a short transfer to Rum Village, ready for our final day on two wheels. Today’s ride takes us across the wide-open expanse of the Disi Mud Flats, a gentle, easy-going route that gives us one last chance to soak up the peaceful beauty of Jordan’s desert landscape from the saddle.
As the ride winds down, we bid farewell to our brilliant cycling crew and begin our transfer back to Amman (approx. 4 hours). One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Amman is a fascinating blend of ancient history and modern life. After checking in and freshening up, we head out for a relaxed tour of the Old City.
We’ll explore the historic Citadel, perched high on a hill with sweeping views of the city, and step back in time at the impressive Roman Theatre. There’s also time to wander through the bustling backstreets, local fruit markets and little shops, a perfect way to round off our final evening in Jordan. A last taste of the city’s charm before we say our goodbyes.
Overnight: Amman
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- Meals: Breakfast
Depart from Amman and transfer to Queen Alia International Airport (30 mins – 1 hour approx., depending on traffic) for onward departures
Understanding Profiles
Use these profiles to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)
Click 'see gradient' to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- % Gradient (vertical axis)
White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain.
Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.
GPS units and navigation softwares produce different statistical information based on a number of different factors, so please keep in mind the information we’re providing here is meant to be an indicative guide only.
Gradients in particular can be difficult to measure consistently, and sometimes steepness shown can vary as much as 5-10% from what’s signposted on the ground.
Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, should however give you a good idea of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be.
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Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
On this adventure, you’ll be pedalling across a fun mix of terrain, from wide 4×4 dirt tracks to smooth tarmac roads with very little traffic. It’s a great blend that gives a real taste of Jordan’s varied landscapes.
Thanks to the wild and wonderful nature of the region, there are a few sandy stretches to contend with, most notably on Day 7 as we head into the spectacular Wadi Rum. Nothing too technical though, just a bit of extra adventure!
You’ll also find yourself on the occasional gravel or rocky trail, so some prior experience of riding a mountain bike will definitely help you feel more comfortable and confident.
While the daily distances aren’t huge, the desert sun can pack a punch and the terrain is often undulating, expect a few cheeky climbs and grin-inducing descents to keep things interesting.
Please note, if opting for an e-MTB, the pace of riding will be set by the regular mountain bikers. If you are interested in riding an e-MTB on this holiday please click here for more information.
Cycling Adventures Grade
Distances generally between 20-45 miles / 32-72 kms per day
For the leisure cyclist with a good level of physical fitness
May include some steeper, cheeky climbs
Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Although you may not cycle every day, you do keep yourself relatively fit and enjoy getting out on your bike at the weekend. Your preference is perhaps for flatter to rolling terrain, but you don’t mind tackling some hills, and some steep climbs if you can take it at your own pace. For those happy to tackle those ups and downs, and possibly some sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc) we’d recommend our grade 3 trips. We’d generally expect those on a Grade 3 holiday to have a decent level of physical fitness and be comfortable riding on consecutive days with some longer days in the saddle.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Dates & Prices
Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a £400 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.
Late Availability
We want you to know which holidays are coming up soon, so you don’t miss out! If a trip has this symbol beside it, it means you don’t have long to snap up your place.
Save £100 on this holiday when you book before 10th November 2025. Enter promo code BN26 when you book and your discount will be applied after your booking is confirmed. Ts and Cs apply.Whats Included 
A) Hotel accommodation Twin/double rooms, ensuite – 5 nights.
B) Bedouin Camp Two person luxury tents with 2 single beds, ensuite – Two nights (night 4 and 6)
C) Meals as itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
D) Water and snacks on cycling and non cycling days
E) Full tour service – guides, support vehicle(s) etc.
F) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day – Amman Airport (AMM)
G) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day – Amman Airport (AMM)
H) Entry to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
I) Petra Full Day visit including English speaking guide (Day 5)
J) Sunset Jeep Safari Wadi Rum (Day 6)
K) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included 
A) Flights and associated costs for travelling with a bike
B) Bike rental (available if required)
C) Bar bills/alcoholic drinks, hotel refreshments etc.
D) Tips for guides, drivers, support staff
E) Entry Visa
F) Travel insurance
G) Personal clothing and equipment
H) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival and departure days
Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
The Essentials
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Reviews
Mark, Edinburgh, UKBrilliant guides...Mahmoud, Anton and Sari were brilliant. Fun, generous with their time and hugely knowledgeable on the history and culture of Jordan. I can not rate them any higher.
Philip, Kent, UKExceptional from start to finishThe whole process from landing at Amman airport to departure was excellently managed and smooth. The guides we had both tour and cycling, were not only professional and knowledgable but also thoughtful and willing to go the extra mile for the group.
