Petra & Wadi Rum By Bike

9 days - from $1470

One week cycling through stunning desert scenery, plus Petra and Madaba
Jordan is an ideal place for a one-week cycle tour with incredibly varied desert scenery and a wealth of historic and archaeological treasures, not least at Petra, unarguably one of the most spectacular sites in the world. To the west of the capital Amman, lies the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Except for the Valley, the country is largely desert and was very sparsely populated before the establishment of Jordan. Irrigation has made this area very fertile, and most of the country's food is grown here. Directly to the east of Amman is the desert, inhabited by the Bedouin. There will be the opportunity to float in the Dead Sea and snorkel in the Red Sea ensuring that there is time to relax and unwind as well as cycle. Most relaxing of all, perhaps, is the night spent in Wadi Rum, the former desert headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia. Here the solitude and incredible night skies ensure a memorable evening of stargazing.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Amman. 2 Ride/drive to Jerash; return to Madaba through ancient olive groves and pine trees. 3 Ride via Mt Nebo to Suwaima for a swim in the Dead Sea; drive to Petra along the King's Highway. 4-5 Two full days to explore the fascinating city of Petra, including a guided tour of the main sites; ride to the temple of Siq Al Baida (Little Petra). 6 Ride/drive via the deserts of Wadi Araba to Aqaba on the Red Sea. 7 Free morning to visit the beach, explore the town or perhaps snorkel; afternoon drive/ride to Wadi Rum and camp in the magnificent desert scenery. 8 Morning desert 4WD far into spectacular Wadi Rum; drive to Amman via the Desert Highway. 9 End Amman.

Mode of travel: Average daily distance: 45 km (28 miles)No.of days cycling: 5Vehicle Support: 100% Terrain and route: surface: 90% tarmac, 10% unsurfaced roads. Routes follow mainly quiet backroads. Lots of downhill and level sections, with a couple of steep climbs. We avoid the hottest time of year, but expect high temperatures.
Group size: Normally 6 to 16 plus leader and appropriate local guides.
Accommodation: 7 nights in 3-star hotels with en suite rooms. 1 night basic camping with running water and permanent toilet.
Food: All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $175.00
Trip Reference: MXW
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.
Notes: Local Bike Hire: Trek 3700 or 3900 mountain bikes with front suspension GBP70, paid on booking.
Trip Reference: MXW