Explore the deserts and seasides of Jordan via bike on this eight-day trip. You'll start with the city of Amman, then tour the ruins at Jerash and archaeological sites at Madaba on the shores of the Red Sea. Follow the King's Highway to Kerak Castle, cycle through the Wadi Araba desert and camp under the stars, and see the famous monuments of Petra and sand dunes of Wadi Rum, all under your own steam.

Highlights

  • Tour the ancient Roman ruins at Jerash
  • Cycle down the King's Highway
  • Explore the towering monuments of Petra
  • Sleep under desert stars in Wadi Araba
  • Drive a Jeep through Wadi Rum dunes

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Amman Amman
Day 2 Amman to the Dead Sea The Dead Sea
Day 3 The Dead Sea to Petra Petra
Day 4 Explore Petra Petra
Day 5 Petra to Wadi Araba Wadi Musa
Day 6 Wadi Araba to Aqaba Aqaba
Day 7 Aqaba to Amman via Wadi Rum Amman
Day 8 Depart Amman  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Amman

Amman at dusk
Amman at dusk

Welcome to Jordan! You'll meet your guide at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, then transfer to your hotel to relax after your day of traveling.

Day 2: Amman to the Dead Sea

The Oval Plaza in Jerash
The Oval Plaza in Jerash

Start your day with a tour of Amman, with visits to the Citadel and the Roman Theater. Then leave the city to drive to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in Jordan. Take a tour of Jerash and enjoy lunch in the city.

After lunch, you'll transfer to Madaba for even more touring. Visit the St. George Church and its famous mosaic map, the Archaeological Park, Madaba Museum, and the Apostle's Church. Continue to Mount Nebo, believed to be the site where Moses viewed the promised land.

End your day on the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth's surface.

Day 3: The Dead Sea to Petra

Section of King's Highway
Section of King's Highway

Time to start cycling! Your bikes will be delivered to your hotel, while your luggage will be picked up and transferred by car to your next stop.

Your bike ride starts down the King's Highway toward Kerak Castle. On the way, you'll stop for lunch in the shade of the South Jordan valley. Once you arrive at Kerak Castle, you'll break for a tour of the immense Crusaders Castle, then continue down the King's Highway to Petra.

Biking distance: 50 miles (80 km)

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Day 4: Explore Petra

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Enjoy a full day to explore Petra's many wonders. Start with a 2–3-hour guided tour of the desert monuments, including the Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades, Theater, and Colonnaded Street. You can also choose to visit the Monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice if you're up for a bit of an extra climb.

Take a break for lunch before you head out on a short biking tour of Little Petra. Visit the rock tombs,  cisterns, and frescoes as you get acquainted with its unique Nabatean architecture amid the striking views and excellent cycling terrain.

You have a few options for your evening activity. Indulge in a Turkish bath at a local hammam, take a cooking class to create and enjoy a three-course dinner with a chef, or take a candlelight walk through the monuments and listen to traditional Arabic stories in the Treasury.

Biking distance: 6 miles (10 km)

Day 5: Petra to Wadi Araba

Kandym shrub in the desert
Kandym shrub in the desert

Get back in the bike saddle to make your way toward Wadi Araba Desert.

In the morning part of your ride, you'll pass the Prince Hassan Castle, Al Rajef wind farm, city of Dlaghah, and Al Thugrah.

Take a break when you reach Masa'udah for lunch prepared by your guide. Then keep cycling on to the dunes of the Wadi Araba Desert, where you'll camp out under the stars complete with barbecue dinner.

Biking distance: 40 miles (65 km)

Day 6: Wadi Araba to Aqaba

Jordanian flag towering over Aqaba
Jordanian flag towering over Aqaba

Wake up refreshed amidst the dunes, then hop back on your bike.

Today's trail will take you through Al Rreesheh, Garandal, Rahmeh, and Qattar, with another stop for lunch along the route. At the end of the trail sits the vibrant port city of Aqaba on the coast of the Red Sea.

Biking distance: 62 miles (100 km)

Day 7: Aqaba to Amman via Wadi Rum

Evening at Wadi Rum
Evening at Wadi Rum

Get back on the bike after breakfast to the famous Wadi Rum desert, seated within a valley cut into sandstone and granite. The valley has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with the rock paintings and other archaeological finds to prove it.

You'll ride all the way to the desert,  then stop for lunch once you arrive. After lunch, it's time to let someone else do the driving with a jeep tour to Wadi Rum's most popular sites. You'll even have a chance to get your adrenaline rush in by sandboarding down the dunes.

The jeeps will then carry you and your bikes for a 4-hour drive back to Amman, your destination for the evening.

Biking distance: 37 miles (60 km)

Day 8: Depart Amman

Views over Amman
Views over Amman

Wave goodbye after breakfast as you transfer to the airport to catch your flight home or on to your next adventure.

Map

Map of Highlights of Jordan by Bike - 8 Days
Map of Highlights of Jordan by Bike - 8 Days