Highlights
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day horseback riding adventure through Petra, Wadi Rum, and Jordan's stunning desert landscapes. Explore ancient sites and ride Arabian horses.
Madaba - See Jordan’s finest Byzantine mosaics at the Church of St George in this Christian market town
Mt Nebo - Visit one of the most sacred sites in Jordan with views across the Promised Land
Petra - Discover the spectacular UNESCO-listed Nabataean city, which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
The Dead Sea - Float in the salty, mineral-rich waters of the sea and slap on some of the Dead Sea mud, thought to have healing properties
Visit Aqaba and enjoy seeing the sites of the modern and ancient city on a short city tour. There’s also plenty of time for relaxing, swimming, and optional water sports such as snorkeling in the Red Sea
Wadi Rum - Explore this vast red desert with its rolling dunes and dramatic rock formations in a 4x4
Itinerary
Jordan - Petra & Wadi Rum Equestrian Adventure (10 Days)
Looking for an unforgettable adventure? Embark on a thrilling journey that combines the ancient culture of Petra with the awe-inspiring landscapes of Wadi Rum, experienced from the back of a stunning Arabian horse. This journey offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and adrenaline. Explore the dramatic desert terrain of Wadi Rum, once featured in the film "Lawrence of Arabia", and take in the breathtaking views that this region has to offer. The trip culminates in a luxurious stay at the Dead Sea, where you can enjoy a relaxing soak in its mineral-rich waters before heading home.
Accommodation & Meals
- In Petra and Madaba: You will be staying in a three-star hotel with double rooms equipped with private bathrooms (upgrades to five-star hotels are available).
- During the ride: You’ll camp in small, one-person igloo tents with mattresses. Please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow for warmth. There are basic facilities for washing, though in some areas, water might be limited, and you may need to wash with a bucket of water. Setting up your own tent is an easy task, providing an authentic back-to-nature experience.
- Meals during the ride: Expect hearty, delicious meals that combine local Jordanian flavors with European influences. Meals are plentiful, and you'll have the chance to experience traditional Bedouin dining, eating on a large rug while sitting cross-legged. Typical breakfast options include boiled eggs, yogurt, honey, fresh cheese, warm pita bread, and tea or coffee.
- Lunches: Typically, picnics with vegetarian stews, fresh bread, salad, and fruits. Afternoon tea with cakes will keep you fueled for the rest of the ride.
- Dinners: Enjoy local dishes like spiced fish, chicken with potatoes, lamb with rice and yogurt, and other regional specialties.
- At the hotels, breakfast and dinner are buffet-style or à la carte, with vegetarian options available. Water is provided during the riding days, but alcohol is not included (it is available in the hotels if desired). Please note that bringing alcohol into the desert is discouraged due to cultural reasons.
The Ride
- Daily Riding: You will ride for approximately 5-6 hours each day, covering 25-35 kilometers (15-18 miles). Rides are divided into two sessions: 2.5-3.5 hours in the morning, followed by a three-hour break for lunch, and another 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Each ride begins and ends with a 5-minute walk to warm up and cool down both the horses and riders.
- Pace: The ride is moderate, with a mix of walking, trotting, and some galloping (2-4 opportunities for galloping each day). The soft, firm sand of the desert offers excellent terrain for controlled, long-distance gallops.
- Rider Experience: Riders should be confident and comfortable at all gaits, with the ability to relax on an energetic horse. The horses are responsive but well-behaved, making them suitable for riders with solid riding experience.
- Terrain: Wadi Rum’s vast desert landscapes are a stunning blend of mountain ridges, sandy plains, and fertile farmland, offering diverse terrain ideal for riding. The desert floor is typically firm and hard-packed sand, ensuring a smooth ride.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Amman – Transfer to Madaba
Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. After completing immigration formalities, your driver will transfer you to your hotel in Madaba. If you arrive early, explore the town, known for its Christian heritage, or visit the St. George Church to admire its famous mosaics. Dinner is included if you arrive before 10:00 PM. Overnight in Madaba.
Day 2: Madaba to Petra
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up for a scenic 3-hour drive to Petra. Check in to your hotel, then spend the afternoon exploring Petra with a local guide for a 2-3 hour tour of the ancient Nabatean city. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own or relax at the hotel. Dinner is included, and you’ll meet the riding organizer to discuss the upcoming ride.
Day 3: Petra to Taibah Mountain
After breakfast, transfer to the outskirts of Wadi Musa to meet your horses. Ride through the hills surrounding Petra, enjoying sweeping views of the mountains, including Jebel Haroun, where Prophet Aaron is said to be buried. Optional hike to the High Place of Sacrifice for panoramic views of Petra. After a picnic lunch, continue your ride to Taybeh Mountain, where you'll camp overnight.
Day 4: Taibah to Al Rajif & Beer Hammad
Ride from the mountain of Taibah to the village of Rajif, known for its stunning views over the Wadi Araba desert. Enjoy a peaceful lunch under the shade of a garden before continuing along the ancient Silk Road. This route was once used by traders traveling between Petra and the desert. Enjoy cantering across the desert plains towards Ber Hammad, an old Nabatean cistern. Overnight at a portable camp.
Day 5: Beer Hammad to Humaimeh
Ride through the picturesque Ber Hammad region, following the old trail that once connected Wadi Sabra to Petra. With the horses fresh and the cool mountain breezes, expect plenty of opportunities for exhilarating canters. In the afternoon, ride through limestone hills towards the gateway of the desert, known as "Bab el Sahara," where you’ll get spectacular views of the Wadi Rum’s towering red sandstone peaks. Camp overnight in Humaimeh.
Day 6: Wadi Rum Desert Ride
Explore the unique canyons of Wadi Rum, following part of the ancient spice trade route. Ride past the old village of Thogra, cross the Desert Highway, and head towards the sandstone cliffs of Wadi Rum. Enjoy a visit to the famous Karazeh rock arch before reaching your campsite.
Day 7: Wadi Rum – Karazeh to Um Ishrin
In the morning, ride beneath the awe-inspiring sandstone cliffs, stopping to admire ancient Thamudic and Nabatean inscriptions along the way. Ride towards the village of Chakria, passing vast mud flats ideal for exciting canters. After a visit to the well-preserved French fortress, continue riding through stunning canyons, eventually reaching the sandy dunes of Wadi Um Ishrin for an overnight camp.
Day 8: Final Day of Riding – Transfer to Aqaba
After breakfast, enjoy one last ride through the beautiful valley of Um Ishrin, passing red sand dunes and the ruins of Lawrence’s house. Ride through Barrah Canyon, where you’ll find more ancient carvings. After lunch, say farewell to the horses, then transfer by car to Aqaba, located on the Red Sea coast, for a relaxing evening by the sea. Overnight at My Hotel (or similar).
Day 9: Aqaba to Dead Sea & Mount Nebo
Enjoy a leisurely day by the Dead Sea, floating in its therapeutic waters and possibly indulging in a mud treatment. Afterward, transfer back to Madaba, passing Mount Nebo where Moses is believed to have seen the Promised Land. Enjoy a visit to the church before sunset. Overnight in Madaba.
Day 10: Madaba to Amman Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for your departure flight.
The Horses
The horses on this trip are primarily Arabians, with some crossbreeds and Anglo-Arabs from Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. They are typically 150-160 cm (59-63 inches) tall at the withers, sturdy and reliable, yet energetic and easy to ride. The horses live mostly in the wilderness, and riders are encouraged to care for their horses, including grooming and saddling them.
Travel Information
What’s Included:
- Meet and assit service on arrival with visa
- 9 nights (4 nights in 3-star hotels, 5 nights camping)
- Full board during riding days, including water
- Return transfers from Amman Airport
- All Transfers listed in the itinerary
- Horseback riding and all riding equipment
- Entrance fees to all sites to visit in Jordan
- Day use at the Dead Sea hotel / resort with lunch
What’s Not Included:
- Flights
- Personal travel insurance, additional activities, and extras
- Drinks, and certain meals
- Optional Tours while you are in Jordan : i.e Petra by night , camel ride ...etc
Guides & Support:
Your guides speak English and are trained in first aid. All camps are supported by local Bedouin staff, and luggage is transported in jeeps.
Group Size & Weight Limit:
Minimum 2, maximum 12 riders (with multiple groups possible). Weight limit for riders is 85 kg (187 lbs) including gear.
Tour Booking Conditions
: 1-Minimum time for booking Multi-Day tours, last minute booking and Availability of JHT team. STND
-(A)- For multi-day tours, we will accept reservation requests up to 72 hour before tour commencement date (Please consider weekends, official holidays and office hours indicated below).
-(B)- Our tour consultants are typically reachable during office hours only: Sun – Thu 10:00-18:00 (Jordan Time: 3 hrs past GMT). In cases of emergencies, you can reach our team through our main mobile contact shown on our website anytime any day, (or if in contact with you a tour consultant already, you would have their specific contact info directly).
-(C)- Please consider Weekend in Jordan is Fri-Sat. Official National Holidays & Religious Holidays include but not limited to: Easter, Eids, Labor Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve…etc.
-(D)- When applicable, and in order to benefit from visa fee waiver conditioned with spending 2 consecutive nights in Jordan, we kindly ask that you share your passport information which will be kept safely in line with our privacy agreement, we will use this to prepare a manifest and allow our team to meet & greet you at the airport.
-(E)- A visa fee applies for groups and individual travelers spending 1 night only prior to departure from the Kingdom, Visa fees are subject to change with no notice by authorities.
-(F)- Confirmation for those tours will be issued on securing the needed services and accommodation is booked. Most hotel reservation teams are reachable till 17:00 Jordan time during weekdays.
-(G)- Knowledge and recommendations: Booking last minute can be a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to travel. While the spontaneity can add an exciting edge to your plans, it's important to consider that the availability of services might be limited and the quality of services can be compromised. While we'll do our best to accommodate your preferences, it's worth keeping in mind that securing the most sought-after services may be a bit more challenging. Planning in advance not only secures the best options but also ensures a smoother and more enjoyable journey, allowing you to make the most of your travel experience without the constraints that last-minute bookings might bring.
: 2- Quotation and rates for Multi-Day trips in Jordan. STND
-(A)- Our multi-day tours are completely tailor made to fit individual preferences. Because those tours are customized, kindly check with us for rates for your requested tour. Note it is possible to select the desired accommodation standard 3, 4 or 5-star / typically offers are based on standard rooms in related hotels unless otherwise stated, upgraded room categories and / or family rooms would incur a surcharge. If interested to book accommodation directly yourself – please get in touch.
-(B)- Accommodation choices and preferences will be considered, yet can’t be guaranteed as this is subject to hotel or camp availability and policies. Alternatives of same desired level can be secured (subject to availability).
-(C)- For FTIs (small groups up to 6 guests) - local spot guide in Petra and Jerash would be included (who’d only join during your visit in Petra or Jerash only – if your visit includes either site) please see notes. Yet for groups of 7 guests and more it is mandated by law that we secure a government licensed Guide to escort the group from start till drop off to any destination in Jordan.
-(D)- All quotes are based on English speaking local or government licensed guides. Other languages are subject to availability and can’t be guaranteed especially at peak season times, and can ultimately incur a surcharge.
-(E)- The Local guides (who are at the visitor’s center of Petra site) are assigned at the visitor's center of the site on a turn-basis. Travel Agencies cannot guarantee the quality of their services.
- We endeavor to utilize the guiding services of a licensed guide who is known to our agency. During peak times we might provide you with a guide from the Petra Visitors center. As these guides are not known to our agency, we cannot guarantee the level of their service. Any complaints about problems encountered with the guides from the Petra Visitors center should be directed to the Petra Visitors Centre directly at the conclusion of your guided tour.
: 3- Booking online and - or How to book this tour (Multi-Day trips)? STND
-(A)- You can request to book your desired tour online or please contact us by email. Online bookings are not confirmed until a personalized email detailing that a booking is confirmed is sent by a member of our reservation team, which will be within 24-48 hours of receiving your online booking.
-(B)- We endeavor to display accurate availability on our website, though on rare occasions online bookings are made concurrently with others, and our website cannot reflect this information.
-(C)- Securing accommodation space for larger group is primarily controlled by hotel – camp availability. Feedback will be shared with guests, to determine how best to proceed, example standard rooms may not be fully available, upgraded room types for an additional surcharge could be proposed to guest, our team will make sure you understand your options and can decide accordingly.
: 4- In very rare cases, JHT reserves the rights to amend or cancel the booking in the following cases: STND
-(A)- In Last minute booking in less than 24 hrs period of the requested date.
-(B)- When no personalized follow up email detailing that a booking is confirmed is sent by a member of our reservation team. If our JHT team is not available i.e. contact outside working hours, weekends, national holiday, religious holidays or any applicable holiday i.e. Easter, Eids, Christmas, New Year’s Eve…etc.
-(C)- In cases of missing / faulty information on guests’ side.
-(D)- Also JHT reserves the right to amend /cancel the tour / itinerary for reasons such as service requirements, road or weather conditions, hotel or camp announcements or unforeseen circumstances. Where a change /cancellation is of a significant nature it will be advised to our customers in writing. JHT cannot be held responsible for any service that we are unable to provide due to that particular component being unavailable due to circumstances beyond our control.
-(E)- Refunds will be applied as applicable
