Imagine exploring the coast of the Dead Sea, the historical sites of Petra and the Wadi Araba Desert – cycling Jordan is an experience like no other. Travelling on two wheels through this diversely beautiful country is one of the best ways to discover all that Jordan has to offer in one trip, and our guided tours ensure you visit the highlights as well as the lesser-known places.
The Middle East abounds with incredible scenery as well as archaeological gems and fascinating culture. The UNESCO city of Petra will amaze you with its mountainous backdrop where ornate buildings are carved into the red rock, dating back to the 3rd-century BCE. Also known as the Red Rose City, Petra is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, where the traditions of the Middle East mingle with Hellenistic architecture.
Our Jordan cycling holidays also allow you to soak up the country’s natural beauty as you ride among olive groves and dusty desert roads, punctuated by nomadic and hilltop villages. At Exodus we really want you to enjoy immersive experiences and one of the main highlights of our tours is an authentic Bedouin adventure camping beneath the stars in the Wadi Rum Desert. In stark contrast, visit one of Jordan’s vibrant souks where you’ll be absorbed in the sights, sounds and smells that create its intoxicating atmosphere.
On our guided cycling holidays in Jordan, you’ll be accompanied by one of our expert guides who’ll make sure you leave well informed of the culture and traditions. Visit local communities where you’re invited to learn about their way of life and enjoy delicious, locally produced dishes that give you a flavour of the Middle Eastern cuisine.
Take a closer look at the trip below for a more detailed itinerary and description.
Cycling Holidays in Jordan
9 DaysfromCAD 3230
Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)
Cycle through Jordan's desert and visit the most impressive historical UNESCO sites
Best Ancient Sites to Visit on Jordan Cycling Tours
Petra: The Red Rose City of Petra is one of the most significant UNESCO World Heritage sites you’ll see when cycling Jordan. Undiscovered for centuries, Petra was eventually found by the Nabatean tribe in the 6th-century BCE. When you arrive at Petra you’ll be in total awe of this architectural wonder where elaborate buildings have been carved into the red and yellow sandstone rock. Walk along the Siq, a narrow walkway where a sandstone chasm soars above, which opens to reveal the magnificent Treasury, El Khazneh. As you wander through the houses, tombs and amphitheatre, you’ll learn about how the wealthy citizens once lived in the city. Head up to the High Place of Worship for uninterrupted views over Petra and climb the 800 steps to the religious site of the El Deir monastery.
Jerash: Lying to the north of Amamm, the ancient city of Jerash dates back to the Bronze Age and is famous for its walled Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa. The well-preserved ruins let you step back to the 2nd-century, and as you walk around the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis and Hadrian’s Arch you can almost hear the sounds of a past Roman civilisation coursing through the ancient ruins. Also known as the Triumphal Arch, Hadrian’s Arch was constructed in AD 129 to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hadrian. To learn more about Jerash and its rich history, visit the Archaeological Museum where you’ll find interesting artefacts that have been recovered from the site over the years.
Madaba: Often overlooked on cycling holidays in Jordan, Madaba is a market town best known as the ‘City of Mosaics’. As the name would suggest, a collection of stunning Byzantine mosaics can be found throughout the city but arguably the most famous is the detailed map that lies on the floor of the Greek Orthodox church of St George. It’s believed the mosaic dates back to the 6th century and its colourful detail depicts a scene from Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Madaba has one of the largest Christian communities in Jordan and the locals gather every Friday before dawn to pray at the church.
Little Petra: Known locally in Jordan as Siq Al Barid (meaning Cold Canyon owing to the tall buildings which block out the sunlight), Little Petra has a rich agricultural past and was once a place for travellers who were visiting Petra with their caravans and camels to replenish their supplies. Within the ancient site there are beautiful buildings carved into the pale rock and just outside the miniature siq stands a classical Nabatean temple. Much quieter and calmer than its bigger sister, Petra, Little Petra is always worth exploring on your Jordan itinerary.
This is the best way to travel round Namibia, you see such diverse landscapes and a variety of wildlife too! Travelling by bike means you get to see it in a different way, even though you have some very early starts it means you have the roads to yourself and the animals are out there waiting for you!
Trip performed on period 29 Sep -10 Oct 2024. Namibia is a vast and fascinating country with stunning scenery and different landscapes. Camping in the desert surrounded only by mountains, climbing Dune 40 at sunrise, cycling in very low traffic white&bumping roads, fat-biking over the dunes in Swakopmund, cycling on a reserve closed with rhinos and giraffes, game driving in Etosha park watching elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions and various other animals. Last, but not the least, we had a very great group (total 12 people). We had a guide, a cooker and a driver taking very good care of all of us. The tour was overall well organized with a good support vehicle. We daily cycled as per trip notes. People were warm and friendly, and we felt always safe.
I’ve done a few cycling trips over the years with Exodus and loved them all, but this one left me just a little flat. It started well enough, Matera is beautiful and as we cycled out of Matera the scenery was lovely and the sun was shining. But the days that followed were just a little frustrating really. We stayed in a farmhouse for two nights (not the one advertised) and both were lovely, but we arrived each day at around 3:30 and then you have nothing to do for the rest of the day because you’re literally in the middle of nowhere. I wish we had stayed in Ostuni for one of these nights. This also meant we were limited to eating from a basic set menu each night we were in the farmhouses, which was a bit disappointing as the food in this part of Italy can be amazing.
On the plus side we did cycle every day but lots of it felt like it was on busy roads, I wish we could have spent more time on the coast. I also felt we often cycled through a lovely village or town but then stopped for lunch in some very random and not great places. Would have been nice to have a bit more information on some of the towns we stopped in, on previous trips there’s been a little walking tour but not on this one. This could have been so much better, but it just wasn’t. For the first time if someone asked me if they should go on this trip I would say no…..