Start by soaking up the history of Petra and the architectural richness of the ancient world. Then the chance to feel like a nomad, moving on with few belongings, spending nights under a star studded sky. Riding through hidden wadis protected by towering cliffs, crossing vast sandy plains and cantering across desert clay flats! You need to be comfortable on an energetic horse in an open, unrestricted area where there are no fences or roads to interrupt and happy to camp out in simple desert camps, often sleeping under the stars or in the shelter of a rocky cliff. Water is limited so your 'shower' is a jug and flannel, your 'armchair' a cushion on the floor and your 'table' a traditional style carpet!
Day 1: Airport to Petra
Fly into Amman airport, our driver will meet you to transfer you (3 hours) to your hotel near the entrance of Petra in Wadi Musa. Once settled in, we meet for dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 2: A day dedicated to the discovery of Petra
After a hearty breakfast, we will take you to Petra. You will have the day to visit this famous archaeological site, located in the desert. Dating back to around 300 BC. It was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom. Accessible by the Sîq, a narrow canyon, the site contains tombs and temples carved into the pink sandstone cliffs from which it takes its nickname of "rose city". You will also have the chance to discover the Khazneh, 45 meters high, which is undoubtedly the most famous building of Petra: it is a temple with an ornate facade in Greek style and known by the other name of "Treasure". In the evening, we will take you back to your hotel for dinner.
Day 3: Sand Dune and Khazali Canyon
After a good breakfast you will be transferred to our stud farm in Wadi Rum where you can meet the team and the horses. With your luggage loaded into the tour jeep you begin your horseback riding adventure from Wadi Rum village with a two-hour ride heading across the sand dunes to the Khazali Canyon for lunch. After the lunch, a three-hour ride taking you to Lawrence of Arabia's house! In the evening, we set up camp in the valley near Um Ishrin. You can enjoy your first night in the desert surrounded by stars.
Day 4: Burrah Canyon (5hrs on horseback)
After a good camp breakfast, we head for the Burrah Canyon and enjoy the the majestic scenery. After crisscrossing the canyon, we reach the ‘Mushroom Stone’ where you can take beautiful photos and have lunch. In the afternoon we head for Burdah Arche where you can again admire sumptuous panoramas! After the Burdah Arche, we ride to the drop off point for the evening and spend the night again in tents. The perfect end to a day on horseback is to watch the sand turn from pink to deep orange as the sun sets.
Day 5: Red Desert and White Desert (5 hrs on horseback)
Today, after breakfast, we cross a small canyon and go to the famous Umm Fruth Arch. Lunch will take place between the red and white desert in Um Ugur which is located in the south of Wadi Rum near the Saudi border. From here, your adventure will continue in the white desert which is a less touristy place where you can enjoy the beautiful nature! In the afternoon, you will cross the Nqura Canyon and sleep in a valley called Um Sabatah Valley. From here you can see the highest mountain in Jordan - Um Ad Dami.
Day 6: In the heart of the Desert ( 5 hrs on horseback )
You will your last day on horseback surrounded by the magnificent landscapes of the Um Sabatah valley and the Sweibat valley. As you ride you may meet Bedouin families living in traditional nomadic camps. We ride to Ali's camp called ‘Wadi Rum Travel Camp’, this is where we leave the horses and you have a chance to take a good shower before sleeping in the Bedouin tents.
Day 7 : Free day to explore the Dead Sea
For this last day in Jordan, you will be driven to the Dead Sea. The lowest point on earth at 402 metres below sea level. You can enjoy a free day on the site to immerse yourself one last time in the culture and sumptuous landscapes of this unique country. A chance to float in the sea and cover yourself in Dead Sea mud. In the evening you will then be transferred to your hotel in Madaba - the city renowned for its Byzantine mosaics you can then go and dine in one of the restaurants recommended by your guides.
Day 8: Departure Day - Amman Airport
After breakfast, our driver will take you to Amman airport for your return flight.
This program is given as an indication. It may be subject to modifications or adaptations, particularly in terms of the itinerary, depending on the weather conditions and/or the safety of the participants. The local guides will thus take the necessary measures for the smooth running and good continuity of the stay.
DATES & PRICES
We have an extended tour and a horsemanship week also available. Enquire with the team for more information, dates and prices below.
Ride (as advertised) : from £1595pp
Long Ride this extends the ride to an additonal 2 nights with an extra days riding: from £1895pp ask for availability
Horsemanship Week, learn horsemanship science in theory and practice: from £2095pp
2024 DATES
February 2024
03/02 - 10/02 or extend to Long ride 12/02
10/02 -17/02 or extend to Long Ride 19/02
24/02 - 02/03 or extend to Long Ride 04/03
March 2024
02/03 - 09/03or extend to Long Ride 11/03
09/03 - 16/03 or extend to Long Ride 18/02
16/03 - 23/03 or extend to Long Ride 25/03
21/03 -30/03 Horsemanship
April
30/03 - 06/04 or extend to Long Ride 08/04
06/04 - 13/04 or extend to Long Ride 15/04
18/04 - 27/04 Long Ride
May
27/04 - 04/05 or extend to Long Ride 06/04
04/05 - 11/05 Full
11/05- 16/05 or extend to Long Ride 18/05
18/05 - 25/05 or extend to Long Ride 27/05
June
25/05 - 01/06 or extend to Long Ride 06/06
01/06 - 08/06 or extend to Long Ride 10/06
08/06 - 15/06 or extend to Long Ride 17/06
2023 Dates
November
04/11/23 - 11/11/23
11/11/23 - 18/11/23
18/11/23 - 25/11/23
25/11/23 - 02/12/23
December
09/12/23 - 16/12/23
16/12/23 - 23/12/23
23/12/23 - 30/12/23
Horses
Home bred Arab types suitable for the terrain. Ridden in English tack. Hard Hats are mandatory. The horses are well cared for – fed three times a day while on trail and plenty of water! At night they are tethered and they can lie down and have a good roll.
Weight Limit strictly 85 Kg
Age from 16 years, any children must be accompanied by adults.
Group size 8 riders.
You need to be in good physical condition as you are spending 5 hours in the saddle and capable of walk trot and canter in open and undulating ground.
The riding on this trail is a mix of relaxed riding at walk with long trots and canters where the terrain allows faster riding. There are also opportunities to gallop. All riders must be fit enough to ride 5-6 hours a day, sometimes in the heat of the desert. Previous trail riding experience is essential and riders should be confident and in control in the open on a forward going horse.
Accommodation
3 nights in Hotels with Breakfast
4 nights in Tents on full board
We use good quality comfortable hotels in Petra and Madaba.
3 nights Camping in the dessert in standard easy set up tents – sleeping on supplied mattresses and blankets – it is advisable to bring your own lightweight sleeping bag.
The Bedouin Camp for one night has showers, toilets and beds.
Your luggage is carried by the tour jeep and is accessible at the end of each day. The horses have saddle bags to carry water, sun cream and other essentials. We refill water bottles each morning, lunch and evening.
Meals on the trail: breakfast is continental, lunch a picnic and in the evening a hot meal. There is always a vegetarian option, the cook makes two traditional dishes with rice and chicken (Maglouba or upside down). The last night in the camp is Zarb, chicken cooked under the ground. A lot of different salads, pasta, even fish. The food is cooked in pans over a gas stove and we make a small fire to keep the tea warm.
We also offer fruit (apples, bananas, oranges and now strawberries and watermelon).
Not Included
Flights
Lunch day 2 and dinner day 7 not included.
Jordan Pass
Jordan Pass
We recommend purchasing a Jordan Pass (www.jordanpass.jo) before the start of your holiday. The Pass that you will need is called the “Jordan Wanderer” and the cost is 70 JOD (approx. £80). By purchasing this Pass your visa fee upon arrival to Jordan will be waived, and the entry to Petra and Wadi Rum are included in the price too. Please PRINT your Jordan Pass so that the guide can take it to the visitor centre at Wadi Rum.
Guides
Both our guides speak English - Astrid (born in Brussels) and Ali (born in the Wadi Rum desert), both are passionate about horses and will help you discover the wonders of Jordan and particularly the beauty of the Wadi Rum desert. Languages spoken: English, French and Arabic.