THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
An eight-day multi-sport circuit across Jordan that pairs Petra’s back-trail hikes with two major cycling stages, a Wadi Rum jeep and summit day, and a restorative float at the Dead Sea. Expect varied terrain, Bedouin hospitality, and a mix of cultural discovery and off-road challenge.
An eight-day multi-sport circuit across Jordan that pairs Petra’s back-trail hikes with two major cycling stages, a Wadi Rum jeep and summit day, and a restorative float at the Dead Sea. Expect varied terrain, Bedouin hospitality, and a mix of cultural discovery and off-road challenge.
You step off the minibus in the cool hush of Petra’s back trail, red sandstone cliffs cutting shadow like pages turning. The air tastes faintly of dust and thyme; a local guide checks your pack while a small cluster of travellers tighten helmet straps and lace boots for a day that moves between architectures carved in rock and wide, open desert. Over the next week this itinerary stitches together Jordan’s contrasts — the layered canyons of Petra, the rough tracks of the Jordan Bike Trail, the silent amphitheatres of Crusader castles, and the copper-toned emptiness of Wadi Rum.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Experience Jordan Adventures · Amman, Amman Governorate
You step off the minibus in the cool hush of Petra’s back trail, red sandstone cliffs cutting shadow like pages turning. The air tastes faintly of dust and thyme; a local guide checks your pack while a small cluster of travellers tighten helmet straps and lace boots for a day that moves between architectures carved in rock and wide, open desert. Over the next week this itinerary stitches together Jordan’s contrasts — the layered canyons of Petra, the rough tracks of the Jordan Bike Trail, the silent amphitheatres of Crusader castles, and the copper-toned emptiness of Wadi Rum.
Geology and history here are inseparable. Petra’s rose-red façades are Nabatean stonework worn by wind and two millennia of visitors, while the high plateau that gives access to the Monastery traverses sandstone shelves and gravel terraces that speak to ancient river systems. Shobak and Kerak, the Crusader castles on the ridgelines, stand on basalt and limestone outcrops that once controlled caravan routes. Wadi Rum’s monolithic ridges are aeolian sculpting in action — sand and wind carving vertical faces that change hue throughout the day.
Culture threads into every stop. Bedouin hosts share simple meals and coffee in Wadi Rum camps; in Petra small family-run kitchens hand out boxed lunches on cycling stages; Amman provides the urban counterpoint with cafés hawking strong Arabic coffee and markets selling za’atar and olives. Local guides included on select days decode Nabatean inscriptions, point out Ottoman-era water channels, and explain the seasonal grazing patterns that still shape rural life.
Practicalities shape the trip’s rhythm. Expect six full days of activity with transfers between lodgings. Day 2 offers the “Back Way” into Petra to avoid crowds; days 4–5 include two substantial cycling stages (46 km with +945m ascent; 60 km with +350m) on mixed dirt and paved surfaces. Day 6 is a moderate 2–3 hour hike to Jabal Umm Ad-Dami (1,854 m) for desert panoramas. Fitness at a moderate-to-challenging level is necessary — you’ll be on your feet for multiple half- to full-day efforts, sometimes on loose terrain.
Pack for sun and wind: high-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, sun layers, sturdy trail shoes for scrambling, and a small hydration system (water is plentiful at planned stops but tastes can vary). Bikes (Scott Aspect 27.5) and helmets are provided on cycling days, and a support vehicle runs with the group. Time your visit for spring or autumn for cooler temperatures and stable skies; summers can be intensely hot, winter nights in the desert are cold.
This is an expedition that rewards movement — walk through Petra’s Siq at dawn, push over lunar sand toward Rum’s sandstone towers, and end by floating in the Dead Sea, where the landscape relaxes and your legs finally let go.
challenging.
8 days.
Participants should have a good baseline of cardiovascular fitness and be comfortable with full-day hikes and off-road cycling; regular training beforehand is recommended.
Yes — Scott Aspect 27.5″ bikes and helmets are provided on cycling days; a cycling mechanic and support vehicle accompany the group.
Travelers should have a moderate to good fitness level; the trip includes multiple full-day hikes and two cycling stages with significant elevation change.
Yes — the itinerary includes a visit to the Dead Sea with time to float and use facilities; spa treatments are extra.
The summit is a moderate 2–3 hour ascent; discuss fitness concerns with guides — alternative easier options can often be arranged.
Jordanian Dinar is used; carry small notes for tips and local purchases. Tipping guides, drivers, and camp staff is customary and appreciated.
Most meals per itinerary and entrance fees to listed attractions are included; check your booking confirmation for exact inclusions.
This route crosses Nabatean, Roman and Crusader-era landscapes: Petra was a Nabatean trade hub while Shobak and Kerak were medieval strongholds on caravan routes.
Respect trail closures and local grazing areas; Wadi Rum is a protected reserve where sticking to established tracks reduces erosion and protects archaeological sites.
Experience Jordan Adventures operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step off the minibus in the cool hush of Petra’s back trail, red sandstone cliffs cutting shadow like pages turning. The air tastes faintly of dust and thyme; a local guide checks your pack while a small cluster of travellers tighten helmet straps and lace boots for a day that moves between architectures carved in rock and wide, open desert. Over the next week this itinerary stitches together Jordan’s contrasts — the layered canyons of Petra, the rough tracks of the Jordan Bike Trail, the silent amphitheatres of Crusader castles, and the copper-toned emptiness of Wadi Rum.
You step off the minibus in the cool hush of Petra’s back trail, red sandstone cliffs cutting shadow like pages turning. The air tastes faintly of dust and thyme; a local guide checks your pack while a small cluster of travellers tighten helmet straps and lace boots for a day that moves between architectures carved in rock and wide, open desert. Over the next week this itinerary stitches together Jordan’s contrasts — the layered canyons of Petra, the rough tracks of the Jordan Bike Trail, the silent amphitheatres of Crusader castles, and the copper-toned emptiness of Wadi Rum.
Geology and history here are inseparable. Petra’s rose-red façades are Nabatean stonework worn by wind and two millennia of visitors, while the high plateau that gives access to the Monastery traverses sandstone shelves and gravel terraces that speak to ancient river systems. Shobak and Kerak, the Crusader castles on the ridgelines, stand on basalt and limestone outcrops that once controlled caravan routes. Wadi Rum’s monolithic ridges are aeolian sculpting in action — sand and wind carving vertical faces that change hue throughout the day.
Culture threads into every stop. Bedouin hosts share simple meals and coffee in Wadi Rum camps; in Petra small family-run kitchens hand out boxed lunches on cycling stages; Amman provides the urban counterpoint with cafés hawking strong Arabic coffee and markets selling za’atar and olives. Local guides included on select days decode Nabatean inscriptions, point out Ottoman-era water channels, and explain the seasonal grazing patterns that still shape rural life.
Practicalities shape the trip’s rhythm. Expect six full days of activity with transfers between lodgings. Day 2 offers the “Back Way” into Petra to avoid crowds; days 4–5 include two substantial cycling stages (46 km with +945m ascent; 60 km with +350m) on mixed dirt and paved surfaces. Day 6 is a moderate 2–3 hour hike to Jabal Umm Ad-Dami (1,854 m) for desert panoramas. Fitness at a moderate-to-challenging level is necessary — you’ll be on your feet for multiple half- to full-day efforts, sometimes on loose terrain.
Pack for sun and wind: high-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, sun layers, sturdy trail shoes for scrambling, and a small hydration system (water is plentiful at planned stops but tastes can vary). Bikes (Scott Aspect 27.5) and helmets are provided on cycling days, and a support vehicle runs with the group. Time your visit for spring or autumn for cooler temperatures and stable skies; summers can be intensely hot, winter nights in the desert are cold.
This is an expedition that rewards movement — walk through Petra’s Siq at dawn, push over lunar sand toward Rum’s sandstone towers, and end by floating in the Dead Sea, where the landscape relaxes and your legs finally let go.