General Info

Riding Arabian horses in the hoofsteps of Lawrence of Arabian through Jordan's Wadi Rum Desert, where camels and bedouin roam and the scenery is surprisingly diverse. See ancient rock art, desert wildlife, and the pink and red canyons for which the Wadi Rum is well known.

Visit the magical and ancient city of Petra and float in the Dead Sea – the lowest point on earth. Horseback riding vacations in Jordan are best suited to experienced riders, as all of the horses are active and forward going Arabians and there will be lots of long trots and canters in wide open spaces. Arabian horses were developed in desert climates and are renowned for their stamina and speed.

Camp out under the stars each night spent in the desert. Either pitch a tent or simply sleep outside with a vast patchwork of stars over your head. It’s possible to ride in the desert at any time of year, but as summer is fiercely hot, spring and autumn -when daytime temperatures are perfect for riding- are recommended. As you ride, you may meet Bedouin families living in traditional nomadic camps. A vehicle carries all your luggage and the camp equipment and you usually move camp every night.

In Amman, Petra and Aqaba, you'll stay in comfortable 3 star hotels.

Packing

The Wadi Rum is in the south-west corner of Jordan and stretches as far as the border with Saudi Arabia. Spring and Autumn are pleasant with warm days and cooler nights. Summer can be very, very hot. Winter is usually moderate during the day but can drop to zero at night with some rain possible. Please see Equitrekking Travel’s General Packing List. Please ask our preferred agents who have taken this trip about packing upon booking to get first-hand insight.

 

About the Horses

The horses are all Arabians. They are active, forward-going and fun to ride so you need to be a confident rider, able to control a horse at all paces in wide open spaces. There are some long trots and canters so riders also need to be fit.

Activities/Events

Visit Petra, ride horses in the desert, spend time learning about Bedouin culture, snorkel in Aqaba and float in the Dead Sea. This Jordan riding vacation is filled with exciting adventures!

Accommodations/Food

The hotels used in Amman, Petra and Aqaba are regular 3 star hotels. For the other five or six nights, you camp in the Wadi Rum Desert in a simple camp, in the style of the Bedouin. Camp is generally moved every day, but if you have found a particularly nice spot, or the weather dictates, then you may stay two nights in the same camp. Camp is set up in wilderness areas and rarely is the same place used twice to maintain an eco-friendly desert trek.

If you are travelling alone then there is no single supplement if you are willing to share, however, please note that you may be sharing a triple room with other riders (of the same sex).

Small tents and mattresses are provided for you. On a warm evening, many people choose to sleep out under the stars, which is an unforgettable experience. You will rarely have seen a sky so black or stars so bright. The tents are simple to erect and dismantle and you are asked to assist the camp staff in setting them up. You need to bring your own sleeping bag and camping pillow.

Water is provided for washing face and hands and a shower tent may be erected on some nights with warm water supplied for you to wash / shower. Toilet facilities at the mobile camps are limited and you may need to dig a hole in the sand and bring your toilet paper to a garbage bag for disposal later.

During winter months (December and February) if the weather is poor, the ride may be based from a static camp rather than being mobile. The static camp has a large tent for sitting and dining in if it is cold / wet. When based at the static camp you will ride out in different directions each day so that you get to experience as much of the desert as possible. 

The Ideal Traveler

Confident riders who want to experience Middle East culture, visit Petra and see diverse desert scenery. You'll want to enjoy camping out, as it's a big part of this Jordan riding vacation.

Jordan Riding Itinerary (between mid March and mid November)

Spring / Autumn Itinerary (between mid March and mid November)

At this time of year the Red Sea is warm and it's a special treat to enjoy a day at the sea after six nights in the desert.

2013 Dates & Rates
Ride & Visit Dead Sea
Feb 22-March 3, March 3-10, Nov 22-Dec 1, Dec 6-15

Ride & Visit Aqaba
March 1-10, March 15-24, March 22-31. March 29-April 7, April 5-14, April 12-21, April 19-28, April 26- May 5, May 3-12, May 10-19, May 31-June 9, Sept 6-15, Sept 20-29, Sept 27-Oct 6, Oct 4-13, Oct 18-27, Oct 25-Nov 3, Nov 1-10, Nov 8-17

Christmas & New Years
Dec 22-30, Dec 29-Jan6

$2,084 USD* (9 nights)
2013/14 Christmas / New Year ride: $1,931 USD* (only 8 nights)

No single supplement if prepared to share, otherwise $167 USD* (Please note that if willing to share then this could be in a triple room). If you are willing to share in the hotel rooms but would like your own tent then there is a supplement of $40 USD* for this.
 

* Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Prices are indicative only; the price of your chosen holiday will be reconfirmed by your travel consultant, prior to your making a booking.

Includes
Riding; all transfers (at set times); accommodation (3 nights in hotels, 6 nights camping); most meals; soft drinks whilst camping; guides; entrance fees to Petra and Wadi Rum. 

Not Included
Drinks in Amman, Petra and the Dead Sea / Red Sea; lunch when not camping; Jordanian departure tax; tips; Spa treatments at the Dead Sea; transfers if arriving outside of the set times. International flights to Amman.

Jordan Riding Vacation Sample Itinerary
Day One

Arrive in Amman, at Queen Alia International Airport, where you are met and driven to your hotel in Amman (around 20 minutes). Overnight at a three star hotel.

Day Two

Early morning, your bus will collect you to go to Petra (around 2h30 drive). Arrive around 10 am with time for a full day to visit the site. You have a 4 hour guided visit with an official guide and afterwards can wander on your own or return to your hote. Visit the Treasury and then choose which sites to visit from the many on offer - the city centre, the Royal tomb, the theatre, the High Place of Sacrifice, the Monastery or the Roman Soldier Tombs. There are many small restaurants inside the site to get lunch. Overnight at a 3 star hotel located right at the entrance to Petra. Dinner at the hotel.

Day Three

After breakfast, your bus will drive you to Wadi Rum (around 1h30 drive). Arrive in the village of Wadi Rum at the stables at around 9.30am. Time to drink the first bedouin tea, meet the horses and the team. The first ride is through Um Ishrin valley with a visit on the way to Lawrence's well. After lunch you ride through an open valley with a view over the red sand area. Dinner and camp in Abu Hassaran

Day Four

After breakfast, you cross Rash Rasha valley with its red sands and go to Qatar mountain to see a spring and have lunch. After lunch, ride to Um Raza, where you set up camp for the night.

Day Five

After breakfast, you ride onto Arab Antar, a natural cave famous for its legends. Lunch near Arab Antar, then continue to Sweibat valley which is c. 5 km from the Saudi border. Dinner and camp in Sweibat.

Day Six

After breakfast, cross through Cerdan valley and see a Neolithic well that is still used by the Bedouins. Have lunch in Um Umgur and then cross narrow canyons to arrive in Abu Rashaba where camp is set up for the night.

Day Seven

After breakfast, horse ride from Abu Rashaba to Jebel Burdah and see the natural rock bridge on its summit. After lunch continue to the red sand dunes and Jebel Um Feshiyeh with its Nabatean inscriptions. Dinner and camp in the red sand dunes area.

Day Eight

After breakfast, you cross Barragh canyon, which is the longest canyon in Wadi Rum. Gaze at its monumental cliffs which are famous for rock climbing. Then you cross the Disseh plain and return the horses to their stable. Lunch at the stables.

After lunch you are driven to Aqaba (around 1 hour drive) and to check-in to your hotel. Dinner tonight is usually at the Ali Baba restaurant, famous for its variety of local meals, especially the famous Sayadiyah, a specialty from Aqaba, cooked with fish from the Red Sea. Overnight in 3 star hotel in Aqaba.

Day Nine

This is a free day to enjoy Aqaba, the resort area of Jordan. This is a great place to snorkel. You may wish to go shopping or to visit the Royal diving centre for some snorkeling. Transportation to the Royal Diving Centre is included to go in the morning and back in the afternoon. If you want to go back earlier or later, a taxi is c. 5 JD each way. At 3.30 pm, the bus will collect everyone from the hotel at Aqaba for transfer to the hotel in Amman (3 hours). Dinner and night in a 4 star hotel in Amman.

Day Ten

Transfer to the airport at a convenient time for your flight.

* This itinerary is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are subject to changes due to the weather, the trip guide's discretion and other factors. Please note that the actual riding itinerary and route is subject to local conditions, the weather and the composition of the group, but will be based upon six days riding. You should expect to see all of the famous sites mentioned at some point during the week, but not necessarily in this order.

Jordan Riding Itinerary (between mid November and mid March)

Winter Itinerary (between mid November and mid March)

In the cooler winter months the itinerary is amended. There is little pleasure in being at the Red Sea and so instead we include a visit to the Dead Sea prior to your riding trip.

2013 Dates & Rates
Ride & Visit Dead Sea
Feb 22-March 3, March 3-10, Nov 22-Dec 1, Dec 6-15

Ride & Visit Aqaba
March 1-10, March 15-24, March 22-31. March 29-April 7, April 5-14, April 12-21, April 19-28, April 26- May 5, May 3-12, May 10-19, May 31-June 9, Sept 6-15, Sept 20-29, Sept 27-Oct 6, Oct 4-13, Oct 18-27, Oct 25-Nov 3, Nov 1-10, Nov 8-17

Christmas & New Years
Dec 22-30, Dec 29-Jan6

$2,084 USD* (9 nights)
2013/14 Christmas / New Year ride: $1,931 USD* (only 8 nights)

No single supplement if prepared to share, otherwise $167 USD* (Please note that if willing to share then this could be in a triple room). If you are willing to share in the hotel rooms but would like your own tent then there is a supplement of $40 USD* for this.

* Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Prices are indicative only; the price of your chosen holiday will be reconfirmed by your travel consultant, prior to your making a booking.

Includes
Riding; all transfers (at set times); accommodation (3 nights in hotels, 6 nights camping); most meals; soft drinks whilst camping; guides; entrance fees to Petra and Wadi Rum.

Not Included
Drinks in Amman, Petra and the Dead Sea / Red Sea; lunch when not camping; Jordanian departure tax; tips; Spa treatments at the Dead Sea; transfers if arriving outside of the set times. International flights to Amman.

Jordan Riding Vacation Sample Itinerary 

Day One

Arrive in Amman, at Queen Alia International Airport, where you are met and driven to your hotel in Amman (c. 20 minutes). Overnight at a three star hotel.

Day Two

Early morning at c. 7.30, your bus will collect you and take you to Mount Nebo where you will have a view on Palestine. You then continue on to the Dead Sea where you will have time for bathing before heading in the direction of Kerak to visit the crusader castle and enjoy the view. Time to have lunch at the resthouse of Kerak, and then go to Petra, where you will arrive in the evening. Dinner and night in a 3* hotel in Petra, located close to the entrance of the site.

Day Three

Full day to visit the Petra site. You will have a 4 hours guided visit with an official guide and then you are free to walk inside the site or to go back to the hotel. There are many small restaurants inside the site for lunch. To allow time to fully explore Petra before nightfall, you spend a second night in your 3* hotel here.

Days Four to Eight

After breakfast, your bus will drive you to Wadi Rum (around 1h30 drive). Arrive in the village of Wadi Rum and the stables at around 9.30am where you meet with the team and the horses. The horse-riding itinerary is similar to the spring programme but if the weather is bad, nights will be spent in a Bedouin fixed camp, with traditional Bedouin tents, instead of moving camp.

Day Nine

After finishing riding your bus will collect you from the stables and drive you to the hotel in Amman. Dinner and night in a 4* hotel in Amman.

Day Ten

Transfer to the airport at a convenient time for your flight.

* This itinerary is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are subject to changes due to the weather, the trip guide's discretion and other factors.

Related Travel Articles

Traveler Reviews

The horses were in excellent condition and very well trained. Sherif was the best horse I have ever ridden abroad.

Fit Arabian horses and endless horizons of rose pink sand, coupled with the history of the area and the majesty of Petra make this a truly memorable ride. While the camping is basic, there is nothing to beat sleeping under the stars - although a torch is essential for finding your way around camp after nightfall!

- Catherine
 

Reading List

General Guidebooks & Novels

Jordan (Country Guide by Lonely Planet) (Paperback)
by Jenny Walker and Matthew D Firestone
Nobody knows Jordan like Lonely Planet. The 7th edition will help you discover the magic of this ancient land - whether it be basking in the sun-drenched glory of Petra, exploring the desert citadels, getting off the beaten track on a camel safari or simply sipping a bittersweet cardamom-flavored coffee. Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practial and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip.

The Rough Guide to Jordan (Paperback) by Matthew Teller
"The Rough Guide to Jordan" is the essential guide to the Middle East's most enticing destination. This title features detailed accounts of the best attractions Jordan has to offer, along with the clearest Jordan maps and plans, lift the lid on this fascinatingly diverse country. With expert advice and background, explore the world wonder that is Petra, an ancient city carved from rose-red mountain cliffs, roam the sands of Wadi Rum in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia, and then relax on golden beaches at Aqaba, Jordan's beautiful Red Sea resort hideaway.

Petra (Hardcover) by Maria Giulia, Amadasi Guzzo, Eugenia Equini Schneider, Lydia G Cochrane
In this lavishly illustrated book, Maria Giulia Amadasi Guzzo and Eugenia Equini Schneider provide an accessible overview of the history and culture of the Nabateans, including their language, religion, politics, and economy, as well as a detailed guide to the city of Petra and its art and architecture. A major stop on the spice trade route, Petra attracted wealth and culture from across the Arabic and classical worlds and was abundantly furnished with more than 800 monuments. Perhaps the most well known of these is the Khazneh el-Faroun, or Treasury, a royal tomb more than 130 feet high with a magnificent Hellenistic facade carved from the salmon pink sandstone of the surrounding cliffs. But no less impressive were Petra's advanced achievements in hydraulic engineering, including elaborate water conservation systems and dams. For anyone who has felt the lure and wonder of ancient cities and civilizations in exotic locations, Petra will be a delightful and invaluable resource.

Married to a Bedouin by Marguerite van Geldermalsen (Paperback - Apr. 1, 2010)
New Zealand born nurse Marguerite van Geldermalsen first visited the lost city Petra with her friend Elizabeth in 1978 on a sightseeing tour of the ancient world. Already looking forward to her beach holiday at the end of the trip, little did Maguerite know she was about to meet the man she would marry, the charismatic Mohammad Abdallah Othman, a Bedouin craftsman of the Manajah tribe. A life with Mohammad meant moving into his ancient cave and learning to love the regular tasks of baking shrak bread on an open fire and collecting water from the spring. But as Marguerite feels herself becoming part of the Bedouin community, she is thankful for the twist in fate that has led her to this contented life. Marguerite’s light-hearted and guileless observations of the people she comes to love are as heart-warming as they are valuable, charting Bedouin traditions now lost to the modern world.

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at Amazon.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.



Equitrekking DVD's featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, available in the Shop section of Equitrekking.com 

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

    

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.