Wadi Rum Exploratory Ride

Day Before: Arrival (October 12)

Today we’ll fly into the capital city of Jordan, Amman, and take a 30-minute transfer (included at set times) to our 3-star hotel in the nearby city of Madaba. Typical flights to Amman arrive late at night or in the early hours of the morning, so this is a soft place to rest your head before the adventure begins in earnest.

Day 1: Petra (October 13)

This morning we will have an early start after breakfast, driving approximately 3.5 hours to Petra along the historic King’s Highway, a trade route used since biblical times.

Our local guide will lead us through this astonishing Nabataean city, carved directly into sandstone cliffs over 2,000 years ago. Passing through the narrow Siq, we’ll emerge before the Treasury’s rose-red façade – one of the most recognisable sights on Earth. We’ll then wander through ancient streets lined with tombs, temples, and a Roman amphitheatre. Lunch is at our own expense – there are numerous options.

Tonight, we’ll dine at a traditional Jordanian restaurant in Petra village while our tour leader, Carly, briefs us on the journey ahead. Then we’ll retire to our hotel for a well-earned rest.

Day 2: Wadi Rum (October 14)

Leaving Petra early, we’ll travel south to Wadi Rum, arriving at the stables at around 9:30am. Over a steaming cup of sweet Bedouin tea, we’ll meet the local team and be matched with our guide Salim’s beautiful, hardy Arabian horses.

Our first ride takes us through Um Ishrin Valley, with its golden rock walls towering high above the red sand. We’ll come across Lawrence’s House, a ruin associated with Lawrence of Arabia.

At around midday, the support vehicle will magically appear on the horizon and lunch will be cooking when we arrive. Be prepared: Middle Eastern culture dictates that lunch breaks take at least two hours! In the desert, energy conservation is key, and resting during the hottest part of the day is a survival strategy used by humans and animals alike. You might like to tuck your journal into your saddlebag for quiet moments.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue riding into a broad, open valley with sweeping views of the desert. Here we can let loose in a few canters. As the sun begins to soften, we’ll reach our first camp at Abu Hassaran, where dinner will be cooked over the fire as we gaze in awe at the glittering milky way.

Day 3 : Rash Rasha Valley (October 15)

After breakfast at camp, we’ll ride through Rash Rasha Valley, where red sand stretches between low rock ridges and weathered sandstone cliffs. The terrain here is open and often firm underfoot, ideal for trots and canters. The route leads to Qatar Mountain, where a natural spring bubbles up from the rock. We’ll stop here for lunch and the usual long siesta before continuing to Um Raza, a region of soft dunes and narrow canyons where we’ll make camp for the night.

Day 4: Sweibat Valley (October 16)

This morning, we’ll ride toward Arab Antar, a natural cave tucked into the sandstone hills and known locally for the legends that surround it. The terrain becomes more varied here – stretches of firm red sand give way to rocky sections where the horses pick their way between low outcrops.

After a lunch break near the cave, we’ll continue across a wide plain toward Sweibat Valley, just five kilometres from the Saudi Arabian border. This is one of the most remote parts of Wadi Rum, where long, open valleys are framed by isolated granite and sandstone massifs. We’ll settle into camp in Sweibat as the team prepares dinner over the fire.

Day 5: Cerdan Valley (October 17)

Today’s route takes us across the Cerdan Valley, an open wadi marked by a Neolithic well still used today. The terrain changes from compact sand and occasional rocky ground to canyons where the air cools and our horses’ hoofbeats echo off the walls.

We’ll stop for lunch at an outcrop known as Um Umgur, then continue through winding passes to reach Abu Rashaba, where we’ll find a fixed Bedouin camp complete with solid beds. Our last night in the desert promises to be spectacular!

Day 6: Barragh Canyon (October 18)

Our final day in the saddle takes us through Barragh Canyon, the longest canyon in Wadi Rum and one of the most striking. The rock walls rise steeply either side of the trail, their rugged sides streaked with iron and sand, and it’s easy to see why this area is a favourite among climbers.

Emerging from the canyon, we’ll cross the Disseh Plain, a wide, pale stretch of sand that leads all the way back to the stables. Dismounting, we’ll thank the horses for an incredible adventure and have lunch in the shade before farewelling the wonderful crew. Then we’ll be driven back to Madaba, where dinner, hot showers (hooray!) and a comfortable bed await.

Day 7: Departure (October 19)

After breakfast, our Wadi Rum Ride is officially at an end, and transfers to Amman Airport are offered from midnight until 2pm today. With red sand still clinging to our boots and the song of the desert in our hearts, we’ll say goodbye our fearless leader, Carly, and journey home.

Additional Touring

Having come all this way, it’s worth considering spending an extra day or two exploring more of Jordan’s world-famous sights. Your host Carly and her colleague Kara are professional tour guides based in Jordan, and can plan and facilitate an extension of your trip before or after the riding itinerary to ensure you make the most of your time in this unique part of the world. Think snorkelling in the Red Sea in Aqaba, floating in the Dead Sea, and a city tour of Amman, including Citadel Hill and the vibrant downtown area.

Here’s just one example of some additional touring you could add-on after your ride:

Please contact us for more information.