Follow the Bedouin Trail

10 days with 6-days riding (approximately 5 hours riding per day)

Archaeological evidence shows that Wadi Rum has been inhabited since 4500BC: mentioned in the Quran, many cultures including the Nabataeans have been drawn to the natural springs and left their mark in the form of petroglyphs, inscriptions and a temple. If you have seen Lawrence of Arabia, you will remember the amazing scenery: this will be your base for 6 unforgettable days. The 1962 film really started tourism to Wadi Rum where visitors have been welcomed by the hospitable Zalabieh Bedouin tribe who have developed an impressive array of eco-adventures of which one is a 6-day ride around Wadi Rum.

Day 1: Arrival in Amman where you will be met and driven the 20 minutes to Madaba. Madaba is famous for its mosaics and archaeological sites; St. George’s church and an excellent museum should your flight time allow. We can easily add an extra night here if you would like time to visit the sites of Madaba or go to the impressive Roman site of Jerash which is only just over an hour away). Your accommodation will be a three star hotel which can be upgraded if you would like.

Day 2: After an early breakfast, you will be collected at 0730 for the 2 ½ hour drive to Petra. You will have a 3-hour guided tour and the rest of the day is yours to continue exploring or to relax in the Turkish bath at your hotel which is close to the entrance.

Day 3: After breakfast you will be driven the 90 minutes to Wadi Rum where the main camp is. So long as the weather is clement (it can be too cold in winter) you will not stay in camp but once you have met the team and been allocated your horse, time for a cup of Bedouin tea before heading off through the Um Ishrin valley, visiting Lawrence’s house along the way. After lunch you will ride through an open valley with views over the red sand before setting up camp in Abu Hassaran. After a delicious dinner, you might well sit around the camp fire before climbing into your bivouac or if you prefer, as many of our guests do, sleeping out under the stars.

Day 4: Today you will cross the Rash Rasha valley with its red sands and go to Qatar mountain where you will see the famous spring and have lunch. Afterwards, you will ride on to Um Raza, renowned for its rock climbing, with its red sands and canyons where you will set up the bivouacs.

Day 5: The ride will take you to Arab Antar, a natural cave famous for its legends. Some say that it was the origin of Don Quixote but that is completely unproven! From there you ride on to the Sweibat valley just 4 miles from the Saudi border where you will spend the night.

Day 6: Cross the Cerdan valley where you find a Neolithic well still in use today by the Bedouins. After lunch in Um Umgur where you will find that the red sand has given way to the white sand that characterises the southern desert. Some narrow canyons lead you to Abu Rashaba where you will camp. We are giving you all the names of these places, but they are specks in the desert known to the Bedouins, that you will not find on Google maps or in Wikipedia!

Day 7: After breakfast you will ride to Jebel Burdah and view the huge natural rock bridge. There will be time to climb it, if you want to. It is worth the effort for its views over the desert and the nearby mountains. After another excellent lunch prepared by your Bedouin hosts, you will continue on to the see the Nabatean inscriptions at Jebel Um Feshiyeh before setting up camp for your last night in the desert.

Day 8: After breakfast you will cross the Barragh canyon, the longest in the Wadi Rum and then cross the Disseh plain to return to the stables. Bid a reluctant good bye to your horse and the team and drive back to Madaba for dinner and two nights in Madaba . If you would like a few days relaxing on the Red Sea, we can easily transfer you to Aqaba from where you can fly via Amman to London.

Day 9: A full day tour today taking in the Citadelle and Roman theatre in Amman followed by an afternoon relaxing at the Dead Sea Beach and Mount Nebo to admire the view over the Holy Land.

Day 10: Transfer to Amman airport for your onward / homeward flight.

2022 dates: December 17-26 and December 24-January 2. 2023 dates: February 2-27, March 11-20, April 22 - May 1, May 20-29. Other dates will become available, please ask

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Ride Type

Rides

Children

12 years plus

Accommodation

N/A

Ride Price

From £1235 per person
Prices are per person, based on a double occupancy for 9 nights. Includes accommodation in hotels and camps, meals, transfers from Amman airport

Flights

On request

Transfers

Included

Gratuities

At your discretion but recommended JOD 5 per staff member per day which is around £150 .

The availability of protective headgear can vary from destination to destination and therefore we cannot guarantee that headgear will be provided or will be to the same standard as those available in the UK. It is recommended that you take your own headgear with you.