Jordan - Footsteps of Lawrence
Our ride in Jordan is three holidays rolled into one – visiting Petra, one of the great sights of the country, riding in the Wadi Rum and then visiting the Dead Sea.
The terrain of the Wadi Rum varies from deep sand on high dunes to stony desert and the hard packed sand of dry oases. As you journey you may meet Bedouin families living in traditional nomadic camps. The perfect end to a day on horseback is to watch the sand turn from pink to deep orange as the sun sets, whilst eating delicious local dishes prepared over an open fire.
The horses are all Arabians and include mares, geldings and occasionally stallions. They range in height from 13.2hh to 15.2hh. All are fit and familiar with the desert since not all horses can cope with both the soft sands and rocky surfaces.
The rider weight limit is strictly 80 kg in riding clothes (there are scales in the stables). The horses are forward going with an active walk and can be strong in canter. You need to be a confident and experienced rider in the English style, able to control a forward going horse at all paces in wide open spaces. There are some long trots and canters so riders also need to be fit. However it should also be remembered that the deep sand is extremely tiring for the horses so do not expect to be doing long canters and gallops all the time.
Riders are expected to look after their horse including feeding, cleaning and tacking up.
The saddles are mainly English synthetic GP saddles. The bridles are English leather or synthetic and most are ridden in snaffles.
Hard hats are mandatory.
The first and last night is normally in the Mosaic City Hotel, a comfortable 3 star hotel in Madaba (about 30 minutes from Amman airport). Occasionally a 3 star hotel in Amman is used instead of the hotel in Madaba.
In Petra you stay in a 3 star hotel near to the entrance of the ruins.
Your accommodation in the desert is a simple camp in the style of the Bedouin. The 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 place. Camp is set up in wilderness areas and rarely is the same place used twice. Small tents and mattresses are provided for you, although on a warm evening many people choose to sleep out under the stars, which is an unforgettable experience. The tents are simple to erect and dismantle and you are asked to assist the camp staff in setting them up. Water is provided for washing face and hands, and a wash tent may be erected on some nights with warm water supplied for you to wash with.
A vehicle carries all your luggage and the camp equipment.
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 - 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 you still get to experience as much of the desert as possible.
Additional dates may be possible for groups of 4 or more.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 27 Apr 2024 - 6 May 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 18 May 2024 - 27 May 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 7 Sep 2024 - 16 Sep 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 21 Sep 2024 - 30 Sep 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 5 Oct 2024 - 14 Oct 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 19 Oct 2024 - 28 Oct 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 9 Nov 2024 - 18 Nov 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 30 Nov 2024 - 9 Dec 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 21 Dec 2024 - 30 Dec 2024 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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| Bedouin Trails and Dead Sea | 28 Dec 2024 - 6 Jan 2025 | 9 nights 9 ngts | £1,985.43 |
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INCLUDES Riding; all transfers (at set times); accommodation (4 nights in hotels 5 nights camping); most meals; soft drinks whilst camping; guides; entrance fees to Petra and Wadi Rum.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT For a single tent and hotel room £200.35. If you are willing to share in the hotel rooms but would like your own tent then supplement of £38.77. There is no single supplement if you are willing to share a room and tent (NB: this could be in a triple room).
PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks; lunch when not camping; Jordanian departure tax; tips; Spa treatments at the Dead Sea.
NEAREST AIRPORT Amman.
TRANSFERS Are included from Amman at a set time. Private transfers can also be arranged at extra cost for £48.99 per vehicle (up to 3 passengers) each way.
Transfers from Amman airport to your hotel in Madaba are included for any flight arriving between 16:00 and 01:00. If you arrive outside of these times then you will need to pay for a private transfer.
At the end of the itinerary transfers to the airport are included for flights departing Amman anytime between midnight and 14:00. If you depart after this time and would prefer not to wait at the airport then you will need to pay for a private transfer.
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 hot, with temperatures reaching 45 °C. Winter is usually moderate during the day but can drop to 0°C at night with some rain possible.
I’ve wanted to do this ride for near on 20 years, it didn’t disappoint! The riding and scenery was stunning. The wadi rum desert is unspoilt with few tourists. Every corner turned reminded me of being on a hollywood film set!
Sally, Essex
Overall rating: 5/5
