Cycle the Jordan Trail to Petra: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). From the airport, take the JETT public bus or a shared taxi to Madaba (~45 mins, around £3–5). Alternatively, negotiated private taxis from the airport run around £15–20. Check into a budget guesthouse in central Madaba — the town is compact and walkable. Spend the evening exploring the famous Byzantine mosaic map in St George's Church (free to browse the exterior, small entry fee inside) and grab a shawarma or falafel wrap from a local street stall. Use this evening to confirm your bike hire for the next morning.

🚌Shared taxi or JETT bus from AMM airport to Madaba (~£3–5)

🛏Mariam Hotel or similar budget guesthouse in Madaba (~£18–22/night twin share)

• →Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
• →Take shared taxi or JETT bus to Madaba (~£3–5)
• →Check in to guesthouse in central Madaba
• →Visit St George's Church and the famous Byzantine mosaic map (entry ~£1.50)
• →Explore Madaba's old town and grab street food for dinner
• →Confirm mountain bike hire for Days 2–6 (book ahead via local operators such as Tropical Desert Biking or Wadi Rum-based hire shops; budget ~£15–20/day)

Take a shared minibus or hired car south from Madaba to the Dana Nature Reserve (~3 hrs, ~£8–12 via shared transport or split taxi). Collect your hired mountain bike at Dana village. Set off in the late morning along the King's Highway — an ancient trade route — passing Shobak Castle (entry ~£2) and rugged rocky hillsides. Aim for a picnic lunch at Shobak or buy supplies in Dana village beforehand. Continue cycling along winding tracks toward the upper rim of the Araba Valley, descending to a wild camping spot with sweeping desert views (~40km, ~640m up, ~800m down). Book a designated wild camping permit through the Dana Biosphere Reserve visitor centre (~£5–8pp). Wild camping kit (tent, sleeping bag) can be rented from Dana guesthouse operators.

🚌Shared minibus or split taxi from Madaba to Dana (~£8–12)

🛏Wild camping in the Wadi Araba area — permit from Dana Biosphere Reserve visitor centre (~£5–8pp)

• →Shared minibus or split taxi from Madaba to Dana (~£8–12)
• →Collect hired mountain bike at Dana village
• →Cycle the King's Highway past Shobak Castle (entry ~£2)
• →Picnic lunch with supplies bought in Dana village
• →Cycle winding tracks along the upper rim of the Araba Valley (~40km)
• →Wild camp in the Wadi Araba wilderness (permit ~£5–8, camping kit hire available locally)

Wake up in the wilderness and begin cycling directly from camp. The route climbs briefly before crossing dry streambeds and tracking along the upper Araba Valley rim with dramatic views toward the Petra mountains (~36km, ~820m up, ~1,000m down — the hardest day). Descend the King's Highway toward Little Petra (Siq al-Barid). Entry to Little Petra is free — spend an hour exploring the Nabataean rock-cut settlement on foot. In the afternoon, cycle the short distance to the Little Petra Bedouin Camp. Book a glamping tent directly with local Bedouin operators (search 'Little Petra Bedouin Camp' — several family-run camps offer dinner and breakfast packages from ~£25–35pp). Spend the evening around a fire under the stars.

🚌Cycling throughout; no motorised transport needed today

🛏Bedouin glamping camp near Little Petra — book directly with local family operators (~£25–35pp half board)

• →Cycle from wilderness camp across the Araba Valley rim (~36km, hardest day of the trip)
• →Self-guided descent via King's Highway toward Little Petra
• →Explore Little Petra / Siq al-Barid on foot (free entry)
• →Check in to a Bedouin glamping camp near Little Petra (book directly, ~£25–35pp including dinner)

Rise early for the hike into Petra via the 'backdoor' High Place of Sacrifice trail from Little Petra — this lesser-known route winds through canyons and ancient paths (~12km, ~3hrs). Purchase your Petra entry ticket at the gate (~£50 for a one-day pass, or ~£55 for two days — check Jordan Pass for savings if you haven't already). Spend time exploring the Treasury, Colonnaded Street and Royal Tombs at your own pace using the free Petra maps available at the visitor centre. Exit and arrange a shared taxi or local minibus transfer from Wadi Musa (Petra's gateway town) to the village of Rajif (~£5–8). Remount your bike for an off-road descent on dirt tracks down toward Wadi Rum (~34km). Arrive at a Bedouin wild camp run by a local family — book ahead via Booking.com or direct WhatsApp contact (~£15–20pp including dinner and breakfast). Sleep under the stars.

🚌Hiking and cycling; shared taxi Wadi Musa to Rajif (~£5–8)

🛏Bedouin wild camp near Wadi Rum approach — book via Booking.com or direct contact (~£15–20pp half board)

• →Hike into Petra via the backdoor High Place of Sacrifice trail (~12km, ~3hrs)
• →Self-guided tour of Petra — Treasury, Colonnaded Street, Royal Tombs (entry ~£50; consider Jordan Pass to save on visa + entry fees)
• →Shared taxi from Wadi Musa to Rajif (~£5–8)
• →Cycling descent on dirt tracks toward Wadi Rum (~34km)
• →Wild camp with local Bedouin family (book ahead, ~£15–20pp including meals)

Today is the longest cycling day (~60km, ~400m up) as you follow ancient caravan tracks across the desert highway and into the heart of Wadi Rum. The landscape transitions from rocky desert to wide sandy plains, with the iconic sandstone buttes growing on the horizon. Upon reaching Wadi Rum village, lock up your bike and join a shared 4WD Jeep tour of the protected area — these run throughout the day from Wadi Rum visitor centre and can be booked on arrival or in advance (~£15–20pp for a 2-hour shared tour; longer tours also available). Watch the sunset from the dunes. Check in to a mid-range Bedouin glamping camp in Wadi Rum — options like Rum Stars Camp or Captain's Desert Camp offer comfortable bubble tents or Bedouin-style lodges with dinner included (~£30–45pp).

🚌Cycling throughout; shared Jeep within Wadi Rum Protected Area (~£15–20pp)

🛏Wadi Rum Bedouin glamping camp (e.g. Rum Stars Camp or Captain's Desert Camp) — ~£30–45pp including dinner

• →Cycle caravan tracks across the desert highway to Wadi Rum (~60km — longest day)
• →Wadi Rum Protected Area entry fee (~£5)
• →Shared 4WD Jeep tour of Wadi Rum valleys and canyons (book at visitor centre, ~£15–20pp for 2hrs)
• →Sunset over the sandstone buttes
• →Glamping overnight at Rum Stars Camp, Captain's Desert Camp or similar (~£30–45pp half board)

Cycle your final day across the flat desert mudflats surrounding Wadi Rum — fast, exhilarating riding on hard-packed terrain (~40km, ~200m up, ~400m down). Return your hired bike at a pre-arranged drop-off point (confirm this with your hire operator before departure). Take a local JETT bus or shared minibus from Wadi Rum village to Aqaba (~1.5hrs, ~£3–5). Check into a budget hotel or hostel near the corniche. Spend the afternoon snorkelling in the Red Sea — hire snorkel gear from beach shops (~£3–5) or join a budget snorkel boat trip bookable via GetYourGuide (~£15–20). Wander Aqaba's seafront for dinner and fresh seafood.

🚌Cycling; JETT bus or shared minibus Wadi Rum to Aqaba (~£3–5)

🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Aqaba corniche (e.g. Aquamarina Hotel or similar, ~£20–28/night twin share)

• →Cycle desert mudflats surrounding Wadi Rum (~40km — final day on the bike)
• →Return hired bike at drop-off point
• →JETT bus or shared minibus from Wadi Rum to Aqaba (~£3–5)
• →Snorkelling in the Red Sea (gear hire ~£3–5, or book a snorkel boat trip via GetYourGuide ~£15–20)
• →Explore Aqaba corniche and enjoy fresh seafood dinner

Take the JETT public bus or a shared taxi from Aqaba north toward the Dead Sea (~4.5–5hrs, ~£10–14). Break the journey with a roadside lunch stop. Arrive at the Dead Sea and pay the public beach entry fee at one of the free/low-cost access points — Amman Beach public resort charges ~£12–15 entry which includes sunbed and shower access. Give yourself a mud bath, float effortlessly in the hyper-saline water, and gaze toward the hills of Jerusalem. In the late afternoon, continue north by JETT bus or shared taxi to Amman (~1hr from the Dead Sea, ~£3–5). Check into a hostel or budget hotel in downtown Amman. Grab dinner in Rainbow Street's many affordable restaurants.

🚌JETT bus/shared taxi Aqaba–Dead Sea (~£10–14); shared taxi/bus Dead Sea–Amman (~£3–5)

🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in downtown Amman (e.g. Jordan Tower Hotel or similar, ~£15–22/night in dorm or twin share)

• →JETT bus or shared taxi from Aqaba to the Dead Sea (~4.5hrs, ~£10–14)
• →Dead Sea public beach entry at Amman Beach resort (~£12–15 including sunbed and shower)
• →Mud bath and floating in the Dead Sea
• →Shared taxi or JETT bus from Dead Sea to Amman (~1hr, ~£3–5)
• →Explore Rainbow Street and downtown Amman for dinner

Enjoy a final breakfast at one of Amman's excellent local bakeries — try ka'ak bread with za'atar or a full foul medames. If time allows before your flight, explore the Roman Amphitheatre in downtown Amman (entry ~£2.50), the Amman Citadel (entry ~£2.50) or browse the souks. Take a shared taxi or the Airport Express bus from Abdali Bus Station to Queen Alia International Airport (~45 mins, ~£3–5 by bus or ~£15–20 by private taxi). Depart from AMM.

🚌Airport Express bus or shared taxi to AMM (~£3–5 by bus, ~£15–20 by taxi)

🛏N/A (departure day)

• →Final breakfast at a local Amman bakery
• →Optional: visit the Roman Amphitheatre (~£2.50) or Amman Citadel (~£2.50)
• →Airport Express bus or shared taxi from downtown Amman to AMM (~£3–5 by bus)
• →Depart from Queen Alia International Airport