Confirmed date 30.40°N 35.60°E

Jordan — by motorcycle and 4x4 From Amman along the King’s Highway to Petra, Wadi Rum and the Red Sea

Country
Jordan
Duration
9 days
Route
~1,200 km
Travel mode
Moto + 4x4
Difficulty
Next date
17 – 23 April 2027

About the expedition

Nine days across Jordan by motorcycle and 4x4: Jerash, the Dead Sea, the castles of the King’s Highway, Petra, a night in the Wadi Rum desert and the reefs of Aqaba.

Jordan is the ideal country for your first big trip outside Europe: short distances, good roads, hospitable people and historic sites quite unlike anything else. You ride a motorcycle or take a seat in a 4x4 vehicle — the route and accommodation are shared.

We start in Amman with the Citadel and the Roman theatre, and the next day we explore Jerash — one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Then Madaba with its mosaic map of the Holy Land, Mount Nebo with its view over the Jordan Valley, and a descent to 400 metres below sea level for a swim and a mud bath in the Dead Sea.

The best riding is on the King’s Highway: through the Wadi al-Mujib canyon to the Crusader castle at Kerak, then on via Tafilah and the Dana reserve to Shobak Castle (Montreal). We end the day in Wadi Musa and devote the whole of the next one to Petra — from the Siq and the Treasury to the Ad Deir Monastery.

From Petra we head into the Wadi Rum desert: a jeep safari, sunset on the dunes and a night in a Bedouin camp. The final stage is Aqaba on the Red Sea — beach, snorkelling and, for those who fancy it, diving on the reefs.

Highlights

  • Petra: the Siq, the Treasury and the Ad Deir Monastery
  • A night in a Bedouin camp in the Wadi Rum desert
  • The King’s Highway and the Wadi al-Mujib canyon
  • The Crusader castles of Kerak and Shobak
  • Floating and mud bathing in the Dead Sea
  • Roman Jerash, Madaba and Mount Nebo
  • Aqaba — the reefs of the Red Sea

Character of the expedition

Difficulty

Tarmac throughout the route, heat and crosswinds on the desert stretches. We tackle the terrain in Wadi Rum in 4x4 jeeps.

A day on the road
100–250 km a day; no riding on the Petra day
Atmosphere
Culture · Desert · Ocean and coast · Relaxation
Who it’s for
Open group · Group of friends
Group
6–14 people

Route journal

Day by day

The programme may change depending on the weather, road conditions and the pace of the group — on the road, common sense and a good atmosphere come first.

Preliminary outline This is an indicative route, not the final programme. We will confirm the details — stages, accommodation and distances — together with the date.

Amman Dżarasz (Jerash) Madaba Góra Nebo Morze Martwe Kanion Wadi al-Mudżib Zamek Karak Rezerwat Dana Zamek Szobak (Montreal) Wadi Musa (Petra) Petra Mała Petra Wadi Rum Akaba Amman 100 km
Jordan · 31.95°N 35.91°E · indicative route
  1. Day01

    Amman

    Amman

    • No riding
    • Hotel in Amman

    Highlight The Citadel and the Roman theatre

    Arrival in Amman, collection of the motorcycles and vehicles; in the evening, the Citadel and dinner in the centre.

  2. Day02

    Jerash

    Dżarasz (Jerash)

    • Tarmac
    • ~110 km
    • 2 h
    • Hotel in Amman

    Highlight The Roman colonnaded street and hippodrome

    Our first ride: north to Jerash, a few hours exploring the ruins and back to Amman.

  3. Day03

    Madaba, Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea

    Madaba → Góra Nebo → Morze Martwe

    • Tarmac
    • ~100 km
    • 2 h
    • Hotel by the Dead Sea

    Highlight A swim and a mud bath 400 m below sea level

    The mosaic map of the Holy Land in Madaba, the view from Mount Nebo over the Jordan Valley and a winding descent to the Dead Sea — the afternoon is free for swimming and mud bathing.

  4. Day04

    Wadi al-Mujib and Kerak

    Kanion Wadi al-Mudżib → Zamek Karak

    • Tarmac
    • ~140 km
    • 3–4 h
    • Hotel in Kerak

    Highlight Hairpins through the Wadi al-Mujib canyon — the “Grand Canyon of Jordan”

    Onto the King’s Highway: down into and up out of the Wadi al-Mujib canyon; in the afternoon, the Crusader castle at Kerak.

  5. Day05

    The King’s Highway: Dana and Shobak

    Rezerwat Dana → Zamek Szobak (Montreal) → Wadi Musa (Petra)

    • Tarmac
    • ~180 km
    • 4 h
    • Hotel in Wadi Musa

    Highlight Shobak Castle on its solitary hill

    Via Tafilah and a viewpoint over the Dana reserve to Shobak Castle; in the evening we arrive in Wadi Musa at the gates of Petra.

  6. Day06

    Petra

    Petra

    • No riding
    • Hotel in Wadi Musa

    Highlight The Al-Khazneh Treasury and the Ad Deir Monastery

    A whole day in Petra: the Siq gorge, the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and the climb to the Monastery. No riding today.

  7. Day07

    Little Petra and Wadi Rum

    Mała Petra → Wadi Rum

    • Tarmac
    • ~120 km
    • 2–3 h
    • Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum

    Highlight Jeep safari and sunset on the dunes

    Little Petra in the morning, then the drive into the Wadi Rum desert. An afternoon jeep safari among the sandstone rocks, dinner and a night in a Bedouin camp.

  8. Day08

    Aqaba on the Red Sea

    Akaba

    • Tarmac
    • ~70 km
    • 1–2 h
    • Hotel in Aqaba

    Highlight Coral reefs — snorkelling or diving

    A short ride to Aqaba. An afternoon on the beach, snorkelling on the reefs and, for those who fancy it, diving with an instructor.

  9. Day09

    Back to Amman and farewell

    Amman

    • Tarmac
    • ~330 km
    • 4–5 h
    • Hotel in Amman

    Highlight Farewell dinner

    Back to Amman along the Desert Highway, return of the motorcycles and vehicles, and a farewell dinner. Departure overnight or the following day (flying home from Aqaba is also possible).

Dates, options and prices

Choose your option

17 – 23 April 2027

Confirmed date
Participation options and prices — 17 – 23 April 2027
OptionDescriptionPrice
A seat in a 4x4 vehicle A seat in a vehicle, twin room. €1,299 / person
By motorcycle Locally provided motorcycle. €1,999 / person

September 2027

Planned

Exact dates are being prepared. Leave an enquiry — we’ll get in touch once the date is confirmed.

Mixed expedition: each participant chooses their own option (motorcycle, pillion, seat in a 4x4) — with its own price and requirements.

The price includes

  • Accommodation with breakfast
  • The organiser’s motorcycle or a seat in a 4x4 vehicle (depending on option)
  • Tour leader for the whole route
  • A night at the camp in Wadi Rum with dinner
  • Jeep safari in Wadi Rum

The price does not include

  • Flights to Amman (we help you choose)
  • Jordan Pass
  • Fuel
  • Lunches and dinners (except at the Wadi Rum camp)
  • Diving and snorkelling in Aqaba
  • Travel insurance

Practical

Before you set off

Accommodation

Hotels with breakfast, one night in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum (tents with beds).

Transport

The organiser’s motorcycle or a seat in a 4x4 vehicle with a tour leader; jeep safari in Wadi Rum.

Group

6–14 participants, looked after by a MotoGadabout leader.

Requirements

  • Category A driving licence (motorcycle option)
  • Comfortable riding in the heat and on long straights
  • Walks of up to 4 hours (Petra)

Documents

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months
  • Jordan Pass (visa + entrance fees) — we help you buy it
  • International Driving Permit (motorcycle option)
  • Travel insurance covering motorcycle riding

Season

March – May, October – November. Full preparation guide: FAQ and preparation.

Gallery

See what it’s like

Photos and films from our expeditions — from the cameras, phones, action cams and drones of the MotoGadabout crew.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Can I book for a whole group and pay for everyone?

Yes. One person can submit the booking for the whole group and settle the payment for the trip. Participants’ details can be added later in the central MotoGadabout account.

What if I’m travelling alone?

Most participants come on their own or in pairs. We’ll help you find a room-mate, and if you’d prefer a single room, just ask about the supplement.

Does the price include flights?

No — we help you choose a flight to Amman so that everyone meets on location at roughly the same time. The return flight is from Amman or Aqaba.

Do I need to be able to dive?

No. In Aqaba a mask and snorkel are all you need; diving with an instructor (including a first dive without a course) can be booked locally.

Do we ride motorcycles in the desert?

No. We cross Wadi Rum in jeeps driven by Bedouin drivers, and the motorcycles stay in the car park by the camp.

All questions about preparation →

from €1,299 / person

Recommend this expedition