Petra & Wadi Rum By Bike

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 64 reviews.

Carol Cobb

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written October 2012
The people, the country and its many special features and culture and the efficient organising made for a great holiday. The amount of activity and its level of challenge was good, the positive smiling doing attitude of cyclists always helps too!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking above Petra and seeing the treasury for the first time in day light from above in the clear sunshine.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was lovely, friendly efficient open and funny. We learnt so much about Jordanian life history and politics but a bit too much about his personal life! A few more moments of quiet and direction to find meals at night our selves some of the time would have been appreciated. Some people may well want to be lead all of the time but some independence is what most are after.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
None of us suffered or complained but I didn't expect to be in the midday sun quite so much but then it was hot for October and I loved all the outdoor activities. We all felt very secure but did not expect police presence in the bus all the time and a2 police in a car in front of us through out the cycling. Cycling into the huge beautiful barren desert would have been different if the there hadn't been a police car in the middle of the view. The hotels were not quite as good quality as I expected but there may be several reasons for this. The generator did not work at the camp - thank goodness- I wound have hated a rattling generator and bare light bulbs in the desert. The 4x4 ride after desert camp was short and disappointing. I am sure there was more or better things to see. I did not want a joy ride but we really only saw what had already seen on the way in. We had some lovely food but do they always have the same mezze everywhere?
Annette Jorgensen

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written October 2012
This trip is showing you the best and most of Jordan and at the same time you have some good active days on the bike and walking.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved that you saw so may different things on this trip like the Dead Sea, Red Sea, a night in the dessert, amazing Petra and other historical sites. I honestly cannot think of a better way to see Jordan and being on the bike in this remote country was also an experience in itself. Petra was truely amazing and a very unique experience for me.
What did you think of your group leader?
The tour leader was very knowledgeable about his country and very interested in telling you his stories. He was also part of making Petra really special when he took us walking for 9 hours and most of the days outside the normal touristy routes.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared that Jordan can be extremely hot even outside the high season - so you need a lot of water while exercising on the bike. Otherwise just enjoy every moment of this trip - it is truely special.
Peter Stapleton

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written October 2012
Overall, the trip was spectacular. Jordan is an amazing country and this tour helps you experience the best of it. There were a few minor disappointments but they were far outweighed by the warm, friendly people and spectacular scenery. I feel Moderate is an appropriate rating for the cycling portion of this tour. They limit your exposure to difficult terrain on the bikes but the heat adds an extra challenge.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Petra exceeded already high expectations. I had a vision in my mind of winding my way through the siq and arriving at the Treasury. It was everything I thought it would be. The unexpected bonus came when we climbed the "800 steps" to the Monastery. I was blown away by the Monastery and the vistas from the view points.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was one of the very best tour guides I've ever had. He was extremely knowledgable of all of the sites we visited and very enthusiastic about sharing that knowledge with us. I would like to add that we also had a driver, two cycling guides and a mechanic with us. They all did a great job.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We were travelling in October and still experienced temperatures up to 45C. If you have difficulty with heat, travel in the winter.
Many are put off traveling in Jordan due to security concerns. It is in a tough neighbourhood but Jordanians have managed to avoid most of the problems that plague their neighbours. The people were extremely friendly and we felt safe at all times.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There were a couple of disappointments regarding the hotels, most notably in Amman. The location of that hotel was quite inconvenient and the cleanliness was lacking. The same hotel was included in the price when we returned to Amman but we decided to pay for a different hotel instead. That was a good decision.
Gill Gibb

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written October 2012
An excellent, varied trip with like-minded people discovering all elements of Jordan.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sleeping out in Wadi Rum- brilliant star-gazing and a real feeling of peace (after all the camp-fire singing had stopped that is!)
Cycling through the desert, tackling the ascents and descents successfully and celebrating with a dance (and a biscuit!) at the top of the most difficult hill!
What did you think of your group leader?
Very knowledgable and tried hard to make sure we enjoyed ourselves. He was a little too quietly spoken though making hearing him difficult on the bus.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
That any chaffing from the cycling will hurt when you get into the Dead Sea!
Be careful what you eat - 9 out of 16 of us got stomach upsets.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Really enjoyed seeing Jordan and spending time with a group of people with similar interests. Apart from the illness it was a great holiday!
Shelley Lissel

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written October 2012
I don't think I had any idea of the cultural, religious, and historical significance of most of the places we visited. In fact, I don't think I had any idea what to expect at all. Nonetheless, the people, the places, the food, the experiences, all of it far exceeded any expectation I could have possibly had. The cycling was mostly downhill or flat and so moderate is probably an accuarate rating for the average person, but for me personally, it was perhaps the only thing (only slightly) disappointing about this trip. If you ever have the chance, do it!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The day spent out on the Red Sea (and to think I almost didn't go), followed by a beautiful ride through Wadi Rum, followed by a 4x4 ride till sunset, the traditional Bedouin meal at our camp, star gazing for hours, and sleeping under the stars was by far THE. BEST. DAY. EVER.
Notable runners up are the hike up to the monastery at Petra and an afternoon bathing in the Dead Sea.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our guide Danny was absolutely terrific. I felt bad that I could not remember 10% of what he told us, hence I'll have to buy a book on Jordan and read up on all the history and culture after the fact. He also made great recommendations for restaurants where the food was excellent and not all that expensive.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Definitely go with an open mind and a relatively good level of fitness (ie not for couch potatoes) for full enjoyment.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Our bike team was nothing short of fantastic! They appreciated our sense of humour, cheered us on up the hills, and danced along with us at every rest stop. They were also willing to accommodate any request (e.g. switching over the brakes on all 19 bikes for us Canadians not used to the reverse braking controls in the UK/Jordan) no matter how big or small.
Liam Curran
PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written October 2012
A week spent visiting some stunning scenery and amazing historical sites in a beautiful and friendly country.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many to cover all but the highlights were:
Covering myself in the local “mud” and floating in the Dead Sea.
Spending 2 days exploring the whole site at Petra.
Snorkelling in the Red Sea with the coral and the fish.
The night sleeping under the stars with the Bedouin tribe.
What did you think of your group leader?
Did the job expected of him but not really any surprise and delight situations.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It’s more a “sight-seeing” than a “cycling” holiday, so if you’re after a lot of cycling this isn’t the one for you. Also a lot of the cycling is down steep hills, which may sound like fun but really isn’t as although your legs don’t get tired you get a sore hand from constantly holding on the breaks.You need at least 2 days in Petra to see the whole place. There’s quite a lot more to it than just the Treasury and the Monastery.
Beer and wine is expensive and not served everywhere. I’d estimate over 50+% are restaurants are dry, but 100% of the hotels will have a bar.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a pretty full on trip to get so much into just one week, so don’t expect much “down time”. There are always loads of things to see and do and if you’re lucky and have a great group like I did there’ll be a lot of laughs along the way too.The “Cave Bar” in Petra is pretty cool.
Jennifer Black

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written September 2012
What a wonderful trip! Seriously, if you are even thinking about going on a cycling trip, want to take in some great climbs and some technical descents as well as visit a country full of culture and the most hospitable people, you should go to Jordan, with Exodus and insist that you have the wonderful guide Zuhair host your trip. You will not be disapointed. The bike team are fantastic - so much fun to be around; dancing at breaks, providing constant support on the road and from the vehicle. The riding is just tough enough to make you feel as though you have earned that baklava and beer in the evening. The real highlight though is the trip to Petra; Zuhair really did take us on a trip where we were away from the crowds and expirenced the magic of the old city. I really can't recommend this trip enough. Go. You will not be disappointed.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
too many to say.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was magical. He really brought Jerash and Petra to life for us with his wonderful stories and frank open nature. We felt truly looked after and loved having him as our host and guide to this wonderful country.
I would visit Jordan again, and would specifically search out Zuhair to be my guide.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I was worried about clothing but, I shouldn't have. Take a light pashmina, which you can wrap around your head in the hot sun, or, in the evening if you want to go un-noticed in the street. However, Jordanians are very hospitable people and, they will not comment on your clothing or make you feel uncomfortable. It is you who will want to blend into the surroundings so that you can observe these kind people without being invited in for tea!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Really, please do use Zuhair. He is wonderful.