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.

Jayne Robinson

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written October 2011
An exciting trip spent cycling with an excellent group of people through hills and deserts. We booked our holiday to Jordan at short notice with the minimum of preparation, although we are regular cyclists.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Standing at the top of Mount Nebo looking out over Jordan
The long walk and climb up to the Monastery in Petra and the impressive view. Petra really is extraordinary.
The exciting cycling downhill and sense of achievement every time I managed to get to the top of a hill
Cycling and camping in the desert at Wadi Rum and the best breakfast of the whole holiday. The Wadi Rum camp was much less basic than I expected.
What did you think of your group leader?
Zuhair really made the holiday special. His English was excellent. There were a couple of issues but he dealt with them before we even mentioned them. What more could you want from a tour leader!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is really hilly and this is reflected in the distance cycled each day. However no-one was put under pressure to keep cycling so if you can't make it up the hill the team are quite amenable to giving you a lift. Don't let this put you off - just practise a few hills before you go.
Also, the weather was perfect for cycling in early October and the nights warm but still did not really need a thick sleeping bag in Wadi Rum.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I was concerned about the safety aspect before we went because we were so close to several sensitive borders, but didn't encounter any problems. In fact I was stopped at a checkpoint on my bike and the guard offered to refill my water container!
Sue Widtman

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written September 2011
I really wanted to see Jordan and Petra, but as sightseeing by itself can be a bit tedious this cycling holiday was a perfect way persuade the family to join me. With the help of our guide and his team and a great group of fellow travelers, we and our 18 and 19 year old, all had a brilliant time.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Most of it was inspiring but I suppose I would have to choose the free afternoon in Petra when our guide took those that wanted to, for a hike round the back well away from the usual tourist route.
What did you think of your group leader?
We couldn't have wished for a better leader, Zuhair was able to explain things with interest and humour. He and his team organised everything to perfection and went out of his way to give us the best time ever, he even entertained us with many stories eventhough one or two of them ended with a dodgy moral.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't go if all you want is a cycling holiday. Some of the experts found fault with the equipment but we were perfectly happy, the bicycles were better than those we have at home.

September in Wadi Rum, we really didn't need the sleeping bags, a liner would have done as the blankets were the thickest I've ever seen. Some of the group slept round the fire with the locals.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would have liked to have seen in the trip notes :

-that after Aqaba we would not have access to the suitcases till Amman, that meant in the bus with us, we needed gear for the morning snorkel, the afternoon cycle, the night in Wadi Rum and the next day. Zuhair told us the night before and we had a bit of organisational panic that was only alleviated by a many plastic bags. The four hour drive to Amman was rather cramped with all that gear floating around.

- and that the bike crew was leaving us at Wadi Rum, we needed to have the tip ready.

Well the children would say it wouldn't be me if there wasn't something to complain about, but all I could find was a bit of a let down on the bus back to Amman. The first was the tourist motorway stop we had for lunch, it had little food available that any of us fancied eating. Where were all those fruit and nuts that were to be seen on stalls that we passed on the side of the road. The second was the detour made round the millionaire part of Amman before getting to the hotel, If anything we would have prefered to have had a look at the center which I was told had bags of interest. Sorry kids, that's all I have.
Sabine Heinz

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written September 2011
It was perfectly organised, from landing in Amman to taking us back to the airport. And anything in between as well.The bikes were good, the cycling through nice scenery very enjoyable and not too strenous (I could have coped with a little more, although some of the hills we went up where not so enjoyable. But at the top you have a real sense of achievement, and if you don't want to cylce up - the minibus wasn't far behind you to pick you up)If you want a holiday where you don't need to organise anything other than turning up, while having a fantastic time, go!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The whole trip went from wow moment to wow moment!
Floating in the Dead Sea - very weird but wonderful experience
Petra - WOW!!!
Wadi Rum - I'm so glad I could experience this, it was such a nice evening
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was very friendly, funny, knowledgable, enthusiastic for his country, supportive and caring. For the unfortunate two where something went wrong (luggage lost, injury) he bent over backwards to help them and sort out the problem. The other guides we had - bike guides and the drivers - were incredibly friendly and supportive
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go and do it
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was my first cycling holiday, but now I want to experience the others ones too!
Helen Reading

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written September 2011
A fantastic trip! Through some fantastic landscapes and with some wonderful historical sites this is amazing cycling terrain. I know that had I not cycled through this country I would not have enjoyed the trip half as much, its the only way to do it. Good/Moderate fitness will help to enjoy this trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many, every day there was a highlight but for me the desert was fantastic, an incredible part of the journey, I cetainly didn't expect it to rank so highly. Petra is superb, do try to do it by night, its a very different experience to going there by day, i'd recommend it.
What did you think of your group leader?
Zuhair was lovely, a very kind man with all of his guests well being as his priority. Humourous and knowledgable - excellent
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you're going in September it will be very very hot, however its a very dry heat so quite bearable. Do not take a sleeping bag as it will save space to take a liner instead. It was 20 degrees at the coldest part of the night in Mid September.
Take sterling - its as easy as dollars to change but less faff before you go.
Just get it booked - this is a fantastic trip!
Keren Rees

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written March 2011
I really enjoyed the cycling, in spite of the cold wind at times. I had doubted whether I would keep up (as a 60+er) but was relieved not to be quite the slowest! The cycling was somewhat stage-managed with a Police 4 WD with flashing lights leading us and stopping the traffic to allow us to pass, a cycling guide at the front of the party and another at the back and lastly the coach behind that, to say nothing of the cycle vehicle which raced up and down our column! We were cheered on by children on the route as cyclists, especially western female ones, are very rare! Cycling is obviously not a Jordanian pastime.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The walk up to Place of High Sacrifice in Petra and down the other side towards Wadi Faresa - the colours in the rocks were fantastic.
Chatting to a lovely Jordanian family on Aqaba public beach on a sunny morning - the little girls were so keen to practise their English.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was very knowledgable about the ancient history of the area and of the recent history and life of the people. He spoke very good clear English. A very calm unflappable person who prepared some good lunches and marvellous snacks morning and afternoon. Most of us went home a few pounds heavier despite all the exercise!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take both cold and warm weather gear. The temperatures varied widely over the trip. It was very warm in the Dead Sea area and Aqaba but cold in Petra and most of us were unprepared for this. Gloves, scarves and warm trousers were needed at times, as well as woolly hats!
Don't expect wide availability of alcohlic drinks. When available, wine and beer are quite expensive in most places apart from Aqaba. We found the local wine, St George, to be very palatable.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Jordanian Arabs are very welcoming. Unlike some of their neighbours, they do not hassle or beg and are so friendly.
If you enjoy a mixture of culture, history, fresh air and exercise then this is a holiday for you!
Peter Nottingham

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written March 2011
A wonderful group of people on the tour enhanced the actual tour itself, providing plenty to see and plenty of discussion.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
watching the sunrise over the wadi rum
What did you think of your group leader?
Hassan was superb, showing excellent knowledge of the sites and even providing great dramatic effect in petra, he made an effort with everyone in the group and even got on a bike for us.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The tour trip advises that there was 10% off road but in fact the cycling is all along tarmac roads of which only a small portion was poor quality. I had taken my road bike with spare cross country tyres for off road but these were not needed. Also they were not expecting me to turn up with my bike at the airport but managed to cope - if any others had turned up with their own bike it would have been interesting so make sure they are aware.
Christopher Richardson

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

Written March 2011
Full schedule with places of great interest. Biking mainly downhill and reasonably easy even for complete novice. Good food.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Strolling through the wadi rum just after sunrise when no one else was around.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent tour leader (Hassan) though obviously a dalek as he didn't do stairs. Scheduling was spot on all week, snacks provided with perfect timing and an evil sense of humour.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Gel seat for the cycling and take some warm clothing as the night in the desert was seriously cold.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You can get alcohol but it needs finding and is a bit pricey. Most local restaurants let you take your own but they dont want to handle it.