Cycling into Jordan and up to Petra is an epic ride, yet not an easy one. Petra and Eilat might seem close on Goolgle Maps, but keep in mind that you are crossing into another country and culture all together. Jordan is a peaceful country and being a Muslim country with economical challenges, it moves at a much slower pace than Israel. Also keep in mind that Petra is high in the mountains, hence can be cold in the winter and cool in the summer nights.
Day 1 - Eilat to Aqaba
Crossing the border from Eilat to Aqaba- the border crossing between Eilat and Aqaba is about a 20 minute bike ride out of town, getting a cross takes about an hour. Please note that Jordan authorities enforce strict visa rules for groups of five people or more. If you are going on your own you should be OK, but a larger group will be required to have an agent and a guide waiting for them. Once through, head south and spend the rest of your day in Aqaba. There is a small market quite a few shops, and then out of town are the nicer beaches. You should also check out the few historical sites along the coastline.
There are several accommodation options we recommend the Movinpick City hotel.
There are several accommodation options we recommend the Movinpick City hotel.
Day 2 - Aqaba to Wadi Rum
Begin your day with a long gradual climb out of Aqaba and towards the high mountains of Edom. The first section of the ride will be on a fairly large highway but traffic is not very high and shoulder is very wide. The end of the climb also marks the spot where you turn into the Wadi Rum reservation. This is a wide open valley made of red sandstone which creates beautiful colors and shapes in the mountains. This is also where for many generations Bedouin tribes have roamed through the area and gave it a lot of its character. Head through the main park road to one of the several Bedouin camp that will host you for the night including dinner and breakfast. There are several camps all very in style and level, we recommend Sun City located in the village of Disi.
Day 3 - Wadi Rum To Petra
From Wadi Rum return on the same access road you took the day before through the wide open red sandstone planes. Once you arrive to the main road turn north and continue the climb up to the junction of Ras A Nakeb. Keep in mind that this stretch is not easy and has traffic going by all the time, there is a a wide shoulder, but you might want to hitch a ride with a taxi to the turn off to Kings highway. Once at Kings highway you will see the first of several souvenir shops/cafés scattered along the road to Petra. The majority of traffic on this road is usually tour buses and vans headed towards Petra, it is pretty quiet most of the time. The road begins along a plateau and then slowly makes its way through a number of villages down towards Petra. There are a few, steep uphills in the middle, but generally speaking you will be losing elevation. The last section of the ride is the village of Wadi Musa, which is located at the entryway to the site of Petra. There are a large number of hotels restaurants and other tourist services here and also a very good visitors center, which is a good place to walk through in order to get ready for your tour of the site.
Day 4 - Petra TourTake a day to tour Petra. You can tour the site on your own or join one of the guides collecting groups at the visitor center. Keep in mind that a tour of Petra can be over 15 Kilometers of walking and it is at least 5 km to do the minimum.
Check out the visitor center. The entrance to the park is near it. for more details, see Jordan Tourism site. |
Day 5 - Back to Eilat
Getting out of Petra can be tricky since there is no accommodation possibilities for quite a large distance in any direction. Your first option would be to take a bus or a taxi to the town of Madaba and then bike from there down to the Dead Sea, stopping on the way to visit the church of Mount Nebo. Another option is to return the same way that you came, or taking a bus partway in that direction to Aqaba.
2nd option: We recommend is to try the 190 km ride from Petra via the Jordan Valley down to Aqaba. Despite the very long distance this is doable due to the fact that it is a lot of elevation loss and that winds are generally in your favor. However, if selecting this option please note that there are barely any services or villages along the way and that you should have a lot of water and be prepared for a very long ride. If you do face the challenge you will be rewarded with a fantastic ride on very quiet roads making your way all the way back to the shores of the Red Sea. We recommend spending yet another night in Aqaba and crossing back into Israel the following day for a few further travel.
3rd option: As mentioned to transport your bikes to the town of Madaba and then bike from here out to Mount Nebo and visit this historic church. From there follow the panorama road along the crest of the Moab mountains this will eventually take you down a long steep hill landing on the shore of the Dead Sea. Follow the coast line north to where the hotels are located. There are several overnight options here we recommend the Holiday Inn.
If selecting this option cross back to Israel the same or following day via the Allenby bridge crossing. It is about an hour ride north of the hotel region and will bring you to a very large and slow border crossing. Be patient and you will make it through check for opening hours since they are limited on the weekend. Once across you will be just on the outskirts of Jericho. You could consider transportation from here to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, stay in a nearby kibbutz, or to stay and spend the night in Jericho.
2nd option: We recommend is to try the 190 km ride from Petra via the Jordan Valley down to Aqaba. Despite the very long distance this is doable due to the fact that it is a lot of elevation loss and that winds are generally in your favor. However, if selecting this option please note that there are barely any services or villages along the way and that you should have a lot of water and be prepared for a very long ride. If you do face the challenge you will be rewarded with a fantastic ride on very quiet roads making your way all the way back to the shores of the Red Sea. We recommend spending yet another night in Aqaba and crossing back into Israel the following day for a few further travel.
3rd option: As mentioned to transport your bikes to the town of Madaba and then bike from here out to Mount Nebo and visit this historic church. From there follow the panorama road along the crest of the Moab mountains this will eventually take you down a long steep hill landing on the shore of the Dead Sea. Follow the coast line north to where the hotels are located. There are several overnight options here we recommend the Holiday Inn.
If selecting this option cross back to Israel the same or following day via the Allenby bridge crossing. It is about an hour ride north of the hotel region and will bring you to a very large and slow border crossing. Be patient and you will make it through check for opening hours since they are limited on the weekend. Once across you will be just on the outskirts of Jericho. You could consider transportation from here to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, stay in a nearby kibbutz, or to stay and spend the night in Jericho.