Two ancient cultures, one ride.
This 18 day program is an epic ride, taking you along the caravan trails of the desert, from Jerusalem to Petra. This is a classic Fall or Winter ride, that takes through Israel and Jordan to see sites such as Jerusalem, Masada, Dead Sea, The Negev, The Red Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum and Mt Nebo. The ride allows you to enjoy quite roads, iconic climbs such as the Scorpions Accent and Mt Nebo, and guided walking tours along the way.
Day 1: Arrival
Independent arrival to Jerusalem. Meet the group and enjoy dinner together to mark the beginning of your adventure. Meals: D Overnight Jerusalem.
Independent arrival to Jerusalem. Meet the group and enjoy dinner together to mark the beginning of your adventure. Meals: D Overnight Jerusalem.
Day 2: Jerusalem
We will start the day with a pre breakfast ride of Jerusalem following the Giro DItalia time trail route, taking in the Tiyelet viewing platform, the Old Train Station, Downtown, Government Hill, Valley of the Cross, and Machane Yehuda produce market. We will return for breakfast in the hotel and then tour in the heart of Jerusalem with a walking tour of the Old City; here you will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Western Wall, and get a rooftop view of the Dome of the Rock. After lunch exit the Old City through the Jaffa Gate and start your bike tour
Overnight: Jerusalem
We will start the day with a pre breakfast ride of Jerusalem following the Giro DItalia time trail route, taking in the Tiyelet viewing platform, the Old Train Station, Downtown, Government Hill, Valley of the Cross, and Machane Yehuda produce market. We will return for breakfast in the hotel and then tour in the heart of Jerusalem with a walking tour of the Old City; here you will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Western Wall, and get a rooftop view of the Dome of the Rock. After lunch exit the Old City through the Jaffa Gate and start your bike tour
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 3: Jerusalem to Dead Sea
Depart Jerusalem through the quiet Sabbath streets and start your descent to the lowest point on earth – the Dead Sea. Leaving the European climate of Jerusalem you will quickly see the change as you enter the Judean Desert, passing the Inn of the Good Samaritan as you go. Cycle along the shores of the Dead Sea to Kibbutz Ein Gedi Hotel.
Overnight: Kibbutz Ein Gedi
Depart Jerusalem through the quiet Sabbath streets and start your descent to the lowest point on earth – the Dead Sea. Leaving the European climate of Jerusalem you will quickly see the change as you enter the Judean Desert, passing the Inn of the Good Samaritan as you go. Cycle along the shores of the Dead Sea to Kibbutz Ein Gedi Hotel.
Overnight: Kibbutz Ein Gedi
Day 4: Rest Day/Masada
Spend the day relaxing in the hotel or at the Ein Gedi Spa on the shores of the therapeutic Dead Sea. Optional visit for a guided tour of Masada; the mountain top fortress built by King Herod and used by the Jews for their final stand against the Romans in 73ce. Overnight: Kibbutz Ein Gedi Hotel
Spend the day relaxing in the hotel or at the Ein Gedi Spa on the shores of the therapeutic Dead Sea. Optional visit for a guided tour of Masada; the mountain top fortress built by King Herod and used by the Jews for their final stand against the Romans in 73ce. Overnight: Kibbutz Ein Gedi Hotel
Day 5: Dead Sea to the Peace Trail
Riding south along the Dead Sea you will pass the hilltop fortress of Masada, the Dead Sea evaporation pools, the Dead Sea Works and enter the Arava Desert. Here you will follow the beautiful Peace Route, viewing the impressive desert agriculture as you follow the Israeli Jordanian border.
Overnight: Local BnB
Riding south along the Dead Sea you will pass the hilltop fortress of Masada, the Dead Sea evaporation pools, the Dead Sea Works and enter the Arava Desert. Here you will follow the beautiful Peace Route, viewing the impressive desert agriculture as you follow the Israeli Jordanian border.
Overnight: Local BnB
Day 6: The Scorpions' Ascent
Climbing out of the Arava Desert you will ascend the winding Scorpion's Ascent for a spectacular view over the desert. Your ride will continue through the Makhtesh Gadol (large crater), to the sleepy desert town of Yeruham.
Overnight: Yeruham
Climbing out of the Arava Desert you will ascend the winding Scorpion's Ascent for a spectacular view over the desert. Your ride will continue through the Makhtesh Gadol (large crater), to the sleepy desert town of Yeruham.
Overnight: Yeruham
Day 7: Yeruham to Mitzpe Ramon
Riding through the Negev Desert you will leave Yeruham and join the main desert road. Passing Sde Boker you will stop to visit the grave of Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and continue to the edge of the Ramon Crater for your overnight in Mitzpe Ramon
Overnight: Mitzpe Ramon
Riding through the Negev Desert you will leave Yeruham and join the main desert road. Passing Sde Boker you will stop to visit the grave of Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and continue to the edge of the Ramon Crater for your overnight in Mitzpe Ramon
Overnight: Mitzpe Ramon
Day 8: Mitzpe Ramon to Kibbutz Lotan
Following the desert road through the Ramon Crater is an incredible ride through the deserted landscape, until you come to Kibbutz Lotan. Nestled on the Jordanian border the members of Kibbutz Lotan built an ideological community based on collective living and an eco lifestyle.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lotan
Following the desert road through the Ramon Crater is an incredible ride through the deserted landscape, until you come to Kibbutz Lotan. Nestled on the Jordanian border the members of Kibbutz Lotan built an ideological community based on collective living and an eco lifestyle.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lotan
Day 9: Aqaba
After a short transfer we cut across the Eilat Mountains to the Egyptian Border and follow the mountainous road to enter Eilat from the West; a more challenging ride through the beautiful red Eilat Mountains. Finally we will cross over at the Arava boarder continuing our adventure in Jordan. Once across the border, we will cycle to our hotel in Aqaba.
Overnight: Aqaba- Jordan
After a short transfer we cut across the Eilat Mountains to the Egyptian Border and follow the mountainous road to enter Eilat from the West; a more challenging ride through the beautiful red Eilat Mountains. Finally we will cross over at the Arava boarder continuing our adventure in Jordan. Once across the border, we will cycle to our hotel in Aqaba.
Overnight: Aqaba- Jordan
Day 10: Free day in Aqaba Enjoy a free day in Aqaba.
Overnight: Aqaba
Overnight: Aqaba
Day 11: Aqaba to Wadi Rum
Cycle out of Aqaba through the mountains and ascend. Then continue along the highway before turning right into Wadi Rum desert area. We will arrive in time for lunch at the Bedouin Camp where we will spend the night too. The bikes will be secured whilst you enjoy a 4x4 jeep ride inside the reserve to the Bedouin Camp to experience Bedouin hospitality.
Overnight: Bedouin Camp, Wadi Rum
Cycle out of Aqaba through the mountains and ascend. Then continue along the highway before turning right into Wadi Rum desert area. We will arrive in time for lunch at the Bedouin Camp where we will spend the night too. The bikes will be secured whilst you enjoy a 4x4 jeep ride inside the reserve to the Bedouin Camp to experience Bedouin hospitality.
Overnight: Bedouin Camp, Wadi Rum
Day 12: To Petra
The route returns out of Wadi Rum and along the desert highway, including an ascent to Ras Al-Naqab, with amazing views. We stop for a picnic lunch. Then on top of the plateau, the route turns off the main road onto quieter roads to Rajif and finishing in the town of Wadi Musa, home to the archeological site of Petra.
Overnight: Petra
The route returns out of Wadi Rum and along the desert highway, including an ascent to Ras Al-Naqab, with amazing views. We stop for a picnic lunch. Then on top of the plateau, the route turns off the main road onto quieter roads to Rajif and finishing in the town of Wadi Musa, home to the archeological site of Petra.
Overnight: Petra
Day 13: Explore Petra
Time off the bikes and exploring by foot. Your guide will accompany you through the ancient city of Petra, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. You will walk through to the Colonnaded street, where you will stop for lunch. Then you have several hours to explore on your own, with options including ascending to the Monastery and beyond to the superb views across the Jordan Valley, or taking the back route to the High Place of Sacrifice, or ascending Jebel Khubtha, to view the Treasury from above.
Overnight: Petra
Time off the bikes and exploring by foot. Your guide will accompany you through the ancient city of Petra, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. You will walk through to the Colonnaded street, where you will stop for lunch. Then you have several hours to explore on your own, with options including ascending to the Monastery and beyond to the superb views across the Jordan Valley, or taking the back route to the High Place of Sacrifice, or ascending Jebel Khubtha, to view the Treasury from above.
Overnight: Petra
Day 14: Petra to Feynan
Bike out of Petra and atop at the nearby "Little Petra" on the far end of the ancient city. Then cycle north out of Petra to Little Petra. After a short visit we descent down to Jordan Valley taking Namaleh road down to Feynan Eco Lodge, an enchanting world of authentic Bedouin hospitality and natural beauty, for late lunch, and time permitting the opportunity to explore by foot for an optional sunset walk around the area.
Overnight: Feyana Eco-Lodge
Bike out of Petra and atop at the nearby "Little Petra" on the far end of the ancient city. Then cycle north out of Petra to Little Petra. After a short visit we descent down to Jordan Valley taking Namaleh road down to Feynan Eco Lodge, an enchanting world of authentic Bedouin hospitality and natural beauty, for late lunch, and time permitting the opportunity to explore by foot for an optional sunset walk around the area.
Overnight: Feyana Eco-Lodge
Day 15: Feynan to Dead Sea
12h Starting from Feynan, We take a group transfer north along the Jordan Valley to our start cycling point. Then we cycling along the Dead Sea coast for 53 Km until we reach our hotel, where we will stay for 2 nights.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Dead Sea
12h Starting from Feynan, We take a group transfer north along the Jordan Valley to our start cycling point. Then we cycling along the Dead Sea coast for 53 Km until we reach our hotel, where we will stay for 2 nights.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Dead Sea
Day 16-Mt Nebo Loop
We will begin our day with a climb to the biblical Mt Nebo. The route is 26Km and ascends 1,150m. Those who don’t want to do the hill climb will be transferred to the top where the group will meet to visit the church at Mount Nebo. Then the group will ride together across the Madaba plains. We will stop on route for lunch on the hillside with a meal cooked by a local family, and descend along the panorama road back to the Dead Sea, for a second afternoon.
Overnight: Dead Sea
We will begin our day with a climb to the biblical Mt Nebo. The route is 26Km and ascends 1,150m. Those who don’t want to do the hill climb will be transferred to the top where the group will meet to visit the church at Mount Nebo. Then the group will ride together across the Madaba plains. We will stop on route for lunch on the hillside with a meal cooked by a local family, and descend along the panorama road back to the Dead Sea, for a second afternoon.
Overnight: Dead Sea
Day 17: Dead Sea to Jerusalem
Cycle to the Allenby Border Crossing to cross back to Israel. Stop for lunch along our way to Jerusalem and arrive in the late afternoon to the Hotel. We will enjoy dinner together to mark the end of your ride.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Cycle to the Allenby Border Crossing to cross back to Israel. Stop for lunch along our way to Jerusalem and arrive in the late afternoon to the Hotel. We will enjoy dinner together to mark the end of your ride.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 18: Departure