DISCOVER WADI RUM RIDE 2012 program (except departures from May 11 to September 07 included)

The Discover Wadi Rum Ride is one of our most popular rides. In 6 full days of horse riding it covers most of the Wadi Rum area with its always changing sceneries. A visite to Mount Nebo and Mose's tomb, swimming in the Dea Sea and a full day visit in Petra are included in the program. Please note that in the winter months (December to end of February) the riding program will be similar to the New Year's ride, with a fix Beduin camp in the heart of the desert and if the weather allows a night of bivouac near the Saudi border.

Day 1: Europe - Amman/Madaba
Arrival in Amman, at Queen Alia International Airport, where you will be met and driven to your hotel in Amman at fixed transfer times at 7pm and 11 pm. Dinner (except late arrival after 09 pm) and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Amman - Wadi Rum
Breakfast at the hotel and early departure by minibus to Wadi Rum. During the 4 hours drive we go through the major part of Jordan. When passing the visitor's center at the entry of the desert resort, we can get a glimpse on the famous "7 pillars of Wisdom" of Laurence from Arabia.
Around midday we arrive at the stables for lunch and meeting with the team and the horses. Early afternoon we get off on the horses to the north in direction of the agricultural village of Disi, through Um Twicy canyon to finally arrive at our first camp place at the entrance of Barrah Canyon. This ride is not very fast, so you can get used to your horse and the terrain.

Dinner and night in camp.

Day 3: Wadi Rum
Breakfast in camp, and then ride over the famous mud flats (Al Ga'a), perfect for a long exhilarating canter. On our ride we stop next to a Nabatean water collection hole, demonstrating the constant need to preserve water in these dry regions. We continue our ride through Barrah Canyon, another spectacular canyon in Wadi Rum surrounded by high cliffs renown by climbers around the world. We ride until the end of the canyon until we reach our camp of Um Zelgah.
Dinner and night in camp.

Day 4: Wadi Rum

After breakfast, we ride south towards the Burdah Mountains. We cross Khour Al Ajram which is one of Wadi Rum's main valleys. We get a good view of the arch rock Bridge of Burdah. We keep riding south until we reach Jabal Al Mangour where we stop for lunch and also establish our camp for the night as the moutain range gives a nice shadow and also protects against the wind. In the afternoon, we can have a fast ride on the tracks in the desert before returning to the camp.
Dinner and night in camp.

Day 5: Wadi Rum
Today we climb to the Nogra plateau which is at 1450m. The deep sand does not allow fast riding, but we might encounter large herds of camel or sheperds with their sheep. On the plateau the sheperds can find foot throughout the year. Our patience is awarded by the panoramic view on the Saoudi-Arabian Mountains to which's border we are very close. In the afternoon we continue our ride in the Wadi Saabit mountains.
Dinner and night in the same camp as yesterday.

Day 6: Wadi Rum
We leave the Wadi Saabit across the Valley to the Northwest in the direction of Jebel Suibet. We come close to the caves of Harab Antar. According to the weather, itinerary can vary to either stay in the valley or search for freshness and the shadow of the mountains.
Tents of Beduins with goats and camels are part of the landscape and give us a view of how live organizes itself out in the desert.

Dinner and night in camp.

Day 7 : Wadi Rum - Petra
This morning we get back in the saddle for our last day in the desert. We ride through the big valley of Wadi Rum before stopping at the foot of Jebel Khazali to visit its narrow canyon that collects water during winter and in spring, a rare wealth in the desert. We also see the source of T.E. Lawrence which is at the foot of Jebel Rum, the highest Jordanian summit at 1784 metres. We reach the stables of Wadi Rum in late afternoon and leave the horses and the desert team. A 1h30 transfer by minibus brings us to Petra for dinner and night at a hotel.

Day 8: Wadi Rum
Today we have the whole day to visit the legendary site of Petra, starting with an English speaking Jordanian guide going through the Siq to the Kheznah treasury from where we have the opportunity to explore by ourselves. Dinner is at our own expense in one of the restaurants of the site. Meeting in the evening for dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 9: Petra - Madaba
Today we have another road transfer to the Dea Sea where we can try our ability to float on the water. At noon, lunch is not included, but we can find what to calm our hunger in one of the many small restaurants. In the afternoon we have another transfer to Madaba, going over Mount Nebo, the supposed tomb site of Moses.

Dinner and night at hotel in Madaba.

Day 10: Madaba - Amman Airport

After breakfast, transfer to the airport (approx. 30 minutes) to take your flight back home.

NEW YEAR'S RIDE from December 28 to January 6, 2013

A New Year's Eve in the desert that you will never forget. A real Bedouin camp situated in the heart of the mountain range will be our fix camp for this winter ride.
It is very comfortable not to fold the tent every day and if you feel tired during the week, it is easy to stay in the camp and give the horse some release while discovering the surroundings.

Day 1 - Dec 28: Europe - Amman
Arrival in Amman on regular flight, at Queen Alia International Airport, where you will be met at fixed transfer times (7pm and 11 pm) and driven to your hotel in Amman (3* local standard). Dinner (except arrival after 09 pm) and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Amman - Wadi Rum
Breakfast at the hotel and early departure by minibus to Wadi Rum. During the 4 hours drive we go through the major part of Jordan. When passing the visitor's center at the entry of the desert resort, we can get a glimpse on the famous "7 pillars of Wisdom" of Laurence from Arabia.
Around midday we arrive at the stables for lunch and meeting with the team and the horses. We check in our fixed camp and in the afternoon we get off on the horses for an introductory ride in the desert. This ride is not very fast, so you can get used to your horse and the terrain.

Dinner and night in camp. You can chose to sleep either in the heated Beduin tent (all participants together) or in an individual tent.

Days 3 - 6 : Wadi Rum (30/12 - 02/01/2013)
In winter we never leave before 08:30 am, nights are cold and the horses need to get warm....

We will have star rides coming back to the camp around 4:30 pm as the night falls. After having taken care of the horses, we enjoy a nice cup of tea near the fire to warm up.
Every day the scenery is different and we will have the possibility to visit the nicest places of the desert : Burdha and its natural arch, Al Manghour, Um Ishrin, the valley of dunes, Khor el Ajram.... If the weather allows, we might even have a one night bivouac near the Saudi border.
Short days and long nights give us the leisure to appreciate the winter evenings at a bonfire, with a Bedouin musician who might join the group or some surprise visitors from the Zoulabi tribe....
The tent made of goat skin, in pure Bedouin tradition, keeps the warmth, protects us from bad weather and grants a nice evening in this magical place Um Zergha... and maybe we have the chance to hear one of the poets and musicians play the Aoud.

We will spend New Year's Eve with the Bedouins, having a typical Jordan meal with music that will make it an unforgettable night.

Day 7 (03/01/12) Wadi Rum - Petra
This morning we get back in the saddle for our last day in the desert. We ride through the big valley of Wadi Rum before stopping at the foot of Jebel Khazali to visit its narrow canyon that collects water during winter and in spring, a rare wealth in the desert. We also see the source of T.E. Lawrence which is at the foot of Jebel Rum, the highest Jordanian summit at 1784 metres. We reach the stables of Wadi Rum in late afternoon and leave the horses and the desert team. A 1h30 transfer by minibus brings us to Petra for dinner and night at a hotel.

Day 8: Wadi Rum
Today we have the whole day to visit the legendary site of Petra, starting with an English speaking Jordanian guide going through the Siq to the Kheznah treasury from where we have the opportunity to explore by ourselves. Dinner is at our own expense in one of the restaurants of the site. Meeting in the evening for dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 9: Petra - Madaba
Today we have another road transfer to the Dea Sea where we can try our ability to float on the water. At noon, lunch is not included, but we can find what to calm our hunger in one of the many small restaurants. In the afternoon we have another transfer to Madaba, going over Mount Nebo, the supposed tomb site of Moses.

Dinner and night at hotel in Madaba.

Day 10: Madaba - Amman Airport

Transfer to the airport (approx. 30 minutes) at fixed times either at 12:01am or 04:30am or individual transfer (optional cost 50€/person).

- trail ride as described,
- airport pick-ups, drop-offs and all other local transportation, provided that you arrive and leave on the scheduled dates and arrival/departure times of the tour,
- entrance fees and guides for Petra and other tourist sites are included,
- hotel accommodations in twin/double room occupancy, depending on nights,
- all meals on the tour,

- water bottles on the ride, not in the hotels,
- financial deposit guaranteed to Randocheval.