HORSEBACK TREKKING IN JORDAN
FROM PETRA TO WADI RUM
(Wilfried Colonna, Emmanuelle Lançon, Iniazi Shaban,in 1993)
 

The "Khazneh" at Petra, drawn in 1839 by David Roberts	The Khazneh today, photo M. VERIN

This first Arab horse trek to be carried out, this veritable expedition, took full advantage of the many advantages to be found in South Jordan, stronghold of the Bedouin tradition that is fading with time.

The very notion of travelling the route between those two legendary destinations that are Petra and Wadi Rum, and the sense of history surrounding it takes us back through the mist of time.

This was the road taken by the caravans of ancient times, coming from the Yemen to Turkey. You can imagine the prophet Mohammed, mounted on a camel and leading his wife's trading caravans from Mecca towards Jerusalem along this very same route! This is also following in the more recent steps of Laurence of Arabia and the glorious chapter of the Arab revolt, immortalised by the Hollywood film of David Lean.

You will start by visiting Petra, one of the wonders of the ancient world, at the beginning of your stay.

View of the Petra mountains with Jebel Haroun on the horizon

Your itinerary then leaves Petra, with its hotels and the softness of civilisation and moves towards the silence and the towering majesty of the mountains of Wadi Rum - diving deeply into that vast solitude where only the Bedouin, those Masters of the Desert, have lived for thousands of years.

Abu Igleirat Canyon - photo DOMENECH	Wadi Um Ishrin

This is an ambitious ride, but one in which the surefooted Arabs from "Wadi Rum Horses" will readily carry you through empty country for seven days. The variety of the trail, the changes of landscapes and of terrain, the discovery of ancient remains along the way, make this an unrivalled experience in which each stage brings something new.

This is a "classic trek" of which we are proud - it has often been imitated, but never surpassed.

Photo M. VERIN

We constantly take this route ourselves, to improve it, to make it more adventurous and more attractive both for you, and for us to keep our love for the country alive.

Prepare yourselves for this trip, initiating you into one of the most beautiful deserts of the world.

10 days Europe-Europe.
8 days in the country/9 nights (3 nights in a, 6 nights in bivouac).
7 days on horseback, complete with all meals, horses with English harness (cavalry and stud saddles),
Back up personnel entirely from the local Bedouin, logistical support in four-wheeled drive vehicles,
Professional guides (speaking French, English and German)
transport within Jordan and entry to sites included
A full day visit to Petra