I chose this tour with a clear focus on the cycling experience. I was hoping to take in memorable scenery, ride comfortably at a natural pace and enjoy the route. Unfortunately, the trip fell short of these expectations in a few key areas.
First, the routes through rural sections were very uninspiring, with views dominated by agricultural plastic greenhouses, alongside prolific litter and fly-tipping along the roads.
Second, the group pacing felt restrictive. For large sections, we had to ride in single-file behind the tour guide due to being on main roads with a large volume of traffic. The pace was often very slow and I felt unable to ride at my own speed, which made it difficult to catch a breeze or fully enjoy the ride.
Finally, a warning to those who don’t like intense heat – don’t book at the beginning of September! The heat on our trip was extreme, with daily temperatures all week of around 34C. A number of riders struggled significantly with heat exhaustion and in my view, this period is simply too hot for an enjoyable cycling trip. I don’t know if it was a direct consequence of the heat, but we had multiple pit-stops en route for water and to rest. I found this so disruptive and unnecessarily prolonged the day. A 28 mile bike ride should take 3 hours, instead it seemed to take all day with the frequent mini-breaks. Combined with the uninspiring scenery on the actual bike rides and the fixed pace in large sections, it made for a challenging and frustrating experience. I would strongly recommend reviewing the route selection and advising future guests on the reality of early September temperatures.
Cycling Jordan
Cycling Holidays in Jordan
Best Ancient Sites to Visit on Jordan Cycling Tours
Petra: The Red Rose City of Petra is one of the most significant UNESCO World Heritage sites you’ll see when cycling Jordan. Undiscovered for centuries, Petra was eventually found by the Nabatean tribe in the 6th-century BCE. When you arrive at Petra you’ll be in total awe of this architectural wonder where elaborate buildings have been carved into the red and yellow sandstone rock. Walk along the Siq, a narrow walkway where a sandstone chasm soars above, which opens to reveal the magnificent Treasury, El Khazneh. As you wander through the houses, tombs and amphitheatre, you’ll learn about how the wealthy citizens once lived in the city. Head up to the High Place of Worship for uninterrupted views over Petra and climb the 800 steps to the religious site of the El Deir monastery.
Jerash: Lying to the north of Amamm, the ancient city of Jerash dates back to the Bronze Age and is famous for its walled Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa. The well-preserved ruins let you step back to the 2nd-century, and as you walk around the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis and Hadrian’s Arch you can almost hear the sounds of a past Roman civilisation coursing through the ancient ruins. Also known as the Triumphal Arch, Hadrian’s Arch was constructed in AD 129 to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hadrian. To learn more about Jerash and its rich history, visit the Archaeological Museum where you’ll find interesting artefacts that have been recovered from the site over the years.
Madaba: Often overlooked on cycling holidays in Jordan, Madaba is a market town best known as the ‘City of Mosaics’. As the name would suggest, a collection of stunning Byzantine mosaics can be found throughout the city but arguably the most famous is the detailed map that lies on the floor of the Greek Orthodox church of St George. It’s believed the mosaic dates back to the 6th century and its colourful detail depicts a scene from Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Madaba has one of the largest Christian communities in Jordan and the locals gather every Friday before dawn to pray at the church.
Little Petra: Known locally in Jordan as Siq Al Barid (meaning Cold Canyon owing to the tall buildings which block out the sunlight), Little Petra has a rich agricultural past and was once a place for travellers who were visiting Petra with their caravans and camels to replenish their supplies. Within the ancient site there are beautiful buildings carved into the pale rock and just outside the miniature siq stands a classical Nabatean temple. Much quieter and calmer than its bigger sister, Petra, Little Petra is always worth exploring on your Jordan itinerary.
Alex D Cycling in Sicily
Heather Rose Cycling in SicilyI did this tour in June 2026 and enjoyed it so much, inspire of having no experience cycling on the open road. The tour guide Matteo was wonderful, and I felt very safe and well looked after. The accommodation was very good, the first accomodation at Feudo Bauly was superb, I only regretted not staying there for couple of nights before the tour started. Beautiful pool. A very friendly group on the tour as well, mixed ages and all socialised together really well, with Mateo joining us for group dinners at terrific restaurants he knew. I will definitely book another cycling tour with Exodus again.
Susan Lucas Cycle the BalticsPerfect cycling roads and paths through forests and near the lovely coast – and once actually on the beach. Brilliant guides, extremely interesting history and varied food. So flat that it’s also suitable for non cyclists. A unique opportunity to experience three countries and cultures. Lucky to have such an interesting group too and I really appreciated spending time with non Brits! And I was really impressed with all 3 countries which achieved independence from the USSR only 35 years ago – and their transformation is inspirational.
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