My guide is named Sari. He is from Jerusalem but has lived in Amman, the capital of Jordan, for many years. He has sweet eyes, is kind and empathetic and, most importantly, he knows how to do his job. I realized this because more than a guide he turned out to be a precious traveling companion.
I recommend everyone to visit Jordan, the heart of a land that was the cradle of civilization and encompasses multitudes. There are different Jordans. There is the desert one, introspective, Bedouin and blinding; the tourist one, winking and perfumed with spices; and then there is Amman, teeming with life, modernity and the chaos typical of large capitals. Jordanians are open and hospitable. They want to be known but they also want to know, and this openness has led them to be a nation that knows how to welcome guests. I am far from having seen everything in the country, but I can say that Jordan is one of the most beautiful places I have had the good fortune to encounter on my bike.
In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced and divided, perhaps we all have something to learn from this ancient ritual.
What was your daily mileage and basic route through Jordan?
On average, our daily stages ranged from 50 to 70 kilometers. Jordan is one of the countries with the highest percentage of desert land in the world, a feature that strongly shapes its geographical and cultural identity. However, beyond the deserts, there are fertile valleys in the northwest, rolling hills, mountains and the one-of-a-kind Dead Sea basin. In the northeast, we ventured into the White Desert, where there’s no set route, as it’s relatively small, you can wander without fear of getting lost. We then followed the Desert Castles route, a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in Islamic history and architecture. We rode from the mosaic city of Madaba to the Dead Sea, where we visited two fascinating sites and the beauty in between. Then from the medieval fortress of Shobak to Petra, one of the most incredible places I’ve ever seen, and finally from the vast, cinematic landscapes of Wadi Rum to the Red Sea and the lively city of Aqaba. We also took some days off the bike, a relaxing day on the “beaches” of the Dead Sea and a trekking expedition to explore the archaeological site of Petra, as it can only be reached by foot.
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