Jordanian Horse Riding Experience
Imagine riding an Arabian horse in its native environment and experiencing the open desert and beauty of Wadi Rum – land of Lawrence of Arabia. In October this year you can take an exclusive trip to Jordan and combine a visit to the Royal Stables in Amman, a swim in the Dead Sea, a tour around one of the oldest Crusader castles and a day’s visit to Petra, the Rose Red city of the ancient Nabateans – one of the new wonders of the world.
These are cultural add ons to a six day riding holiday which is split into three days in the spectacular Petra mountain region and three days in Wadi Rum – a dramatic desert wilderness in the south of Jordan. Huge mountains of sandstone and granite emerge, sheer-sided, from wide sandy valleys to reach heights of 1700 meters and more. Narrow canyons and fissures cut deep into the mountains and many hide ancient rock drawings etched by the peoples of the desert over millennia. Bedouin tribes still live among the mountains of Rum and their large goat-hair tents are a special feature of the landscape. Here you will be riding away from the main tourists and camping overnight under the stars with the horses tethered close by.
At the end of the ride you will transfer to Aqaba on the Red Sea rounding off the tour with yet another wonderful experience.
You will be riding right horses of Arabian blood, (or “Anglo-Arabian Bedouin” with the official name in Jordan of “Bedouin bred”). Most of them are mares, coming from different regions in the Middle East, (Jordan, Syria, Iraq). There are also geldings and very occasionally stallions.
All of the horses are generous and high spirited, very enjoyable to ride, in spite of their strong temperament (or perhaps because of it?) Their endurance and excellent temper are legendary. You will be able to testify to this yourself.
They are sure-footed horses, quick to react and with a notable sense of competition. Arabians delight in racing. These are absolutely not “riding school horses” but working horses trained to Bedouin standards and to our own desert riding standards
Emma Getliffe is director of hhwtravel.co.uk who specialize in worldwide adventure
horse riding holidays.
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