3-Hour Horseback Ride in Wadi Rum: Khazali Canyon & Sand Dune

Looking for an introduction to Wadi Rum on horseback without committing to a full day in the saddle? This 3-hour desert ride is the perfect way to discover the magic of Jordan’s most iconic landscape, at a gentle pace, guided by Ali, your dedicated Bedouin, through some of the valley’s most breathtaking and historically rich sites. The tour combines horseback riding across the open desert with short walks on foot, allowing to fully explore the red sand dune and the narrow passages of Khazali canyon at your own pace, while Ali holds the horses. A perfect balance of riding and discovery in the heart of the protected area of Wadi Rum.

Depending on the schedule and your group’s experience, the route may also include Lawrence’s Spring before returning to Wadi Rum Village. Short in duration but rich in experience, this ride offers an authentic taste of desert life that stays with you long after you leave.

What to Expect on This 3-Hour Ride

The Sand Dune

Departing from Wadi Rum Village, your ride takes you out into the open desert where the landscape unfolds into a vast expanse of red sand and towering sandstone cliffs. One of the first highlights is the red sand dune, a striking contrast of deep red sand against the ancient rocky plateau. This is one of Wadi Rum’s most photographed and most beloved landscapes, and experiencing it on horseback gives you a perspective that no jeep tour can match. If you wish, you can dismount your horse and climb the sand dune on foot, enjoying the beautiful panoramic view over the desert valley below, while the horses and Ali wait for you at the base. 

Khazali Canyon

The centrepiece of this ride is Khazali Canyon, a narrow and dramatic gorge that cuts deep into the sandstone massif. You will dismount at the entrance and explore the canyon on foot while Ali holds the horses. Its towering walls rise sharply on either side, creating a cool and shaded passage that offers welcome relief from the desert sun. The canyon is renowned throughout Jordan for its extraordinary collection of ancient rock art, with Nabataean, Thamudic, and Islamic inscriptions carved into the stone walls over thousands of years. These petroglyphs depict humans, animals, hunting scenes, and symbolic markings, a direct and tangible connection to the many civilisations that passed through this desert long before the modern world.

Walking through the canyon, surrounded by these ancient carvings and the towering silence of the rock, is an experience that is both humbling and deeply memorable. Khazali Canyon is one of the reasons Wadi Rum is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is easy to understand why when you are standing inside it.

Lawrence’s Spring

Depending on the day’s schedule and the experience of the group, the route may also include a visit to Lawrence’s Spring, a natural water source nestled among the rocks and named after T.E. Lawrence: the British officer who travelled through Wadi Rum during the Arab Revolt of the early 20th century and later described its landscapes in vivid detail. A patch of unexpected greenery in the heart of an arid desert, the spring is a peaceful and atmospheric stop that adds a layer of history to an already rich ride.

Flexible by Design

This ride can be adapted à la carte depending on the day’s schedule and the experience level of the riders. Ali will tailor the route to make the most of your time in the desert, ensuring every ride feels personal and unhurried.

Add an Overnight Stay

Want to extend your desert experience? An overnight stay can be added before or after the ride. Spend the night under a breathtaking sky full of stars at an authentic Bedouin camp, with a traditional dinner, private tent with private bathroom, and breakfast included.

• 25 JOD per person (for two or more)

• 35 JOD for a single traveller

Dinner, breakfast and transportation to and from the camp are included.

Who Can Join This Horse Riding Tour?

— Beginners are welcome! If you book this tour privately, no prior horse riding experience is required. You will be paired with a calm and reliable horse, and the pace of the ride will be kept slow and comfortable throughout. Please note that beginners cannot join a reservation already confirmed with experienced riders. Due to the slower pace, beginners may not have time to visit all sites on the itinerary, typically Lawrence’s Spring.

— There is a weight limit of 85 kilograms (approximately 187 pounds) to ensure the comfort and safety of both riders and horses.

— The tour is suitable for all ages who are comfortable horse riders, making it a perfect family-friendly adventure.

Why Choose This 3-Hour Horseback Ride in Wadi Rum?

— Experience Wadi Rum’s most iconic desert scenery on horseback, at a pace that allows you to truly absorb the silence and vastness around you.

— Visit Khazali Canyon and its ancient Nabataean, Thamudic and Islamic rock inscriptions, one of the most historically rich and most visited sites in Jordan.

— Ride alongside the red sand dunes, one of Wadi Rum’s most spectacular and photogenic landscapes.

— Ride with Ali, your dedicated Bedouin guide, whose deep knowledge of the desert and its history brings every landmark to life.

— A perfect option for those with limited time who still want an authentic and immersive desert experience on horseback.

— Not everyone in your group needs to be a rider! We can arrange a jeep tour running alongside the ride. Camel rides can also be organised for those who prefer a more traditional desert experience. Mixed groups are warmly welcome.

Practical Information

Duration: Approximately 3 hours on horseback

Departure: Wadi Rum Village

Included: Guided horseback ride & water. If you stay for the overnight : dinner, breakfast, overnight in a tent with private bathroom, transportation both ways are included. 

Suitable for: Beginners (private bookings only) and experienced riders

Weight limit: 85 kg / 187 lbs

Group options: Jeep tour and camel ride available for non-riding companions

Cancellation policy

For short tours (half-day and full-day rides), any cancellation or modification made less than 72 hours before the scheduled date is charged at 100% of the total amount, regardless the reason. 

This provision constitutes a specific condition, in addition to the general terms and conditions, which state that no refund is granted in the event of cancellation within one month prior to the scheduled date, regardless of the reason.