The best time to visit Jordan for hiking and cycling is spring and autumn, when days are warm but not hot. Culture and sightseeing work all year, and summer is ideal for water-based adventures like Wadi Mujib, the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. Jordan is less hot than many people expect: on our active trips in the warmer months, temperatures are usually not much over 35°C (95°F).

We run hiking, cycling and cultural tours all year round. Our busiest seasons are March to the end of June and September to early January.

Jordan’s seasons at a glance

Spring: the green season

Rain falls almost only in winter, so by February, March and early April northern Jordan turns strikingly green, with grass covering the hills and fields. It’s the most beautiful time to hike the north, around Umm Qais and Ajloun. On spring weekends you’ll also see Jordanian families picnicking and grilling outdoors, an informal national pastime. May can be on the warmer side.

Good for: hiking in the north, the Dana to Petra Trek, cycling, culture.

Summer: water and coast

We run few hiking and cycling departures in summer because of the heat. Instead, our Summer Adventure in Jordan focuses on cooler activities: splashing and hiking through Wadi Mujib, snorkelling the coral reefs of the Red Sea and floating in the Dead Sea, plus Petra and Wadi Rum.

Good for: canyon and water hikes, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, early-morning sightseeing.

Autumn: the second hiking season

As the heat eases from September, autumn brings settled weather for trekking and cycling the Jordan Trail and the Jordan Bike Trail. It’s one of our two busiest seasons, running into early January.

Good for: the Dana to Petra Trek, Petra to Wadi Rum, Cycle Jordan, e-bike tours.

Winter: quiet and cool

Winter is when Jordan gets its rain. In November, December and February, nights in the desert camps are cold, so bring a warm jacket, hat, gloves and a light rain jacket. Days can still be very good for sightseeing, and the Dead Sea and Aqaba stay mild. We run tours all through winter.

Good for: culture and sightseeing, Amman, Jerash, Petra, the Dead Sea and Aqaba.

Best time by activity

Hiking and trekking: spring and autumn. See Dana to Petra Trek and Jordan Hiking Adventure.
Cycling and e-biking: the cooler months, outside summer. See Cycle Jordan and E-biking in Jordan.
Northern Jordan: February to early April, when it’s green. See our North of Jordan tour.
Canyons and water hikes: summer. Wadi Mujib’s Siq Trail is usually open from 1 April to 31 October; exact dates can shift by a few days or weeks with spring weather, water levels and flash-flood safety checks by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). See Wadi Mujib Siq Trail.
Culture and sightseeing: all year. See the Experience Jordan Tour.

What to pack for the season

All year: long trousers and a light jacket or sweater for evenings at desert camps
November to February: a warm jacket, hat, gloves and a light rain jacket
Spring to autumn: a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle

Frequently asked questions

Is Jordan too hot to visit in summer?

It’s hot for long hikes and rides, which is why we run few active departures then. Summer is still great for water-based trips and early-morning sightseeing.

When is the best month to hike Dana to Petra?

Spring and autumn, when walking days are comfortable. March to the end of June and September to early January are our busiest trekking seasons.

Does it rain in Jordan?

Rain falls almost only in winter. That’s why spring is so green in the north.

Ask us which dates suit your trip