Adventure Jordan/Yamaan Safady Mobile 07/9564 1911, yamaan@adventurejordan.com, www.adventurejordan.com. A licensed tour guide (with certification in mountain search and rescue and first aid), Yamaan Safady organizes regular adventure trips to canyons and mountain sites all round Jordan for small groups on both a pre-booked and an ad-hoc basis: once you've joined the email list, you get details of his hikes a week or so in advance and can then choose to book a place or not. Most participants are foreigners resident in Amman, almost all English-speaking. Transport and tea is included, but you generally have to bring your own gear (change of clothes or shoes, sleeping bag if on an overnight trek, etc) as well as food and water. Highly recommended.

Desert Explorer Tours & 03/202 2626, mobile 07/9554 8133, www.desertexplorer.net. Small operation based at the Bait Ali campsite on the outskirts of Wadi Rum, run by Tahseen and Susan Shinaco. Their connections with the Swaylhiyeen tribe, who occupy the lands north of Rum, cover ground that Rum guides ignore – hiking, camel safaris and horse-riding expeditions are all specialities.

Desert Guides In France +33 4 50.54.70.98. In Jordan 03/201 4131, 201 4133, www.desertguides.com. Among other services for trips and climbs in the southern desert, this respected outfit run by qualified mountain guide and old Jordan hand Wilfried Colonna – based in France and at the Alcazar Hotel in Aqaba – can offer guided multi-day wilderness treks on pure-bred Arabian horses.

Discovery PO Box 840618, Amman 11184 06/569 7998, 569 8183, www.discovery1.com. A softly-softly approach to sustainable tourism, coupled with an encyclopedic knowledge of natural and historical attractions in all corners of the country. Specializing in incentive travel for companies, but with a vast range of all kinds of trips and adventure tours on offer.

Jordan Beauty Tours PO Box 8, Wadi Musa 71810. Mobile 07/9558 1644 or 7728 2730, 03/215 4999, www.jordanbeauty.com. Run by Sufian Amarat, a specialist guide for all kinds of hiking and trekking, specifically in the Petra area, with excellent local knowledge and plenty of experience in handling groups and individuals.

Jordan Inspiration Tours & 03/215 7317, mobile 07/9555 4677, www.jitours.com. Small, flexible company based in Wadi Musa, run by Sami Hasanat, with a wide range of tour options all round the country.

La Beduina PO Box 80, Wadi Musa 71810 03/215 7099, 215 6931, www.labeduinatours.com. Specialists in fully supported adventure trips and treks in and around Petra, with a broad range of itineraries including mountain-biking and horse-riding. Thoroughly professional approach to all aspects of tour leading, with the flexibility to put together any sort of itinerary at short notice.

Mahdi Hasanat 03/215 7893, mobile 07/7742 7380, mhasanat18@hotmail.com, mahtours.tripod.com. A guide with several years' experience in trekking and wilderness camping. Based in Wadi Musa, but ranging around the country.

Outdoors Unlimited PO Box 9177, Amman 11191 06/552 7230, 552 0240, hjahshan@go.com.jo. Small company run by Hanna Jahshan, a guide with extensive trekking experience and particular skill in horse-riding.

Petra Moon PO Box 129, Wadi Musa 71810 03/215 6665, 215 6666, www.petramoon.com. A leading adventure tour operator, and unique in offering low-impact jeep trips into the remote countryside around Petra. Very well connected, they can set you up with good local guides for hikes and long-distance horse or camel rides, and give you full backup support all the way.