Adventure awaits in Jordan

From expeditions along ancient trade routes to mind-bending natural wonders, here are five incredible adventures waiting for you in Jordan

4 mins

1. Diving in the Gulf of Aqaba

Stretching for around 180km, the Gulf of Aqaba reaches out like an arm from the Red Sea. And while most of Jordan is landlocked, around 7km of the country’s southern tip flanks these marine life-rich waters, providing a host of opportunities for photographers and divers. Revered for its excellent visibility (which are at their best in September and October), the Aqaba Marine Park is easily accessible from the eponymous port city. Among the 30-plus dive sites, you can glimpse some 1,200 fish species and enthralling creatures like stingrays, Little Dragon Fish, Fluorescent-coloured nudibranchs (sea slugs) and sea turtles. Some of the most sought-after places are sunken vessels like the Cedar Pride Wreck and Seven Sisters American army tank. Among the most elusive creatures are the ghost pipefish, known for its camouflaging abilities.

2. Hiking the Jordan Trail

Stretching across the length of the country, between the north’s surprisingly green Umm Qais and the southern city of Aqaba, this 400-mile trail expedition is no mean feat. You can attempt the full 40-day pilgrimage or tackle one of its sections. The reward is a journey through parched desert, pine-scented forest and verdant farmland, with panoramic elevations of up to 3,280ft and discoveries of millennia-spanning palaces, abandoned villages and ancient ruins. It’s the southern part of the trail that will bring you to the Mars-like terrain of the Rum desert and the 2,000-year-old city of Petra. History also abounds in the Roman city of Pella, Medieval Ajloun Castle and the once Byzantine-era trading post of As-Salt, replete with its Roman tombs. 

3. Canyoning

Those who wish to take the adventure levels up a notch don’t want to pass up the chance to climb, scramble and rappel through Jordan’s medley of canyons. The  river canyon of the Wadi Mujib, aka the Grand Canyon of Jordan, located around 90km south of Amman, is open for expeditions during the summer months. And the popular Siq Trail here, involves an exhilarating wade through fast-flowing waters, where limestone walls tower 200ft overhead. Take its challenging Malaqi Trail for a thrilling descent down a 20-metre-high waterfall, or head southwest to Wadi Bin Hammad – which eventually reaches the Dead Sea – for a more sedate experience among jacuzzi-like natural pools, hanging gardens and hot springs. Further south, the 20km-long Wadi Al-Hasa, the country’s longest siq, offers a mesmerising hike through water where you are wedged between chiselled sandstone walls and giant boulders.

4. Stargazing

Thanks to the near-zero light pollution, low cloud cover – and in many cases, high altitude profile – of its nature reserves and deserts, Jordan offers some of the best stargazing on earth. The candlelit Petra Night Show offers a glimpse of the ancient rock-carved city against a star-studded backdrop while many wellness enthusiasts delight in the celestial shows of Ma’in Hot Springs, a mountainous oasis of 63 natural springs and glitter-scattered skies. The rugged Dana Biosphere Reserve draws in eco-minded travellers for its stargazing tours and overnight under-the-star stays in Bedouin tents, while Wadi Rum nature reserve, in the famous Rum desert, steals the show for its dark sky status, and stargazing sessions run from the RumSky observatory. 

5. Birdwatching at the Dana Biosphere Reserve

Birdwatching expeditions are world-class in Jordan. Aside from being a key habitat for eagles, buzzards and falcons, the Kingdom lies on one of the most important bird migratory paths, known as the Rift Valley-Red Sea Flyway. Come spring and autumn, hundreds of bird varieties can pass through en route to the northern and southern hemispheres.

One of the best places to observe the array of winged creatures is in the Dana Biosphere Reserve which runs along the Great Rift Valley in the south-central region of the country. Spanning 300 sq km, it's Jordan’s largest reserve, distinguished by its diversity of microclimates that give rise to abundant wildlife. Many endangered bird species, from the olive-yellow Syrian serin to the  Lesser Kestrel, call this place home and bird viewing points are found along its various trails.

Don't forget the Jordan pass

Tailor-made for visitors, the Jordan Pass is the ultimate sightseeing package, giving you access to over 40 of Jordan’s attractions including Petra. The pass allows you to skip the queues for tickets, offers downloadable brochures and information, and even includes the cost of your visa, saving you money. 

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Get there

Fly direct from London to Amman in just five hours with Royal Jordanian.

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More inspiration

For more inspiration, and to start planning your dream visit to Jordan, head over to the official website. 

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