Jordan

For many people Jordan begins and ends with the magical ancient Nabataean city of Petra. And it's true, Petra is without doubt one of the Middle East's most spectacular, unmissable sights, battling it out with Machu Picchu or Angkor Wat for the title of the world's most dramatic 'lost city'. Yet there's so much more to see in Jordan - ruined Roman cities, Crusader castles, desert citadels and powerful biblical sites: the brook where Jesus was baptised, the fortress where Herod beheaded John the Baptist, and the mountain top where Moses cast eyes on the Promised Land. Biblical scenes are not just consigned to the past in Jordan; you'll see plenty of men wearing full-flowing robes and leading herds of livestock across the timeless desert. But it's not all crusty ruins. Jordan's capital Amman is a modern, culturally diverse Arab city which is lightyears away from the typical cliches of Middle Eastern exoticism. The country also offers some of the wildest adventures in the region, as well as an incredibly varied backdrop ranging from the red desert sands of Wadi Rum to the brilliant blues of the coral-filled Gulf of Aqaba; from rich palm-filled wadis to the lifeless Dead Sea. Ultimately it's the sensual delights of daily life in the Middle East that you'll hanker for longest after you return home; the bittersweet taste of cardamom coffee or the smell of a richly scented nargileh (water pipe); the intoxicating swirl of Arabic pop sliding out of an Amman doorway and the deafening silence of the desert.

General Information

Activities in Jordan

Watersports
The coast south of Aqaba, on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, is teeming with tropical fish and coral and is renowned for its excellent year-round diving and snorkeling. The coral reefs are often very close to shore and the water temperature rarely falls below 20°C (68°F). There are several dive centers at Aqaba offering PADI courses, equipment rental and boat tours. It is forbidden to remove coral or shells, or to use harpoon guns and fishing spears. Aqaba’s beaches, notably the Aquamarine or Holiday Beach, offer good swimming. Dolphin-, shark- and whale-watching trips can also be arranged.

Hiking
One of the best destinations is Wadi Rum, a vast area of dry riverbeds, mountains, black hills and sand dunes, located some 50km (30 miles) northeast of Aqaba, and a location for the film Lawrence of Arabia. Camel treks and jeep trips into the desert are also available, as are hot-air balloon trips over Wadi Rum’s Valley of the Moon.
Limited hiking equipment and supplies can be rented in the village of Rum; the nearest town is Quweirah.

Wildlife
There are 10 designated wildlife reserves in Jordan, the best being the Azraq Wetland Wildlife Reserve (whose oasis is home to over 300 species of birds), and the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve. Both can be visited on day trips from Amman. Animals that can be seen include hyenas, red wolves, jerboas, gazelles, ostriches and Arabian oryxes.

Places to visit

Petra, Aqaba, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum’s Valley of the Moon, Camel and Jeep Safari

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