Things to see and do Dead Sea And Kings Road

The Orthodox Church of St. George built in 1986 has some beautiful icons. But above all it houses the very first map of Palestine, also called the Map of Madaba. It was displayed on the floor of the 6th century Byzantine church that preceded it. This map is considered a historical treasure, as it is the oldest representation of the Holy Land, especially Jerusalem. A Greek dedication inscription engraved in a tank beneath the church gives historians a valuable clue as to the date of construction of the Byzantine church: " This is the work which our most pious emperor Flavius Justinian had done with munificence, under the auspices of the most holy Constantine, priest and Hegumen, in the year 13 of the indiction ", i.e. after 550. The mosaic is the work of unknown artists and was probably made on the initiative of the Christian community of the city, which was an important bishopric during the Byzantine Christian era. Unfortunately, the master builder of the new Orthodox church was not impressed by this antiquity and took little care to preserve or even enhance it. He found nothing better than to plant pillars in the middle of a large fragment. Entire sections of the map disappeared in the course of the work, especially the part describing the area between Hebron and Beersheva. As a result, the mosaic is poorly displayed and is barely protected by a security cordon that must be walked around repeatedly to appreciate the details.

The map was originally quite exceptional in size (21 meters by 7 meters, as opposed to the current 16 meters by 5 meters) and was composed of more than two million tesserae.

The work represents the Holy Land, from Lebanon to Lower Egypt and the Nile delta, including the places mentioned in both the New and Old Testaments. The territory is depicted with astonishing realism and attention to detail. One can see, for example, boats crossing the Dead Sea, or fish going up the Jordan River to avoid ending up in the salty sea, or bridges spanning the river...

The artists used letters of different sizes and colors (black, white and red) that mentioned the names of biblical territories and the relative importance of cities. There are more than 150 legends written in Greek letters and, to this day, all the names of these cities have been identified. Jerusalem (surrounded by walls) and the major holy places are, of course, included in this list, as well as the names of all the tribes that populated the region at the time. This map provides a great deal of information to historians, especially about the size and influence of the various cities in the 6th century, or the flora and fauna that could be found in the different regions. Beyond its historical or geographical interest, the map is a true work of art. It deploys rich and deep colors and draws a dizzying profusion of details.

The cities. The cities are precisely drawn, like a city map without perspective. You can see Jericho and its palm trees, Bethlehem, Gaza, Ashkelon (Israel), Peluse (Egypt), Flavia Neaoplis (Nablus), Kerak. Jerusalem is recognizable by its two maximum Cardo lined with columns, its Damascus Gate or its church of the Holy Sepulchre topped with a golden dome.

The surroundings. We can thus clearly see the organization of the space of this province of Palestine, articulated around a main axis constituted by the Jordan River, which flows into the Dead Sea. The drawings evoke very well the landscapes visible in Palestine (dark mountains, bright valleys). If you look closely, you can see a lion (rather iconoclastic, because in small mosaic squares) chasing a gazelle in the desert of Moab.

Read the map. It may be wise to purchase the map sold in the welcome shop if you wish to understand the innumerable details of the map. First of all, you should know that the map faces east (east is up). The north is therefore on your left. Jerusalem, with its walls, towers, and gates, is the centerpiece of the map and the real masterpiece of the mosaic. It provides valuable information about the layout and architecture of the city in the 6th century. It shows the Cardo, the main artery dividing the city in two (with the Damascus Gate at its northern end), and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The city walls are punctuated by twenty-one towers, the main one being the so-called Tower of David, and pierced by only six gates, the last one, the New Gate, dating from 1890.

To the south of Jerusalem (on the right) is Bethlehem. You will also recognize other sites: the Jordan Valley, planted with palm trees, the Dead Sea, represented with boats and sailors. On the shores, you can see lions and gazelles. Below the mouth of the Jordan is the palm-tree oasis of Jericho. On the right side of the map you can see the colourful peaks of the Sinai and not far south the Nile delta.

The museum. Take a look at the small museum at the entrance of the site, which houses some beautiful mosaics. You can then visit the remains of the Byzantine basilica and the superb mosaics that have been uncovered. One of them, measuring 9 m x 3 m, dates from 530 and represents pastoral and hunting scenes, as well as numerous animals: ostrich, zebra, lions... The state of conservation is exceptional. Moving towards the apse, we notice other mosaics, one of which represents two gazelles at the foot of a date palm. The authorities have built a shelter to protect the remains, near the small Franciscan monastery.

The panorama. At the back of the site, from the viewpoint, one can enjoy, on a clear day, an extraordinary view of the surrounding mountains and valleys: the Dead Sea, the Judean mountains, the oasis of Jericho, the Jordan Valley... On a clear day, one can even see Jerusalem some 45 km away. An orientation table allows you to find your bearings.

Near the viewpoint, you will also see a large bronze cross overlooking the valley: this memorial is the work of Gian Paolo Fantoni, an artist from a Florentine art school. It represents the serpent raised by Moses in the desert and the crucifixion of Jesus. The renovations of the Moses Memorial were completed in 2016, after several years of work.

For your personal information, Mount Nebo is not the highest peak in the region, but is simply the last peak before the vast Ghor Depression.

Bathing in the Dead Sea is a unique experience, well worth trying, despite the high cost of access to the beaches. The very high salinity of the water (almost 10 times higher than in other seas around the world) ensures better buoyancy. Even non-swimmers can bathe without risk, as it is impossible to sink or swim. On the other hand, salt is very aggressive to the skin, and you won't be able to stay in the water for long. What's more, the heat is often overpowering and the sun is scorching. It's essential to rinse off thoroughly with fresh water when you leave the beach. All beaches have showers, whether public or private.

Clay. Private beaches provide visitors with jars or pots filled with mud, a mineral-rich Dead Sea clay that is incredibly skin-softening. Coat your body and, if you have a shower nearby, your face, avoiding the eye area. You'll soon feel dry and cracked under the sun like a reptile. Now's the time to get in the water and gently remove the mud. For the face, rinse off in the shower of course, but don't try it in the sea - it burns the eyes.

Bathing. After the clay, the bath. Don't try to swim, you won't make it! Instead, float, drift a little (but not too far), taking care not to get your face wet - bathing is corrosive to the skin and especially the mucous membranes! Go carefully into the water and rinse thoroughly on your way out.

The death of the Dead Sea? The Dead Sea lies between Lake Tiberias and the Jordan Valley to the north, and the Red Sea to the south. Its extreme salinity began around 40,000 years ago, when rainfall became less abundant, leading to very strong evaporation of water and, consequently, a regression of the lake and a constant concentration of salt in the water. The water level in the Dead Sea continues to fall: it is so suffocatingly hot during the summer months (the mercury sometimes registers 50°C) that over 20 mm of water disappears every year. At this rate, the Dead Sea will be completely forgotten by 2050. The cause? Overuse of the Jordan River, which is now little more than a trickle. Pumped and diverted by the Israelis, but also by the Jordanians, it is no longer able to supply the Dead Sea sufficiently. The catastrophic effects of an industrial complex exploiting the marine mineral wealth (potash) are also worth noting.

On our last visit, the tour only included the place where Jesus was baptized (from "Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste") and the Jordan River.

Tell Elias, the place where the prophet Elijah is said to have ascended to heaven on a chariot of fire. An arch, built in 1999, stands on the site of a church dating from the ^4th and^5th centuries.

A prayer hall stands a few metres further on, with fragments of mosaics on the floor. Dating from the ^3rd century, this is the oldest building on the site and one of the earliest Christian sanctuaries discovered to date.

The grotto of St. John the Baptist is located on a hill overlooking the Jordan River, next to a monastery built in the^5th century. It was converted into a church in the early days of Christianity. The mosaics covering the floor of the nave are damaged but precious. Greek inscriptions date the building. The church to the west of the hill dates from the same period. Nearby caves, probably frequented by hermits, attest to the presence and role of the monastery. Also visible are a well, a cistern, drains and several basins used by pilgrims who came to be baptized.

Tothe west, some 800 m away, are the remains of a Byzantine building dating from the^5th or ^6th century, possibly a pilgrim dormitory, with a large pool holding 300 people. Next, you'll discover John the Baptist's spring, one of the many places where the saint is said to have baptized his disciples.

The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. The walk takes you along a shady path, surrounded by lush vegetation, which runs alongside the Wadi al-Kharrar, a tributary of the Jordan River. The path leads to the ruins of several churches. One of these is the ^6th-century Church of St. John the Baptist, of which little remains. It was built on the ruins of a^5th-century church, itself built on the ruins of a ^4th-century church, swept away by floods or earthquakes common at the time. These churches flanked the baptismal font, which was accessed via a cross-shaped staircase. It is estimated that the site was home to some fifteen churches. Excavations are still continuing.

The Jordan River. You then reach the Jordan River. Don't expect a spectacular river. It's just a muddy stream, sometimes almost dry. On the other bank floats the Israeli flag. The river's importance is above all historical and symbolic, as is this visit.

Founded in 2007, the Institute of Mosaic Art and Restoration is an association run by the Jordanian government. Its mission is to become a center of excellence in the conservation, restoration and creation of mosaics. The institute trains mosaicists who, upon completion of their studies, will be responsible for preserving Jordan's cultural heritage. In addition, the Institute promotes mosaics by producing new creations.

The Visitor Centre is housed in a traditional 19th century house, which has been very well restored. It belonged to the Al Batjali family of merchants. In addition to entering an interior dating back to the Ottoman period, the Visitors' Centre provides a context for the history of Madaba. Two rooms have been set up as an interpretation centre, with signs in English, and a ten-minute film provides some interesting information about Madaba. You can also get a map of the city.

The Baptism of Christ site has a high price tag for Jordanian standards. The area on the border with Israel is under military control and the visit is extremely restricted. For that price, you get a guide (English commentary) and transportation by minibus to the baptism site and the Jordan River. The shuttle leaves when it is full, at most every 30 minutes. The tour takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on whether or not the people accompanying you decide to dive into the river.

The visitor center is located at the exit of the canyon on the Dead Sea side. This is where you will go to pay the entrance fee to the reserve or book a trek with a guide. It is also the starting point for all RSCN organized hikes in the reserve. The centre includes an educational exhibition that presents the fauna and flora in the reserve as well as the famous Nubian ibex, of which only rare specimens remain.

The large shed at Umm ar-Rasas contains the remains of four churches, a chapel, a baptistery and four courtyards. All the buildings date back to the Byzantine period and were erected between the 6th and 8th centuries. A raised platform allows to observe their sumptuous mosaics. The most beautiful of them, and the most important archaeologically, is the church of Saint Stephen. This major discovery has brought to light the largest mosaic in Jordan in a very good state of preservation. The mosaic that lined the apses and the three naves of the church represents cities on both sides of the Jordan Valley, scenes of daily life in the Nile Delta and beautiful floral or geometric patterns. Indications left by the mosaicists can attest that the pavement of the choir was made between March 756 and October 785. In addition to the long and delicate work of realization, it is likely that its progress was also related to its financing.

The theme of the tormented river is used in the creation of the mosaic that covers the main nave. Around this raging element were represented the fortified cities on both sides of the Jordan. We find among others Jerusalem (near the gate), Nablus, Sebastia, Caesarea, Ashkelon, Gaza for the "Israeli" side; and Kastron Mefaa, Amman, Madaba, Hesban, Ma'in, Rabbah and Kerak for the "Jordanian" side. The cities are presented in the order in which the pilgrims passed through them.

This church has some of the most beautiful mosaics in the city. Discovered by chance in 1902, the mosaic would date from 568, as mentioned in the central medallion. It is signed by the mosaicist Salomios and represents the 12 apostles. The most important mosaic is in the nave. It depicts various aspects of the sea with the main subject being a woman (perhaps Thetis) emerging from the waves with all sorts of fish and sea creatures around her.

Whether you have a vehicle or not, we recommend taking the scenic route over the Dead Sea in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset. Those who are on foot have only a few kilometers to go to reach the foot of the road which goes up in twists and turns. At each hairpin, the landscape is constantly renewed, you take height facing the sea. The mountains and the reddening sun create a magical, almost biblical atmosphere!

The citadel of Kerak, which can be seen majestically from the north along the Kings' Road, extends over some 220 metres and varies in width from 125 metres on the side facing the town to 40 metres. Work began in 1140 and was completed two years later. The fortress was commissioned by Payen le Bouteiller, appointed lord of Outre-Jourdain in 1132 by King Foulque of Jerusalem. The castle was intended to form part of a strategic defensive line to secure the eastern front of Christian territory, between Aqaba and Turkey. Built on two levels, the fortress has a large number of vaulted rooms and passages that form a veritable labyrinth. Take a torch with you if you want to explore the darker parts. The northern front of the castle, facing the city, consists of a huge shield wall, built by the Crusaders from dark brown stones that were barely roughed in. Later, the Muslims replaced these stones with limestone slabs in some parts of the fortress, giving the building a more pleasing aesthetic. You will see, during your visit, that it is easy to tell the difference between the two.

The entrance to the castle is through the Ottoman gate. During the Crusader era, the entrance was through the postern to the left of the wall, opposite the present entrance. This gate was protected by a 30-metre deep moat and connected to the city by a wooden bridge that was easy to burn in case of an attack.

After the ticket office, take the path on the left that leads to two levels of vaulted galleries dating back to the Crusader era. The lower level was originally used as stables and leads to the Crusader Gate. This narrow gate was built in such a way that defenders wishing to return to its walls would expose their left side, and thus their shield, to the enemy. At the end of the gallery, a carved stone representing a bust recalls the occupation of the site by the Nabataeans in the 2nd century, well before the construction of the fort. The inhabitants of Kerak will tell you that it is a representation of Saladin. By a small staircase, you reach the north tower, now in ruins.

From the Nabatean statue, a passageway leads southward past the barracks on your left and the kitchens on your right. From here, a doorway leads to a large oven. Continue through the passage until you reach the outside, on the eastern front of the castle. This houses several towers reflecting the expansion work carried out after the Frankish period. Below is the huge Frankish glacis, which plunges down the hillside... It is from here, it seems, that Renaud de Châtillon threw his prisoners into the void.

Going up to the upper courtyard, you can see the remains of a cistern and residential buildings. From the terrace at the northern end of the castle (above the Crusaders' Gallery), the view over the valley is uninterrupted. Dominating the courtyard, the ruins of a Romanesque church are easily visible. It was large enough to accommodate the entire garrison, and services were certainly held there. Next to it is the sacristy, which can be reached by climbing down the steps.

The southern part of the site retains its Mamluk keep, built by Sultan Baybars in 1264, and rebuilt since then. It defends the most exposed part of the fortress, the slope facing the Umm al-Thallaja hill, which slightly overhangs the castle, providing an ideal artillery position.

A ditch was dug by the Crusaders at the foot of the fortress to make any attack more difficult. It is now filled in by a road. One can also see a large reservoir that collects rainwater and supplies the fort with drinking water.

The Mamluk palace is accessed by a staircase leading from the cistern. In the centre, two vaulted rooms were used as reception halls. A room to the east of the hall, accessible from the courtyard, appears to have served as a mosque: a niche is located in the southern wall, facing Mecca. To the south of the Crusader church, you can also access two corridors: the one on the left leads past seven cells, while in the one on the right you can see a rosette carved in stone at the foot of the steps. Finally, a third passageway leads north to the old market place. If you continue north, you will reach the exit.

The lower courtyard was originally built by the Crusaders before being developed by the Mamluks in the 13th century. This is where the recently renovated archaeological museum is located. It is worth stopping there for a moment. It houses some major prehistoric remains, ceramics dating back to the Nabatean period, some coins from the Mamluk period, as well as a copy of the famous Mesha stele dating back to 850 BC. What remains of the original stele is on display in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The western wall is pierced by the monumental Mamluk entrance - now condemned - whose arch rises to a height of nearly 12 meters. From the top of the ramparts, the view of the Wadi Karak is magnificent. The lower courtyard covers two large underground galleries, which were connected to the Mamluk gate and provided an escape route in case of attack.

Even if the castle is a little dilapidated, it is worth a stop to admire the view offered on the heights of the hill, on the Wadi Araba and on the abandoned Bedouin villages at the foot of the citadel. The arid, wild and isolated atmosphere of this castle exposed to the desert winds gives the place a special character. Given the absence of explanatory signs on the site, don't expect to be able to identify the various ruined buildings. And the guide (who will chase you) will only give you expeditious details if there are other visitors at the same time. Nevertheless, if you want to learn more about the castle, the only solution is to follow him. You will discover the remains of a church (recognizable by its three naves), a small chapel, torture chambers, Mamluk mud roofs, drains, baths and a well with 365 steps. The well is 67 metres deep and was, of course, used to supply the fortress with water. It is undoubtedly thanks to its inexhaustible reserves that the Crusaders were able to withstand Saladin's assaults for a year and a half. According to the guardian, it still produces clear, drinkable water. Archaeologists have also managed to uncover inscriptions left by Saladin's troops on the stones of the building. You may want to bring a flashlight to explore the darker galleries and reveal an impressive collection of cannonballs carved into the stone.

In this ancient and imposing 7th century private residence discovered in 1905, excavations revealed several portions of mosaics on the floor. The palace, located on the edge of an ancient Roman road, is believed to have burned down in the Byzantine period, possibly during the earthquake of 749, and was subsequently abandoned. Although almost no trace remains of the palace, with its vaulted halls and columns, the floors bear witness to the wealth of its owners. The mosaic in the hall depicts pastoral and hunting scenes and, at the entrance, a pair of sandals in a medallion. In the extension of the building are several rooms, all of which contain fragments of mosaic pavements that are more or less well preserved. The northern ones feature a statue of the goddess Tyche, the Greek goddess of good fortune, and a fragment of a creation representing the four seasons. In the room in the west wing, there is a succession of geometric designs forming an elegant floor carpet, with the centerpiece being a lion killing a bull.

Near the burnt-out palace, there are also the few remains of the Church of the Martyrs (Al-Khadir), dating from the 6th century. Its mosaic pavement was unfortunately heavily damaged during the height of the iconoclastic period led by the Umayyads and the following Muslim dynasties.

The Wadi Mujib reserve is a narrow canyon that rises to a plateau to offer beautiful views of the mountains and the Dead Sea. There are different hiking trails with different levels of difficulty. The hikes in the bottom of the canyon are quite easy, but have some passages where you have to get into the water and the rocks are slippery. The hike up to the plateau is strenuous and requires a good physical condition. All the hikes require the presence of a guide, except for the Siq Trail at the entrance of the gorge. All hikes are for people over 18 years old only.

Siq Trail (April¹ to October 31, easy to moderate, 1 to 2 hours walking). This is the only trail that is accessible without a guide or reservation. It starts at the visitor's center and goes down into the gorge to a waterfall. It includes swimming in natural pools (depending on the water level) and requires walking in the water. Bring proper equipment and a change of clothes.

Ibex Trail (November¹ to March 31, moderate, 3 to 4 hour hike, 8:30 am start, guide required). You walk along the road before taking a trail that climbs to higher ground, offering a magnificent view of the Dead Sea. A third of the way up, you can take an optional loop to the ruins of an ancient castle (Qasr Riyashi), said to have been occupied by a powerful Bedouin of the same name. The climb is strenuous but offers a superb panorama. Back on the road, you continue towards the Raddas ranger station and pass the famous rock of Lot's wife, transformed into a salt statue. If you are lucky, you will see a rare Nubian Ibex, a kind of local ibex.

Malaqi Trail (April¹ to October 31, difficult, 6 to 7 hours walking, guide required). This hike is for those who enjoy extreme conditions. It follows the same starting route as the Ibex Trail, then descends to the Mujib River bed. The trail continues along the river until it reaches the confluence with the Hidan River. The return to the visitor center includes a 20-meter rappel down the waterfall.

Canyon Trail (open from April¹ to October 31, difficult, 4-hour hike, guide required). You follow the same path as the Malaqi Trail, up the gorge, then down to the Mujib riverbed. Instead of going up you go down into the gorge to a 20m waterfall. The hike includes parts of canyoning.

Close to the church of Saint George, this park contains interesting remains. Excavations have allowed, and still allow today, to discover the archaeological treasures of Madaba buried under the modern constructions. At the entrance of the park, one can see an exhibition of mosaics from several sites in the region. The oldest mosaic in the country, dating from the 1st century BC, comes from Herod's fortress at Macheronte. The entrance ticket also gives access to the Church of the Apostles, the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Hall of Hippolytus.

This cultural complex managed by the RSCN is a must-see for its splendid views of the Dead Sea. Shop, museum, and cafeteria.

Zara Cliff Walk. An easy trail leads to the top of Zara Mountain where the scenery is breathtaking. It's hard to believe that you are at sea level.

Dead Sea Museum. This museum will give you a maximum of information about the region: ecosystems, history of the people, uncertain future of the Dead Sea.

Thanks to the excellence of the RSCN's environmental conservation program, the reserve has become one of Jordan's major natural attractions and a model to follow. This inclusive program is established in partnership with the local populations, in order to allow them to benefit from the economic spin-offs of the site's tourism development. The Dana Biosphere Reserve stretches from the Rift Valley to the edge of Wadi Araba and comprises four more or less distinct ecosystems. The surrounding peaks are among the highest in the kingdom, rising to 1,600 meters, while the lowest point in the reserve is 50 meters below sea level. The first impression is primarily visual, with extraordinary views from the heights, mountains shaped by the winds, and cracks running into the depths of the earth. But this unevenness also generates a surprising diversity of environments: the reserve is home to more than 700 species of plants (8 are endemic), 42 species of reptiles, 258 invertebrates, 215 birds, 45 mammals (of which 25 are threatened with extinction). Among the latter, we note the ibex, the Syrian wolf, the mountain gazelle, the wild cat, the daman, the desert hyena, the rare Blandford's fox... Dana is also home to several archaeological sites that have established that the region has been inhabited for more than 6000 years.

During excavations, archaeologists discovered several stone engravings depicting hunting and pastoral scenes dating back to prehistoric times. The presence of copper mines exploited more than 6,000 years ago explains this ancient settlement. The most interesting site is certainly Khirbet Feinan, at the intersection of Wadi Ghweir and Wadi Feinan, south of the reserve. Here one can see the remains of churches and buildings dating from the Roman period, as well as the remains of an old copper mine heap.

There are many hiking trails in the Reserve, to be undertaken by oneself or accompanied by a guide, lasting from a few hours to several days. The Reserve has several drop-off points where you can spend the night, which are also the starting points of the treks: Dana Guest House, Feynan Ecolodge, Rummana Camp (from March 15 to October 31).

What to expect when trekking in Dana? Dana Biosphere Reserve is generally very windy and its high altitude location means cool nights, even in summer. In winter, snow is not uncommon. Therefore, bring warm clothes, especially if you are going to spend the night in a tent. A fleece and a windbreaker are part of the minimum to bring in any season. Also bring a good pair of walking shoes; the terrain is rocky and uneven and unless you plan to walk only around the village of Dana, a pair of sneakers will not be enough. Some hikes include river crossings. Finally, a hat, a pair of sunglasses, sunscreen and a water bottle (or even several for long walks) should be included in your hiking backpack. If you are hiking in winter, you can add a hat and a pair of gloves. Don't forget your camera either, because you will cross some absolutely splendid landscapes and meet Bedouins with a preserved lifestyle, which is not so frequent in Jordan anymore.

Starting from Rummana camp. Campsite Trail. 1.5 km, duration 1 hour, easy. This loop around Rummana camp is mainly an opportunity for bird watching. The Cave Trail. 1.5 km, duration, 1 hour 30 minutes, easy to moderate. The trail goes along the sheer drop (beware of vertigo) of Shaq al Kalb to caves that probably housed hermits. Rummana Mountain Trail. 2.5 km. Two hours. Medium. The trail climbs to the top of Rummana from where the view stretches over the mountains to Wadi Araba.

Starting from the Dana Guest House. Dana Village Tour. 2 km. 1 hour. Easy. This tour goes through the village of Dana and its heights and allows you to meet the inhabitants in their fields or their handicraft production workshops. Nawatef Trail. 2 km. 2 hours. Easy to medium. Guide required. You reach the village of Al-Qasdiya by shuttle, then go down to the springs of Al Nawatef through beautiful mountain landscapes (beware of vertigo). White Dome Trail. 8 km. 3 to 4 hours. Medium. From March 15 to October 31. Guide required. This hike leads from Dana village to Rummana camp through the fields on the Wadi Dana plateau. Can be done from Rummana Camp. Shaq Al-Reesh Trail. 8 km. 4 hours. Medium to difficult. Guide required. You reach the village of Al-Qasdiya by shuttle bus and descend to the bottom of a beautiful canyon to reach Shaq al-Reesh (beware of vertigo). Wadi Dana Trail. 14 km. 6 to 7 hours. Medium. This half-day hike takes you through beautiful sandstone canyons to Feynan. The same hike can be done from Feynan Ecolodge. Wadi Dathneh Trail. 19 km. 8 to 10 hours. Very difficult. Guide required. The descent in Wadi Dathneh is done from Nawatef by taking a vertiginous path. Wadi Ghwair Trail. 16 km. 7 to 8 hours. Difficult. Guide required. A shuttle bus takes you to Al-Mansoura in the mountains around Shobak. From there you descend into Wadi Ghwair, a canyon quite similar to the one in Petra. You cross it along the river and then go up to Feynan Ecolodge. One of the most beautiful hikes to do in the Dana Reserve.

Starting from Feynan Ecolodge. Sunrise Hike. 2 km. 2 hours. Medium to difficult (adults only). Guide required. This hike follows the Bedouin shepherds' trails that lead the herds to the top of the mountain. The climb is short but strenuous, and rewards you with a magnificent sunrise that sets Feynan and Wadi Araba ablaze. Sunset Hike. 1,5 km. 2 hours. Easy. Guide required. This healthy walk of about 20 minutes leads you to the Feynan guides' lodge. You can watch life go on in the Bedouin village below, while the setting sun casts its palette of pinks, ochres and purples on the surrounding mountains. Feynan Plants Hike. 3 km. 2 hours 30 minutes. Medium to difficult. Guide required. Your naturalist guide will explain the use of the plants that the Bedouin use as soap, medicine or herbs. This is also an interesting bird walk. Copper Mines. 6.5 km. 3 to 4 hours. Easy. Guide required. Your guide will take you to the copper mines of Feynan, probably the first in the world to be exploited intensively. Extraction, transport, smelting, all the steps of the process are still visible. Archaeological Treasures. 5,5 km. 3 to 4 hours. Easy. Neolithic settlements, Roman ruins and aqueduct, Byzantine monastery and church, the surroundings of Feynan are full of archaeological remains to discover freely. Wadi Dana Sampler. 6.5 km. 3 to 4 hours. Easy. You can hike into the bottom of Wadi Dana by heading west and encounter preserved Bedouin villages, where the inhabitants still live in goat hair tents. Wadi Ghwair Sampler. 7.5 km. 4 hours. Easy to medium. March to October. This hike passes through ancient Roman and Byzantine ruins before entering the Ghwair Canyon where a spring flows and you will have to cross it to discover an 11,000 year old Neolithic habitat.

Rift Valley Mountain Trek. This 6-day trek is for the hardy hiker. While the walking is not terribly difficult, you will be covering miles of rocky trails and rolling hills. This trek follows the Jordanian rift valley and connects the Dana Biosphere Reserve to Little Petra, a few kilometers north of Wadi Musa. You will be rewarded by sumptuous landscapes with all the colors of the desert. You will cross isolated Bedouin camps and sleep like them, in goat hair tents. The trek can be reduced to 4 days if you do not have enough time. You can arrange it from the Dana Visitor Center or from the Wild Jordan office in Amman.

Day 1. 14 km. 5 to 7 hours. Medium. From 1,300 meters to 320 meters above sea level. You follow the Wadi Dana Trail from Dana village to Feynan Ecolodge. You will spend the night there by candlelight.

Day 2. 18 km. 7 to 8 hours. Difficult. From 320 meters to 820 meters of altitude. From Feynan, you take the Wadi Ghwair, a splendid canyon with sandstone changing color and crossed by a river that you will have to cross several times. You then go back up to Al-Bustan and spend the night in tents with the Bedouins.

Day 3. 15 km. 5 to 7 hours. Medium. From 820 meters to 1 360 meters of altitude. From Al-Bustan you go up to Shobak and its castle. You will cross wild mountain landscapes and cultivated fields, old villages still inhabited and caves that were once used as tombs.

Day 4. 14 km. 5 to 6 hours. Easy. From 1,360 meters to 1,210 meters of altitude. The trail starts from the abandoned village of Sihan at the foot of Shobak Castle to gain a viewpoint of the Shobak Mountains. You then take the road to Al-Hazeem in the direction of Ras al-Faid, leaving the Shobak mountains behind.

Day 5. 18 km. 7 to 8 hours. Medium. From 1,210 meters to 1,240 meters of altitude, with 100 meters of positive elevation change. The day starts through juniper landscapes and impressive rock formations. Then two hours of ascent allow us to reach the summit of Al-Saffaha before descending to the Bedouin camp of Gbour al-Waidat.

Day 6. 15 km. 5 to 6 hours. Moderate. From 1,240 meters to 1,047 meters of altitude. This last day takes you through a high desert with spectacular views of the Wadi Araba. As you progress, you reach the pink sandstone mountains for which Petra is famous and see the early Nabataean remains that extended far beyond the presently defined site. The hike ends in Little Petra where you can spend the night in a Bedouin cave or a cozy hotel, before embarking on a tour of the Nabatean sites. Again, miles of trails await you.

This is Amman beach, close to water as well as luxury luxury hotels, with swimming pools, parasols and sun loungers, showers, dressing rooms and lockers for business, towels for rent, but also a restaurant (10 DJ), bar and basketball. But the place looks like our municipal pools: noise, rubbish, overpopulation, nothing resting, one would think on the shores of the Mediterranean in August! Advised people who are looking for calm. For those who want to live an authentic afternoon with Jordanian families, this is the ideal place. Plan a short and a tee-shirt here you bathe dressed, especially women. For the price, it is better to test a hotel with a Spa, luxurious swimming pools and a quiet beach.

The Visitors Center is located at the Dana Guesthouse. It is here that you will pay the entrance fee to the Reserve. The dynamic and enthusiastic staff will be able to provide you with information about guided and unguided hiking opportunities. An exhibition presenting the fauna and flora offers an interesting introduction to what awaits you. A shop selling local handicrafts (jewellery, bags...) produced by the local people is also located in the Visitors' Centre.