Travel Guide Wadi Mujib

On the Kings' Highway, between Madaba and Kerak, you will cross this impressive gorge carved by erosion and sometimes nicknamed "the Grand Canyon of the Middle East" (well, okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration!). The Wadi al-Mujib valley, which stretches for 70 kilometers between the Desert Highway and the Dead Sea, is crossed by a small and sometimes tumultuous stream, often referred to in the Bible as the Arnon. The Arnon marked the border between the land of Moab and the land of Ammon, and Moses is said to have passed through this valley. When it is not dry, the river flows into the Dead Sea to the west. The dizzying walls that surround the stream contrast intensely with the blue sky. The road, winding but beautiful, skirts the site for part of the way, passing through beautiful landscapes, and then climbs back up once you reach the stream and the dam. Photo enthusiasts can enjoy the panoramic terrace on the way down to the canyon (about 3 km from the village of Dibhan, heading south). The area is now a nature reserve, managed by the RSCN since 1987, which organizes hiking and canyoning. Birdwatchers will also be delighted. Theentrance to the reserve is on the shore of the Dead Sea, near the bridge that crosses the wadi. It is also possible to enter the reserve at Faqa'a, near the Kings' Road, if you have booked a trek in advance.