Jordan: Your Gateway To Adventure In The Arab World - My Family Travels

Jordan is a stunning country in Arabia that will wow you with adventures. Explore its tranquil natural reserves, discover breathtaking historical sites, and tour cities with a rich culture and lovely beaches among many other adventures in Jordan.

Jordan is a strategically located country at the intersection of three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. It’s on many travel bucket lists because you will traverse captivating landscapes long considered the ‘cradle of civilization.’ Petra, an ancient city of the third century and the first capital of the Nabateans, offers evidence of Jordan’s lengthy past. All adventurers heading to Jordan — thrill seekers, nature lovers, families — find a wide choice of activities to suit their interests.

Shopper examine the colorful merchandise at the outdoor market in Amman, another fun adventure in Jordan. Photo c. Kyle McCarthy
Shoppers examine the colorful merchandise at the outdoor market in Amman, in another fun adventure in Jordan. Photo c. Kyle McCarthy

Plan your trip to Jordan in the spring when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy outdoor activities. With a reliable travel website, you can compare and book a cheap Royal Jordanian flight to Amman.

I have curated a few of the best adventures in Jordan to elevate your time in this fascinating country.

Top Adventure in Jordan: Explore Petra, the Ancient City.

Tourists pose in ancient gladiator costumes outside the Treasury at Petra, one of Jordan's most famous adventure attractions. Photo c. unsplash
Tourists pose in ancient gladiator costumes outside the Treasury at Petra, one of Jordan’s most famous adventure attractions. Photo c. unsplash

For an adventure traveler, the picture of Petra in Jordan, a 2,000-year-old, secretive, sandstone ancient Nabatean capital, often comes to mind. The Rose City, which is carved out of a pink stone outcrop and has unusual fissures and forms, always sparks awe and amazement.

Explore Petra’s hidden chambers concealed in tight spaces, temples, dark caves, collonaded alleyways, and the High Places of Sacrifice. Visit the Treasury trekking across the Siq, enjoy the theatres and marvel at the Royal Tombs. A  must: take a walk in the monastery, losing yourself in Petra’s ethereal allure.

The Treasury by itself is well worth the entry fee, but the 264 square-kilometre, UNESCO-listed complex is much larger. A visit to Petra is a weird and magnificent experience. Several small hotels in the tourist village nearby provide lodging for those who can afford more than a day’s stay.

An Active Adventure in Jordan: Go Hiking In Wadi Rum.

One of the outstanding rock faces at Wadi Rum where climbers go for an unforgettable adventure. Photo c. unsplash
One of the outstanding rock faces at Wadi Rum where climbers go for an unforgettable adventure. Photo c. unsplash

An arid desert with enough interest to offer the nomadic traveler, Wadi Rum is also known as the Valley of the Moon. Still others know it as the film location for “Lawrence of Arabia,” the 1962 movie by David Lean about the British explorer. The stark desert and enormous dunes have also appeared in several “Star Wars” films. This geological wonder is carved out of the granite and sandstone rock of southern Jordan.

Adventures abound at Wadi Rum. For example, the enormous rock faces there offer the opportunity for some genuinely world-class climbing, drawing some of the world’s top rock climbers each year.

There are numerous routes to select from, most of which are rarely congested. Even some small, relatively easy rock walls are available for novices to practice on, providing them with the expertise needed to tackle the longer, more difficult routes found throughout the area.

A trip to Wadi Rum can take anywhere from half a day to a week, depending on the time you spend climbing.

Explore Jordan Underwater With Scuba Diving Adventures In Aqaba

Two divers seeking adventure in Jordan explore a shipwreck off the coast of Aqaba. Photo c. unsplash
Two divers seeking adventure in Jordan explore a shipwreck off the coast of Aqaba. Photo c. unsplash

Though Jordan’s coastline is just 16 miles (26 kms) long, Aqaba is quickly developing into the region’s diving and snorkeling capital for several reasons.

First, the coral near the northern tip of the Red Sea is thriving as a result of recent conservation initiatives. This success adds scuba diving as yet another exciting choice to the nation’s list of adventure activities. The Gulf of Aqaba is also the world’s deepest and narrowest gulf, notes the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). More than 1,000 invertebrate species, 200 soft and hard corals and healthy reefs live in the unique environment.

The city’s dive instructors provide complete PADI training for all ages. Even children as young as 8 years can learn the fundamentals of safe diving at local resorts, although a minimum age of 10 is required for Junior PADI Certification If you’ve already earned your certification, explore the 234-foot-long (74 meters), creature-filled sunken cargo ship known as the Cedar Pride, which is regarded as one of the greatest dives in the region.

Float And Relax In The Dead Sea For A Soft Jordan Adventure

Bathers descend to the shore of the Dead Sea and prepare to float on the very salty water. Photo c. Kyle McCarthy
Bathers descend to the shore of the Dead Sea and prepare to float on the very salty water. Photo c. Kyle McCarthy

Reaching the furthest horizon, the azure water is globally recognised as the planet’s lowest point, situated 1,400 feet or 420 metres below sea level. The Dead Sea is renowned for having an exceptionally high salinity level, more than eight times that of the typical ocean. It’s this special quality that allows one to stay afloat in the Dead Sea.

In actuality, the Dead Sea is a lake rather than a sea. The other part of the name is accurate: the lake is essentially lifeless with the amount of salt in the water! The water is a stunning jade, and the rocks have a fascinating cauliflower-like look due to a coating of salt crystals covering them.

 Go Hot-Air Balloon Riding For An Unforgettable Jordan Adventure

Aerial view of the desert as the sun rises over Wadi Rum in Jordan.
Aerial view of the desert as the sun rises over Wadi Rum in Jordan. Photo c. Kyle McCarthy

Wadi Rum has stunning scenery from all angles, but you have to view the valley from above to fully appreciate the depth of the area’s natural splendour.

Most mornings, hot air balloon rides are available, offering guests the opportunity to soar over the massive sandstone cliffs and glide soundlessly over the desert. To me, Wadi Rum appears even more breathtaking from above, especially in the glow of sunrise. It’s a tranquil and soothing way to take in the majesty of the location. Although tourists must rise early for this excursion, the benefits more than make the effort worthwhile.

I hope my suggestions for Jordan’s top adventures make this the bucket list trip you dream of.

Author Manali shares the latest travels in the Arab world in this blog post about adventures in Jordan and how to appreciate the country’s natural and manmade wonders sponsored by Supramind Digital.

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