Jordan: The quirkiest destination in the Middle East

I’ve done downward dog in some strange places: from a Tibetan monastery to the deck of a boat drifting down the Amazon River. None compare, though, to the sun-roasted rocks of Little Petra – or Siq al-Barid (“the cold canyon”) – whose Unesco-listed sandstone canyon walls are carved with the same ancient Nabataean buildings found at Petra. “Jordan has a unique energy,” says our yoga teacher, Sandra Jelly, as we scamper behind the Seven Wonders Camp where we’re staying. A jangle of jewellery and tight grey curls, she gave up her career in advertising eight years ago to move from Amsterdam. Now, she offers yoga and “horse meditation” classes to travellers who want to reconnect with the country’s ancient spirit and themselves. Although seated between Syria, Israel, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Jordan is an oasis of peace in a noisy neighbourhood. It’s not only safe and easy to enter (with a visa on arrival), but it has a quirky array of activities found nowhere elsewhere in the Middle East, making it ideal for both families and adventurous travellers.

Thru-Hike The 400-Mile Jordan Trail: “The Inca Trail Of The Middle East”

Jordan Trail: ‘the Inca Trail of the Middle East’

"Stretching from Umm Quais in the north, passed 52 villages (Wadi Rum and Petra), before terminating at the Red Sea in the south, the 40-day hike was inspired by Petra’s architects, the Nabataeans, who used the route primarily for the spice trade. The country’s diverse terrain adds another degree of difficulty as it crosses a range of landscapes including its famous wadis (valleys), desert sands, olive groves, and hot springs… There are a few shorter options. The 55-mile stretch that connects Wadi Rum to Petra … five-day alternative was a favorite for Lawrence of Arabia as it provided a great “sampler” of the best of Jordan including stargazing in the desert, cliff hiking, mountain scrambles, and Bedouin camps."

9 Destinations Every Adventurous Woman Should Visit in 2017

Jordan
“There’s a reason Matt Damon’s hit movie The Martian was filmed in Jordan: The country encompasses a lunar-like, desert maze and larger-than-life sandstone formations that are the closest most of us will ever get to experiencing life on Mars. The country is fast becoming an adventure hub in the region, given the diverse landscapes and wide array of activities available. During a trip, traverse the recently erected Jordan Trail, which crosses through the entire country, from top to bottom, and offers nearly 400 miles of trail. Hike through the rolling wooded hills of the north, the salty waters of the Dead Sea, and colorful corals of the Red Sea. For a culturally immersive experience, opt to explore the country with Absolute Travel. Begin with a hike past waterfalls and oases in Wadi Mukheiris, journey along the King’s Highway past crusader castles, and end with a candlelit exploration of Petra. The experience culminates with a safari through the Wadi Rum, where you can explore local Bedouin life during a stay in a traditional tent”

Where to Go in 2018

“JORDAN

The Jordan Trail, a long-distance hiking route from Umm Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south, was recently created by the government’s adventure travel wing. The 400-mile expedition strings the best of the nation’s natural highlights into a journey of biblical proportions—it’s meant to take 40 days and 40  nights—cutting through the jagged. Dana Biosphere Reserve and the rock-hewn city of Petra before ending at the Red Sea. Trekkers are encouraged to stay in Bedouin camps and eco lodges along the way, whether they tackle the entire trail or one of eight 50-mile-long sections. A highlight is Wadi Rum, aptly referred to as the Valley of the Moon …Explore the landscape by camel, on foot, or via four-wheel drive during the day, then stargaze from your bed at night. And don’t forget Jordan’s capital: By May, Amman will welcome two new hotels, a W and a St. Regis, offering a plush way to bookend your dusty desert  explorations. When to go: April and October, when daytime temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees F are perfectly suited to Petra hikes and Dead Sea swims. When not to go: December to February. Desert nights are cold year-round, and they’re punishing in the winter; Amman actually got snow last year.”

 

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