Table of Contens Map of Jordan 1 Welcome 2 Amman 6 Petra 8 Wadi Rum 10 Aqaba 14 Azraq & Shawmari 16 Wadi Mujib 18 Dana 20 Jerash 22 Ajlun 23 Itineraries 24 MAP LEGEND Historical Site Fifa Petra, the new world wonder Castle Religious Site Hotel Accommodation Camping Facilities Airport Road For more information please contact: Highway Jordan Tourism Board: Tel: +962 6 5678444. It is open daily (08:00- Railway 16:00) except on Fridays. You can also visit the Jordan Tourism Bridge Board’s website: www.VisitJordan.com Nature / Wildlife Reserve Jordan - The home of adventure. What do the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the Prophet Moses, and Lawrence of Arabia have in common? They are just three of the many historical figures who passed through Jordan and whose travels now attract adventure seekers and action vacationers from around the world. Fun & Adventure Tourism is expanding at a fast rate in Jordan, and promises to remain one of the most dynamic and innovative travel industry sectors for many years to come. Several Jordanian companies now specialize in eco- and adventure-tourism, providing the combination of safety, adventure, and comfortable facilities that make Fun & Adventure Tourism such an exciting experience. Jordan offers guaranteed sunshine for 8 months of the year, a base of powerful, unique cultural attractions such as Petra, Jerash, and many others, together with a wide range of very different, often stunning natural environments that are easily accessible and virtually undiscovered by the tourism industry. A camel caravan in Wadi Rum. á 2 Meanwhile, quality hotels and restaurants throughout the For example, a small group of people in 4x4 jeeps can retrace country mean that thrill-seekers can also pamper themselves the journey of the Emperor Hadrian from the north to the south between adventure treks. of Jordan, taking in biblical cities and legionary fortresses. Or, more ambitiously, a caravan of 25 people on camels or Jordan already caters to the more traditional vacationer who donkeys can set off to retrace the journeys of T. E. Lawrence of likes to combine a visit to an ancient site in the morning Arabia in the central highlands and eastern deserts of Jordan, with a swim, a round of golf, or a game of tennis or bowling spending a week en route and camping in a different place in the afternoon. But exciting new horizons in adventure every night. Parts of these itineraries can be done along the tourism allow visitors to push themselves to new levels of edge of the desert in steam-powered WWI vintage trains, the adventure and endurance while soaking up natural marvels same as those that were attacked by the forces of the Great and dramatic cultural attractions from the ancient world. Arab Revolt and Lawrence nearly a century ago. New horizons in adventure tourism allow visitors to push themselves to new levels of adventure. 3 Nature enthusiasts have many options in Jordan: The vast, The more daring adventure visitor to Jordan is likely to climb silent drama of Wadi Rum, the forested hills of central Jordan, mountains in Wadi Rum, conquering sheer granite cliffs that or the plunging Jordan Rift Valley that includes the Dead retain the inscriptions of local climbers who were there 5,000 Sea - the lowest spot on earth. The Red Sea resort of Aqaba years ago and more. is always warm, balmy, and enticing for divers and other watersport enthusiasts. Aqaba offers a full range of facilities Thrill-seekers who want to go beyond the ordinary will for speedboating, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, fishing, climb into a helicopter or hot air balloon and rise above the swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, or simply loafing and mountain tops of Wadi Rum or over Petra. Gliding and private sunbathing in the warm crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. plane rentals are also available in Jordan. The sparkling purple mountains surrounding Aqaba beckon Horseback riders can take a few days to retrace the segments hikers who seek new adventures and unconquered terrain. of the ancient spice, silk, and frankincense routes that pass through the green hills of Petra, Amman, and north Jordan. Jordan boasts other unique, enticing waters that provide More daring riders will want to mount their Arabian steeds relaxing interludes for adventure vacationers who want to rest for a four-day trek through the Eastern Desert, stopping their spirits and soak their bodies. Quality hotels and spas at for rest and water at early Islamic desert castles the Dead Sea and the nearby Ma’in Hot Springs allow visitors and caravan stations. This trip reenacts to experience several different kinds of mineral hot springs the original Arabian pony express mail and the thick, warm brine of the Dead Sea, which are both service that operated here in the 7th soothing and therapeutic. One of the great water adventures century. in Jordan is to hike, climb and sometimes even wade or swim through the magnificent Wadi Mujib gorge on the east coast of the Dead Sea, to reach a magical pool and waterfall that emerge like a mirage from amidst the surrounding cliffs and barren hillsides. Submerge yourself in a kingdom of adventure... 4 5 AMMAN For a glimpse of recent history, take a ride on the Hejaz Railway. This famous train was repeatedly Amman is a good base for action-packed activities. The Jordan sabotaged by the Arab troops of Prince Faisal and Valley is just a short drive away and easily accessible for day Lawrence of Arabia to defeat the Ottomans. While excursions for walking, hiking, riding, sports and much more. the days of Lawrence are long gone, the railway retains its sentimental appeal. Within Amman there’s plenty of fun to be had, including bowling and water parks with thrilling rides to keep children The King Hussein National Park is located on the and adults alike entertained for hours. There is also a wide western outskirts of the city and is a great place range of health clubs and fitness centres as well as facilities to while away a few hours. Within the Park is The for paintballing and other action-packed sports. Horse riding Cultural Village, which highlights Jordan’s heritage is a very popular activity and Amman’s riding centres offer through its handicrafts and culture. It also has a excellent facilities. large sports training facility, as well as a children’s playground, the Children’s Museum, the Royal Automobile Museum, medical clinic, and a restaurant. A riding centre in Amman. á 6 Waterpark. á stores where bargaining is not something you could do...it’s something you must do. Like any bustling, cosmopolitan city, Amman comes alive Amman’s 9-hole golf course. á when the sun goes down. There’s plenty to do in Amman after DID YOU KNOW? dark. Nightclubs throb to the beat of modern music, attracting The Royal Automobile Amman’s waterparks are a great place to chill out and the young fashionable crowds while the more traditional Museum depicts the history have some fun - especially for children who are tired establishments offer Arabic music and dance. Many of the Hashemite Kingdom of from shopping and visiting the sites. The parks are large, international restaurants also provide live entertainment. Jordan, from the early 1920s ecologically-friendly, with plenty of shady areas. until the present day. If you prefer a more relaxed evening, Amman is filled with Spend an afternoon on the links in Amman’s excellent 9- coffee shops that serve light meals and Nargileh. Often hole golf course, located just 14km outside the city. The golf The featured cars highlight referred to as a “hubbly-bubbly,” this typically ornate device is course provides caddie service, a pro-shop and professional the life of His Majesty, the simply a water pipe from which flavored tobacco is smoked. coaching. late King Hussein, and his reign, as well as the many Amman has many cinemas screening the latest movies, No holiday is complete without visiting aspects of his leadership. while there are also theatres and concert halls with regular Amman’s marketplace, called the Souk. Here, you performances of stage shows, concerts and ballets on their get the true taste of a typical Jordanian shopping agenda. The museum affords the experience. Walk through the numerous streets visitor an insight into the browsing through the ever popular spice history of the Kingdom market, gold shops and traditional handicraft through the exhibited cars from the era of HM King Abdullah I, the founder of the Kingdom, to the era of His Majesty King Abdullah II. 7 PETRA The entire area around the site of Petra offers dramatic and world! Walk through the Siq to varied landscapes. The canyons are a maze of wind-sculptured the Al-Khazneh (the Treasury) rocks, tiny meandering tracks and secluded valleys, where the following a candlelit path only sound is the tinkling of goat bells or the reedy notes of and enjoy the haunting music a shepherd’s flute. It is, in effect, an adventurer’s playground. of the Bedouins. Tours run 3 times a week on Mondays, This is a great place for walking, trekking, horse riding, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; climbing and mountain biking. Although some activities are they start at 8.30pm and end not permitted within the site itself, there are plenty of great at 10.00pm. Tickets can be locations in the area. If you’ve explored all there is to see in purchased from the Petra Site Petra itself and you still have energy for more, head down the Office at the entrance to the wadi to Little Petra.