Azraq Azraq Handicrafts just the right combination of from Nature products. Whether a camera azraq bag or a water bottle holder, Wetland Reserve Make sure to visit the six Azraq bags are handmade, handicraft workshops, all of durable, and have our famous wetland reserve Azraq has long been an important settlement in ’s remote which are located in Azraq RSCN icons from nature to Eastern Desert. In fact, archaeologists say that it was one of the Lodge: deliver our message of helping Oasis Reborn first sites of settlement after humans migrated out of . Azraq Ostrich Egg nature and helping people. Today, the area is home to the Bedouin, Arab Druze, and Design Workshop The ladies at the workshop are Chechens. During the Great Arab Revolt, the nearby Azraq Castle also especially good at The women of Azraq hand was an important headquarters for T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of producing customized paint beautiful designs on Arabia) and his Arab counterpart, Sharif Hussein bin Ali. messenger bags for workshops infertile ostrich eggs, using and other special events. Unfortunately, over the past decades, the wetlands have suffered special carving and dotting from an environmental disaster due to overuse of water from techniques. Azraq Educational the Azraq Basin. Water levels have steadily dropped, resulting in Toys Workshop extreme depletion and erosion of massive areas of invaluable Who said learning can’t be wetland. By 1993, the oasis’ ecological value was fun? At the Educational Toys Reserve and Trails Guide | Map virtually destroyed. Workshop, women create a In 1978, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) wide selection of toys which established the Azraq Wetland Reserve to conserve this unique both adults and children can oasis. In 1994, with international support, RSCN began a rescue enjoy while simultaneously The Royal Society for effort to restore a significant portion of the wetland. Today, learning. Our version of Wild many of Azraq’s birds are returning and special boardwalks and Monopoly is a family favorite! the Conservation of Nature bird hides have been constructed to enable visitors to safely and Wild Jordan observe and enjoy them. Azraq Silkscreen Created in 1966 under the patronage of His Majesty the late King Printing Workshop Hussein, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is Staying in Silkscreen printing is a stencil a non-governmental organization devoted to the conservation of Jordan's natural environment. method of print making in Azraq Wetland which a design is imposed on Wild Jordan is the socio-economic development and eco-tourism Reserve a screen of silk, with blank division of RSCN that is dedicated to developing viable nature- areas coated with an imper- based businesses for those living in and around RSCN’s protected Open year-round, the Azraq rooms with views of the meable substance, and ink is areas while generating support for nature conservation through- Lodge is a short distance from distant mud and sand flats of forced through the silk onto out Jordan. the Azraq Wetland Reserve. the Azraq Basin. The kitchen the printing surface. This is Azraq Recycling Originally a British and restaurant are under the our way of customizing your Workshop RSCN Membership military field hospital, the management of a a local gifts one-by-one. We produce a wide range of Becoming an RSCN Member is great for both you and nature! building was later Chechen family, providing a Azraq Tailor recycled material for you and For information, contact (+962 6) 5337 931 [email protected] transformed into the current variety of authentic Chechen your business so that you can lodge. There are sixteen food and delights. Workshop show how much you care about For the hip, conscience, Contact us fully-equipped 1940's style the world in which we live. For booking and infomration contact Tourism Unit at Wild Jordan adventurers of today we have Tel: (+962 6) 4616 523 email:[email protected] Azraq Packaging or contact Azraq reserve directly at Workshop Tel: (+962 5) 3835 017 email:[email protected] We make our handmade www.rscn.org.jo products stand out by using our handmade packaging, created using recycled products. With no restrictions on shape or size, we will create the best package to fit your gift. Follow us on

wildjordan1 @rscnjordan rscnjordan Activities Integrated Nearby Sites- Bus & Hiking Tours Biking Trails Other Activities Attraction Points

Azraq Bus Tour marking the easternmost Azraq Castle (year-round) point of the ancient Roman This black basalt fort has Guided only Empire. Here, the shuttle bus been in continuous use since will wait to take you to a Grade: Easy Late Roman times. During the local home for tea and a Distance on foot: 2 km Great Arab Revolt, it served as light traditional meal before the headquarters for T.E. Distance by bus: 7 km returning to the Lodge. Lawrence (Lawrence of Time: 2-3 hours Arabia) and Sharif Hussein Starting time: 8:30 a.m. Bin Ali, his Arab counterpart Group size: 3-7 people and the current King Abdul- Marsh Trail Trail Description Usakhim Bus Tour Azraq Village At the Nature Cinema in Azraq lah's great, great-grandfather. Qasr al Kharrana, Lodge, visitors can watch (year-round) This is an easy way to explore (year-round, except Biking Trail Qasr at Tuba, documentaries and movies Guided and self-guided the desert castles around the during Ramadan) (year-round, except about nature and history. Qasr al Hallabat Grade: Easy Azraq Reserve. From the Guided only during Ramadan) Azraq Lodge offers a unique (12-30 km) from Azraq. All of Azraq Lodge, our shuttle bus Grade: Easy to Moderate Guided only Distance: 1.5 km experience for visitors by these castles have been will take you to the nearby Time: 30 minutes Distance on foot: 5 km Difficulty: Easy to Moderate giving them a wonderful restored and are in excellent Azraq Castle, which was used 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.(winter); Distance by bus: 40 km Distance: 22 km chance of seeing the Druze condition. as a military base by T.E. 9:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. (summer) Azraq Mudflat dabkeh (dancing) show and to Lawrence (Lawrence of Time: 5-6 hours Time: 4-5 hours These three desert castles are Trail Description listen to the original Druze Arabia) during the Arab Starting time: 8:30 a.m. Biking Trail Group size: 3-9 people excellent examples of Islamic This easy walking trail gives (year-round, except music and even to learn how architecture during the Revolt. Next, travel to the Old Group size: 3-7 people Trail Description you an excellent introduction during Ramadan) to dance dabkeh themselves. Umayyad period (661-750 AD). This tour gives visitors a to the Azraq Wetland This activity is available upon Guided only glimpse into the history and Qasr Amra Reserve. The boardwalk leads request and based on Grade: Difficult culture of Azraq. Starting at (8 km) west of Azraq and is a you through dry and wet availability. Distance: 30 km the Azraq Lodge, the trail UNESCO World Heritage Site. areas to a viewing platform passes through the Wetlands, One of the best preserved overlooking the artesian Time: 5-6 hours the mudflats of al Qa’a and al The Nature Shop monuments in Jordan, its pools that once released Group size: 3-9 people Madbaa’a, the Old Druze Browse through the Nature interior walls and ceilings are millions of cubic meters of Trail Description Village, Qasr al- Shaér, the Shop and find truly original covered with lively frescoes water into the marshland. The tour starts from Amra modern Azraq village, and gifts and souvenirs. This shop and two of the rooms are After leaving the platform, Castle and ends at the Azraq Azraq Castle before ending at contains nature crafts decorated with colorful the trail takes you over an Lodge. The tour passes a local’s house for tea and a produced by the local people mosaics. ancient black basalt wall, through the desert area that Druze village and learn Trail Description light meal. at the reserves. most likely constructed by an more about the first Druze From the Azraq Lodge, our links Amra Castle and Azraq Umayyad Caliph. The trail settlement in the area. From shuttle bus will take you to a Lodge and stops by a desert then leads to a bird hide here, the tour continues on desert entrance to begin your well for snacks and juice, then made of local mud brick foot, hiking 2 kilometers to hike to Wadi Usaykhim, continues to the local Azraq where you can observe the Ain es-Sil, a farmhouse built where you will view inscrip- farms area to finally reach migratory birds and perhaps by the Umayyad. The bus will tions written by humans Azraq Lodge. On the way, catch a glimpse of the water be waiting to take you to a thousands of years ago. visitors will learn about the buffalo. Follow the trail back local Druze home for tea and a Continue hiking two kilome- nature, the history and the to the Visitor Center, passing light traditional meal before ters to the top of the highest people living in the area. yet another part of the returning to the Lodge. mountain, where the ancient basalt wall. Usakhim fortress stands, Taril Stops Activities

Azraq Lodge AzraqMarab Hassan Trails Map Highlights Castle

Visitor Center Marsh Trail Site of Interest Wind your way Militray Airbase through the wetlands, catching The Reserve Gate glimpses of resident and migratory birds. Village Tourism Trails Azraq Bus Tour Wadi Al Bashreiah

Usakhim Castle Usakhim Bus Tour

Azraq Mudflat Biking Trail Wadi Al Beeda Azraq Bus

Azraq Village Biking Trail Tour

Main Road See Azraq Castle, visit the Old Druze village, Secondary Road and have brunch at a Qa Nemer local home. Track

Wadi Al Asfar Al’naqeiah Azraq North Wadi Bed

Open WaterHumret Al Retami Usakhim Bus Ain Beida Tour Reserve Boundary Hike to the Usakhim fortress and see human inscriptions

Qasr al- Shaér from thousands of Al Marab years ago.

Azraq Castle

Durze Local house Azraq Mudflat Biking Trail Durze Old Village

Pass through the Wadi Al Ritami huge qa'a mudflat area and the Eastern Al-Madba’ah desert.

Al Qa’a Wadi Usakhim

Azraq Village

Reserve Biking Trail Back Gate Get a glimpse into the history and culture of the Azraq Al Dgheileh area.

Militray Airbase Azraq Lodge

Azraq South Azraq Wetland Reserve The gathering point for all of the trails is Azraq Lodge.

We have flexible starting times Jabal Owained for the trails. Wadi Dgheelet Harbi 1.5 0.75 0 1.5 3 km Hiking Tips Hit trails early for the best How to Get There chance of seeing wildlife and Useful Arabic Words Rules and Regulations to avoid being exposed to the Arabic English Word Arabic Translation sun during the hottest part of Pronunciation • Stay on the trails with the guide and do not Irbid the day. wander alone in the Reserve; camp and climb only in ﻣﺮﺣﺒﺎ Hi Marhaba Stay on trails to avoid injury. .official sites ًﺃﻫﻼ ﻭ ًﺳﻬﻼ Welcome Ahlan wa Sahlan To get through a heavy day’s Ajloun Protect all nature; no hunting or collecting of • ﺻﺒﺎﺡ ﺍﻟﺨﻴﺮ hike, rest at regular intervals Good morning Sabah al Khayr Jerash plants, animals, rocks, artifacts, or firewood. Leave ﺻﺒﺎﺡ ﺍﻟﻨﻮﺭ and enjoy the views. Don’t Response Sabah al Noor Madaba overdo it! .things as you find them ﻣﺴﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﺨﻴﺮ Good evening Masa' al Khayr ﻣﺴﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﻨﻮﺭ Weather Response Masa' al Noor Balqa’ Zarqa Wildlife Azraq is characterized by • Avoid damaging trees and shrubs; do not add ﺷﻮ ﺍﺳﻤﻚ ?In Azraq Wetland Reserve, the What is your name? (male) Shu Ismak Salt About 100 km to Azraq Watland Reserve mild winters and hot dry interaction of three unique graffiti anywhere within the reserve. ﺷﻮ ِﺍﺳﻤﻚ ? summers. The highest habitats results in a rich (female) Shu Ismik temperatures are in June to diversity of wildlife. Tiny Respect nature; keep noise to a minimum, be • ﺍﺳﻤﻲ ...My name is... Ismi September (exceeding 40°C) waterfleas, Great White and the lowest in December kind to living creatures. ﻛﻴﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ ?Egrets, Baluchistan Gerbils, How are you? (male) Keef Halak Azraq Wetland Reserve to February (average of 9°C). and even non-native Chechen ﻛﻴﻒ ﺣﺎﻟﻚ (female) 5 Rainfall is minimal through- water buffalo all call Azraq Keef Halik? ِ • Respect the lifestyle of the local people and .ask before taking pictures ﺍﻧﺎ ...out the year, averaging 62 home. I am... Ana ﻛﻮﻳﺲ(ﺓ) (Amman millimeters annually. fine kwies(eh As an internationally- • Keep the area clean and deposit your litter in ﻟﻮ ﺳﻤﺤﺖ recognized area for migratory Please Low Samaht 15 birds, Azraq hosts hundreds of the appropriate place. ﺷﻜﺮﺍً What to Bring species each year. Visitors can Thank you Shukran Cap, sunscreen, comfortable .Leave your vehicles in the parking area • ﻋﻔﻮﺍً observe these birds from a Response You're welcome shoes and clothes, drinking 20 10 0 20 40 km rustic brick and mud bird hide ﻣﻊ ﺍﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔ Goodbye Masalama water, snacks, backpack, in the Reserve. Main City Governorate Boundaries flashlight, extra clothes, ﻻ No La Main Road Ajloun Irbid Mafraq binoculars, ID, wildlife guides, The Azraq Wetland Reserve is ﺁﺳﻒ(ﺓ) (Reserve Boundary Amman Jerash Madaba first aid kit. the only habitat in the world I'm sorry Asif(eh for the Azraq Killifish, which International Border Balqa’ Zarqa Karak ﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺸﻜﻠﺔ is the only vertebrate that is No Problem Mafi Mushkila The Reserve is not responsible endemic to Jordan. Restora- ﺍﻳﻮﻩ for the loss of any valuable Yes Aywa From Amman, the trip is 100km. Start at 7th Circle. Take the Desert belongings. tion work has been done on ﻗﺪﻳﺶ Highway/Airport Road south. 7km from 7th Circle is the its habitat, in order to protect How much? Gdaish or Adaish the species from extinction. ﺑﻴﺪﻱ ﻣﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓ Na'ur/King Hussein Bridge/Amman East exit. Take the exit to I need help Bidi musaadah Amman East and continue for 2km. Turn right at first traffic light. RSCNs efforts have been ﻣﺶ ﻓﺎﻫﻢ(ﺓ) (Continue straight to a roundabout. Continue straight for 150m and highly effective in this area, I don't understand Mish fahem(eh turn right. Go straight through a traffic light and take the Sahab greatly increasing the exit. Continue for 90km and follow the signs for Azraq Wetland numbers of killifish in their Reserve/Azraq Lodge. natural habitat. (To describe a female, add an 'eh' at the end)