“An avid traveller, Darius loves an exotic and unusual adventure. Some of his adventures include chasing after crop circles in UK, looking for Northern lights in Finland, and seeing Macchu Picchu in Peru. He has travelled upwards of 30 countries and this list continues to grow... For some of his travel stories, go to: https://elevenasia.com/about-us/darius-soon/”
Be Indiana Jones and enter the Nabatean Red Rose city of Petra through a 1 KM long narrow gorge called the Siq, which is flanked on either side by 80m high cliffs! The site is massive, and contains hundreds of elaborated rock-cut tombs, a treasury, Roman-style theatres, temples, sacrificial altars and colonnaded streets
Wake up in the beautiful Wadi Rum desert with its awe inspiring cliff sided mountains. We'll explore by Jeep Safari tracing the journey of Lawrence of Arabia. Visit Lawrence's Spring, Khazali Canyon, Sand dunes, ancient inscriptions, rock bridges and Lawrence's house.
Journey back through Jesus' life and visit the site where he was baptized - Bethany Beyond the Jordan. Supported by many biblical, archaeological, and historical evidence, Bethany Beyond the Jordan was recognized as the authentic site of Jesus' baptism.
Jordan’s Desert Castles hold beautiful examples of early Islamic art and architecture, with fine mosaics and frescos. See the stunning artwork in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharanh, the Roman fort turned Umayyad residential palace at Qasr El Hallabat and the black basalt Roman / Dedieval Islamic fort at Azraq.
Umm Ar-Rasas Castle contains remains from the Roman, Byzantine and Early Muslim periods (end of 3rd to 9th centuries AD) and a fortified Roman military camp.
Of course, besides UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there is always time to be silly and have fun. Rub mud on each other and try really hard to sink in the Dead Sea!
Or have a chance to mingle with the locals! At Feynan Eco-Lodge, an award-winning lodge (hailed as one of the best 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine), multiple activities are arranged, offering you the chance to join in a walk or have a coffee with them, or a day with the shepherd, or even cook an authentic vegetarian meal.
For the adventurous among you all, let's take a hike (optional). Trail starts near the Mujib Bridge, where you will take the cantilevered walkway over the dam and follow the course of the river between towering sandstone cliffs to the base of a large waterfall. This Wadi includes some dramatic wild mountain scenery and a beautiful black basaltic canyon filled with narrow gorges and fresh natural pools. Depending on seasonal rainfall levels, the gorge may contain pools deep enough for swimming. The Siq trail will take you between 2-3 hours.
It's not just sand and more sand in Jordan. Aqaba brings a refreshing variation to the sands of Wadi Rum and Petra. You can spend it relaxing as you choose, either exploring the markets of the downtown or visiting one of the beach resorts to swim, snorkel or scuba dive to admire the world-renowned multi-colored coral reefs, fish and wildlife under the clear blue water.
Arabian_oryx_(oryx_leucoryx) by Charles J Sharp licensed by BY CC 3.0
For the wildlife enthusiast, we would visit a number of reserves in Jordan, including: Azraq Wetland Reserve, where all kinds of local and migratory birds can be seen; Shawmari Wildlife Reserve, a breeding ground for endangered species like the Arabian Oryx; Dana Biosphere, Jordan’s largest, which include four distinct biogeographical zones. On your way down the valley you’re likely to see Griffin Vultures overhead as well as hyrax and copper-blue lizards on the rocks.
Jordan is a treasure-house of sites with deep religious significance. Besides the Baptism site of Jesus (mentioned above), other notable sites we would be visiting include: Mount Nebo, where Moses looked across to the Promised Land and later died and was buried at; Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist; Mukawir, the location of the imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist
For those keen in astronomy, Wadi Rum is nicknamed "The Valley of the Moon" and is considered one of the best places in the world to see the milky way.
And finally, we can't miss seeing Petra at night... illuminated by thousands of candles and stars, it's simply magical!
