For many years I have wanted to visit Petra, one of the gems of Jordan. It is an archaeological feat of temples and tombs carved into towering sandstone rock faces in Jordan. Petra is considered one of the seven wonders of the world and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Popular culture knows the site more from several scenes in the 1989 Harrison Ford movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’, and other blockbuster films faced the heat and dust of the desert valley including The Mummy Returns and Transformers.
Experiences in the Gems of Jordan
When I plan a trip to any iconic site, I always make sure I spend time getting to know the culture and history of the country and visit other cities and attractions. On this particular trip the easiest way to have a good look around was to join an organised tour. I searched online for one that suited my timeframe, budget and travel style and I found an 8-day Intrepid Tour that fit the bill. I booked myself a place on the trip and my dream was slowly becoming a reality.
Flight Suggestion
I booked my flight from Melbourne, Australia to Jordan with Emirates airlines. The flight was 26 hours in total via Dubai. In hindsight, I would suggest taking a night or two stop-over in Dubai to break the journey, as the connection times are terrible and make for a very long travel day.
Amman-The Capital of Jordan
Upon arrival in Jordan I gave myself a few days to explore Amman, another one of the gems of Jordan. Plus, it is the capital of Jordan and the place where my tour would begin. I began getting my bearings with a private guide who gave me a basic tour of the city and we shared a (huge) local lunch.
Note: all the meals in Jordan are enormous! So solo travellers be aware, you will be served very generously, and it’s best to order wisely.
Some of the Gems of Jordan in Amman
I visited the citadel home to ancient ruins from thousands of years ago including the Temple of Hercules. The view from this hill top archaeological site provides great contrast of the past and the present with the view from the ancient ruins over the modern city. I highly recommend visiting the citadel later in the day, it is much cooler and the sunset behind the temple ruins is spectacular.
This site is also home to the Jordan Archaeological Museum, a dusty old-fashioned museum with some incredible artifacts inside. My greatest discovery here were tear jars or tear bottles which in ancient times were filled with mourners tears and placed in the tombs of loved ones to demonstrate sadness and respect after their passing. A myth states that the more tear bottles a person has in their tomb the more revered they will be in the afterlife.
Sites in Amman
There are plenty of other sites in Amman including The Roman Theatre, Rainbow Street, The Jordan Museum, King Abdullah I Mosque, and the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts. I easily filled two days prior to my tour commencing. I also participated in a cooking class to learn how to make some delicious local cuisine. Since this capital offers so much, it is no wonder that it is one of the gems of Jordan!
Wadi Rum – The Deep Desert
Joining the tour the next day I met my wonderful tour companions, we left the city and headed south to Wadi Rum. This is a place with the most unique desert landscape resembling the surface of Mars. The rich red desert sands greet our open air 4WD, we bump off the bitumen and into the open desert space.
First, we must take a quick stop for tea in an open-air tent. It was hot since the temperature was more than 40° Celsius (104°F). I am not sure that tea was really the drink of choice. But it is traditional and part of the desert welcome. Post tea we were off to explore the landscape and rock formations. The day ended with the most memorable camel ride through the desert. We had the chance to watch the sun dip down below the horizon by a campfire. Then we returned to our simple desert camp on camels under the clearest starry sky in time for a hearty traditional meal.
Petra – A Wonder of the World
Being wowed by Wadi Rum could only be trumped by the main reason for me choosing this destination, a visit to Petra. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Petra is considered one of the wonders of the world. The site is expansive, it is after all, an ancient city, covering 264 km2/102 sq mi, or 50,000 football fields! The most commonly recognised site of Petra is the treasury building. This is a 30-minute walk in from the entry point. The treasury building is an impressive monument carved directly into the cliff face.
Options for the Visit
There are options to take horses or donkeys to explore the site as an extra expense. My choice would be the walk since there are so many things to see along the way and wander among the monuments. Plus, the city is a collection of ancient ruins of public buildings, tombs and houses. You need a minimum of one full day to explore the key sites, although I would highly recommend 2 days to visit comfortably. This is especially true if it is exceptionally hot as it was with my visit.
The Red Sea – A Desert Oasis
A break in the trip was taken at Aqaba, on the Red Sea. The city location has been inhabited since 4000 BC and is the only coastal city in Jordan. So, this was time to soak up the sun at a resort on the beachfront of the Red Sea. On top of that, the snorkelling here was stunning! So many different fish species, coral and the water was very clear and temperate. Besides that, the world’s first underwater military museum is located here. It has 19 military vehicles and machines submerged in the sea at different depths. I saw a tank and airplane underwater while snorkeling and there are others at deeper depths that you can scuba dive to.
The Dead Sea – One of the Best Gems of Jordan
Positioned at 427 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and it’s water is 10 times saltier than standard sea water. Known for its healing properties in both the water and the mud beneath, it is a must visit to this place that is one of the gems of Jordan. Our tour group accessed the Dead Sea via a resort which provided lunch, towels and showers. It was 40° Celsius (104°F) the day I visited the Dead Sea with blazing hot sun, molten hot mud and rocks underfoot. But the water felt pleasant since it was warm like a bath. Along with that, I was amazed at how buoyant I was in the salty water. Once I lifted my feet from the floor of the sea I popped up like a cork and I was able to float easily. Our guide warned us to be careful not to get the water in our eyes because the salty water stings quite badly.
After visiting the Dead Sea it was time to return to Amman for the end of the tour. I had another 48 hours in the city before departing and spent time enjoying local restaurants and exploring the street art and markets.
Jordan for Women Travellers
I had an amazing adventure in Jordan. For women it is very different here culturally from western countries. But it is not unsafe or scary by any means. Being clear in where you are going and dressing respectfully means that you will most likely go somewhat unnoticed and enjoy the attractions and experience in the country. It is not a country that is easy to get around with public transport. So tours and private vehicles are the best way to get around.
Jordan has much to offer and I would highly recommend a visit here.
Get Travel Insurance!
If you plan on traveling to another country, then it is best to get travel insurance! That way you’ll be covered for the unforeseen things. This is especially important if you are an adventure enthusiast. It can get dangerous out there. So having a travel insurance to have your back is essential. Check out Safety Wing Travel Insurance, my go to company!
Travel More!
Traveling involves a lot of planning and preparing. So, why not check out the Traveling page to get inspiration and a bit of guidance for your next trip! You can find all kinds of information and places to visit. Learn more about some of my favorite places, such as Peru, or go on some once in a life adventures!
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