Two Fantastic Ways to Experience Jordan
Petra is arguably the eighth wonder of the ancient world and Wadi Rum is a truly captivating desert landscape. Try these two fantastic ways to experience them.
Jordan is a fascinating place and Aqaba is a good base to explore two of the best of Jordan's attractions. Two fantastic ways to experience this region is to take a trip to the desert landscape of Wadi Rum and travel to the ancient "rose red" city of Petra.
Wadi Rum is around 45 minutes from the port of Aqaba. Your first stop will be at the Wadi Rum visitor center where you will learn the word Wadi means "dry river bed". Wander to the viewpoint where you can see the magnificent Seven Pillars of Wisdom in the distance. It is an impressive rock formation, but you may well notice that there are actually more than seven pillars. The desert landscape is constantly changing and this is an excellent example of that. Wind and the local weather have carved some extra pillars in the last few years.
It is possible to take a 4 x 4 vehicle trip through the Wadi Rum desert. Each vehicle takes around 6 passengers in an open top "bespoke" truck. Try and get in one of the earlier vehicles in the convoy to avoid the sand being thrown up by the preceding vehicles. There are around four stops on this tour, with each stop offering something a little different.
Your first stop just lets you see the vastness of this superb desert location. Walk away from the immediate crowds and you can almost feel as though you have Wadi Rum all to yourself. Climbing a giant sand dune is next on the agenda. Your heart will pump but it is worthwhile for the fantastic views. If you are lucky the drivers of your convoy will treat you to a sing song in Arabic, which is great fun and a good photo opportunity.
A camel ride is something you have got to experience in the desert environment. Your chance comes at the next stop. You will also see some inscriptions, carved into the rocks, that indicate to the local Bedouins where they can find water locally. Finding a water source has to be the number one priority, in the desert, for the Bedouins.
T.E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) was based in Wadi Rum when he led an Arab uprising against the Ottomans in WWI. The Bedouins honored his memory by carving his face on a rock. You will see this image at the penultimate stop. Lawrence of Arabia was immortalized by the film of the same name and Wadi Rum was used extensively as the location for the filming.
Hold on to your hats because your next treat is to speed through the desert in your truck. You will then have tea and biscuits at a genuine Bedouin Camp. Music and refreshment around the campfire conclude the trip nicely before you return to Aqaba.
Petra is a sensational attraction and is considered by some as the eighth wonder of the ancient world. It will take you just over two and half hours to reach Petra from Aqaba and you will travel along the ancient Desert Highway. This is an old trade route that has been used since biblical times.
The Nabataean people settled in Petra around two thousand years ago. They were a very industrious people and Petra was an important trade center in its time. Before you get to the main part of Petra you have to go down an amazing deep gorge called the Siq. It is almost one kilometer in length and is flanked at either side by high cliffs. The colors and formations of these rocks are well worth seeing plus there are numerous carvings in the Siq. The highlight and the main attraction of Petra is the Treasury and that reveals itself at the end of the gorge.
The Treasury is a majestic, 43 metre high, carved rock façade. It was the tomb of one of the important Nabataean kings. The "rose red" color and pleasing design make seeing the Treasury an awe-inspiring experience. The advanced skills, shown by the Nabateans, are truly astonishing! You may well recognize the Treasury because the façade was used in the Indiana Jones films.
Petra has many more attractions to see. There is an old Roman style ampitheatre that is capable of seating up to 3,000 people. An impressive monastery can be reached by walking up 800 carved steps. There are lots of obelisks, temples and colonnaded streets to see before you return back up the Siq gorge.
This is a fantastic excursion and Petra is a truly world class attraction, but make sure you have comfortable footwear and take plenty of liquid refreshment with you. It is possible to use horse pulled buggys, through the Siq, if you have walking difficulties.
Jordan is well worth seeing and you will be well rewarded by visiting both Petra and Wadi Rum.