SEVENSEAS Marine Conservation & Travel January 2015 Issue 8 | Page 58

Whether you’re coming from Amman or Aqaba, you’re never in the car for very long as Wadi Rum and Petra, a must see on everyone’s list, are only a few hours away. They’re close to each other, easy to get to, and hiring guides are inexpensive and highly recommended. In Wadi Rum, expect to be swept away on a joyride through a desert of rolling dunes, sharp stone outcrops, and a sunset that will take your breath away. Aim for a Bedouin experience where you can camp out overnight in a traditional tent out in the open. The silence and stargazing will be etched in your mind like a carving on glass - at least it was for me, with my first visit fifteen years ago.

The ruins of Petra will impress even the most well-travelled visitor. The sprawling city could be a two day visit though it can be done in a tiring full day – but well worth the exhaustion. I would recommend a hearty breakfast, an early arrival and day-long guided tour with a stop or two for coffee and lunch. You’ll realize that photos simply do not capture the majesty of Petra as they cannot imbue the feeling of millennia eroding away under the sands of the desert wind.

Hiking down the Dana Reserve Biosphere, probably Jordan’s biggest hidden gem, is one of the more magnificent things you can do in 2016. Spanning three climate zones ranging from the forested Mediterranean to the hottest Sudanian penetration, the Reserve is the largest in Jordan and home to hundreds of species living within diverse ecosystems and habitats. It is composed of a chain of valleys and mountains which extend from the top of the Jordan Rift Valley down to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. There are a series of half day hikes all around the reserve, you can do a full day hike from the summit of the canyon down to the world-renown Feynan Ecolodge, or you can spend anywhere between 5 and 9 days (depending on your itinerary and your fitness level) hiking from the 15th-century stone village of Dana all the way to Petra.

The one day hike with MEET is a perfect way to see it all. You get to experience each ecosystem and expert guides will point out the plants and animals before you even see them. From plummeting cliffsides to towering spires of stone, these prehistoric monuments give a glimpse of the untouched and rarely seen. And there is no better way to rest-up than with a wonderful candle-lit meal at the Feynan Ecolodge followed by tea and stargazing out under the night sky.

No matter where or how you make your way to Jordan, above or below the water, now is the time to go. Uneasiness in surrounding countries have made the number of tourists plummet for no good reason at all. Jordan is before anything safe, but also a breeze to navigate and a delight for all your senses. Take advantage of this gap in popularity and seize the opportunity to visit some of the most magnificent natural, historical, and architectural wonders of the world.

For more information on Jordan and other trips by the Mediterranean Experience of Eco-Tourism: MEET visit www.medecotourism.org

Special thanks for the generous funding from the European Union under the ENPI-CBC Med Programme.

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