Jordan is quickly becoming a top destination for many reasons, one of them being the variety of adventures. Most people who travel to far-flung countries want to immerse themselves in the culture and participate in things they never dreamed of, which makes Jordan unique. With a host of exciting activities to offer every type of traveler, there will be no time to be bored here, and that is nothing to complain about, so let us show you the top activities to do in Jordan.
Perhaps you know already that an adventurous trip to Jordan is for you but are not sure what exactly you can do there, or perhaps you are looking for inspiration to plan your trip to Jordan in the first place. Either way, we can safely say that these exciting activities will influence your future journey.
Scuba Dive in the Red Sea
For a fantastic diving experience, you will make your way to Aqaba, a coastal city home to over 25 dive sites, various shipwrecks, and world-class reefs. The best thing about diving at Jordan’s only coastal city is that you can access all of these reefs close to the shoreline, so it is suitable for all levels. There are a mix of shallow reefs and deep wrecks to choose from, so if you are a beginner, this is the perfect place to have an underwater experience. Here are a few of the most impressive diving sites off the coast of Aqaba:
- Cedar Pride: An 80m (262ft) Lebanese cargo ship that was purposely sunk and accessible by the shore or boat.
- Power Station: This is the most northerly site suited to intermediate to advanced divers, with many hidden depths to be discovered.
- Seven Sisters and the Tank: This series of extraordinary pinnacles is suitable to open water divers and above and can be explored down to 24m(79ft) to see the reef, marine life, and the pinnacles in all their glory.
If you have been inspired to dive in the Red Sea, check out the Classic Jordan Active tour.
Horse Ride around the mountains of Petra
Also known as the ‘Rose City, Petra, which was dedicated as a World Heritage Site in 1985, is a place that will truly blow you away. One of the best ways to explore this area and get off the beaten track is to take a horse-riding adventure through the mountains. You will witness views of the vast sand plains, the bright red rocks of Petra, and the iconic steep rock formations of the Wadi Rum Desert, all of which make it a super exciting activity in Jordan.
This tour in Jordan incorporates horse riding and more activities to keep a smile on your face permanently.
Take a cooking class
After a few days in Jordan, you will realize that they have some rather delicious food, and you will want to know how to conjure this up in your kitchen when you return home – and that is where a cooking class comes in. You can take a cooking class in various parts of the country, but the two most popular places are Petra and the capital city of Amman, so the choice is yours.
You will gain an authentic Jordanian experience, learning about the age-old recipes from local cooks, and at the end of it all, you get to eat everything you have helped create.
It’s a win-win situation!
Hike the Soap House Trail
If hiking is your go-to activity, you’re in luck because Jordan has some beautiful hiking trails with various levels available. One of the best and most popular is the Soap House Trail, which is a moderate 6-7km (3-4) mile the trail which takes around 3-4 hours. En route, you will venture through thick forest and woodland filled with pistachio and oak trees and some of the oldest strawberry trees in the nature reserve.
You will reach a height of 1100m (3608ft) at the Eagles Point viewpoint, where you can take a break and enjoy the view before descending towards a traditional soap house, which makes Orjan pure olive oil soap.
The Classic Jordan tour will take you along this trail and a few more hikes along the trip.
Enjoy a Spa Day at Ma'In Hot Springs
This series of hot mineral springs and waterfalls is just what the doctor ordered, especially after a few days of hiking or sightseeing. This is the perfect opportunity to gain another perspective of Jordan, be able to relax, and, let’s face it – pamper yourself.
The springs are located between Madaba and The Dead Sea and are a popular place to relax and unwind with a spa treatment or two and a dip in the warm waters, full of healing minerals. Since Roman times, these springs have been visited and make for a well-deserved activity in Jordan.
Take a jeep safari through Wadi Rum
No trip is complete without a tour of the Wadi Rum Desert, famous for its rock formations and dunes, easily accessed by a thrilling jeep ride. This is a surreal way to visit the ‘Valley of the Moon’ and makes for some great memories, as well as this. If you plan, you can opt to stay overnight in the desert under the clear skies, which is the cherry on top.
Float in the magical Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a lake, despite what the name suggests, and is extremely popular for its saltiness and medicinal properties and the fact that its shores lie far below sea level. This is a popular stop-off point when traveling around Jordan and one of the most significant activities and photo opportunities is to float in the Dead Sea. And many tours include a trip to the Dead Sea!
Get some traditional Henna
This reddish-brown, natural dye, has been used for centuries to decorate the body and dye the hair, so when you are in Jordan, this makes for a great activity to try out. You can opt to have a variety of body art designs or let your henna artist choose for you. For a cultural and authentic tour in Jordan, you can integrate with a local family, visit exceptional sights, and get some traditional henna.
Hike the Wadi Ibn Hammad Canyon
A fantastic hike to take on is the Wadi Ibn Hammad Canyon hike, which takes you through some truly stunning scenery, a variety of magical waterfalls, and palm trees, 285m (935ft) below sea level. You will be mesmerized by the landscape from the get-go, and chances are you will have a full camera by the end of your day exploring this area.
This Active-Wellness tour in Jordan is perfect for the adventurous traveler who wants to find a balance with some traditional wellness activities. It incorporates a variety of hikes in some stunning places and relaxation in warm thermal waters and spa treatments.
