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PETRA

The ancient city of Petra is one of Jordan’s national treasures and by far its best-known tourists attraction. Located about three hours south of Amman, Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, impressive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a Unesco world heritage site that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe.

Much of Petra’s appeal comes from its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge. The site is accessed by walking through a 1km chasm (or siq), the walls of which soar 200m towards the sky. Petra’s most famous monument, the Treasury, appears dramatically at the siq. Used in the final sequence of the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the towering façade of the Treasury is only one of myriad archaeological wonders to be explored at Petra.

Various walks and climbs reveal literally hundreds of buildings, tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples, arched gateways, colonnaded streets and haunting rock drawings-as well as a 3,000-seat open air amphitheatre, a huge first century monastery and a modern archaeological museum, all of which can be explored at leisure.

A modest shrine commemorating the death of Aaron, brother of Moses was built in the 13^thcentury by the Mameluke Sultan, atop mount Aaron in the Sharah range.

DANA

The 300-sq-km Dana Wildlife Reserve is remarkable for its diverse habitats and the large number of plant and animal species making it their home. The reserve comprises a system of wadis and mountains that extend from the top of the Rift Valley to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba.

As well as its wildlife, the reserve is also rich in culture and archaeological interest. No less than 98 important archaeological sites have been identified, including the fascinating ancient copper mines in Wadi Faynan. The local people too have a rich cultural history and have been shaping the landscape of the reserve for hundreds of generations.

AZRAQ

The Azraq Nature Reserve lies at the heart of the arid Jordanian desert in a huge, but shallow, depression that collects water running off the mountains of Syria. The reserve covers some 30 square kilometers of land and includes the site of the former springs; areas of recently revitalized revitalised marshland and a periphery of silt dunes dotted with salt bush and tamarisk.

A visitor center, trails, hides and other facilities were under construction as this manual went to press.

WADI RUM

Famously described by TE Lawrence as’vast, echoing and God-like’, and acclaimed by many as one of the most stunning desertscapes in the world, Wadi Rum is a nature-lover’s paradise. Serious mountaineers relish its challenging climbs (some 1,750m up sheer granite and sandstone cliffs), while casual hikers enjoy the peace and tranquility of its sweeping vistas, towering rock faces and boundless empty spaces. Nature lovers will be drawn to the desert in springtime, when rains bring the greening of the hills and something in the region of 2,000 species of wild flower.

Options for exploring Wadi Rum include 4WD vehicles and camel caravans. Aficionados, however, say the best way to experience Rum's grandeur is by hiking in on foot and camping. Camel trips from the Wadi to either Aqaba (several days) or Petra (about a week) may also be arranged.

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THE DEAD SEA

Within the folds of the Jordan valley lies the Dead Sea, more than 400m below sea level and the lowest point on earth. Rich in minerals that have seeped from adjacent wadis, the Dead Sea, as well as having exceptionally buoyant water, is believed by many to have curative powers. The nearby waters of Hammamat Ma'in, where a thermal spa has been built, are thought to be similarly imbued.

The Dead Sea itself is flanked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost otherworldly beauty. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar.

THE GULF OF AQABA

Surrounded by rugged mountains that subtly change color as the day unfolds, Aqaba is Jordan's only Port City. Its crystal clear waters, abundant marine life and pleasant climate (with moderate temperatures in winter and fresh, cooling sea breezes in summer) make it an ideal location for year-round scuba diving, snorkeling and other water sports.

The Red Sea's unique marine ecosystem includes more than 140 species of coral and countless varieties of brightly colored fish, some of which are unique to the region. Aqaba's Royal Diving Center and several other qualified dive operators offer complete diving services including PADI and BSAC courses, equipment rental and fully supervised dives to some of the finest dive sites in the world.

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DANA The 300-sq-km Dana Wildlife Reserve is remarkable for its diverse habitats and the large number of plant and animal species making it their home. The reserve comprises a system of wadis and mountains that extend from the top of the Rift Valley to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba.
As well as its wildlife, the reserve is also rich in culture and archaeological interest. No less than 98 important archaeological sites have been identified, including the fascinating ancient copper mines in Wadi Faynan. The local people too have a rich cultural history and have been shaping the landscape of the reserve for hundreds of generations.