We are back for another entry in our beloved series, the Follow Me and I'll Show You _______ posts. This time, we will explore Jordan, a country that is well-known for its majestic ruins (Petra) and the beautiful red desert (Wadi Rum). How beautiful? Well, you will have to see it for yourself. Come, follow me, and I'll show you Jordan!
Jerash
Jerash is a small city just 2 hours north of Amman. It can easily be accessed via public transport. In the city, there are important Roman ruins. A few people I met at the hostel and I spent 2-3 hours walking around the site.
This is one of the many amphitheatres around the site. The condition of the ruins is surprisingly well-maintained. Jerash is definitely worth a day trip, although I don't think you need to stay overnight here. There is not much going on except for the ruins.
Petra
We went straight to Petra the next day, as that was what everyone was in Jordan for. Nothing could capture my face at the moment I saw the Treasury through the Siq.
To escape from all the tourists (there were not a lot anyway), we decided to tackle the first hike we saw: the High Place of Sacrifice.
The hike lasted around 45-60 minutes, including the time we got lost. Once at the top, we were able to see a 360-degree view of the entire Petra area, with the town of Wadi Musa serving as a backdrop.
After the hike, we decided to continue on to the next one: the hike to the Monastery. Along the way, we were able to observe the changes in landscapes from smooth rocks to a more jagged formation.
From one mountain to another, all the hikes in this area will mesmerize you at every turn.
Halfway between 2 trails, we ran out of water and had to restock at the only restaurant in the area. A bottle of water cost 3JD, which is $5 per bottle. It was crazy, but we were dying, so it was better than nothing.
From the restaurant, it was another 45-minute hike up steep stairs to reach this monastery. The monastery was tucked away neatly among the desert mountains.
Most people stayed at the Monastery. However, we decided to go a little further up to the so-called "highest point in Petra".
And there I was, at the top of the world!
The view from the other side of the mountain cannot be more different. Instead of a flat desert land you come to expect, it is full of sharp cliffs and a rugged landscape. No wonder why the Nabateans built their sacred sites in here.
We came down the same way and ended the day feeling very productive and accomplished. We hit the ground running when we arrived in the morning and did two hikes straight away.
The next morning, we discovered that we had forgotten to do one of the best trails in the area - the one that led to a viewpoint overlooking the Treasury. We decided to do the hike in the morning before we set off for Aqaba.
Aqaba
This was me facing the Red Sea, which separates three countries: Egypt, Israel, and Jordan.
Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark
After hiking in Petra, we decided to rest for a few days and went camping in one of the few EcoParks north of Amman. The government is trying to turn this EcoPark into an adventure park, with slingshots being built and other extreme sports. We even helped them build fences in exchange for a free lunch. :)
Can you believe that we were in the middle of a desert?
Dead Sea
This was I, floating in the Dead Sea, unable to sink and feeling weirdly satisfied because of it.
This is what happens to your skin color when you have been hiking for 3 days straight in Petra. :)
Amman
I finally had the time to explore the capital city of Jordan, Amman. The city's attractions are mostly within walking distance from Downtown. My favorite place was the Citadel hill.
From the hill, you can peacefully observe the busy city from the top. It is also the perfect place to watch the sunset.
This was the last photo I took of myself before leaving Jordan. Goodbye, Jordan. Until we meet again.
Jordan Travel Video
Watch on Youtube
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Further Reading for Jordan
I hope you found this travel guide useful. I have a ton more written about Jordan, and if you are interested in reading more, here are a few more travel guides about Jordan:
- Amman is a great place to start your journey in Jordan. Here's a quick guide on how to spend 3 days in Amman and its surrounding tourist attractions.
- While in Amman, be sure to take a day trip and visit Jerash. Here's a guide on how to travel to Jerash from Amman on public transport.
- Petra is among the most popular attractions, not just in Jordan but in the entire world, and for good reason. Here's how to spend 2 days in Petra.
- Petra is also a prime place for hiking. You will be able to see the Treasury from a perspective not many have seen. Here's a complete one-day hiking guide for Petra.
- You can also watch my Jordan travel video here: Adventure in Jordan.
- To see all articles about Jordan, visit the Jordan Travel Guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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