Jordan as an adventure destination
The diversity of Jordan's terrain — red sandstone canyon lands, forested highlands, a coral sea, and one of the world's lowest points — packs an extraordinary range of adventure activities into a country you can drive across in four hours. The adventure infrastructure has grown rapidly in the past decade, with licensed operators, PADI-certified dive centres, and internationally recognised climbing routes now well established.
The country's relative quiet compared to busier adventure destinations — you will not be queuing behind tour groups at the cliff base — is one of its great advantages. Wadi Rum's rock walls, in particular, are regarded by the international climbing community as among the best multi-pitch desert climbing in the world outside the American Southwest.
Rock climbing and scrambling
Wadi Rum has over 250 established climbing routes across its sandstone jebels, ranging from beginner scrambles to serious multi-pitch ascents. The 500-metre faces of Jebel Rum and Jebel Um Ishrin attract experienced climbers from around the world. Bedouin guides who are also skilled climbers offer guided ascents for all levels.
Petra's back trails — beyond the main tourist circuit — include technical scrambles that reach high ridgelines with views over the ancient city. The Bdul trail and the Wadi Sabra route require a local guide but offer some of the most spectacular hiking terrain in the Middle East.
Water and canyon adventures
Wadi Mujib's Siq Trail (April–October only) is Jordan's premier canyon adventure: a 2-km wade through narrows, chest-deep water and ropes that descends to the Dead Sea shore. Wadi Ghuweir in the Dana area is a wild, unmanaged canyon crossing for experienced hikers with a guide — cold water, scrambling and stunning geology.
In Aqaba, the Red Sea offers world-class diving and snorkeling year-round. The Cedar Pride wreck, sunk deliberately in 1985 as an artificial reef, is now one of the region's most celebrated dives. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are also available on the sea at the south beach area.
Desert adventures and endurance sports
Hot-air ballooning over Wadi Rum at sunrise is offered seasonally (autumn and spring) and provides one of the most breathtaking perspectives on the Martian landscape possible. Quad biking and sandboarding on the red dunes are popular with all fitness levels.
The Jordan Trail is a 650-km long-distance walking route from Umm Qais in the north to Aqaba in the south, completed in around 40 days. It passes through virtually every major landscape in the country. Sections can be walked independently or with a guided group. The Wadi Rum Ultra, a multi-day desert ultramarathon, draws runners from 30+ countries each autumn.
