one of the most EXCITING things I have done!
I was like a CHILD, wanting for MORE!
In my opinion, a travel is not complete without seeing and experiencing a country’s unique landscape and its nature. Hot and desert are often the 2 words you think of when you talk about Middle East. Never would I have imagined Jordan, a country in the Middle East has such beautiful gorge, where you can go inside, get wet, and have an adventure of a lifetime.
Canyoning is the perfect way for thrill seekers to experience the challenges and beauty of Jordan’s best and most spectacular canyons. Explore hidden gorges, rappel, jump and slide down waterfalls. Adventurers will hike, scramble, wade, abseil, climb and swim through the breathtaking sandstone canyons of Wadi Mujib.
Mujib Biosphere Reserve
Located at 410 meters below sea level, the Mujib Biosphere Reserve is the lowest nature reserve on Earth. Its rugged and spectacular mountains border the Dead Sea coast and are dissected by several river-filled canyons that offer the best river and adventure hikes in Jordan. The breathtaking scenery and the challenge of negotiating Mujib’s fast-flowing rivers make the Reserve one of Jordan’s most popular natural attractions.
Mujib’s complex river system and all-year water flow enable it to support a rich biodiversity. To date, over 300 species of plants, 10 species of carnivores and numerous species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded. Some of the mountain and valley areas are difficult to reach and offer safe havens for rare species of cats, mountain goats (Ibex) and other mountain animals.
The Trails at Mujib Biosphere Reserve
There are 3 wet trails & 1 dry trail at the reserve with different hike duration, level of difficulty and scenery you can choose from:
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SIQ Trail [WET Trail]
(April 1st – October 31st)
With or Without Guide
Grade: Easy to Moderate, depending on the season
Time: 2-3 hours
Starting times: 0800 to 1500
Group size: 1-80 people
Requirements: Must be at least 18 years old, know how to swim, have a reasonable level of fitness.
-
CANYON Trail [WET Trail]
(April 1st – October 31st, except during Ramadan)
Guided only
Grade: Moderate to Difficult
Time: 4 hours
Starting time: 0830
Group size: 5-25 people
Requirements: Visitors must be at least 18 years old, know how to swim, have a reasonable level of fitness, and no fear of heights.
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MALAQI Trail [WET Trail]
(April 1st – October 31st, except during Ramadan)
Guided only
Grade: Moderate to Difficult
Time: 7 hours
Starting time: 0800
Group Size: 5-25 people
Requirements: Visitors must be at least 18 years old, know how to swim, have a reasonable level of fitness and no fear of heights.
-
IBEX Trail [DRY Trail]
(Year-round, except during Ramadan and according to weather conditions)
Guided only
Grade: Moderate
Time: 4 hours
Starting time: 0830
Group size: 5-25 people
Requirements: Visitors must be at least 18 years old.
SIQ Trail is the most popular trail, and arriving at the Mujib Adventures Centre after lunch time, that was our only choice, definitely a good one to start if you haven’t done canyoning before, and test your level.
After parking our car at the car park, we walked to the front desk and purchased our ticket for SIQ Trail, there are changing rooms and also lockers for you to store your valuables. Wearing a canyoning shoe is a MUST for doing the trail, as you will be walking in the water the whole way and climbing waterfalls, you need a shoe to prevent you from slipping and injury. Buy it from the front desk if you don’t have one, like us.
After getting changed and have your waterproof camera with you, the staff will give you a life-jacket, and your adventure begins!
You’ll walk along the bridge and then get down a ladder to the river. The moment you step down from the ladder you can already feel the water running pretty fast, you will walk against the current into the gorge. You know at that time, it’s going to be a wet journey. I couldn’t help screaming: “This is going to be so much fun!”
As you walk deep into the gorge, the water gets gradually deeper reaching your knees, then your waist. Look around you, and you soon realise you are in a magical place. The whole place is so breathtaking, leaving you WOW after WOW!!!
In the blazing heat of the Dead Sea area, Wadi Mujib is so refreshing, the temperature is so much cooler than outside.
There are parts you have to hold onto the fixed ropes to help you walk further, as the water current gets stronger. They are your life saver, preventing you from washing away! So, hold on tight!
Climbing up the waterfall is challenging with the water cascading down, adding a lot of weights on you but it’s so thrilling. On the way back, there’s even a natural slide to slide down the waterfall into the pool, giving you adrenaline rush. There are staff at some points to give you a hand and ensure your safety.
On the way back, it feels magical to lay back and take in the incredible surroundings whilst floating down the stream. It was at this moment that the beauty and uniqueness of Wadi Mujib really sunk in. This canyon which has been carved out by centuries of rain and flowing water is spectacular, with its orange walls, bright blue water and enormous scale.
I’d say SIQ Trail is generally safe for everyone to have fun, even you don’t have any experience in canyoning, as long as you can swim and not afraid of water.
“ Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul. ”
– Jaime Lyn
Entrance Ticket of Wadi Mujib
SIQ Trail: JOD 21 (USD 30)
CANYON Trail: JOD 31 (USD 44)
MALAQI Trail: JOD 44 (USD 62)
IBEX Trail: JOD 21 (USD 30)
Canyoning shoe is selling at the Mujib Adventure Centre at JOD 5 (USD 7). You can also rent a locker for your valuables.
What to Bring?
- Comfortable Clothing (T-shirt & Shorts)
- GoPro / Waterproof Camera
- Waterproof Bag (optional)
- Clean Clothes to Change
- Towels
- Life Jacket (will be provided)
- Canyoning Shoe (you can buy it there)
- Water
How to Get There & Travelling Around Jordan?
There are day tours from Amman to Dead Sea & Mujib Biosphere Reserve, but I think the best way of travelling around Jordan is definitely renting a car in Amman for about a week, and you can visit all the spectacular attractions in the country such as Petra, Wadi Rum Desert, Aqaba, Dead Sea and Mujib Biosphere Reserve. On top of that, it is definitely more budget friendly, apart from having a total freedom to your itinerary.
Driving in Jordan is easy, the roads are easy to navigate.
From Amman to Mujib Adventures Center, the distance is around 91 km and driving time is about 1.5 hours. If you are staying at the Dead Sea Resorts Area like us, it’s just 30 minutes away with the distance of 30 km.
Driving on Jordan Valley Highway, when you see the Mujib Bridge, you are already there, turn into the Mujib Adventure Centre.
I was renting a Kia Picanto from my accommodation in Amman, paying USD 120 for 6 days plus USD 42 (USD7 for 6 days) for insurance covering theft, damages and accidents. I think it’s a pretty good deal, the gas in Jordan is very cheap, per litre is about JOD 0.98 (USD 1.38).
Where to Stay?
- Mujib Chalets, the only accommodation at the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, located just few meters away from the Mujib Adventures Center across the road facing the Dead Sea. Each chalet has an uninterrupted sea view, shaded sun terrace, air conditioning, private shower, and toilet.
- Dead Sea Resorts Area, located 30 kms away, which I think is a better choice to spend your night as there are many hotel choices in the area, like Hilton, Marriott, Mövenpick, Kempinski, Dead Sea Spa, etc. Most importantly, there’s a small shopping mall within walking distance with a few restaurants inside. If you are running out of local currency, there’s a bank in the mall for you to exchange some money too.
Remember, you can only do the wet trails between April 1st – October 31st, if you would like to include this fun & thrilling activity in your Jordan trip, you know which month to go.
Trust me, it is going to be an adventure you will never forget!
My Video at Mujib Biosphere Reserve
Check out my video and you can feel the fun we had!