5 Offbeat Experiences Every Visitor In Jordan Must Have

Everybody goes to Petra and the Dead Sea while in Jordan. But there is a whole new country waiting to be explored outside of the tourist sellouts in the tiny kingdom of Jordan. With a little more time and some clever planning it is possible to see more of this country’s treasures than what the Nabaelaite kings left behind at Petra and dunk yourself in the Dead Sea. Here are five rewarding experiences you must seek on your visit to Jordan.

Getting lost at Dana Biosphere Reserve

Dana Biosphere Reserve is Jordan’s largest nature reserve. It is home to many endangered species such as Nubian ibex as well as the Syrian serin and also has the most diverse plant life and birding in the country. The campsite offers walking tours of various days as well as some (pricey) accommodation. I decided to take the easy day hike to marvel at the different types of rocks that make up the landscape at Dana. If you are a nature lover and miss this place, you really should reconsider your itinerary. Dana Biosphere Reserve can be visited as a day trip from Petra.

Get more information here.

Interacting with the locals

Interacting with locals doesn’t mean seeking out that hot new culinary class in town. It’s meeting locals serendipitously and getting to know them. It is sharing stories from your home country and listening to locals speaking about their hopes and dreams, like this bunch of students at Ajloun castle did with me. A common love for Shah Rukh Khan and Hindi movies ensured that this interaction would be a memorable one. Seek your own interaction in this Bollywood-loving country and their love for Indians.

Meeting Syrian refugees

Perhaps the most heartbreaking thing in Jordan currently is the number of refugees from Syria. I met Muhammed outside my hotel in Petra working as a waiter. I met another elderly man who had come to massage my legs after an entire day of walking in Petra. Hearing their stories will tell you more about the Syrian civil war than any news article can ever tell you. Incredibly, they aren’t bitter about their refugee status. They just yearn to go back to their homes and stay with their families – just like any other human being. Do try to meet and help the refugees in any way you can when you’re in Jordan.

Marvelling at desert castles

This was a bit of a revelation. Desert castles lie neglected and strewn along the solitary road that leads to Saudi Arabia from Amman. Built by the Umayyads, these desert castles were rest stops for travelling caravans and had everything from hot water baths to suggestive imagery on its walls. These castles lie mostly in ruins and the tumbling trucks along the highway scarcely pay attention to them but a visit to these castles is highly recommended. Azraq, Kharana and Amra are ‘castles’ that can be covered in an easy day trip from Amman.

Read more about these castles here.

Finding an abandoned train station

It’s unlikely you will miss a visit to the vast nothingness of Wadi Rum on your visit to Jordan. Here’s a small tip. Just before you reach your destination, keep an eye out on the left side. You will come across an abandoned railroad station that was once the pride of Jordan. There is no functional railway system in Jordan at the moment but the English had developed one when they had colonized the country. If you can get your hands on a copy of ‘Theeb’ then do give it a watch before checking this place. It will help you put the station in context to the happenings that gripped the land a century ago.

Of course, this is only an indicative list. Jordan is small but is enough to give you memories for life. If you need help planning your trip there, do get in touch with me for a personalised itinerary.
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