Wadi Mujib: Canyoning in the lowest nature reserve on earth
Your trip
to Jordan won’t be successful without visiting the unique Dead Sea. This lake
(other than what the name implies it is not a sea) is located on the border of
Israel and Jordan, and is known for its extremely high salt levels which make
it very easy to float. Furthermore, the shore of the Dead Sea is the lowest
point on earth. Something you must experience at least once in your life. But what
if I told you, besides floating, you could do another spectacular thing in the
area of the Dead Sea. A three-hour canyon hike following a river through an
impressive gorge at 400 meters below sea level. Would you do it? We decided to
go for it, and escaped the dazzling August heath at the Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve
in Jordan.
The Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve
The Wadi Mujib nature reserve is located right next to the Dead Sea, across the street from the equally beautiful Mujib Chalets where we stayed (definitely recommend staying here!), on a 2 hour drive from Amman. The Wadi Mujib nature reserve once was a rocky terrain, but in the course of millions of years, the rocks got torn apart creating narrow passages in between. Freshwater rivers have originated within these narrow passages, which makes the area absolutely beautiful. Because of its location next to the Dead Sea, it is located on the lowest point on our planet, and can therefore be called the lowest nature reserve on earth. A unique place!
The reserve
offers two possible activities. The Siq Trail and the Ibex Trail. The biggest
difference between both is that the Siq Trail makes you wet, and the Ibex Trail
doesn’t. The Siq Trail is a trail
following a previously mentioned fresh water river, in between two massive
cliffs. That is called canyoning. Canyoning is a sport in which you walk, climb
and swim through a canyon (hence, the name) usually filled with water. Besides,
the Siq Trail can be done self-guided, while a guide is necessary and mandatory
to get a guide during the Ibex Trail. We decided to go for the Siq Trail. Especially
because we visited Jordan in August which means it got extremely hot (over 45
degrees Celcius). In between the gorge of the Wadi Mujib Reserve it was
surprisingly cool and pleasant.
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The Siq Trail
After having signed up at the visitor centre, and after a brief instruction about the trail, the journey begins. Because the Mujib river floats through a narrow gorge, the water is very refreshing, and the temperature is surprisingly pleasant compared to the 40 degrees Celsius outside of the gorge. Being used to the warm water of the Dead Sea, the first steps into the water makes me shiver slightly from the cold. But I quickly forget about this, as I get distracted by the beautiful surroundings and the fast flowing water. It makes us curious. Where does it come from? We start our trail. Right against the flow.
The hike is
not easy. While in the beginning the only obstacle we run in to is the
peacefully flowing water, it quickly turns into a strong current. Soon we run
into the actual obstacles of the trail. Short rapids and waterfalls which
become bigger each time. And every time we reach a waterfall, the bottom
disappears which makes we have to swim. Luckily we can use the ropes which are
attached to rocks where needed. We also wear lifejackets which make the
experience exciting rather than scary. And as we are not the only ones doing
the trail, we can all help each other reach the top.
It is all
worth it. Every time we pass another bend in the gorge we are mesmerised over
and over. And when we look up, all we see is fifty meters of steep red cliffs.
With at the top a small strip of blue sky. Breathtaking!
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After around
two hours of hiking we reach the biggest, and final, waterfall which marks the
end of the trail. We’ve made it. We sit down for a while on a small beach of
rocks which appeared because of the current, take some pictures, and decide to join
some other travellers on another miniature adventure to walk right through the waterfall
and explore the cave behind it. And then it is time to start on our way back.
On the way
back you follow the exact same route. In contrast to most hikes, the way back
is much easier and faster than the way up. The waterfalls which we climbed on
our way up turned into slides. And as we are wearing life jackets we simply
float back with the current. Without realizing it we arrive at the visitor
centre where the adventure started. We look back one more time into the
beautiful canyon. This definitely was one of the most beautiful and coolest
hikes we have ever done, and one of the (many) highlights of our trip to
Jordan. That is how the lowest point on earth turned into an absolute
highlight. A hidden gem located right next to the Dead Sea.
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Good to know
Opening timesBefore you start the Siq Trail it is important to be aware of certain things. First of all, it is important to know that the trail is not open year round. It is only opened from April – October. This is the case, because this is the dry period. The more rain, the stronger the current, which makes the trail not accessible for tourists from November – March. During the April – October period, you can start the trail any time between 8 AM and 3 PM.
Requirements
There are a few requirements you have to meet in order to be able to start the trail. You need to be at least 18 years old, you must know how to swim, and you must have a reasonable level of fitness. But what is a reasonable level of fitness? We are ourselves rather sporty, but absolutely no skilled hikers. Furthermore, neither of us ever did canyoning before. Though, compared to other hikers at the time we were there, we did well and we never experienced it to be very hard. But don’t underestimate. You will have to be able to climb waterfalls through rope ladders or simply just ropes.
There are a few requirements you have to meet in order to be able to start the trail. You need to be at least 18 years old, you must know how to swim, and you must have a reasonable level of fitness. But what is a reasonable level of fitness? We are ourselves rather sporty, but absolutely no skilled hikers. Furthermore, neither of us ever did canyoning before. Though, compared to other hikers at the time we were there, we did well and we never experienced it to be very hard. But don’t underestimate. You will have to be able to climb waterfalls through rope ladders or simply just ropes.
Clothing
The only actual requirement regarding clothing, is that you must wear water shoes and a lifejacket when doing the Siq Trail. The lifejacket will be provided for at the visitor centre, which you have to return after the trial. You can bring water shoes with you, or buy them at the visitor centre. Furthermore, we wore our swimming suits with normal clothing on top (clothes that can get wet). After all, Jordan is an Islamic country, so even though only had to cross the road we decided to cover ourselves up. Halfway through the trail I got annoyed by the wet clothing, so I continued in my bikini (with lifejacket of course). This was perfectly fine.
The only actual requirement regarding clothing, is that you must wear water shoes and a lifejacket when doing the Siq Trail. The lifejacket will be provided for at the visitor centre, which you have to return after the trial. You can bring water shoes with you, or buy them at the visitor centre. Furthermore, we wore our swimming suits with normal clothing on top (clothes that can get wet). After all, Jordan is an Islamic country, so even though only had to cross the road we decided to cover ourselves up. Halfway through the trail I got annoyed by the wet clothing, so I continued in my bikini (with lifejacket of course). This was perfectly fine.
Personal
belongings
First of all I want to strongly advice you to bring as little as possible. Simply because of the fact that you won’t be able to take a lot with you. We only brought a small bottle of water and one of our phones in a dry bag. These dry bags can be rented at the start of the trail. We left the rest of our belongings in the car or in one of the lockers at the start of the trail.
First of all I want to strongly advice you to bring as little as possible. Simply because of the fact that you won’t be able to take a lot with you. We only brought a small bottle of water and one of our phones in a dry bag. These dry bags can be rented at the start of the trail. We left the rest of our belongings in the car or in one of the lockers at the start of the trail.
Duration
and costs
The duration of the trail is approximately 3 hours. This is including some moments to rest or to enjoy the surroundings. You will notice that the way up is longer than the way down because of the current. It costs 21 Jordanian Dinar to be able to start the trail, this is around 27 Euro. For the 27 euro you get access to the nature reserve and you can make use of one of the lifejackets and lockers. Besides, you can buy water shoes, rent a drybag or get a guide. This all, of course, at an additional cost.
The duration of the trail is approximately 3 hours. This is including some moments to rest or to enjoy the surroundings. You will notice that the way up is longer than the way down because of the current. It costs 21 Jordanian Dinar to be able to start the trail, this is around 27 Euro. For the 27 euro you get access to the nature reserve and you can make use of one of the lifejackets and lockers. Besides, you can buy water shoes, rent a drybag or get a guide. This all, of course, at an additional cost.
How to
get there
The Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve cannot be reached by public transport. Therefore I would highly recommend to rent a car. Though, there is another possibility. Some tour operators offer tours from either Amman or your Dead Sea hotel to Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve.
The Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve cannot be reached by public transport. Therefore I would highly recommend to rent a car. Though, there is another possibility. Some tour operators offer tours from either Amman or your Dead Sea hotel to Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve.
The visitor
centre
The visitor centre is across the street of the beautiful Mujib Chalets and close to the Mujib Bridge. It has a spacious parking lot, toilets, dressing rooms and a restaurant. For more information, visit the website: https://www.wildjordan.com/destinations/mujib-biosphere-reserve
The visitor centre is across the street of the beautiful Mujib Chalets and close to the Mujib Bridge. It has a spacious parking lot, toilets, dressing rooms and a restaurant. For more information, visit the website: https://www.wildjordan.com/destinations/mujib-biosphere-reserve
In short, a
very fun and sporty activity to add to your Jordan itinerary!
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