6 Activities
Dead Sea, Hot Springs and Cool Wadis
Starts from
Amman
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
6
Duration
10 hrs 10 min
Length
43 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Amman
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hrs 10 min
Length
43 mi
- History and Culture
- Natural Attractions
- Unusual Locations
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert
- Bathe at the lowest point on Earth.
- Hike through winding river canyons.
- Soak in a mineral-rich steam bath.
- Watch the sunset over the Dead Sea.
This one-day trip is designed to introduce you to some of Jordan’s stunning, and quite unique, natural landscapes, starting with the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea, or Salt Sea, is a saltwater lake in the Jordan Rift Valley whose borders are shared between Jordan, Israel and the Palestine West Bank. Most of the water comes from the Jordan River. At 1,412 feet below sea level, this region is the lowest point on Earth! It is also the deepest of the hypersaline lakes across the world, although not the saltiest (that title goes to Don Juan Pond in Antarctica). The salinity of the Dead Sea is 35%, around 10 times saltier than the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. Its saltiness comes from the fact that it is a low-lying desert lake with only one water source, so the water evaporates more quickly than it does in the sea. This high level of salinity means that no marine life can survive in it – hence the name.
Jordan is also a land of ‘wadis’: river canyons or ravines that are dry for much of the year. These wadis are spectacular places for hiking and canyoning (except during the rainy season when there is a risk of flash flooding) and are popular weekend outings for local families.
And there are natural springs too! Originating from the rainfall on the highland plains of Jordan, there are over 100 hot and cold springs in the valley that have been used and revered by local people since ancient times. Even the Bible makes reference to Ma’in Hot Springs and it is said that King Herod himself used to bathe here.
Like the wadis and the Dead Sea, these springs are also places where families get together to have fun and catch up on the gossip, and so this trip will also give you a glimpse of local, everyday life. Note though, this means you should consider how you dress and avoid wearing skimpy clothing or revealing beach wear, as these are public spaces, not resorts.
Jordan is also a land of ‘wadis’: river canyons or ravines that are dry for much of the year. These wadis are spectacular places for hiking and canyoning (except during the rainy season when there is a risk of flash flooding) and are popular weekend outings for local families.
And there are natural springs too! Originating from the rainfall on the highland plains of Jordan, there are over 100 hot and cold springs in the valley that have been used and revered by local people since ancient times. Even the Bible makes reference to Ma’in Hot Springs and it is said that King Herod himself used to bathe here.
Like the wadis and the Dead Sea, these springs are also places where families get together to have fun and catch up on the gossip, and so this trip will also give you a glimpse of local, everyday life. Note though, this means you should consider how you dress and avoid wearing skimpy clothing or revealing beach wear, as these are public spaces, not resorts.
Categories
- History and Culture
- Natural Attractions
- Unusual Locations
This one-day trip is designed to introduce you to some of Jordan’s stunning, and quite unique, natural landscapes, starting with the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea, or Salt Sea, is a saltwater lake in the Jordan Rift Valley whose borders are shared between Jordan, Israel and the Palestine West Bank. Most of the water comes from the Jordan River. At 1,412 feet below sea level, this region is the lowest point on Earth! It is also the deepest of the hypersaline lakes across the world, although not the saltiest (that title goes to Don Juan Pond in Antarctica). The salinity of the Dead Sea is 35%, around 10 times saltier than the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. Its saltiness comes from the fact that it is a low-lying desert lake with only one water source, so the water evaporates more quickly than it does in the sea. This high level of salinity means that no marine life can survive in it – hence the name.
Jordan is also a land of ‘wadis’: river canyons or ravines that are dry for much of the year. These wadis are spectacular places for hiking and canyoning (except during the rainy season when there is a risk of flash flooding) and are popular weekend outings for local families.
And there are natural springs too! Originating from the rainfall on the highland plains of Jordan, there are over 100 hot and cold springs in the valley that have been used and revered by local people since ancient times. Even the Bible makes reference to Ma’in Hot Springs and it is said that King Herod himself used to bathe here.
Like the wadis and the Dead Sea, these springs are also places where families get together to have fun and catch up on the gossip, and so this trip will also give you a glimpse of local, everyday life. Note though, this means you should consider how you dress and avoid wearing skimpy clothing or revealing beach wear, as these are public spaces, not resorts.
Jordan is also a land of ‘wadis’: river canyons or ravines that are dry for much of the year. These wadis are spectacular places for hiking and canyoning (except during the rainy season when there is a risk of flash flooding) and are popular weekend outings for local families.
And there are natural springs too! Originating from the rainfall on the highland plains of Jordan, there are over 100 hot and cold springs in the valley that have been used and revered by local people since ancient times. Even the Bible makes reference to Ma’in Hot Springs and it is said that King Herod himself used to bathe here.
Like the wadis and the Dead Sea, these springs are also places where families get together to have fun and catch up on the gossip, and so this trip will also give you a glimpse of local, everyday life. Note though, this means you should consider how you dress and avoid wearing skimpy clothing or revealing beach wear, as these are public spaces, not resorts.
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert
- Bathe at the lowest point on Earth.
- Hike through winding river canyons.
- Soak in a mineral-rich steam bath.
- Watch the sunset over the Dead Sea.
Day Itinerary
6 Activities
Day 1
43 mi
Waterfalls, Canyons and Spring Spas
You’ll start the day with a dip, or rather a ‘float’ in the Dead Sea followed by a stunning walk through a wadi, and then a clifftop lunch with fabulous vistas. You’ll spend the afternoon luxuriating in hot spring pools before checking out another glorious view across the valley, and then dine in a local restaurant, before returning to Amman.
Website
10:051 hr 30 min
Amman Tourist Beach Resort
Natural
To experience the Dead Sea as a local rather than a tourist, head to Amman beach; the only public beach area with facilities outside of the major luxury resorts. There’s an entrance fee but this will give you access to loungers and umbrellas, lockers and showers (which you’ll need to wash off the salt!). There are also small kiosks to get drinks and snacks, and even a swimming pool.
Once you’re there, do what everyone else does – pick up a book, wade into the sea, and float around while reading. The buoyancy of the water is quite extraordinary, and it’s challenging to do anything other than float (try swimming!). The reason that people float is that the high salinity level makes the water denser than our bodies. If we were a stone, we’d still sink.
Despite its negative name, the water and the shoreline mud is actually rich in potassium, calcium chloride and magnesium, and is said to alleviate a number of skin complaints. Even Cleopatra was said to have used the Dead Sea as part of her beauty treatments. Use some of the salt and mud to give your skin a good scrub but be careful as the mud can stain your clothes.
Once you’re there, do what everyone else does – pick up a book, wade into the sea, and float around while reading. The buoyancy of the water is quite extraordinary, and it’s challenging to do anything other than float (try swimming!). The reason that people float is that the high salinity level makes the water denser than our bodies. If we were a stone, we’d still sink.
Despite its negative name, the water and the shoreline mud is actually rich in potassium, calcium chloride and magnesium, and is said to alleviate a number of skin complaints. Even Cleopatra was said to have used the Dead Sea as part of her beauty treatments. Use some of the salt and mud to give your skin a good scrub but be careful as the mud can stain your clothes.
3.9 mi
10 min
Website
11:451 hr 30 min
Wadi Himara
Natural
Wadi Himara is a stunning canyon, named after the red coloured cliffs that surround this valley. It is also greener than many of the other wadis, with vegetation such as palm trees, juniper, oleander, and reeds.
The Palm Trees trail is a route that follows the lower section of the canyon and is rated as easy and suitable for families. It is approximately 4km long and ends at a 4-metres-high waterfall. If you walk further, you’ll come to another waterfall; at 80 metres, this is the highest in Jordan, but it does require ropes to climb up it, which is more challenging.
Although the canyon is shady, it will still be hot, so take plenty of water.
Park in the car park opposite the wadi entrance.
Note: check the weather forecast before hiking in this or any other wadis. Flash floods can happen so do not hike if rain is forecast or if there has been heavy rain in the preceding couple of days.
The Palm Trees trail is a route that follows the lower section of the canyon and is rated as easy and suitable for families. It is approximately 4km long and ends at a 4-metres-high waterfall. If you walk further, you’ll come to another waterfall; at 80 metres, this is the highest in Jordan, but it does require ropes to climb up it, which is more challenging.
Although the canyon is shady, it will still be hot, so take plenty of water.
Park in the car park opposite the wadi entrance.
Note: check the weather forecast before hiking in this or any other wadis. Flash floods can happen so do not hike if rain is forecast or if there has been heavy rain in the preceding couple of days.
6.3 mi
15 min
Website
13:301 hr 30 min
Dead Sea Museum
History
Situated next door to the Dead Sea Museum, this restaurant offers the most spectacular views across the Dead Sea to Israel and Palestine. Note the food is buffet-style and is plentiful, so make sure you’re hungry. There’s a great range of different Jordanian dishes to try as well as European options.
Note there is a fee to enter the Complex.
Note there is a fee to enter the Complex.
3.9 mi
15 min
Website
15:302 hrs
Ma'in Hot Springs
Natural
Like a desert oasis, Hammamat Ma’inis a lush canyon paradise of palm trees, green vegetation and waterfalls – except these falls are superheated!
The springs and waterfalls form part of the Ma’In luxury resort, however, a day pass will give you access to the public area which contains four of the six waterfalls. Here you can bathe in the terraced pools below the falls or even take a ‘steam shower’ under the falls themselves. The falls are between 30-37 degrees Celsius, around the same temperature as a warm bath. There is also a Roman-style steam room (with separate male and female sections).
Like the Dead Sea, the water (known as ‘fossil groundwater’) is rich in minerals, including sodium and calcium, which are said to have therapeutic benefits. This may be why people have been bathing here since Roman times. The water is heated up as it travels through underground lava fissures in the valley before emptying into the Zarqa River, a tributary of the Jordan River.
The springs and waterfalls form part of the Ma’In luxury resort, however, a day pass will give you access to the public area which contains four of the six waterfalls. Here you can bathe in the terraced pools below the falls or even take a ‘steam shower’ under the falls themselves. The falls are between 30-37 degrees Celsius, around the same temperature as a warm bath. There is also a Roman-style steam room (with separate male and female sections).
Like the Dead Sea, the water (known as ‘fossil groundwater’) is rich in minerals, including sodium and calcium, which are said to have therapeutic benefits. This may be why people have been bathing here since Roman times. The water is heated up as it travels through underground lava fissures in the valley before emptying into the Zarqa River, a tributary of the Jordan River.
8.2 mi
25 min
Website
18:0015 min
Fortress of Machaerus
History
Machaerus (also called Mukawir) - is a ruined fortress on top of a hill overlooking the Dead Sea. It was once the stronghold of Herod the Great and, later, his son Herod Antipas, who ordered John the Baptist’s imprisonment and later beheading. Despite its gruesome history, it’s a great place for a final view across the Jordan valley before heading back towards Amman. Depending on the time of year, you may be lucky enough to coincide your visit with the sunset, which is particularly dramatic as it sets over the Dead Sea.
20.5 mi
50 min
Website
19:151 hr 30 min
Bawabit Madaba Restaurant & Cafe
Food
Located in a beautifully restored old house in town, this is a great restaurant for traditional Jordanian cuisine.