JORDAN: A Glimpse Into Jordan’s Disappearing Heritage

Amman, the city on seven hills, is a jumble of modern meets historic where Eastern melds into Western, providing ample opportunity for one-of-a-kind experiences.

After you’ve hit the must see sights, check out these unique things to do in Amman, bet you won’t miss the busloads of tourists.

Jordanians love their mansaf, the hearty national dish of rice and lamb topped with a creamy yogurty sauce, traditionally eaten without cutlery.

Those seeking mansaf who prefer a more bohemian cafe scene, complete with young shisha smoking locals and summertime roof terrace, should head to Jameeda Khanem in downtown Amman.

The regular rotation of live music by local musicians perfectly compliments their mansaf with a twist.

If you’re looking for a more post-modern, swanky mansaf interpretation, pop into District, the stylish rooftop bar offering mansaf sliders, excellent service and a lovely view of the city as well as a budget-conscious happy hour from 5pm to 8pm every day.

Artists of all nationalities flock to the Jabal Weibdeh neighbourhood, which, not coincidentally, hosts a majority of the city’s street art.

The steep and narrow maze of one-way streets are a headache to traverse by car, so walking is your best bet.

Check out this online map to plot your own private art walk and if you discover new works along the way, you can contribute to the map.

Just leave time to stop between Insta shots for tea in a charming cafe or to watch artists doing their thing in storefront studios.

Beer lovers rejoice. Even though a majority of Jordanians don’t imbibe, Jordan has its very own craft brewery Carakale.

Stocked by many of the top pubs in Amman, Carakale offers blonde ale and pale ale, plus a rotating selection of seasonal brews.

Get it on tap if you can, since hop devotees swear it’s preferable to bottle.

Better yet, take a drive out to their brewery in Fuheis, 30 minutes outside Amman, to visit their tasting room, which has a breathtaking view of Blue Canyon.

Carakale Brewery is a Jordanian microbrewery founded in 2010 in the town of Fuheis near Amman.

It was founded by a Jordanian called Yazan Karadsheh as Jordan's first microbrewery.

The brewery is named after Caracal, a mammal that is native to Jordan.

Carakale's first production beer was a blond ale meant to serve as entry-level brew to create a craft beer culture in Jordan, where it previously didn't exist.

The brewery sold its first bottle in late 2013 and is now available in most of the approximately 600 stores, bars, restaurants, and hotels that sell alcohol in Jordan.

In 2017, Carakale entered the United States market with distribution in bars in Arizona and New York City.

In an effort to distinguish itself from the crowded microbrewery market in the US, Carakale's Dead Sea-rious gose beer includes salt from the Dead Sea and pink grapefruit from the Jordan Valley.

The tap room doesn’t offer food, so stop at Pizza Joe in Fuheis on your way, and grab a pie to go.

A few tribes of Bedouins, nomadic desert people, still live in Jordan today, you can actually stay in a Bedouin tent camp in Wadi Rum, but dig deeper into the rich history of Bedouin and Palestinian culture with a visit to Tiraz.

This intimate museum, housed in a converted villa, artfully tells the story of the land and its people through textiles.

The regularly rotating exhibits of the beautifully preserved weavings from bygone eras, including tribal dresses, handwoven rugs, jewellery and other accessories, provide a glimpse into Jordan’s disappearing heritage.

Greater Amman’s varying elevation, an average of 1000 meters / 3300 feet above sea level provides a variety of microclimates, and all kinds of scenic places to hike, canyon, or climb.

The Jordanian adventure travel industry is still in its infancy trails aren’t marked or maintained so it’s best to hire a guide or go with a group.

Trek a portion of The Jordan Trail, do an eco clean-up hike, go canyoning in one of the wadis or even join a weekend group-camping adventure with Zone-Out Outdoors, Eco Hikers, Experience Jordan and Wild Jordan Adventures.

Hardcore explorers use the book Hiking in Jordan, which provides detailed instructions and GPS coordinates for dozens of hikes in the area.

First-time visitors to Amman are mesmerised by the sight of shepherds and their flocks cruising the streets.

Given all the urban goats and sheep, you’d think local artisanal cheese would be a thing. Not so much.

Mistaka, however, is the exception to the rule. Founded by a local woman who produces some truly tasty creations, Mistaka offers a weekly open house and cheese tasting in Abdoun.

Swing by to grab a hunk of the good stuff on Saturday at Nisreen’s villa, alongside locals and expats replenishing their supply of fancy local cheese.

Amman has top shelf spas to please the most hedonistic traveller, but they’re a bit pricey and, let’s be honest, you can get a hot stone massage anywhere.

Try something a little more authentic. Get scrubbed, steamed and massaged at Turkish style spa Alf Layla Wa Layla, the affordable but still luxurious Turkish hammam that locals rave about.

Located in Thousand Nights hotel, you’ll get the full Arabian spa experience, even if you only opt for the basic scrub and steam package.

Even though men and women have separate areas, full nudity is not the norm. Bring swimwear to respect the local culture.

When the weather turns summery in Amman, locals and visitors alike flock to outdoor courtyards and rooftop restaurants.

To take this spring-summer ritual to the next level, try the Royal Film Commission, located in an historic neighbourhood near Rainbow street.

The Commission grounds feature an outdoor cafe and an open-air amphitheatre that regularly hosts films by Middle Eastern film-makers.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Amman music venues are few and far between. Jordan is home to some truly talented musicians.

Tuesday nights at Rustic Bar and Eatery have fast become a favourite among local music lovers.

Rustic’s sleek retrofit was executed thoughtfully to preserve the heritage and warmth of the historic building, making it a wholly modern and yet still uniquely Jordanian spot to catch some great local bands.

Other popular spots for live music include Corner’s Pub, Maestro and Pit Stop.

Fans of all things Latin can often be found dancing the night away at Trader Vic’s.

The Cuban house band sets the mood for tango night on Mondays and salsa night on Thursdays and Fridays.

If you need a little help to boost your footwork, contact the staff and they’ll arrange lessons before the party gets rolling.

It may seem random, but it’s a fun and friendly crowd and kind of a great story, Oh, yeah, I picked up some salsa moves in Jordan.

Packets of sumac and zaatar are often tucked into travellers’ suitcases when departing from Jordan.

Why not learn how to use these popular spices?

Dedicated foodies looking to recreate the taste of Jordan should book a cooking class at Beit Sitti, which was founded by three sisters and is housed in a traditional villa that once belonged to their grandmother.

The cooking school is dedicated to sharing the sisters’ family recipes as well as their passion for the Jordanian culture.

Learn to cook a four-course Arabic meal, then relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour with fellow classmates at Grandmother’s house which is what the Arabic term beit sitti means.


Tourism Observer

JORDAN: Red Sea Tourism To Grow After Royal Wings Launched Aqaba-Dubai Flights

Royal Wings,the subsidiary of Royal Jordanian – is to launch direct flights between King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba on the Jordanian coast and Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai South.

Royal Wings is transferring its operations from Amman to Aqaba to boost air transportation and tourism in the port city.

This new Dubai service will be run twice weekly – Sundays and Thursdays – at a first stage, with competitive ticket fares to facilitate the movement of passengers between Aqaba, an important tourist and economic destination on the shores of the Red Sea, and Dubai, a vital and pivotal business centre.

With this new flight, investors and tourists will be able to visit Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum, enjoy Jordanian tourist sites and its moderate weather.

Royal Wings Managing Director Osama Quntar said: Royal Wings operates this route in cooperation with the Jordan Tourism Board, which continuously seeks to promote Jordan to the world, especially in the Arab Gulf countries, whose citizens consider Jordan an attractive destination for family tourism in terms of entertainment, culture, health and medical and eco tourism.

This new service to Dubai comes after it launched direct regular flights to Beirut and Cairo.

The company also aims to operate to new markets like London, Milan, Moscow, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm and others, according to its 2017- 2018 operational plan.

The flights depart at 8:35 from Aqaba and arrives at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai at 12:25; it takes off from Dubai at 13:10 and arrives in Aqaba at 15:15.

JORDAN: Balancing Between Syria War And Promoting Jordanian Tourism

Natural wonders it has in abundance, but natural resources are lacking. And now one of Jordan's main money-earners - tourism - is being killed off by regional conflicts.

A haven of peace surrounded by war, Jordan is turning to contingency measures to try to revive its tourism industry which is suffering because of the raging violence in its neighbours Iraq and Syria.

Tourism in 2014 contributed 14 percent of the kingdom's gross domestic product, to the tune of $4.4bn, the second highest earner after remittances from expatriates.

But the flow of tourism revenue is becoming a trickle.

"For three days I haven't had a tourist come in here," said 30-year-old Mohammed of his souvenir shop in central Amman.

"Things are slowing down, and each year seems to be worse than the last."

The Hashemite kingdom has no shortage of acclaimed wonders, both natural and man-made.

Its rose-pink rock-hewn city of Petra is one of the seven wonders of the world, and the Roman ruins at Jerash in the north of the country near the border with Syria are among the region's most impressive.

The desert at Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea have always figured high on the list of the country's natural attractions.

Until recent years, such sites attracted hundreds of thousands of Western tourists on the trail of the first great civilisations.

But now they are devoid of visitors, frightened off by regional unrest in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring that swept across the Middle East and North Africa.

In those four years, the number of people who visit Petra every year has nearly halved, from just under a million in 2010 to around 600,000 last year. Ten hotels there have had to shut their doors.

And revenue from tourism was down 15 percent during the first four months of 2015 on last year, falling to $1.5bn.

Tourism Minister Nayef al-Fayez attributed the fall to the absence among visitors of visibility on the situation in Jordan.

The head of the country's tourism office, Abderrazak Arabyat, has now come up with an emergency plan aimed at raising Jordan's international profile and getting out of this situation.

There's no magic wand we can wave to fix things in a few weeks.

But we have put in place an ambitious plan targeting in particular the countries of the Gulf such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

New markets including Turkey and the Far East will also be approached, among them China, Japan and South Korea, with the hope of seeing positive results from next year.

There is also a rethink on diversifying the actual product and boosting services such as medical tourism.

According to Fawzi Hamouri, who heads the country's association of private clinics, Jordan has become the prime medical destination in the Middle East and North Africa, with 250,000 foreign patients treated in 2014.

Some Jordanians in the industry believe the authorities are not doing enough, however.

Travel agent Salama Khattar deplores what he called the absence of a clear and ambitious programme of work to relaunch tourism.

We have made no profits since 2011. We are paying the overheads out of our own pockets, he said.

In the past four years, Khattar's agency which brings tourist groups from Belgium, France, Norway and Sweden has seen its business cut in half.

Amman emphasises safety to try to reassure foreign visitors, but Jordanian involvement in the air campaign against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq does not mean it is sheltered from extremism.

It shouldn't be us who pays the price, the tourism minister said, since Jordan is not part of the problem in the region.

Julien, a young French tourist visiting the towering Roman theatre dominating the centre of Amman, said he had no regrets about coming.

A great stay, and no sense of feeling insecure despite a few initial reservations linked to the current trouble, he said.

Western governments regularly warn their citizens that Jordan is not immune from the violence that afflicts the region.

The threat of terrorism remains high in Jordan, says the US State Department's current travel advisory.

The last attack in the country was in 2005, when suicide bombers blew themselves up in three of the capital's hotels, killing 60 people.

JORDAN: Golden Triangle Of Tourism,Wadi Rum, Petra And Aqaba Most Affected By Drop In Tourist Arrivals

The drop in tourists is most noticeable in what is known as Jordan's 'golden triangle' of tourism: the sites of Wadi Rum, Petra and Aqaba.

Shaker al-Onaizi started his career in tourism at the age of five by selling postcards to tourists who flocked to the desert expanse of Wadi Rum in southern Jordan.

Now the 24-year-old, like tens of thousands of other Jordanians who rely on tourism for their living, is facing his leanest year. Campsites are empty, and his 4x4 pick-up truck, which once took dozens of visitors on guided tours each day, sits idle.

"If there are tourists, we work and eat. If not, we sleep," Onaizi said as he gazed across the reddish desert.

While tourism in Jordan has been on the decline since the outbreak of the Arab Spring uprisings four years ago, it has witnessed its sharpest drop in 2015, with the number of tourists in the first four months of the year down 40 percent from 2014.

The tourism sector makes up 13 percent of Jordan's gross domestic product, and provides jobs in hotels and resorts for around 49,000 people. This figure excludes members of local communities - Bedouins in Petra and Onaizi in Rum - whose livelihoods are based on tourism.

Officials and experts in the sector attribute the decline to Jordan's prominent role in the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). "We are paying a tax for being in the middle of an inflamed region," said Abul Razaq Arabiat, the head of Jordan's Tourism Board.

In December, ISIL downed a Jordanian jet and captured its pilot, Moaz al-Kasasbeh, in the Syrian city of Raqqa. In February, ISIL released a video showing the pilot being burned alive, sparking angry protests across Jordan calling for revenge and increased Jordanian air strikes against the group in Syria.

Tourism industry leaders say the worldwide publicity created by these events scared off thousands of tourists, prompting tour groups to cancel their bookings to the kingdom.

"The pilot crisis created a perception that Jordan is not safe," said Lina Khalid, director of the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association.

The capture of the pilot happened at around the same time as the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris, which Khalid believes also caused thousands of cancellations.

Many French tourists were worried by demonstrations against the cartoons that took place in Jordan,she said

Late last year and early this year, the US and French embassies in Jordan issued travel warnings, asking their citizens to be cautious and to stay away from malls and shopping centres in the country. The travel warnings have "discouraged many Westerners" from visiting Jordan, according to Arabiat.

The drop in tourists is most noticeable in what is known as Jordan's "golden triangle" of tourism: the sites of Wadi Rum, Petra, and Aqaba.

According to Khalid, occupancy of hotels in the region has not exceeded 20 percent so far this year, whereas normally occupancy rates can reach 90-95 percent.

The ancient city of Petra is nearly empty; on one day in early June, just a few dozen tourists wandered its cavernous gorges and rock-carved temples. Out of desperation, children clung to the occasional visitor who passed by, trying to sell them postcards.

Bedouin men and women advertised 50-percent-off sales on silver and antiques, while young men strolled back and forth, treading the same dusty paths with their horses and camels, trying to convince the handful of visitors to take a guided tour.

In Petra alone, 10 hotels have been reported closed this year due to mounting losses, and many have reduced their staff, leaving hundreds of residents jobless.

In Rum village, which has a population of roughly 1,300, people rely mainly on tourism as a source of income, while others work in the military or herd animals.

Onaizi, the tour guide, who dropped out of school at the age of 14 to help his father open one of the area's first campsites, said that unless the industry rebounds soon, he and many of his peers will abandon the sector.

"I have been engaged for a year and a half, and I do not know how long it will take me to build my future home," said Onaizi. In previous years, his camp used to host up to 30 or 40 people a night; now, barely a handful trickle in each week.

In recent weeks, the Jordanian government announced that it was taking measures and adopting an "emergency plan" to address the challenges facing the country's tourism sector.

The measures include waiving the $56 visa fee for visitors staying in the country for a minimum of two consecutive nights, and introducing a new, $100 "all-inclusive" pass for the country's most famous tourist sites, such as Petra, Jerash, and the site where Jesus is believed to have been baptised. Currently, the entry fee to Petra alone is $70.

Jordan's Ministry of Tourism avoids giving clarifications.

But it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to counter potential tourists' security concerns.

"Instability around us will remain our biggest challenge," Arabiat said. "Until the regional turmoil calms down, we have to tell the world that Jordan is safe."

Standing on a hill overlooking the flat green plains that stretch between the northern Jordanian town of Ramtha and the Syrian border, Ahmad Abu Sarhan laments the devastating consequences of the Syrian war on his hometown.

"Here, we are living in a state of war - without war," said Abu Sarhan, a 43-year-old shopkeeper.

Once known as the "Sinbads" of Jordan due to their relentless trade and ability to find commercial opportunities abroad, residents of Ramtha, 90km north of Amman, relied on the ancient route to Syria as their lifeline, counting on trade and transport between the two countries for income.

But ever since the beginning of the Syrian uprising in 2011, thousands of Ramtha families have lost their livelihoods, and now struggle to put food on the table. "Our war is economic. We are fighting to feed our children," Abu Sarhan said.

The final nail in Ramtha's economic coffin was the closure of the Jaber-Nassib border crossing after Syrian rebel groups seized it on April 4. Amid the chaos on the Syrian side, armed fighters and civilians reportedly looted the Syrian-Jordanian free zone, with losses estimated at 100 million Jordanian dinars ($140m).

"Overnight, I lost all my business and my staff lost their jobs," said Abdullah Abu Aqoolah, whose car dealership was looted. After boasting a display of 388 cars, he has only six left to his name now.

Nabil Rumman, the manager of Jordan's free zones, estimates that some 7,000 Jordanians - working in logistics, transport and other services - have lost their jobs since the Jaber-Nassib border closure.

The majority of those laid off were from Ramtha, cutting the last sources of income for the border town, while others hailed from the northern Jordanian towns of Irbid and Mafraq, which are also housing an influx of more than 200,000 Syrian refugees.

"It is a blow for the Jordanian economy, but it is the work force that has been hit hardest," Rumman said. Heavy items such as wood and construction equipment survived the looting and have been transferred to the Zarqa Free Zone, according to Rumman.

But for the residents of Ramtha, this was just the latest, and most devastating, of a series of attacks that have gradually taken away their livelihoods.

In 2011, Jordanian authorities closed the Deraa-Ramtha border crossing, a move that cost 3,500 taxi drivers their jobs, according to residents and community leaders. It also gradually blocked the flow of goods such as cotton, food and clothing from Syria to Ramtha's wholesale merchants.

"The economy in Ramtha was on life support for the past three years, but the latest closure has completely killed it," said Abdul Salam Thunibat, head of Ramtha's Chamber of Commerce. The number of active merchants in the border town registered with the chamber declined from 6,500 in 2010, to 1,000 in 2015, according to Thunibat.

"They cannot afford to pay rent, taxes, and salaries when there are no goods coming in," Thunibat said, adding that some merchants have turned to Turkey and China to import from, shouldering higher transportation costs.

By midday in Ramtha, most shops remain shuttered, with no local demand to encourage them to open. Even the local butcher offers his customers an economic choice between "fresh meat" or days-old "leftovers", due to declining demand and purchasing power.

The Syrian war has not only cut off the border town's lifeline. It has also brought an influx of tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, who have strained the local infrastructure in Ramtha and flooded the labour force with cheap, skilled labour that out-price Jordanian workers.

Rihab Krasneh, 37, shut down her 15-year-old hair salon in Ramtha after her customers turned to Syrian hairstylists who offered half-price services in their own homes. "They do not pay for rent or taxes, so whatever they earn is profit," Krasneh said.

Locals blame the Jordanian government for not doing enough to create job opportunities or improve the services and infrastructure that have been burdened by the Syrian crisis. Before the Syrian war, Ramtha's population stood at 90,000. With the influx of refugees, it has ballooned to 160,000, according to Ibraheem Saqqar, head of Ramtha's municipality.

The Jordanian government received $216m in aid to help the country cope with the pressure placed on them by the Syrian crisis. But Ramtha locals say the government has not properly allocated the funds. "We still have only one hospital. No more schools have been built, and no job opportunities were created with this aid money they talk about," Saqqar said.

The only noteworthy addition to the town has been the establishment of two new cemeteries donated by a local charity, after the war raging a few kilometres away filled up Ramtha's burial plots.

The only "breathing space for families", a community garden known as King Abdullah Gardens, was long ago converted into a camp for Syrian refugees.

Jordanian officials, however, say that aid money is not sufficient to solve the problems caused by the Syrian crisis.

With Jordanian border towns suffering economically and coping with a doubling of the population, they say their needs are too great and the donations too few. With so much need, they say it is difficult to know where to allocate the limited funds.

"Regardless of how much you do, it is not going to have an impact because the sheer numbers of refugees are enormous," Hassan Assaf, governor of Irbid,said. "If I have a million dinars, will it be enough to build a school, hospital, or fix streets?"

Meanwhile, the sounds of the Syrian war, which has killed 210,000 and displaced 3.7 million Syrians, continue to echo in Ramtha.

Every night, the crack of gunfire and the low rumble of shelling from Syria interrupts their sleep, while the occasional mortar shell falls on Jordanian soil. Luckily, the errant mortars have caused no casualties, but several Ramtha residents have been wounded over the past four years.

And lately, pictures of civilians and armed groups looting the free zones have been circulating over mobile phones. To protect their children from the echoes of war, Abu Sarhan and his wife used to tell them that the sounds of shelling were fireworks from celebrations.

But now as the children "go to school with Syrian children who tell them horrific stories about the shelling", the war has crept into their home as well.

JORDAN: Jordan Hosts AdventureNEXT Conference 15-17/ May

Jordan will on May 15-17 host AdventureNEXT Near East, the first conference to develop ecotourism and travel throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

The event - organized with the support of Jordan's tourism and antiquities ministry and the Jordan Tourism Board - will be held alongside the inauguration of the 650-km Jordan Trail, which will cross 52 villages across the country. The Jordan Trail is expected to lead to economic growth for the local communities.

Taking part will be tourism boards, travel agents and representatives of hotel facilities strongly supporting sustainable, responsible and adventure tourism that are members of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), a body that has 1,100 associates in 90 countries.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Lina Annab Tuesday said Jordan's largest tourism investments are located in Amman, the Dead Sea and Aqaba, pointing out that the value of current investments in Aqaba and the Dead Sea amount to about JOD16 billion.

Annab is heading the Jordanian delegation participating in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2017 in Dubai, running through Thursday with the participation of 159 countries.

She told Petra that most recent include the Ayla Oasis, which includes the first 18-hole golf course designed by the legendary golfer Greg Norman, Saraya Aqaba and Marsa Zayed, in the southern port of Aqaba.

Annab said Amman is currently witnessing significant tourism investments, such as the St. Regis and Fairmont hotel projects and the Abdali Boulevard project, which includes Rotana hotels and a chain of international restaurants.

ATM 2017 will welcome over 2,600 confirmed exhibitors – with 100 exhibiting for the first time – across 65 national pavilions, and an expected number of visitors of 30,000.

Weeks after last month's deadly castle siege in the Jordanian city of Karak, police maintained a daily presence in an armoured Jeep in the heart of the capital Amman.

A helmeted police officer constantly manned the heavy machinegun affixed to the Jeep's roof, scanning cars and pedestrians as they navigated through the central neighbourhood of Jabal al-Weibdeh. Other officers stopped and searched vehicles and pedestrians, a patrol that continued up until last week.

A vibrant neighbourhood comprising Jordanian Muslims, Christians and foreigners, Jabal al-Weibdeh is in many ways an example of the tolerant image that Jordan wants to project to the world - while the heavy, yet temporary police presence illustrates the fine line that Jordan must tread between visible security and not deterring tourists.

In 2015, tourism contributed 6 percent directly to Jordan's GDP, and more than 20 percent indirectly, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

After the Karak siege, the United States warned its citizens of "threats from terrorist groups throughout Jordan", adding to fears about the impacts of the attack on Jordan's tourism sector.

The modern Jordanian tourism industry was born out of conflict - in particular, Israel's capture and occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967, said Suleiman Farajat, an assistant professor of tourism at the University of Jordan.

"When Jordan lost the West Bank in 1967, it became very important to focus on Jordanian sites in the east, starting from Petra, where the first management plan was done in 1968," Farajat told Al Jazeera.

With the rise of oil in the region in the 1970s, the inscription of Petra as a World Heritage Site in 1985, and the filming of 1989's Indiana Jones in Petra, Jordan's international profile rose. The country's peace treaty with Israel in 1994, Farajat said, was a real turning point "when numbers of tourists doubled, and when the infrastructure of tourism became more visible".

But subsequent regional conflicts, including the 2003 Iraq war and the ongoing violence in Syria and Iraq, have heavily impacted Jordan's tourism industry, causing tourist numbers to fall. Visitor numbers to Petra were halved between 2014 and 2015, dropping from 800,000 to 400,000.

Tourism industry workers are concerned about what lies ahead. Ahmad, a tour guide who works at the Greco-Roman ruins at Jerash - which were also under tightened security after the Karak siege - has witnessed the steady decline in numbers first-hand.

Since the outbreak of Syria's civil war in 2011, he estimates there has been an 80 percent drop in tourists to Jerash.

"In the high season, we used to do up to five tours a day, each tour guide. Now in the high season we do one every day, sometimes one every two days," said Ahmad, who did not provide a last name.

He noted that his profession faces a secondary threat from the increased automation of tour-guide services, including cheaper, headphone audio-guided tours.

When they do come to Jordan, tourists' demographics have also changed, Ahmad said including the replacement of "retirees, Americans, Europeans, on a regular, or traditional tour", with younger, often poorer, tourists.

"This is reflected in the budget of the tourist. Mostly, the majority come here on a tight budget," he explained, noting that entrance fees to some of Jordan's tourist sites may be prohibitively high. A one-month entry visa to Jordan costs 40 Jordanian dinars ($56), while the entrance fee for a one-day visit to Petra is 50 dinars ($70).

When Ahmad began working as a tour guide in 2010, it was a coveted career, he said.

"In the past it used to be a full-time job, and they used to make very good money. It was the best job to do in Jordan. Some professors left teaching in universities and became tour guides," he explained. "But now it's the opposite. Tour guides are looking for other jobs."

As many tour guides struggle to maintain a steady income and morale plummets, Farajat said, this "indirectly influences the quality of service and the culture of service", harming Jordan's competitive advantage in the international market.

Still, with attacks being staged everywhere from Paris to Berlin, tourists are realising that "it could happen anywhere," Ahmad noted.

"We had the attack in Karak, and the attack in Germany. How many people were killed here, and there? In Jordan, 10. In Germany, 12," Ahmad recalled telling a group of young, western tourists in Karak on the day of last month's siege.

If you talk about terrorism, now it's everywhere in the world. So there's no point in avoiding this country or that, because it can happen in every country.

Farajat cited the importance of tourism as a way to counter Islamophobic narratives in the West.

It's very important in this time of Islamophobia, that tourists come here and see that we are normal people. We don't bite, he said with a laugh. That's important, right?

Certain areas of Jordan, especially the tourist draws of Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba - may be hit hardest by any fallout from the Karak siege.

But Tourism Minister Lina Annab, who kept her post in this month's cabinet shuffle, played down reports of declining tourist numbers during a recent news conference.

"It's business as usual and the cancellations have been minimal. Unfortunately, as for danger, there is no place that is 100 percent safe," Annab said. The tourism ministry did not respond to requests for further comment.

When spring finally arrives, bringing warmer weather and wild-flower-covered hills, Ahmad and his colleagues hope more tourists will flock back to the country.

Until then, they must persevere, returning to Petra yet again without knowing whether the next day will bring work.

JORDAN: Struggling To Attract Tourists Again

For weeks after last month's deadly castle siege in the Jordanian city of Karak, police maintained a daily presence in an armoured Jeep in the heart of the capital Amman.

A helmeted police officer constantly manned the heavy machinegun affixed to the Jeep's roof, scanning cars and pedestrians as they navigated through the central neighbourhood of Jabal al-Weibdeh.

Other officers stopped and searched vehicles and pedestrians, a patrol that continued up until last week.

A vibrant neighbourhood comprising Jordanian Muslims, Christians and foreigners, Jabal al-Weibdeh is in many ways an example of the tolerant image that Jordan wants to project to the world - while the heavy, yet temporary police presence illustrates the fine line that Jordan must tread between visible security and not deterring tourists.

In 2015, tourism contributed 6 percent directly to Jordan's GDP, and more than 20 percent indirectly, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

After the Karak siege, the United States warned its citizens of "threats from terrorist groups throughout Jordan", adding to fears about the impacts of the attack on Jordan's tourism sector.

The modern Jordanian tourism industry was born out of conflict - in particular, Israel's capture and occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967, said Suleiman Farajat, an assistant professor of tourism at the University of Jordan.

"When Jordan lost the West Bank in 1967, it became very important to focus on Jordanian sites in the east, starting from Petra, where the first management plan was done in 1968," Farajat said.

With the rise of oil in the region in the 1970s, the inscription of Petra as a World Heritage Site in 1985, and the filming of 1989's Indiana Jones in Petra, Jordan's international profile rose.

The country's peace treaty with Israel in 1994, Farajat said, was a real turning point "when numbers of tourists doubled, and when the infrastructure of tourism became more visible"

But subsequent regional conflicts, including the 2003 Iraq war and the ongoing violence in Syria and Iraq, have heavily impacted Jordan's tourism industry, causing tourist numbers to fall.

Visitor numbers to Petra fell between 2014 and 2015, dropping from 800,000 to 400,000.

Tourism industry workers are concerned about what lies ahead.

Ahmad, a tour guide who works at the Greco-Roman ruins at Jerash - which were also under tightened security after the Karak siege - has witnessed the steady decline in numbers first-hand.

Since the outbreak of Syria's civil war in 2011, he estimates there has been an 80 percent drop in tourists to Jerash.

"In the high season, we used to do up to five tours a day, each tour guide.

Now in the high season we do one every day, sometimes one every two days," said Ahmad. He noted that his profession faces a secondary threat from the increased automation of tour-guide services, including cheaper, headphone audio-guided tours.

When they do come to Jordan, tourists' demographics have also changed, Ahmad said, including the replacement of "retirees, Americans, Europeans, on a regular, or traditional tour", with younger, often poorer, tourists.

"This is reflected in the budget of the tourist. Mostly, the majority come here on a tight budget," he explained, noting that entrance fees to some of Jordan's tourist sites may be prohibitively high.

A one-month entry visa to Jordan costs 40 Jordanian dinars ($56), while the entrance fee for a one-day visit to Petra is 50 dinars ($70).

When Ahmad began working as a tour guide in 2010, it was a coveted career, he said.

"In the past it used to be a full-time job, and they used to make very good money. It was the best job to do in Jordan.

Some professors left teaching in universities and became tour guides," he explained. "But now it's the opposite. Tour guides are looking for other jobs."

As many tour guides struggle to maintain a steady income and morale plummets, Farajat said, this "indirectly influences the quality of service and the culture of service", harming Jordan's competitive advantage in the international market.

Still, with attacks being staged everywhere from Paris to Berlin, tourists are realising that "it could happen anywhere," Ahmad noted.

"We had the attack in Karak, and the attack in Germany. How many people were killed here, and there? In Jordan, 10. In Germany, 12," Ahmad recalled telling a group of young, western tourists in Karak on the day of last month's siege.

"If you talk about terrorism, now it's everywhere in the world. So there's no point in avoiding this country or that, because it can happen in every country."

Farajat cited the importance of tourism as a way to counter Islamophobic narratives in the West.

"It's very important in this time of Islamophobia, that tourists come here and see that we are normal people. We don't bite," he said with a laugh. "That's important, right?"

Certain areas of Jordan - especially the tourist draws of Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba - may be hit hardest by any fallout from the Karak siege.

But Tourism Minister Lina Annab, who kept her post in this month's cabinet shuffle, played down reports of declining tourist numbers during a recent news conference.

"It's business as usual and the cancellations have been minimal. Unfortunately, as for danger, there is no place that is 100 percent safe," Annab said.

When spring finally arrives, bringing warmer weather and wild-flower-covered hills, Ahmad and his colleagues hope more tourists will flock back to the country.

Until then, they must persevere, returning to Petra yet again without knowing whether the next day will bring work.

JORDAN: Places You Must Visit

Ajlun Nature Reserve

Ajlun Nature Reserve is located in the Ajlun highlands (North of Amman), It consists of Mediterranean-like hill country, dominated by open woodlands of Oak and Pistachio trees. The Reserve was first established in 1988 when a captive-breeding programme for the Roe Deer was initiated. The reserve is located in an area named Eshtafeena. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature has set up two hiking trails and provided a special area for camping. Ajlun's woodlands consist mostly of oak trees, interspersed with pistachio, pine, carob, and wild strawberry trees. These trees have been important to local people for their wood, scenic beauty and, quite often, for medicine and food.

The marvels of nature and the genius of medieval Arab military architecture have given northern Jordan two of the most important ecological and historical attractions in the Middle East: the sprawling pine forests of the Ajlun-Dibbine area, and the towering Ayyubid castle at Ajlun, which helped to defeat the Crusaders eight centuries ago.Ajlun Castle (Qal'at Ar-Rabad) was built by one of Saladin's generals in 1184 AD to control the iron mines of Ajlun, and to deter the Franks from invading Ajlun. Ajlun Castle dominated the three main routes leading to the Jordan Valley and protected the trade and commercial routes between Jordan and Syria; it became an important link in the defensive chain against the Crusaders, who, unsuccessfully spent decades trying to capture the castle and the nearby village.

he original castle had four towers, arrow slits incorporated into the thick walls, and was surrounded by a moat averaging 16m in width and up to 15m deep.

In 1215 AD, the Mameluk officer Aibak ibn Abdullah expanded the castle following Usama's death, by adding a new tower in the southeast corner and a bridge that can still be seen decorated with pigeon reliefs.

The castle was conceded in the 13th century to Salah ed-Din Yousef Ibn Ayoub, ruler of Aleppo and Damascus, who restored the northeastern tower. These expansion efforts were interrupted in 1260 AD, when Mongol invaders destroyed the castle, but almost immediately, the Mameluk Sultan Baybars re-conquered and rebuilt the fortress.

Ten Salah ed-Din soldiers are guarding the castle every day of the week. They are placed at the four different gate levels that the castle has. Two are on the roof where the yellow Mameluk is flying. Siege ladders leaning on the wall add to the war-like atmosphere.

Ajlun is just a short journey from Jerash through pine forest and olive groves and boasts scores of ancient sites, including watermills, forts and villages, all in the beautiful hills and valleys of northern Jordan.

Aqaba

Aqaba is a great place to stay if you are planning to visit Wadi Rum. Day trips can easily be organized and, because the distance is short, you will have more time to spend at the site.

The Gulf of Aqaba is famous for its marine wildlife. It is the north-eastern arm of the Red Sea, measuring a length of 180km and expanding to a width of 25km, with a shoreline shared by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Jordan.

The Gulf of Aqaba has the world’s northernmost coral reef ecosystem. An average water temperature of 23° Celsius, the absence of stormy weather and mild water currents have created a hospitable environment for the growth of corals. Favourable salinity levels are perfect for the myriads of other marine life-forms. As a result, it is home to 110 species of soft corals and 120 species of hard corals. The reefs that fringe the Gulf host over 1000 species of fish, corals, crustaceans, and mammals living in its waters. Nocturnal animals such as the crab, shrimp, and lobster appear in search of food in the dark hours of the night. Seasonal visitors to the Gulf of Aqaba include sea turtles, dolphins, sea cows, and harmless whale sharks.

Aqaba is the only coastal city in Jordan. This beautiful town, surrounded by fascinating colourful mountains and the blue waters of the Red Sea, expands over 27km of shoreline on the Gulf of Aqaba. The town is well-organized and under continuous development. It has been designated as a Special Economic Zone, with special legislation to protect and improve its business, community, tourism and environment status.

With its wealth of other attractions, Jordan's splendid Red Sea resort is often overlooked by modern-day visitors. But apart from being a delightful place for discerning holidaymakers, this is actually a great base from which to explore various places of interest in southern Jordan.

Aqaba is a fun place. It is a microcosm of all the good things Jordan has to offer, including a fascinating history with some outstanding sites, excellent hotels and activities, superb visitor facilities, good shopping, and welcoming, friendly people, who enjoy nothing more than making sure their visitors have a good time.

But perhaps Aqaba's greatest asset is the Red Sea itself. Here you can experience some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world. The temperate climate and gentle water currents have created a perfect environment for the growth of corals and a teeming plethora of marine life. Here you can swim with friendly sea turtles and dolphins as they dart amongst the schools of multi-coloured fish. Night dives reveal the nocturnal sea creatures, crabs, lobsters and shrimp, as they search for a midnight snack.

There are several dive centres in Aqaba. All offer well-maintained diving equipment, professional instructors, and transport by boat to a variety of dive sites.

For those who prefer to keep their feet dry, all the deep sea wonders can be viewed through a glass-bottomed boat or by submarine, or you can just relax under the sun on the resort's sandy beaches. Plus, of course, there are plenty of other water-sport activities available, as well as an extensive and interesting Marine Park.

From as far back as five and a half thousand years ago Aqaba has played an important role in the economy of the region. It was a prime junction for land and sea routes from Asia, Africa and Europe, a role it still plays today. Because of this vital function, there are many historic sites to be explored within the area, including what is believed to be the oldest purpose-built church in the world.

Aqaba International Airport is situated just 20 minutes from the town centre and services regular flights from Amman as well as from several European cities. From the town centre, the borders of Israel, Egypt's Sinai and Saudi Arabia are no more than a 30-minute drive.

Azraq Wetland Reserve

The wetlands of the Azraq nature reserve are home to a large variety of indigenous and migrating birds.

Nature lovers will be drawn to the desert in springtime, when rains bring the greening of the hills and something in the region of 2,000 species of wild flowers.

Azraq is a unique wetland oasis located in the heart of the semi-arid Jordanian Eastern Desert, one of several beautiful nature reserves managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). Its attractions include several natural and ancient built pools, a seasonally flooded marshland, and a large mudflat know as Qa'a Al-Azraq. A wide variety of birds stop at the Reserve each year for a rest during their arduous migration routes between Asia and Africa. Some stay for the winter or breed within the protected areas of the wetland.

Azraq is a unique wetland oasis located in the heart of the semi-arid Jordanian eastern desert, one of several beautiful nature reserves managed by the RSCN. Its attractions include several natural and ancient-built pools, a seasonally flooded marshland, and a large mudflat known as Qa'a Al-Azraq. A wide variety of birds stop at the reserve each year to rest during their arduous migration routes between Asia and Africa. Some stay for the winter or breed within the protected areas of the wetland.

The best time to visit Al-Azraq is in late autumn, winter or spring. Winter rains often create pools and marshes over the reserve, which continue to attract many seasonal species of birds. The success of bird-watching visits depends largely on the amount of water that has accumulated in the reserve.

Azraq has an interesting geological history. It was once a vast oasis, its pools filled by a complex network of aquifers fed mainly from the Jebel Druze area of southern Syria – the waters taking up to 50 years en route. Surrounding the oasis is about 60 sq.m. of silt, beneath which is a vast concentration of salt.

Mujib Biosphere Reserve
The Mujib Biosphere Reserve is the lowest nature reserve in the world, with a spectacular array of scenery near the east coast of the Dead Sea. The Reserve is located within the deep Wadi Mujib gorge, which enters the Dead Sea at 410m below sea level. The Reserve extends to the Karak and Madaba mountains to the north and south, reaching 900 metres above sea level in some places. This 1,300m variation in elevation, combined with the valley's year- round water flow from seven tributaries, means that Wadi Mujib enjoys a magnificent bio-diversity that is still being explored and documented today. Over 300 species of plants, 10 species of carnivores and numerous species of permanent and migratory birds have been recorded. Some of the remote mountain and valley areas are difficult to reach, and thus offer safe havens for rare species of cats, goats and other mountain animals. Mujib's sandstone cliffs are an ideal habitat for one of the most beautiful mountain goats in the world, the horned Ibex.

Shawmari Reserve

The Shawmari Reserve was created in 1975 by the RSCN as a breeding centre for endangered or locally extinct wildlife. Today, following breeding programmes with some of the world's leading wildlife parks and zoos, this small, 22 sq km reserve is a thriving protected environment for some of the most rare species of animals in the Middle East. Oryx, ostriches, gazelles and onagers - which are depicted on many 6th century Byzantine mosaics - are rebuilding their populations and reasserting their presence in this safe haven, protected from hunting and habitat destruction that nearly wiped them out.

The Shawmari Reserve is a breeding centre for some of the most endangered and rare wildlife in the Middle East. In this small reserve there is a large herd of magnificent Arabian Oryx, a species that was once on the verge of extinction. There are also ostriches, onagers and graceful desert gazelles. These animals are all rebuilding their populations in this safe haven, where they are protected from the hunting and habitat destruction that once threatened their existence.

The Shawmari Reserve supports a rich variety of desert plants, mainly because the vegetation inside the reserve is protected from the heavy grazing of sheep and goats outside its perimeters. Shawmari contains a very large number of species of plants, including Atriplex, a natural food source for the Onager and Oryx.

Visitors' Facilities:
Tourist Information Centre: A reception point for visitors in which information and brochures about the Reserve are available. There is also a Tourist Shop selling locally-made souvenirs such as silverware, decorated ostrich eggs and reed products.

Visitors’ Centre: Contains a small museum with a variety of interactive materials, slide shows, and videos on the history and wildlife of the Reserve. Outside the Centre is a picnic area and playground.

Observation Tower: Spotting wildlife is an exciting activity for nature lovers. The Observation Tower is an ideal place from which to see the different animals in the Reserve, such as the Oryx, which is best seen in the early hours of the morning. This is also a good place for bird-watching, especially during the migration seasons.

Oryx Safari Trip: Visitors are given the opportunity to take a safari trip to see firsthand the living results of the international rescue efforts undertaken to save these endangered animals. Safari tours through the Oryx enclosure are available aboard RSCN vehicles.

Breeding Enclosures: Shawmari’s breeding enclosures also provide a small zoo, making the Reserve a popular place for children and school outings.

Wadi Rum Protected Area

The magnificent landscape of Wadi Rum is a must-see for any visitor to Jordan.

Always remember to ask permission before taking photographs of the local Bedouin people.

Always dress modestly when visiting an area inhabited by the Bedouins. Their culture is very different to those of more liberal western cultures and skimpy shorts and tops will be considered disrespectful.

As with any expedition into a desert area, trekkers should always be well-equipped. It is easy to get lost in this maze of mountains and desert, so it’s best to take a Bedouin guide. Always carry a map of the areaa and a compass, as well as plenty of water, sunblock and a hat.

The moonlike landscape of Wadi Rum is unique to the world. The desert of Rum is dotted with massive mountains, coloured in shades of red, yellow, and orange. Their hues spill over to colour the sand dunes around the desert and the horizon of its breathtaking panorama.

This is a place where you can become one with nature, where visitors are humbled by the towering mountains and overwhelmed by the serenity and quiet ambiance of this magnificent place.

The eco-system of Wadi Rum holds many rare and endemic plants. Spring reveals hundreds of species of wild flowers. About 120 bird species have been recorded in the area, including the Griffon Vulture, the Fan-Tailed Raven, Bonelli’s Eagle, and Hume’s Tawny Owl. Baseline surveys show the existence of the Grey Wolf, Blandford’s Fox, the Sand Cat, and the Ibex within the area.

One activity which keeps attracting thrill-seekers to Wadi Rum is mountain climbing. Ascents can range from simple hikes to serious 900m climbs up sheer granite and sandstone cliffs.

This is a stupendous, timeless place, virtually untouched by humanity and its destructive forces. Here, it is the weather and winds that have carved the imposing, towering skyscrapers, so elegantly described by T.E. Lawrence as “vast, echoing and God-like.

A maze of monolithic rockscapes rise up from the desert floor to heights of 1,750m creating a natural challenge for serious mountaineers. Hikers can enjoy the tranquility of the boundless empty spaces and explore the canyons and water holes to discover 4000-year-old rock drawings and the many other spectacular treasures this vast wilderness holds in store.

Also known as ‘The Valley of the Moon’, this is the place where Prince Faisal Bin Hussein and T.E. Lawrence based their headquarters during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in World War I, their exploits intrinsically woven into the history of this amazing area.

There are several options for exploring Wadi Rum. Visitors should head for the Visitors' Centre where, apart from visitors’ facilities, they can hire a 4x4 vehicle, together with driver/guide, and then drive for two or three hours into the Wadi system to explore some of the best known sites. Alternatively they can hire a camel and guide. The duration of the trip can be arranged beforehand through the Visitors' Centre, as can a stay under the stars in a Bedouin tent, where they can enjoy a traditional campfire meal accompanied by Arabic music.

Once transport has been arranged, there are various excursions available - for example, a trip to Burdah Rock Bridge, the highest in Wadi Rum, via the Seven Pillars of Wisdom and many other interesting sights, is a full day by car or an overnight trip by camel. There are many alternative routes and information on these is available from your tour operator or from the Visitors' Centre on-site.

The Bedouin people that inhabit the area still maintain their semi-nomadic lifestyle. They are hospitable and offer a friendly welcome to visitors, often inviting them to sit and enjoy a coffee or even a meal.

The Royal Aero Sports Club was founded by His Majesty King Abdullah II in 1997. His Royal Highness Prince Hamzah Bin Al Hussein, an avid pilot and skydiver, is the President of the Club.

The club’s goals are to promote aero sports in Jordan, and to enhance the experience of tourists visiting Aqaba and Wadi Rum.

RASCJ is a not-for-profit organization, registered with the HigherCouncil of Youth and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority cultural and social sports club.

SAFETY
For your own safety, all flights are subject to weather conditions and can be cancelled any time at pilot’s discretion.

NOTES
- Dress casually (khakis, jeans or shorts)
- Bring a light jacket in the summer and a warm one in the winter as temperature drops dramatically as the balloon rises
- A sun hat or cap is advisable
- Flat shoes are recommended

Float silently over Wadi Rum and enjoy the breathtaking natural rock formations. See the seven pillars of wisdom and the natural dunes of the desert from 6,000 feet. This unique experience is enhanced by our experienced pilot and his dedicated staff who will make sure every part of your experience is safe and enjoyable.
Flights take place in the early morning for optimal flying conditions.

DURATION
45 min – 1 hour ( Allow 2 hours for the whole experience).

BASKET CAPACITY
Small: 3 persons min, 5 persons max. Large: 6 persons min, 16 persons max.

PRICES
Adults: 130 JD Children (6 years – 12 years): 65 JD

MEETING POINT
- If staying in Wadi Rum at a camp inside the reserve: Visitor’s Center.
- If staying in Wadi Rum at a camp outside the reserve: RASCJ driver will pick you up from your camp.
- If staying in Aqaba: Dissi Petrol Station in Wadi Rum. We can also arrange for transport from Aqaba for a fee.

ULTRALIGHT
Discover Aqaba or Wadi Rum, Lawrences’ springs, the 7 Pillarsof Wisdom, or follow the ancient incense route from the comfort of our two-seat aircraft.

AVAILABLE ROUTES
Aqaba & Aqaba South beach (Tala Bay): 30 minutes minimum.
Aqaba & Wadi Rum: 1 hour minimum.

CAPACITY
1 person + pilot.

DURATION & PRICES
20 min: 75 JD
30 min: 100 JD
60 min: 180 JD

MEETING POINT
King Hussein International Airport (Aqaba).

SAFTEY
For your safety, all flights are subject to weather and can be cancelled at any time at pilots’ discretion.

NOTES
- Please send a scanned copy of your ID or Passport to info@rascj.com to arrange for airport pass at least 24 hours in advance.
- Passenger weight should not exceed 120 kg.
- Dress casually in long khakis or jeans and flat shoes. Skirt, sandals and slippers are not recommended.
- You will need a light jacket in the summer and warm one in winter.
- A sun hat or cap is advisable.

MICROLIGHT
Return to the roots of aviation with this small and versatile aircraft. Fly above the beautiful rock formations of Wadi Rum in an open aircraft with our experienced pilot.

CAPACITY
1 person + pilot.

DURATION & PRICES
10 min: 30 JD
20 min: 55 JD
30 min: 80 JD
60 min: 150 JD

AVAILABILITY
The Microlight is available on weekends at Wadi Rum. Please book at least 3 days in advance.

MEETING POINT
- If staying in Wadi Rum at a camp inside the reserve: Visitor’s Center.
- If staying in Wadi Rum at a camp outside the reserve: RASCJ driver will pick you up from your camp.
- If staying in Aqaba: Dissi Petrol Station in Wadi Rum. We can also arrange for transport from Aqaba for a fee.

DA40 & DA42 (DIAMOND)
Whether you are a certified pilot, an amateur pilot or an enthusiast, you can enjoy the wonderful skies of Aqaba and Wadi Rum in our modern fleet of single or twin-engine Diamond Aircraft.

Fly with an experienced flight instructor who will introduce you to the world of aviation in our glass-cockpit aircraft.

CAPACITY
2 persons + pilot.

DURATION & PRICES
DA 40 (Single Engine) 30 min: 150 JD 60 min: 200 JD
DA 42 (Twin Engine)
30 min: 200 JD
60 min: 350 JD

MEETING POINT
King Hussein International Airport (Aqaba).

NOTES
Please send a scanned copy of your ID or Passport to info@rascj.com to arrange for airport pass at least 24 hours in advance.

GENERAL INFORMATION

INSURANCE
The Royal Aero Sports Club of Jordan has all insurance coverage required by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), including third party & passenger insurance.

BOOKING POLICY
We operate on a first-come first-serve basis. All flights are subject to confirmation up to 24 hours in advance. Please provide contact details in order to inform you of any delays or cancellations.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations due to weather or technical issues are fully refundable.
No-shows will result in a loss of deposit

Dana Biosphere Reserve

Such a complex and diverse environment provides a wide range of adventurous and relaxing activities.Visitors can leave their vehicles behind and escape into the beauty and remoteness of the Reserve along one of the many canyons and hiking trails. Local Bedouin guides are available for longer excursions (hiking, canyoning, and mountain biking), while many shorter trails can be explored unguided. Activities at Dana Biosphere Reserve Guesthouse include tours of the Ottoman-era Dana Biosphere Reserve Village, a gorgeous hike through the entire Reserve to Feynan Ecolodge, visits to Nabatean tombs, and relaxing on your very own cliff-perched balcony, surrounded by Dana’s magnificent views.

Activities available from Rummana Campsite include hikes with beautiful vistas and bird watching, excursions to a Roman well, and a challenging 5 kilometer trail to Dana Biosphere Reserve Village that involves scrambling over rock faces. From Feynan Ecolodge, guests can hike or mountain bike on one of the many hikes ranging in length from 2 hours to a full day. Canyoning adventures include a trip to Wadi Ghwayr and its spectacular narrow gorge and stream. At Feynan, guests can also uncover the area’s archaeological treasures with visits to ancient copper mines, Byzantine churches, Neolithic villages and a Roman aqueduct. In the early mornings guests challenge themselves on the Sunrise Hike, a great start to any day at Feynan. At sunset, guests are offered a complimentary sunset hike.By night, guests can be found wandering the enchanting candlelit lodge or stargazing on the rooftop terrace.

Dana Biosphere Reserve is an area of staggering beauty, history, and biodiversity. The only reserve in Jordan that encompasses the four different bio-geographical zones of the country (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian and Sudanian), it is a melting pot of species from Europe, Africa and Asia. Such a combination of natural communities in a single area is unique in Jordan and many of Dana Biosphere Reserve’s animals and plants are very rare. So far, a total of 800 plant speciesand 449 animal species have been recorded in the Reserve, of which 25 are known to be endangered, including the Sand Cat, the Syrian Wolf, the Lesser Kestrel and the Spiny Tailed Lizard.

Mujib Biosphere Reserve

The growing demand on water consumption in the region has seen the natural inflow to the Dead Sea diminish rapidly over the past years. So much so, that there is a risk of the sea drying up altogether within the next 50 years. This would be a devastating loss, not only for tourism and the economy, but also for the loss of the Dead Sea’s unique properties, the surrounding environment, and its flora and fauna.

To combat this critical situation, plans are being made to transport water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The operation, known as ‘Peace Conduit’ - since it involves the cooperation of Jordan, Israel and Palestine - aims at bringing 1.8 billion cubic metres of water annually to the Dead Sea.

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is deeply involved in the protection of wildlife and habitats within the area and has received international acclaim for its pioneering work in developing nature-based businesses for local people.

The Mujib Biosphere Reserve is the lowest-altitude nature reserve in the world, with its spectacular array of scenery near the East coast of the Dead Sea. The reserve is located within the deep Wadi Mujib gorge which enters the Dead Sea at 410m below sea level. The Reserve extends to the Karak and Madaba mountains to the North and South, reaching 900m above sea level in some places. This 1,300m variation in elevation, combined with the valley's year-round water flow from seven tributaries, means that the Wadi Mujib enjoys a magnificent biodiversity that is still being explored and documented today.

Over 420 species of plants, 102 species of permanent and migratory birds, and10 species of carnivore including the Red Fox, Blandford Fox, Hyena, Jackal, Wild Cat, Caracal, Badger, Mongoose, Wolf and Arabian Leopard have been recorded to date. Some of the remote mountain and valley areas are difficult to reach, offering a safe haven to various species of cats, goats and other mountain animals.

Mujib's sandstone cliffs are an ideal habitat for one of the most beautiful mountain goats in the world, the Nubian Ibex. The natural Ibex herds have declined over the years due to over hunting, prompting Jordan's Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to establish a captive-breeding programme for the Ibex within the Mujib Biosphere Reserve.

Mujib is also home to carnivorous species such as the Caracal, a medium-sized cat distinguished by its black and white ear tufts. An agile and powerful hunter, the Caracal can be spotted in action in the rocky valley of Mujib, using its amazing jumping power to catch airborne prey.

Visitors' Facilities
There is a campsite containing 5 large tents, a bathroom, and barbecue grills for visitor use. Visitors are asked to bring their own sleeping bags, drinking water, and food. The price of a night's stay here costs 10 to 20JD, depending on the accommodation and the number of people sleeping in the tent.

Camping is not permitted outside of this area. The carrying capacity of the camp is 25 persons per day. Visitors will walk up to the camping area and the Reserve car will carry their luggage. You should note that the tents are only erected on demand - you must pre-book - and then only if there is a minimum number of 5 people.

Dibeen Forest Reserve

Dibeen Forest Reserve is a nature reserve located in the north-west of Jordan. It is situated just south of the Roman site of Jerash and covers an area of 8.5 square kilometres (3.3 sq mi) of rolling hills covered with pine–oak habitat. The area was protected as a nature reserve in 2004 under the initiative of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.

The rock within the reserve is a mixture of limestone and chalky limestone, which has been formed into steep slopes. The average rainfall is 710 millimetres (28 in) per year. Within the forest there is a variety of moisture conditions, with wadis giving different regimes from those found on the steep slopes.

The forest reserve contains one of the last remaining examples of a pine–oak forest in the Middle East. The species of the reserve's trees vary with elevation; Aleppo Pines inhabit the lower altitudes, the mixed pine–oak woodland comprising Aleppo Pine and Palestine Oak grows in the middle, and a species of small deciduous oak – Quercus infectoria (the Aleppo, or Cyprus, Oak) – grows at the higher altitudes. Other flora in the habitat include orchids, Greek strawberry trees, pistachio, and olive trees. The forest's age structure shows wide variation, with many areas containing mature forest trees and a vigorous understory.

At least 17 endangered species have been identified within the reserve. These include the Persian red squirrel, four bat types, grey wolves and striped hyenas. Woodland birds also live in the forest. It is also believed but not proven, that this reserve has the last population of Southern Banded Newts living in Jordan

Dibeen Forest Reserve was established in 2004 after being listed as a conservation priority in the 1998 protected areas review. Of the 60 square kilometers comprising the Dibeen Forest, 8.5 km2 area became part of the protected area.

Between 2004 and 2007, UNDP led a project in the Dibeen Forest, Jerash, Al Meirad and Burma municipalities of the region to support the establishment of the nature reserve. This helped to conserve the unique local biodiversity and encouraged the local communities to make sustainable alternative uses of the available resources. As a result, there was increased awareness of the local capacity-building and need for the conservation-oriented land use planning in the region.

Despite the apparent efforts to protect this remarkable and unique forest, it is gradually and systematically being destroyed by the establishment of modern cement projects, intentional fires, over grazing and illegal sporadic logging. Even when illegal loggers are apprehended, the punishment is usually lenient and not severe enough to deter others.

Some of the farm owners around the forest gradually and illegally increase their farms to encompass areas of the forest that eventually and intentionally become devoid of their natural wild trees only to be replaced by olive trees for the sole reason of benefiting the aggressors.

It is interesting to note that even in the midst of the small protected area, one can see small patches of olive farms which is very unfortunate because such areas have a grievous effect on the beauty, serenity, and solitude of the site.

Dibeen, the surrounding beautiful natural pine forests, and the wild life that occupy the area are gradually diminishing and a strong immediate and faithful action by the people, the government and nature protection agencies has to be undertaken to stop the imminent destruction of the last extension of natural pine forests in the southern hemisphere.

JORDAN: Why Jordan Is Unique

Geography may appear to be Jordan’s curse… to the north, civil war in Syria; to the west, unrest and violence between Israel and the Palestinian Territories. To the east and south, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. At first glance, not exactly a peaceful neighbourhood, to put it mildly.

Jordan’s blessing its location nestled on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula and not far from the Mediterranean has blessed it with an enviable collection of wonders natural and manmade that put the country in a class by itself.

If it weren’t for Jordan’s geography, it wouldn’t boast the awe-inspiring rock city of Petra; the spectacular canyons of Wadi Rum and Mujib; the ancient city of Jerash; or Mount Nebo, from where Moses saw The Promised Land; or the site of Jesus’ baptism at Bethany Beyond the Jordan.

“Jordanians have a sense that they’ve been tasked to serve as guardians of something bigger than themselves,” says Khalid Itum.

Itum, a Jordanian national, travels frequently to Jordan from his current home in Los Angeles and once operated a travel company that arranged experiential travel to his native homeland.

He concurs that “Jordan really is different” than other countries in the region, due in part to its history and politics, but also because of its capacity to embrace and enmesh cultures that are often at odds with one another elsewhere.

“Jordan doesn’t have oil so chose to invest in human resources to thrive. That spawned a more liberal society against a backdrop of security. It’s more open and tolerant and is sort of close to everybody by necessity,” he explains.

“In Jordan there is no clash between east and west. They blend together nicely and naturally.”

Over the years, Itum has accompanied hundreds of visitors on their visits to Jordan, seeing first-hand how they react to the country when the also recognize just how different it is.

“You can see it in their eyes,” he explains. “The amazing religious sites, castles from the crusades, the amazing landscape – there’s something for everyone which is often more than people were expecting.”

Another hallmark that sets Jordan apart is its openness, which is often expressed on a personal level the legendary hospitality of its people.

“I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to visit Jordan without being invited in to someone’s home to share a meal together,” says Itum.

When asked to offer up experiences that best exemplify Jordan as the Different East, Itum is quick to mention Petra – the one-of-a-kind UNESCO world heritage site featured in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

“I’ve probably been there a couple of dozen times and every time my jaw just drops at how spectacular it is. There really is nothing like it anywhere,” he says.

But he adds that there is far, far more and has always insisted that his guests spend a minimum of a week there and even encourages people to stay for 10+ days.

Itum also mentions his own home city of Jerash – host to one of Jordan’s largest cultural festivals, which features an eclectic mix of Jordanian and international artists, with performances taking place in the open air among the city’s famed Roman ruins.

“Sitting there, listening to the music in that atmosphere, you feel like you’ve stepped into a different time,” he says. “But just beyond the spectacular Roman colonnades you find a modern, thriving city much like any other. It’s that sort of juxtaposition that really sums up what makes Jordan different.”

Another special spot for Itum and many of the tour groups he led is Mount Nebo, the spot described in the Old Testament where Moses was able to see the Promised Land.

“I’m not religious at all, but you can’t help but be gripped by the spirituality of the place,” he says. “And on a clear day you too can see the lights of Jerusalem.”

In some ways, Jordan’s distinctiveness comes from simply having been around for a long, long time. But more than that, it’s also how the country has preserved the legacy while at the same time embracing what lies ahead.

“Jordan really is one of the best places you'll ever travel to on the face of this earth,” Itum says. “I can try to paint the picture, but you'll have to experience it for yourself to truly understand.”

The sentiment was perhaps best expressed by the late King Hussein, who ruled Jordan for more than four decades until his death in 1999:

“Jordan has a strange, haunting beauty and a sense of timelessness. Dotted with the ruins of empires once great, it is the last resort of yesterday in the world of tomorrow.”

JORDAN: Here History Meets Adventure

Jordan has always captured the attention of adventurers. The ancient kingdom has been inhabited since before the Bronze Age, and helped shape the stories of Roman emperors, Lawrence of Arabia, and Moses just to name a few.

But it's a favourite of modern thrill-seekers and history nerds as well.

“Jordan has a history that few nations can compare to,” says Ike Madni

Ike, who makes his home in Orlando, spent two weeks in Jordan with his wife when their son married a Jordanian.

He’s quick to point out that the Jordanian capital exemplifies perfectly the country’s seamless blend of history, culture and modernity.

“And I have not been to another city where it was so easy for foreigners to speak with the locals. Everyone speaks English,” he recalls.

Yet Amman, a modern city boasting a population of more than 2 million, has been Jordan's capital since ancient times - a fascinating history it wears well.

The city is home to remarkably well-preserved ruins from ages past, including the impressive Temple of Hercules, the Roman Theatre, and the Umayyad Palace.

But Amman, as spectacular as it is, is just one gem in Jordan's bountiful treasure trove.

“There's also Petra, which was the capital of the ancient Arab kingdom," Ike says.

Just a few hours south of Amman, the ancient city of Petra is Jordan's most famous tourist attraction. The city was literally carved from stone more than 2,000 years ago, and today enchants visitors from around the world with its remarkable red rock facades.

More daring visitors can scale the sheer granite mountains in Wadi Rum, or ride a helicopter or hot air balloon above the surreal landscape.

Those interested in trying aerosports can team up with Jordan's Royal Aero Sports Club - founded by King Abdullah II himself – for a truly unique experience, soaring effortlessly above the very landscape T.E. Lawrence trekked a century ago.

Whether you're looking for rugged, rocky landscapes, deep-sea diving, camel rides, salty spa experiences, or modern museums, Jordan has it

“We saw extremely clean roads lined with trees on both sides, beautiful parks, gorgeous supermarkets and malls, western-style five-star hotels, and from low cost to expensive restaurants,” Ike says. “Jordan has some of the best food in the world – even outstanding sea food.”

Why limit yourself? In Jordan you can choose your own adventure.

JORDAN: Jordan Most Popular Tourist Destinations East Of The Mediterranean

Jordan has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations east of the Mediterranean. And now seeing treasures like Petra, Jerash, and Wadi Rum is easier than ever.

Whoa, slow down a minute. I've never even thought about going to Jordan.

Then you're missing out! There are a million reasons to go – from the extraordinary cultural heritage, UNESCO world heritage sites, the unique lifestyle, and so much more.

Did you know you can follow the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia on the back of a camel or donkey? Or you can bathe in the mineral waters of the Dead Sea or scuba dive in the Red Sea?

Imagine taking a hot air balloon ride in the desert over the Mars-like landscape of Wadi Rum.

I had no idea. That seems really cool! But surely visiting all these amazing places must be complicated.

No, not at all. Sure, they may be thousands of years old and in the middle of the desert, but getting there is fairly straightforward.

Jordan has great infrastructure that makes it easy for visitors to see the country’s treasures – the roads are smooth and well maintained and there are plenty of bus shuttle services to all major tourist attractions.

The hardest part is choosing which places to see – there are just so many!

Got it. But is it safe?

Of course! Jordanian society is modern and pretty progressive in many ways, while still drawing inspiration from its remarkable cultural history. Crime levels are low – Jordan is generally as safe as or safer than many major cities in the US or Europe.

The only area the US State Department doesn't recommend visiting these days is a small area near the Syrian border – but there's still an entire country to be discovered.

Okay, that's good to know. So what exactly is this Jordan Pass thing?

Glad you asked! The Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in cooperation with the Jordan Tourism Board introduced the Jordan Pass in late 2015 with the express goal of making it easier for foreign tourists to see more of the country at a lower cost.

It’s already extremely popular – basically it’s the key to a smooth tourist experience in Jordan, allowing you to see all the sights without any hassle. There are more than 40 attractions included.

40! Really? That's a lot! What if I'm only interested in 10?

That’s fine – you'll still save a ton of time and money with the Jordan Pass. It gives you free entrance to all included attractions. So it doesn’t take long before the Jordan Pass starts paying for itself.

Hmmm. I’m still not sure. Can you give me an example?

Sure. Take the ancient stone city of Petra – an attraction at the top of almost everyone’s Jordan wish list. A day pass to Petra normally costs about $70.

And then you’ll for sure want to see Jerash – knows as the Rome away from Rome – and that costs about $14. So visiting those two attractions alone costs $84.

Compare that to the Jordan Pass – which costs as little as $99 and includes entrance to basically everything. It’s a real bargin.

That seems like a pretty good deal, I gotta admit.

It is! And it gets better. Not only does the Jordan Pass save you money, it also saves you time by allowing you to avoid lines to purchase tickets on-site. It’s like a VIP pass to Jordan’s top attractions.

And less time in line means more time inside marvelling at the ruins or getting that killer selfie where ancient kings once stood.

This Jordan Pass sounds better and better. I wonder!

… Oh! I almost forgot. When you stay in Jordan for at least three nights, the Jordan Pass also waives your tourist visa fee – which normally costs $56.

Wow! That was my next question actually. What about a visa? It’s free?

Yep, with the Jordan Pass and a three-night stay.

Cool. But I bet the visa application process can be a hassle. How many months in advance do I need to contact the embassy?

You don’t have to contact the embassy at all. If you purchase the Jordan Pass before travelling to Jordan, you can just show it at the airport and receive your visa upon arrival.

Seriously? Sounds like it time to start looking at flights. But how long does the pass last?

Once activated, the Jordan Pass is valid for two weeks – plenty of time to explore everything the country has to offer. But you can also buy the Jordan Press far in advance or even as a present for someone else. It can activated up to 12 months after purchase.

Nice. So let me get this straight, with the Jordan Pass I won’t have any visa hassles, I get to skip the ticket line at Petra and other attractions, and I save a boatload of cash?

That’s right. Did I mention you also gain access to downloadable digital brochures for the all the attractions?

No. But you didn’t have to. I want to know how I get my hands on the Jordan Pass.

It's simple – just go to www.jordanpass.jo. You can buy the pass online and it will be emailed to you as a PDF. Show it on your phone or print it off – it's up to you!

Access to all the wonders of Jordan are only a few clicks away.

Awesome. I’m checking flights as we speak.

Have a great trip!