What do the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the Prophet Moses, and Lawrence of Arabia have in common? These are just three of the many historical personalities who passed through Jordan and whose itineraries now attract adventure seekers and action vacationers from throughout the world.

Fun&Adventure Tourism is expanding at a fast rate in Jordan, and promises to remain one of the most dynamic and innovative travel industry sectors for many years to come. Several Jordanian companies now specialize in eco- and adventure-tourism, providing the combination of safety, adventure, and comfortable facilities that make Fun&Adventure Tourism such an exciting experience.

Jordan offers guaranteed sunshine for eight months of the year; a base of powerful, unique cultural attractions such as Petra, Jerash, and many others together with a wide range of very different, often stunning natural environments that are easily accessible and virtually undiscovered by the tourism industry.

Meanwhile, quality hotels and restaurants throughout the country mean that thrill-seekers can also pamper themselves between adventure treks.

Jordan already caters for the more traditional vacationer who likes to combine a visit to an ancient site in the morning with a swim, a round of golf, or a game of tennis or bowling in the afternoon. But exciting new horizons in adventure tourism allow visitors to push themselves to new levels of adventure and endurance while soaking up natural marvels and dramatic cultural attractions from the ancient world.

For example, a small group of people in 4-wheel-drive vehicles can retrace the journey of the Emperor Hadrian from north to south Jordan, taking in biblical cities and legionary fortresses. Or, more ambitiously, a caravan of 25 people on camels or donkeys can set off to retrace the journeys of Lawrence of Arabia in the central highlands and eastern deserts of Jordan, spending a week en route and camping in a different place every night. Parts of these itineraries can be done along the edge of the desert in steam-powered World War One vintage trains , the same as those that were attacked by the forces of the Great Arab Revolt and Lawrence nearly a century ago.

Nature enthusiasts have many options in Jordan: the vast, silent drama of Wadi Rum, the forested hills of central Jordan, or the plunging Jordan Rift Valley that includes the Dead Sea - the lowest spot on earth. The Red Sea resort of Aqaba is always warm, balmy, and enticing for divers and other watersports enthusiasts. Aqaba offers a full range of facilities for speedboating, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, fishing, swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, or simply loafing and sunbathing in the warm crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. The sparkling purple mountains surrounding Aqaba beckon hikers who seek new adventures and unconquered terrain.

Jordan boasts other unique, enticing waters that provide relaxing interludes for adventure vacationers who want to rest their spirits and soak their bodies. Quality hotels and spas at the Dead Sea and the nearby Hammamat Zarqa Ma’in Springs allow visitors to experience several different kinds of mineral hot springs and the thick, warm brine of the Dead Sea, which are both soothing and therapeutic. One of the great water adventures in Jordan is to hike, climb and sometimes even wade or swim through the magnificent Wadi Mujib Gorge, on the east coast of the Dead Sea, to reach a magical pool and waterfall that emerge like a mirage from amidst the surrounding cliffs and barren hillsides.

The more daring adventure visitor to Jordan is likely to climb mountains in Wadi Rum, conquering sheer granite cliffs that retain the inscriptions of local climbers who were here 5000 years ago and more.

Thrill-seekers who want to go beyond the ordinary will climb into a helicopter or hot air balloon and rise above the mountain-tops of Wadi Rum or over Petra. Gliding and private plane rentals are also available in Jordan, from Amman Airport in Marka.

Horseback riders can take a few days to retrace the segments of the ancient spice, silk, and frankincense routes that pass through the green hills of Petra, Amman, and north Jordan. More daring riders will want to mount their Arabian steeds for a four-day trek through the eastern desert, stopping for rest and water at early Islamic desert castles and caravan stations. This trip re-enacts the original Arabian pony express mail service that operated here in the 7th century.

(Source: Jordan Tourism Board)