8 Unforgettable Adventure Activities In Jordan
Jordan is home to many extraordinary cultural highlights and while the archaeological sites and bustling city souks shouldn’t be missed, the country is slowly forging a reputation as the adventure capital of the Middle East.
Adventure tourism and Jordan go hand-in-hand, and we were fortunate enough to experience some of these fantastic adventures during our time in the Hashemite Kingdom.
This is why we have created the ultimate list of unforgettable adventure activities in Jordan.
From scuba diving in the Red Sea to traversing waterfalls in a slot canyon, this adrenaline-fueled article will provide plenty of inspiration for your adventurous Jordan itinerary.
So, let’s dive into: 8 Unforgettable Adventure Activities in Jordan
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Best Adventure Activities in Jordan
During our 1-week road trip around Jordan, we were lucky to experience many genuinely unforgettable adventure activities. With our trusted Jordan eSIM in hand, we embarked on one of the best road trips of our life.
Jordan is experiencing an adventure travel boom at the moment, and we are all for it. Adrenaline-seekers, scuba-diving addicts and hiking aficionados will all have plenty to bite their teeth into in this fantastic Middle Eastern country.
Below, we have highlighted the best outdoor activities in Jordan and provided you with a few tips for experiencing these adventures as cheaply as possible.
Ticket 4 Two Please adventuring in Wadi Rum
Canyoning in Wadi Mujib
Undoubtedly, the most unforgettable adventure we had during our time in Jordan was canyoning through the slot canyon at Wadi Mujib.
If you’re unfamiliar with canyoning, it is essentially climbing, jumping and swimming through a canyon. It sounds simple, but, in reality, it can be a proper adrenaline-fuelled adventure.
The best place to experience canyoning in Jordan is Wadi Mujib, the world’s lowest nature reserve, only 410m below sea level - specifically, the thrilling Siq Trail Canyoning.
Beginning at the Wadi Mujib Adventure Centre, the trail takes you deep into the slot canyon, traversing rocks and waterfalls along the way.
Our favourite part of the canyoning was a natural slide that formed on a rock face eroded by a waterfall.
Perhaps the element that makes the Siq Trail Canyoning experience so unique, however, is that you don’t need to hire a guide to try this adventure. Of course, they are readily available if you’d prefer a guide, but we preferred saving the money and figuring it out ourselves.
Orla reaching the waterfall after canyoning through the Siq Trail at Wadi Mujib
How to Experience Canyoning in Wadi Mujib:
As mentioned, the canyoning experience begins at the Wadi Mujib Adventure Centre, a 1-hour drive from Amman. If you have a car in Jordan, you can park at the Centre and purchase an entry ticket to the canyon - Lifejackets are provided as standard, with optional dry bag rental.
If you don’t have a car in Jordan, we recommend canyoning in Wadi Mujib through an organised tour.
The cheapest option we could find was the Wadi Mujib Adventures Day Tour through Viator. It is worth noting that this tour doesn’t include the entry fee at Wadi Mujib Adventure Centre.
Alternatively, the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail Private Hiking Tour has an entry fee provided in the cost of the tour.
Hot Air Balloon Ride over Wadi Rum
A Sunrise hot air balloon ride over a world-famous desert - what more could you ask for?
Experienced hot air balloon pilots transport you high above Wadi Rum during this truly unforgettable adventure in Jordan.
There is no better way to experience the magnificent Wadi Rum desert than by floating directly overhead, providing the perfect viewpoint to see the otherworldly rock formations below.
Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Wadi Rum Desert
How to Experience a Hot Air Ballon Ride over Wadi Rum:
Understandably, the only way to experience this particular adventure activity in Jordan is to book an organised excursion.
The Hot Air Balloon Flight at Wadi Rum begins early, at 6 am, which gives you plenty of time to be air-bound for sunrise. An extra bonus of this adventure comes in the form of complimentary tea, coffee, snacks and water.
Scuba Diving in the Red Sea
Jordan is renowned for being home to world-class scuba diving hotspots despite the country only boasting 26km of coastline.
Tireless conservation work has enabled the Northern area of the Red Sea to flourish once again, which is excellent news for travellers looking for an underwater adventure in Jordan.
The water off the coastal city of Aqaba, on Jordan’s Southern tip, is home to over 1000 species of fish, making it one of the best destinations in the world to go scuba diving.
Jordan is rapidly becoming a Scuba diving hotspot, so make sure you experience this adventure activity in Jordan before the crowds begin to take over.
Scuba Diving in the Red Sea
How to Experience Scuba Diving in the Red Sea:
DIY option: base yourself in the coastal city of Aqaba and visit the many waterfront dive shops to compare their packages and prices - you will often find the best deals with this approach.
Organised tour option: we recommend this affordable Private Diving Experience in the heart of the Red Sea, with prices starting from as little as £40 ($50) per person for a 2-hour dive. The tour caters for experienced divers and beginners, intending to showcase the marine life highlights in Jordan.
Sandboarding down Desert Dunes
We’ve had the privilege of trying sandboarding a few times during our travels - once during our 6-week backpacking adventure through South America, and again during our stay at the Best Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum. Both were incredible experiences, but being able to sandboard down the desert dunes of Wadi Rum was an unforgettable adventure for sure.
As you have probably guessed, sandboarding is similar to snowboarding, only it takes place on sweeping sand dunes rather than conventional ski slopes.
Initially, we were a little hesitant to sandboard standing up, but once we had a few practice runs on our bellies, we took the plunge and gave it a try. How did it go, you ask? Well. let’s just say we had sand in part of our bodies where sand should never be.
Regardless, though, it was still a fantastic adventure to have in the Jordanian desert.
Ben braving standing up while sandboarding in Wadi Rum
How to experience Sandboarding down Desert Dunes:
Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as driving into Wadi Rum and hiring a sandboard. Thankfully though, there are great options for participating in a tour of Wadi Rum.
The very popular Wadi Rum Desert Tour with Lunch & Sunset begins and ends in Wadi Rum Village, but it isn’t clear as to whether sandboarding features on every itinerary or just occasionally.
For that reason, we suggest booking the Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp where we stayed because you are guaranteed to have a sandboarding experience included during your stay.
Trek the Jordan Trail from Dana to Petra
When considering adventurous excursions in Jordan, it’s difficult to imagine anything that compares to the 650 km long Jordan Trail - a cross-country hiking trail that weaves its way from North to South, passing through some extraordinary landscapes.
The most adventurous section of the trail takes hikers from the remarkable Dana Biosphere Reserve all the way to Jordan’s undoubted highlight - Petra.
People often ask us, Is Petra worth visiting? Well, the answer is absolutely yes! And there is no more adventurous way to reach this iconic landmark than by trekking the Jordan Trail.
One of the best things to see in Petra is Little Petra, a lesser-known back entrance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Jordan trail takes you directly here.
Hiking the trail grants you exclusive, early-morning access to Little Petra and the beautiful Monastery, so you can enjoy both spectacles before the rush of tourists arrives.
The Monastery at Petra - near to Little Petra on the Jordan Trail
How to Experience Trekking the Jordan Trail:
We appreciate that not many people have an empty 6 weeks in their schedule to tackle the entire length of the Jordan Trail, so we recommend beginning the trail in Dana and ending in Petra.
The section of the Jordan trail from Dana to Petra is roughly 80km long and is usually tackled over 4 days, but it can often take longer than that.
If you don’t want to face the challenge alone, you can book a once-in-a-lifetime 8-day Dana to Petra Trek with On The Go Tours - it’s not the cheapest tour in the world, but it’s undoubtedly a bucket-list adventure in Jordan.
4x4 Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert
If you haven’t noticed yet, many of the best adventure activities in Jordan are found in Wadi Rum. The world-famous desert is an adventure seekers’ paradise, and we can’t get enough of it.
One of the most memorable adventures in Wadi Rum is experiencing a 4x4 Jeep Tour that takes you directly into the heart of the mysterious Martian landscape.
During the Jeep tour, you’ll see ancient petroglyphs, unusual rock formations, and, if you’re lucky, your guide will even treat you to freshly brewed Bedouin tea over a fire under the stars.
Granted, the 4x4 Jeep tour of Wadi Rum won’t be as adrenaline-fuelled as some of the adventures on this list, but it’s still a fantastic trip to experience.
Wadi Rum Dream Camp with 4x4 Jeeps in the distance
How to Experience a 4x4 Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert:
Most of the accommodation options in Wadi Rum offer a complimentary Jeep Tour alongside your stay, but it is possible to visit Wadi Rum without staying overnight.
For those who are on a tight schedule, we recommend the Half-Day Desert Tour that begins and ends in Wadi Rum Village.
If you have more time to spare, though, we definitely recommend spending at least one night in Wadi Rum. Unlike the rest of Jordan, there are plenty of affordable Wadi Rum accommodation options out there, and many of them are even affordable luxury - a rarity in the Middle East.
Snorkelling in the Red Sea
If you’re seeking an underwater adventure in Jordan but don’t fancy diving to great depths, then perhaps an afternoon of snorkelling in the Red Sea is more up your street.
Discover a hidden world under the waves as you snorkel around one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world.
Mercifully, the coral found off the coast of Aqaba is particularly resilient to rising sea temperatures, meaning it can flourish despite the effects of global warming.
Snorkelling in the Red Sea is a wonderful adventure activity in Jordan that you will speak of for years.
Red Sea marine life in Jordan
How to experience Snorkelling in the Red Sea:
As with scuba diving in the Red Sea, there is value to be found in arriving at Aqaba and searching for locals to take you snorkelling. You will then find it easier to compare and contrast the prices and packages on offer.
If, however, you wish to join a reputable tour with 100+ positive reviews, we recommend this Snorkelling Boat Excursion from Aqaba. Remember to bring a waterproof camera to capture some of the incredible sights you will surely see.
Skydiving in Jordan
The ultimate adrenaline experience of them all - skydiving! Where better to do it than the emerging adventure capital of the world, Jordan?
While skydiving is a unique thrill in its own right, there is something special about experiencing skydiving in a beautiful destination. While free-falling, you may not fully appreciate the beauty of Jordan, but that will soon change once you start gliding back down to earth underneath the parachute.
Skydiving over Jordan - what an adventure!
How to Experience Skydiving in Jordan:
The most convenient way to organise a skydiving adventure in Jordan is through the Royal Aero Sports Club of Jordan, RASCJ for short. Through the RASCJ website, you can keep an eye out for skydiving opportunities in the country.
The main dropzone in Jordan is over Aqaba in the South, and you can book a tandem jump (or a solo jump if you’re qualified) directly through the website.
So, there we have it, folks, a conclusive round-up of unforgettable adventure activities in Jordan.
