In the Middle East, Jordan has become a popular destination for those who love climbing, mountaineering, and trekking, especially if it is in difficult or unexplored territory. This is a country known for its contrasts, a modern kingdom which is also rich in history, influenced by the great Greek, Roman, and Islamic civilizations.
Among the ethnic groups living in Jordan are the nomadic Bedouin, who have great knowledge of the local terrain, and sometimes serve as guides for tourists who wish to spend time exploring the desert, or climbing in the mountains.
For hiking and trekking, the Wadi Rum is special. Here, visitors can choose from a range of experiences on offer, and the advice is always to hire a professional guide since there are no reliable maps available and conditions are usually difficult. Usually, the price remains the same for both individuals and groups, so 10-15 people can split the payment and benefit from the guide’s knowledge of local history and folk traditions. If travelers decide to go on longer trips, they can spend the night at local “tourist camps” run by the guides.
Climbing is yet another exciting and dangerous sport many opt for in Jordan. The local challenge is Jebel Rum (1754m). Here, there are two categories of climbing, the easier being the Bedouin routes which offer a mixture of climbing and scrambling, and these should be manageable by anyone with at least a little mountain experience. The ‘new’ routes put up since the 1980s are much more demanding and only experienced mountaineers risk climbs of this nature.
