Journey through southern Jordan
This good-quality road is known to everyone who has been travelling in southern Jordan. It connects three important places – Aqaba (metropolis of the south and the only bathing place in the country), small detour to Wadi Rum (one of the most beautiful deserts in the world with mesas) and Petra (Jordan's greatest magnet for tourists). In total it is 130 km + 60 km if you go to Wadi Rum. Along the way you will have views of the desert arid mountains, great canyon and nomad’s tents on the upland plateau. Most tourists undertake this journey within the trip from Egypt and Israel, but it is much more cheaper, especially if you are traveling in Jordan independently, in local bus /line Wadi Rum – Petra runs every morning/. It is possible to bargain a taxi for a good price for the stretch Aqaba – Wadi Rum, if you miss a bus.
Desert mountains
After passing through Aqaba the highway rises in desert valley and is surrounded by quite interesting mountains. The road from the neighboring valley joins after a while. It is used practically only by trucks from industrial businesses in the south from Aqaba.
The arid mountains
The road continues to rise and after about 40 kilometers you will come to an intersection where you can turn to the direction of Wadi Rum. If you have little time, you can rush straight away to Petra.
Wadi Rum within reach
If you set off to Wadi Rum, the mountains around will be more and more interesting. Moreover, you will even pass the railroad tracks. Public transport ends at the visitor center where you can start your journey through the desert.
Jordanian town
At the junction of roads is a typical small Jordanian town. Desert plane has here about 780 meters asl and surrounding mountains around 1,100 meters asl.
The landscape around the road
The road leads across the endless plains and you may even not notice that it is constantly slowly rising. Around the road there are also a lot of dwellings made of corrugated iron.
Ascent to the pass
There are nice rock formations along the road and on the horizon appears high, but flat ridge with antennas that separates South Jordan from the rest of the country. Drive up to the pass (1 550 m asl) is difficult for any big vehicle.
Upland plain with herdsmen
There is a junction of roads in the pass. Major highway number 15 continues to Maan and Amman, we turn to more tortuous, but also more interesting small road no35 to Wadi Musa / Petra. The road twists along wrinkled upland plain rather than along the ridge in more than 1,650 meters asl. There are nomads dwellings in the surrounding wilderness and it is a question how they make a living and where take water.
Grand Canyon of Jordan
After a while gets this royal road to the edge of the canyon and you will see more than 1,300 meters below up to Israel. There are souvenir shops (overpriced), but at least the bus stops here :-)
Views to the rocks around the canyon
The road continues along the canyon with beautiful views of the surrounding rocks. There is incredible potential for tourism. It is a shame that there is constantly hazy.
Wadi Musa
You will gradually get closer to Wadi Musa – the starting point of the rock town Petra.
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Article: Classic circuit around Jordan
Typical trip to Jordan covering all the interesting places leads through the country from north to south or vice versa. You'll… continue reading