Water is a very precious resource in Jordan. According to the World Health Organisation it is one of the water poorest nations in the world. Rivers that run all year round are rare and it is just this scarcity that makes the experience of canyoning in Jordan so magical.
Mujib - long
The Mujib nature reserve offers two canyoning options, both through the narrow, rose-tinted, sandstone walls of the Wadi Mujib itself. The more difficult, the Malaqi Trail involves a round trip with an overland hike to the higher reaches of the river and then a descent through the gorge itself. The highlight is a 20-metre rappel down a stunning waterfall.
Mujib - short
The easier Siq route follows the Mujib from the mouth of the gorge, through wide gentle flows that gradually deepen. Further up there are boulders and rapids to scramble over and plunge pools to swim across until at the end, the spectacle of the pounding waters of the falls that the Malaqi trail descends.
It is possible to do the Siq trail unguided, although it does get quite physical towards the end. The Malaqi Trail is with RSCN guides only.
Two day trip
Wadi Al Karak starts near the castle-topped town of Karak and descends to the Dead Sea. It is a two-day trip. The first includes rappelling down the seven, 10 and 25 metre drops of a three step waterfall.
After camping at the bottom of these falls it is another full day trekking through a tight pink and red rock gorge. The highlight of the lower reaches is a beautiful 60 metre waterfall in side canyon.
Elite
At the top of the scales is Wadi Al Feidh near Petra, which involves around 8 rappels, with the highest, a 70m descent.
When is best?
The best time of year for canyoning in Jordan is either May/June or September/October/November.
Threats
Canyoning locations are limited, but where it can be done, the waters are clear and teeming with life. However, local guides report a noticeable drop in river levels from year to year. Before long, year-round canyoning in Jordan may no longer be possible.
Read more about activities in Jordan and Mujib Reserve
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Adventure travel operator Rakan Mehyar describes canyoning in Jordan... "We found no traces of other canyoneers... Some canyons, it was quite virgin. For an adventure traveller this is something great" [0:52] |
Mujib - long
The Mujib nature reserve offers two canyoning options, both through the narrow, rose-tinted, sandstone walls of the Wadi Mujib itself. The more difficult, the Malaqi Trail involves a round trip with an overland hike to the higher reaches of the river and then a descent through the gorge itself. The highlight is a 20-metre rappel down a stunning waterfall.
Mujib - short
The easier Siq route follows the Mujib from the mouth of the gorge, through wide gentle flows that gradually deepen. Further up there are boulders and rapids to scramble over and plunge pools to swim across until at the end, the spectacle of the pounding waters of the falls that the Malaqi trail descends.
It is possible to do the Siq trail unguided, although it does get quite physical towards the end. The Malaqi Trail is with RSCN guides only.
Two day trip
Wadi Al Karak starts near the castle-topped town of Karak and descends to the Dead Sea. It is a two-day trip. The first includes rappelling down the seven, 10 and 25 metre drops of a three step waterfall.
After camping at the bottom of these falls it is another full day trekking through a tight pink and red rock gorge. The highlight of the lower reaches is a beautiful 60 metre waterfall in side canyon.
Elite
At the top of the scales is Wadi Al Feidh near Petra, which involves around 8 rappels, with the highest, a 70m descent.
When is best?
The best time of year for canyoning in Jordan is either May/June or September/October/November.
Threats
Canyoning locations are limited, but where it can be done, the waters are clear and teeming with life. However, local guides report a noticeable drop in river levels from year to year. Before long, year-round canyoning in Jordan may no longer be possible.
Read more about activities in Jordan and Mujib Reserve
