Summary
Trekking through the lowest nature reserve in the world turned out to be our most thrilling day during our time Jordan.
The Wadi Mujib gorge houses some of the most spectacular cliffs we have ever witnessed and we were going to hike, swim, slide, and abseil right down the center of them all.
Wadi Mujib Canyoning Adventure
Operated by The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), this trek promotes the biodiversity of Jordan and represents eco-tourism at its best.
Our adventure started at the crack of dawn when our driver, Mahmoud, picked us up from our Dead Sea Resort, just 30 minutes away from Wadi Mujib. We were thrilled to tackle the Canyon Trail today, the most exhilarating trek of all the Wadi Mujib excursions.
Upon meeting the rest of our group for the day on the water, we felt slightly intimidated. They were prepared with wet suits and aqua socks, each carrying full-sized dry bags filled with harnesses and climbing ropes.
Things to Pack for the Wadi Mujib Canyon Adventure
- GoPro – This is our go-to adventure camera. If you want to capture the entire thing on video, it’s the perfect waterproof and shock-resistant camera you can strap to your chest, head, or wrist.
- Dry Bag – While it’s best not to bring valuables, a small foldable dry bag can keep important items safe and dry inside your backpack.
- Quick Drying Clothes – We recommend quick-drying Exofficio clothing, including adventure zip-off pants and breathable fabric shirts.
- Deb: ExOfficio Bugsaway Nylon pants and Outdoor Research Ignitor Short Sleeve.
- Dave: ExOfficio CoolSo Convertible Pants and ExOfficio Give-n-Go Underwear Tea.
- Olympus Waterproof camera – For capturing snapshots; while GoPros are great, a dedicated waterproof camera can yield stunning results. We previously used the Olympus Tough and have since switched to a Sony system, using a waterproof housing with our Sony RX100.
- We also packed a couple of water bottles in our daypacks for the 4-hour hike ahead.
One concern arose about our guide, Ali, who had been with us throughout our 10-day trip in Jordan. Despite his lack of swimming skills, he assured us everything would be alright, donning his life jacket and displaying remarkable confidence. He truly was the best guide in Jordan!
The Wadi Mujib Canyoning Adventure Begins
The trip began with a challenging hike up a relatively easy trail beneath the desert heat. Although the hill was steep yet manageable, the intensity of the sun was palpable. Our canyon guide assured us that we would soon find relief from the heat.
As we descended into the gorge, we finally arrived at the entrance of our canyon trail. While the group prepared by changing into wetsuits and helmets, Dave and I exchanged words with our guides, who opted for shorts and T-shirts, easing our apprehension.
Stepping into the cool water felt refreshing and allowed us to forget the previous hour-long hike. We cautiously navigated through the rocky riverbed.
The Canyon Trail is Heaps of Fun
Throughout the trail, we climbed over rocks, slid down smooth natural waterslides, and held on tight to ropes as we passed through mild rapids before jumping into serene pools below rocky dams.
Uncertain of what to expect, we trusted our knowledgeable guide. When he instructed us to jump, we leaped; when he told us to slide, we slid. And we are certainly pleased we did!
Interestingly, our travel companions were seasoned canyoneers who had spent the previous 10 days exploring Jordan’s canyons and abseiling waterfalls. This trip was their last adventure in Jordan, and they were eager to guide us through Wadi Mujib.
They were well-versed in these activities yet seemed to enjoy this particular excursion as much as we did. They informed us of the numerous gorges to be explored in Jordan, prompting us to mentally note a return visit for a deeper exploration.
We plan to make the Feynan Eco-Lodge our home base for such adventures.
We whooped it up throughout the entire journey.
Abseiling Over Wadi Mujib Waterfall = Checking Off The Bucket List
I have wanted to abseil over a waterfall since watching the Eco-Challenge in Fiji back in 2003. Finally, the chance arrived. I volunteered to go first so I could capture photos of Dave and Ali, not fully considering the implications of being the first!
Though I’ve abseiled before, I must admit, I felt a surge of nerves as I was lowered over the cascading water into the rushing pool below. What was I thinking as the first jumper? The drop didn’t faze me; it was the pool I was apprehensive about.
Upon hitting the water, I swam towards a series of rocks under the waterfall. Clambering to the top, I removed my harness and sent it back up. I hadn’t even thought about standing in the pool, feeling a bit silly when Ali reached the bottom and stood confidently.
Next, Dave jumped over the cliff, followed by our enthusiastic group from Germany. This marked the peak of our excursion, and it was all smooth sailing back to the office from there.
The canyoning adventure at Wadi Mujib is a must-try when visiting Jordan. If you find yourself at the Dead Sea, be sure to take a taxi to Wadi Mujib.
This unique experience provides an exhilarating break from the historical tours often associated with ancient ruins and cultural sites. Many travelers mistakenly believe that exploring Petra and visiting various ruins encompass all there is to see in Jordan. However, this remarkable country in the heart of the Middle East offers so much more to explore.
Hotels Near Wadi Mujib
- We stayed at the Holiday Inn Dead Sea – a great affordable luxury resort located directly on the Dead Sea of Jordan.
- We enjoyed a meal at the Kempinski, spending an afternoon by their luxurious pool—an ideal spot for a high-end Dead Sea getaway.
- The Movenpick is another highly recommended resort situated by the Dead Sea.
Wadi Mujib – The Details:
- If you’re near Wadi Mujib, you can book your Canyoning Adventure directly with The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.
- Get Your Guide offers day tours and overnight tours for canyoning experiences.
- From Amman – enjoy a 2-day tour of Wadi Rum, Dana, Dead Sea, and Wadi Mujib.
- From Aqaba – partake in a Full Day Panoramic Tour, exploring Wadi Mujib and Araba gorges, including entry to a 5-star resort on the Dead Sea.
- From Aqaba – or choose the 4-hour Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib & Wadi Araba tour, showcasing the area’s highlight attractions.
