A bumbling brook in Wadi Mukheiris
Adventure Guide du jour: Ramsey Tesdell
One of the best things about Amman is the proximity of neat things around it. You won’t find me spending much time defending the traffic jams of the capital of Jordan, but will find me out in the rural areas exploring the microenvironments around Jordan. One of my favorite areas in Jordan is the Dead Sea Rift, and the endless wadis, water sources, and beautiful hiking terrain.
A hike I’ve had my eye for some time is about as close to Amman as you can get and still be in the Dead Sea Rift – a place that goes by the name of Wadi Mukheiris – and beings right in front of the Movenpick hotel at the Dead Sea. Park there and prepare to leave civilization behind.
Cross the road and head over an earthen embankment, from here you’ll see the water. Follow the water for about 45 minutes to an hour before the hiking gets interesting. It is an easy jaunt in the beginning, and enjoyable walking through the water or picking your way through the boulders to either side.
As you leave the few reminders of civilization behind you (black plastic bag, Jordan’s national flower), you’ll come to a sheer rock wall, which you can easily bypass from the left. Careful picking your way on the sheer cliff – it is not particularly dangerous, but I found it more difficult to concentrate on footing while instead I was enjoying the beautiful red hues to be found in the cliff. 
Another thirty minutes or so from the red hues, you’ll come to a wonderful place to take a break and to have a shower. Big boulders force the water through a small opening that creates a natural shower; a shower you don’t have to feel guilty about leaving the water on.
Again, bypass on the left-hand side and continue on, this time feeling clean and refreshed.
Take your time on this next stretch – plenty of beautiful little waterfalls and pools to enjoy. But watch out for the crabs, which on several occasions surprised me just enough to make a quick exit. Fluttering about is the Wheatear, a black and white little bird that you can catch wonderful little glimpses of as it hightails out of your way.
As you continue sloshing upwards towards the source, the water gets cooler and cooler, and more plentiful. Plenty of hanging gardens and plants to enjoy as you make your way through.
Don’t forget to bring some high-energy snacks and some lunch. For me personally, chocolate and bread, cheese and cucumbers do just fine, but many feel the need to spend their extra dinars on fancy energy snacks. But don’t forget water; while bathing and hiking through the water is pleasant, I can’t imagine drinking the water would provide that sort of untroubled experience.
Practicalities: wear shoes that are comfortable, but ones you can get wet and still enjoy wearing. Loose fitting clothing with some type of head covering for the hotter days will suffice. During the winter, watch the forecast for rain so you don’t get washed away. During summer, bring extra water and leave early – you don’t want to get stuck out there during the afternoon sun.
It doesn’t take much to get there – 45 minutes and a quick argument with a taxi driver. Make sure you arrange for a ride back.
Enjoy!
Wow, that’s interesting, i often feel the need to leave civilization behind! I should try this one Saturday… after Ramadan Probably… do you see many people there or is it still undiscovered comparativley?? or is it only me who doesn’t know it?
Wow, that’s interesting, i often feel the need to leave civilization behind! I should try this one Saturday… after Ramadan Probably… do you see many people there or is it still undiscovered comparativley?? or is it only me who doesn’t know it?
Yeah, now that I’ve seen the historic sites twice, the next time I come back I think I’m going for the whole ecotourism thingie.
Kinda hard in developed places like Aqaba, but as the article here says – just a few miles out of Amman are all sortsa need natural sites to admire and experience.
Thanks for reminding me !-)
Yeah, now that I’ve seen the historic sites twice, the next time I come back I think I’m going for the whole ecotourism thingie.
Kinda hard in developed places like Aqaba, but as the article here says – just a few miles out of Amman are all sortsa need natural sites to admire and experience.
Thanks for reminding me !-)
That is the best part of hiking on these routes, you rarely see anyone. I’ve done several and I can’t remember seeing anyone else. Just you and the nature.
That is the best part of hiking on these routes, you rarely see anyone. I’ve done several and I can’t remember seeing anyone else. Just you and the nature.
is that a crab to right of the first picture or am i just seeing things?
is that a crab to right of the first picture or am i just seeing things?
Ramsey, that’s encouraging! 🙂
Nas: i think it is a crab!
Ramsey, that’s encouraging! 🙂
Nas: i think it is a crab!
Would this trek be too much for kids? My youngest is 7 and a boy who likes to run around. I would love to expose them to more nature? Do you think this would be a safe trip for us to make? I’m excited. Thanks for the tip and lovely pictures.
Would this trek be too much for kids? My youngest is 7 and a boy who likes to run around. I would love to expose them to more nature? Do you think this would be a safe trip for us to make? I’m excited. Thanks for the tip and lovely pictures.
Ok so it’s right across from the movenpick hotel? The reason I ask is because I heard about this from friends of friends and decided to convince my dad to take us there, except when we got to where we thought it should be there was a guard, and he wouldn’t let us in, saying it was too close to flash flood season, I was soooooo mad! Do you have any idea what I’m talking about? If so how can I sneak past them? Seriously it was like the beginning of october last year and we sat there trying to convince them to let us go in on our own responsibility.But to no avail
Ok so it’s right across from the movenpick hotel? The reason I ask is because I heard about this from friends of friends and decided to convince my dad to take us there, except when we got to where we thought it should be there was a guard, and he wouldn’t let us in, saying it was too close to flash flood season, I was soooooo mad! Do you have any idea what I’m talking about? If so how can I sneak past them? Seriously it was like the beginning of october last year and we sat there trying to convince them to let us go in on our own responsibility.But to no avail
For hiking lovers, and who have passion for nature, join us in Walking Jordan group on Facebook:
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=8241265751
http://www.walkingjordan.com/
Join us 🙂
For hiking lovers, and who have passion for nature, join us in Walking Jordan group on Facebook:
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=8241265751
http://www.walkingjordan.com/
Join us 🙂
Nice piece
For information on Mukheiris and other hikes in Jordan check this website
http://www.walkingjordan.com
Or join our group “Walking Jordan” on facebook
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8241265751
We welcome ideas
Ramzi Tabbalat
Nice piece
For information on Mukheiris and other hikes in Jordan check this website
http://www.walkingjordan.com
Or join our group “Walking Jordan” on facebook
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8241265751
We welcome ideas
Ramzi Tabbalat