Prepare to have your mind blown!
Picture this: you're in the heart of Jordan, surrounded by history and breathtaking landscapes, when you stumble upon Wadi Mujib - a total hidden gem. This badass canyon, carved by the Mujib River, is like nothing you've ever seen. It's the ultimate playground for adventure junkies and nature enthusiasts.
Wadi Mujib is best known for canyoning, or the act of navigating down a fast flowing water stream in a gorge. Between April and October, Wadi Mujib and its wet trails are a must-do on your Jordan itinerary! If you happen to visit Jordan during winter, you can enjoy the Ibex trail, the only dry trail in the area. This guide outlines all you need to know so you can explore Wadi Mujib on your trip to Jordan.
History
Wadi Mujib is part of the Mujib Biosphere Reserve. At 410 meters below sea level, it is the lowest nature reserve in the world, located in the mountainous landscape to the east of the Dead Sea.
During biblical times, Wadi Mujib was known as the Arnon stream, which marked the boundary between the Moabites and the Amorites. But the Arnon hasn’t only been a hot spot for humans; it’s also home to large amounts of wildlife. Mujib’s complex river system and all-year water flow enable it to support a rich biodiversity. Many plants and animals have found their home here. Some of the mountain and valley areas are difficult to reach and offer safe havens for rare species of cats, mountain goats (Ibex) and other mountain animals.
Getting there
Most trails will start from the Wadi Mujib Adventure Centre (link on Google Maps). It is located on the Aqaba - Dead Sea Highway (route 65) and very close to the Dead Sea resorts area. The Al-Hidan trail is the only trail departing from the Al-Hidan Adventure Centre (link on Google Maps), which is accessible via route 35 from Amman.
Rental car
If you are driving from Amman, what we did, it will roughly take about 1h30 to reach Wadi Mujib, depending on the traffic. There is a free visitor parking next to the Wadi Mujib Adventure Centre, but it is recommended to come early before it fills up, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. We arrived at 8:30 AM on a Tuesday in May and there was still plenty of space on the parking lot. By the time we left around 11:30 AM it had filled up with very few spaces available.
Are you not sure whether renting a car is something you want to consider for your trip? Read our guide with tips about renting a car in Jordan.
Taxi
If you don't have a rental car, you can negotiate a price with a driver. If you are coming all the way from Amman, it may be a cheaper option to take a Jett Bus to the Dead Sea and negotiate a taxi from there. Make sure to agree on a return trip, as you may face difficulties flagging down a taxi to head back.
Tours
A few operators offer a tour to Wadi Mujib from Amman. This tour will pick you up from the hotel you're staying at and will drop you back after your adventure but does not include the entry fee to the Siq trail.
Entry
Once you have arrived at the Wadi Mujib Adventure Centre, head inside to pay for your entry fee. The fee depends on the trail you are planning to do. The Siq trail is the cheapest option (21 JOD per person) as this one is self-guided. The other trails (Canyon and Malaqi, 31 JOD and 44 JOD respectively) require a guide because you will be rappelling down a waterfall. The price for the dry Ibex trail in winter is 17 JOD. Entry to the Wadi Mujib trails is NOT included in the Jordan Pass.
Once you have paid the fee, you can go grab your life vest and off you go!
Remember that guests have to be at least 18 years to access any of the wet trails. Last entries are at 2pm. The trail also has a maximum capacity of 100-150 people and access will be restricted based on the capacity. If you arrive early enough, this shouldn't be an issue.
During the summer season, the standard opening and closing times for the three wet trails are usually from 1st April to 31st October. However, these times are subject to changes due to various factors such as dry season droughts, flash floods, staffing issues, and safety concerns. There are instances when the trails are delayed in opening or extended beyond the standard dates.
One significant factor that affects the opening of the trails is the water level in the canyon. It can become excessively high or powerful, making it unsafe for people to enter. Consequently, access to the trails may be restricted or prohibited.For the latest information regarding opening times, have a look on the Wild Jordan Facebook page.
Getting around
Siq Trail
This trail is the most popular and accessible one, suitable for most fitness levels. It takes you through a narrow gorge, offering breathtaking views and the opportunity to wade through waist-deep (or shoulder-deep in my case) water.
The Wadi Mujib Siq Trail is a 2-kilometer adventure where you'll end up back where you started after reaching a fantastic halfway point waterfall. The first half of the trail is a bit more challenging as you go against the flow and get the hang of ropes and rocks.
At the beginning, things are pretty straightforward and the water is shallow. You can enjoy the mesmerizing sandstone patterns as you make your way through the stunning narrow canyon, taking some awesome photos without getting too wet. As you move forward against the current, the water gets deeper and faster, and you'll need to rely more on ropes, rocks, and metal rods to navigate. It's usually clear where you should grab a rope to keep going, but watch out for hidden rocks or sudden depths. At several points, helpful attendants can suggest one path over another, and it's a good idea to listen to their advice.
Around the halfway mark, there's a fun challenge of climbing some rocks using metal rods and ropes. Give it a go! A bit of upper body strength is required to hoist yourself up from the water, but with a gentle push most people will be able to scale the rocks! On the path to the waterfall, you will encounter one or two more climbs like this.
Reaching the waterfall is an exciting milestone, even though it's just the halfway point. Take a moment to admire the rushing water, dip your head under the refreshing torrent, and snap some cool photos.
The way back is even more fun! Get ready for at least two mandatory slides on your rear end down the rocks to descend. Plus, you can float along in certain sections. Remember, if the attendants suggest sliding or waiting, follow their advice.
While entering and exiting, you might encounter some congestion at certain points where rocks, ropes, and rods are involved. Don't worry, just be patient and remember that safety comes first, even if it means taking a little extra time.
Canyon Trail
The Canyon trail is typically open from April to October and is closed during Ramadan. This trail also departs from the Wadi Mujib Adventure Centre, but instead of following the gorge of the Siq, it will follow the Mujib river downstream along the Dead Sea Highway. The trail is 4 km long, marked as moderate-difficult, and leaves each morning at 8h30 am. Completing this trail will take you about 4 hours. The highlight is the 20 meter waterfall you'll descend with the help of a guide!
Malaqi Trail
The Malaqi trail is considered the most difficult one. It incorporates parts of the Canyon and Siq trails in a longer 6 km route, which is expected to take you between 5-7 hours to finish. The Malaqi trail start at 8 am from the Wadi Mujib Adventure Centre.
Ibex Trail
The Ibex trail is the only dry trail in Wadi Mujib and only accessible during the winter months between November and March. Along the way, you can enjoy the stunning landscapes and the wildlife that calls Wadi Mujib their home. You may be able to spot the beautiful Nubian Ibex along the way. You'll make a stop at the Raddas Ranger Station, from where you can see the famous rock “statue” of Lot’s wife. The Ibex trail leaves at 8h30 am from the adventure centre, is 5 km long and will take you between 5-6 hours to complete.
Al-Hidan Trail
The Al-Hidan trail is the only trail that leaves from a different location, the Al-Hidan Adventure Centre (link on Google Maps). It's a guided-only 5km wet trail that is open all-year round depending on the weather conditions. The trail ends at an ancient wheat mill, and from there a bus will take you back to the visitor centre.
Practical Tips
It's recommended to leave as much of your possessions in the car or in one of the lockers at the visitor centre (make sure to bring your own padlock). However, if you are keen on bringing your phone, car keys, a snack, ... make sure to bring a dry bag to protect it from the water. We got ours from Amazon (link) and opted for the 5L version which was big enough to hold a camera, keys and a bottle of water. We also put a rag inside to dry our hands before grabbing the camera. The Adventure Centre also rents out small dry-bags (10 JOD) which is a total rip-off, but a necessity if you want to bring some items along.
For my fellow bespectacled travellers, I would recommend wearing lenses for the day, or accept subpar vision for the duration of the activity. Your glasses will most probably not survive your canyoning adventure (I saw a pair of glasses float by that did not survive the trip). You also won't need your sunglasses as most sections are in the shade.
There are changing rooms available on site so you can switch out of your wet outfit before leaving Wadi Mujib. I wore my bikini with a t-shirt and some quick-dry leggings which was perfect for the wet trails. What to do regarding footwear on this adventure? The rocks can be slippery and sharp, and you'll find yourself clambering on wet surfaces and metal supports. So going barefoot is a big no-no. The Adventure Centre sells rubber sea shoes for 5 JOD a pair. You can decide to wear your own trainers, but given the water damage they'll endure, make sure it is a pair you are willing to part with if they don't survive the trail. I bought my own water shoes on Amazon (link) ahead of the trip, and they held up great so I can re-use them on future trips! I also used these in the Dead Sea later on my trip.
Speaking about the Dead Sea, I would recommend visiting the Dead Sea before doing Wadi Mujib. It's very likely to end up with a few scratches from the wet trail, which might make your Dead Sea experience a bit less nice.
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