Ajloun Reserve was first established in 1988 and is located in the Ajloun Highlands in northern Jordan, around the village of Umm al-Yanabi' north of Ajloun. It is a area of rolling hills covered by dense woodlands of evergreen oak, interspersed with pistachio, carob, and wild strawberry trees. The trees have been important to local people for their wood, scenic beauty, and quite often for medicine and food. These woodlands are like the original forest animals, including herds of wild boar.

A captive-breeding programme for the locally extinct roe deer was initiated and an enclosure has been built on site, so they can be released into the forest in the near future. The roe deer is adapted to local forest habitat, and feeds on a variety of trees, shrubs and grasses. The rich Mediterranean-like forests that covered the Ajloun area provided an ideal habitat for millennia. However, deforestation and desertification over the past 200 years led to the decline in numbers of the roe deer. Three roe deer were introduced to the captive breeding enclosure in Ajloun in 1988, from a similar habitat in Turkey. Today, there are sixteen roe deer at Ajloun. The Persian Fallow Deer is another species that was once common in Jordan. This animal probably became extinct by the beginning of the 20th century and its re-introduction is now being pursued

Greatly prized as Jordan's window to the sea, Aqaba brings a refreshing release from the rose-coloured desert to the north. Its sandy beaches and coral reefs are the most pristine on the Red

Sea, and Jordanians hope to preserve them through careful planning. With several first-rate hotels, restaurants and shops, Aqaba caters to a tourist crowd that is tranquil and relaxed, seeking its pleasures more by day than by night.

Indigo-coloured deep water lies just off shore in Aqaba, bringing kaleidoscopic marine life within easy reach. Exploring means a leisurely drive to a private spot and a short swim out to the reef. Unusual vertical currents and sea breezes make diving cool and pleasant, even in the heat of the summer.

Aqaba's reef is healthy and thriving, adorned with untold variety in its coral and fish. Common species are branch coral, fungia and montipora, and the rare archelia, a black, tree-like specimen found at great depths and first discovered by King Hussein himself. Darting through the reef are clownfish, Picasso triggerfish, goby, sea anemone, parrotfish, pipefish and countless others. Two of the most intriguing are the harmless, plankton-eating whale shark, the largest fish in the world, and the willowy garden eel, almost invisible in the sea grass.

Aqaba boasts some of the world's best scuba diving by day or night, and a Royal Diving Club. Many other places will organise water sports for you. There is snorkelling, fishing and sailing to pass the time, or glass-bottomed boats for those who prefer their marine life at arm's length.

Aqaba basks in balmy weather nine months of the year, in winter, spring and fall. Summer is hot, but you can pace your activities and adapt to the climate, slowing down in midday, and reviving in the cool of the evening.

Dana Nature Reserve was begun in 1989 and protects a large area of mountains, wadis and desert. It is centred around Wadi Dana, a spectacular ravine which starts at the top of The Great Rift Valley escarpment and stretches right down to the desert on the valley floor of Wadi Araba. Dana supports a variety of vegetation around the streams that run through it. It is a haven for birdlife with 214 bird species having been recorded and there are 7 different points for monitoring raptors. Also recorded here are 44 species of reptiles, 41 mammals, 707 plant species and various other fauna and flora.

Dana Village overlooking Wadi Dana, and inhabited mainly by the Al Ata'ata tribes, has been occupied since about 4000BC. In the recent past many families moved away from the village and it became almost derelict. Today the village is being restored and is once again becoming a thriving community. This wadi is a spectacular area for hiking and once you get to the bottom of the valley you enter a whole new area of desert scenery ideal for continuing a longer trek

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, 392m (1286ft) below sea level. People from all around the world seek to visit the Dead Sea for all the advantages that it presents. Its climate attracts tourists to it and they tend to get in direct touch with its minerals that refreshes their bodies, soul and whole life. Its water rich with salt is the kind of which where even the people who don't know how to swim can float freely; it is the globe's saltiest natural lake, with an average salinity of 280 grams per kilogram compared with the normal ocean's average of 35 grams.

It is such a wonderful place to enjoy a great vacation and gift yourself the sensation of relaxation and comfort. The therapeutic and cosmetic treatments involve the naturally black mud that treats your body tenderly to give it the best shape. The Dead Sea region is resided by many hotels and Natural Spas offering you a pleasant stay rich with care hospitality and provide you with the best treatments, along with many enjoyable sea activities.

The Dead Sea is even popular for its medical treatments for arthritic and rheumatic that are treated by Balneotherapy and by Thalassotherapy, and for sure in addition to the massages and physio-therapeutical application. Depression and hypertension are also treated by Climatotherapy and by Heliotherapy…You cannot miss a satisfying stay in the Dead Sea, it has cures to your body, soul and mind.

Jerash lies on a plain surrounded by hilly wooded areas and fertile basins. Conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC, it came under Roman rule and was one of the ten great Roman cities, the Decapolis League.

The city's golden age came under Roman rule, during which time it was known as Gerasa, and the site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates.

Beneath its external Graeco - - Roman veneer, Jerash also preserves a subtle blend of east and west. Its architecture, religion and languages reflect a process by which two powerful cultures meshed and coexisted, The Graeco - Roman world of the Mediterranean basin and the traditions of the Arab Orient.

The modern city of Jerash can be found to the east of the ruins. While the old and new share a city wall, careful preservation and planning has seen the city itself develop well away from the ruins so there is no encroachment on the sites of old. The Jerash Festival, held in July every year, transforms the ancient city into one of the worlds liveliest and most spectacular cultural events. The festival features folklore dances by local and international groups, ballet, concerts, plays, opera, popular singers and sales of traditional handicrafts, all in the brilliantly floodlit dramatic surroundings of the Jerash ruins.

Karak City is the capital and largest city of the Karak Governorate. Karak, once a part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, lies 140 km to the south of Amman on the King's Highway. An ancient Crusader stronghold, it is situated on a hilltop about 1000 meters above sea level and is surrounded on three sides by a valley. Karak commands a magnificent view of the Dead Sea. A city of about 20,000 people has been built up around the castle and continues to boast a number of restored 19th century Ottoman buildings, restaurants, places to stay, and the like. The town is built on a triangular plateau, with the castle at its narrow southern tip, but it is undoubtedly Karak Castle which dominates.

Castle

Construction of the Crusader castle began in the 1140s, under Pagan, the butler of Fulk of Jerusalem. The Crusaders called it Crac des Moabites or "Karak in Moab", as it is frequently referred to in history books.

Paganus was also Lord of Oultrejordain (Transjordan), and Karak became the centre of his power, replacing the weaker castle of Montreal to the south. Because of its position east of the Jordan River, Karak was able to control Bedouin herders as well as the trade routes from Damascus to Egypt and Mecca. His successors, his nephew Maurice and Philip of Milly, added towers and protected the north and south sides with two deep rock-cut ditches (the southern ditch also serving as a cistern). The most notable Crusader architectural feature surviving is the north wall, into which are built immense arched halls on two levels. These were used for living quarters and stables, but also served as a fighting gallery overlooking the castle approach and for shelter against missiles from siege engines.

In 1176 Raynald of Chatillon gained possession of Karak after marrying Stephanie of Milly, the widow of Humphrey III of Toron (and daughter-in-law of Humphrey II). From Karak, Raynald harassed the trade caravans and even attempted an attack on Mecca itself. In 1183 Saladin besieged the castle in response to Raynald's attacks. The siege took place during the marriage of Humphrey IV of Toron and Isabella of Jerusalem, and Saladin, after some negotiations and with a chivalrous intent, agreed not to target their chamber while his siege machines attacked the rest of the castle. The siege was eventually relieved by King Baldwin IV.

After the Battle of Hattin in 1187, Saladin besieged Karak again and finally captured it in 1189.

In AD 1263, the Mamluk ruler Baybars, enlarged and built a tower on the north-west corner. In AD 1840, Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt captured the castle and destroyed much of its fortifications.

During the Ottoman period, It played an important role due to its strategic location on the crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Greater Syria.

The castle extends over the southern part of the plateau. It is a notable example of Crusader architecture, a mixture of European, Byzantine, and Arab designs. Its walls are strengthened with rectangular projecting towers, long stone vaulted galleries are lighted only by narrow slits, and a contains a deep moat from the west which completely isolates the site.

In the lower court of the castle is the Karak Archaeological Museum, which was newly opened in 2004 after renovation work. It introduces local history and archaeology of Karak region – the land of Moab – from the prehistoric period until the Islamic era. The history of Crusaders and Muslims at Karak castle and town is introduced in detail.

The trip south from Amman along the 5,000-year-old King's Highway is one of the most memorable journeys in the Holy Land, passing through a string of ancient sites. The first city you come upon is Madaba, "the City of Mosaics".

Madaba's chief attraction - in the contemporary Greek Orthodox church of St. George - is a wonderfully vivid, 6th century Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites. With two million pieces of coloured stone, and a full 25 x 5 metres in its original state - most of which can still be seen today - the map depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns, as far away as the Nile Delta. This masterpiece is unrivalled in Jordan, but there are literally dozens of other mosaics from the 5th through the 7th centuries, scattered throughout Madaba's churches and homes.

MOUNT NEBO

Ten minutes to the west is the most revered site in Jordan: Mount Nebo, with the memorial of Moses at the presumed site of the prophet's death and burial place. A small, square church was built on the spot by early Byzantine Christians, and later expanded into a vast complex. Sixty years of excavation reveal a basilical church and a large cluster of monastic buildings. From a platform in front of the church you take in a breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Jordan abounds in archaeological riches, from Neolithic ruins to the Desert Castles of Umayyad princes. Chief among these national treasures is the soul-stirring, rose-red city of Petra, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In order to preserve the site, all tourists' facilities have been located in the town of Wadi Musa, right next to the entrance of Petra.

Petra is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in south Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. From a remote staging post, they dominated the trade routes of ancient Arabia, levying tolls and sheltering caravans laden with Indian spices and silks, African ivory and animal hides.

The Nabataean Kingdom endured for centuries, and Petra became widely admired for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels. Ultimately, however, the Roman Emperor Trajan annexed the Kingdom.

Much of Petra's appeal comes from its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge. From the main entrance, you walk into the chasm, or siq, that ripped through the rock in a prehistoric quake.

Threading your way between the cliff walls as they soar to 80 metres, you pass inscriptions in ancient languages and rock-cut chambers carved into the whorls of sandstone.

Petra's most famous monument, the Treasury, appears dramatically at the end of the siq. Used in the final sequence of the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, this towering façade is only the first of Petra's secrets. Various walks and climbs reveal literally hundreds of rock cut tombs and temple façades, funerary halls and rock reliefs - enough to keep you here for many days. You find a 3,000-seat theatre from the early 1st century AD, a Palace Tomb in the Roman style, a gigantic 1st century Deir (Monastery). A modest shrine commemorating the death of Aaron, brother of Moses, was built in the 13th century by the Mamluk Sultan, high atop Mount Aaron (Jabal Haroun) in the Sharah range.

These sights are at their best in early morning and late afternoon, when the sun confers warm tones to the multicoloured stone, and you can view the majesty of Petra as Burckhardt saw it in 1812. When he made his journey, the road was long and arduous. Now a few hours' drive from Amman brings you to this unforgettable destination.

WHAT TO SEE

The main attraction of Petra is the city itself, of course. A one-day visit is an absolute minimum, and a week will still leave many parts unexplored. Maps and excellent guidebooks are for sale at the entrance to the Petra site, and guides are available to take you through the city.

You can hire a horse to take you to the entrance of the siq (about 1 km from the main entrance). Horse-drawn carriages can be taken from the main entrance to the end of the siq. For elderly and handicapped tourists, the Visitors' Centre can issue a special permit for an extra fee, so that the carriages can go inside Petra itself to its main attractions. After you have passed the siq, once inside the actual city, hire a donkey or, for the more adventurous, be led on camelback - it is easier than you may think, and surprisingly comfortable! Remember to take it easy, as the Petra site is large and can involve some fairly steep climbs!

The Mujib Reserve is the lowest nature reserve in the world, with its spectacular array of scenery near the east coast of the Dead Sea. The reserve is located within the deep Wadi Mujib gorge, which enters the Dead Sea at 410 meters below sea level. The Reserve extends to the Kerak and Madaba mountains to the north and south, reaching 900 meters above sea level in some places. This 1,300 meter variation in elevation, combined with the valley's year round water flow from seven tributaries, means that Wadi Mujib enjoys a magnificent biodiversity that is still being explored and documented today. Over 300 species of plants, 10 species of carnivores and numerous species of permanent and migratory birds have been recorded until this date. Some of the remote mountain and valley areas are difficult to reach, and thus offer safe havens for rare species of cats, goats and other mountain animals.

Wondrous Wild Life

Mujib's sandstone cliffs are an ideal habitat for one of the most beautiful mountain goats in the world, the horned Ibex. The natural Ibex herds had declined due to over-hunting in easily accessible areas, causing the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) to establish a captive-breeding program for Ibex in the Mujib Reserve.

Mujib is also the home of carnivorous species such as the Caracal; a medium-sized cat distinguished by its black and white ear tufts. An agile and powerful hunter, the Caracal can be spotted in action in the rocky valley of Mujib, using its amazing jumping power to catch airborne prey.

Hiking Trails

The reserve has two main hiking trails:

1) The circular trail allowing 4 groups a week with maximum 25 persons per group, starts three kilometers from the Mujib bridge along the Dead Sea and offers 5 to 6 hours of hiking and swimming through the Wadi Mujib system.

2) The lower trail also starts from the same bridge and offers a 1 to 2 hour hike within the water system, including a swim at the big waterfall. Life jackets are provided by the Reserve's office.

For those who appreciate nature and adventure, a hike through the Wadi system may prove to be a challenging exercise rejuvenating the body and the mind.

Wadi Rum Protected Area

Famously described by T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) as "Vast, echoing and God-like", and acclaimed by many as one of the most stunning desertscapes in the world, Wadi Rum is a nature-lover's paradise.

Serious mountaineers relish its challenging climbs (some more than 900 metres up sheer granite and sandstone cliffs), while casual hikers enjoy the peace and tranquility of its sweeping vistas, towering rock faces and boundless empty spaces. Those of calm disposition will probably prefer a camel ride or a night under the stars in a Bedouin tent.

Nature lovers will be drawn to the desert in springtime, when rains bring the greening of the hills and hundreds of species of wild flowers.

Options for exploring Wadi Rum include 4WD vehicles and camel rides. The best way, however, to experience Rum's grandeur is by hiking on foot and camping. Camel trips from the wadi to either Aqaba (several days) or Petra (about a week) may also be arranged.

The Landscape

Wadi Rum's beauty can only be described as breathtaking. One of Jordan's main tourist attractions, the area is spotted with fascinating sandstone mountains decorated with an array of colours. The magnificent colours of the mountains spill into the sand dunes scattered all over the reserve.

Widlife

Wadi Rum holds plants both rare and endemic to its ecosystem. A greater emphasis has been put on the Wadi's fauna after a baseline survey detected the existence of the Gray Wolf, Blandford's Fox, the Sand Cat and the Ibex within the area. Additionally, the site is an ideal area for bird watching with its 120-recorded species.