Jordan Trail Association — Attraction in Amman

I can't recommend the Jordan Trail Association (JTA) highly enough. I started hiking with them in 2018, and admire the work done by the guides, the operations team that handles logistics on the trail, the contributions of partnering organizations, and the administration that makes connections in the community and arranges meals and homestays.

On the hike from Wadi Rum to Aqaba, our guide Munther was both incredibly competent, and consistently made a positive impact on the group dynamic. If our group ever complained about the inconveniences that arise on a long hike, he was very patient and tolerant. He knew the route thoroughly, and always had something clever or agreeable to add to the conversation - frequently drawing on his wealth of knowledge about the flora and fauna, or sharing information about the history or geography of the region.

The operations team that handled day-to-day logistics, including Ahmed and Warde, did a fantastic job of rendezvousing with our group of hikers in their support vehicle at the appointed time and place, despite the lack of cell coverage. They always had generous amounts of hot tea and cold water ready for us, along with an attractive selection of snacks to pack in our lunch boxes. Their sense of humor and experience hiking and climbing in the area enriched the conversation.

Partnering organizations included the Jordan Tourism Board, represented on the hike by Gheed. Her friendliness and willingness to speak with us either in her excellent English or our developing Arabic meant a lot. Just having a young female Jordanian helping with the trip made me, as a young solo female hiker, feel less out of place in a conservative part of the country.

The administration has been wildly successful at building relationships with the local communities along the trail. The campfire songs, homecooked meals, and insights about the local wildlife that our hosts including Salama shared with us were some of the most memorable parts of the trip.

Everyone I interacted with was incredibly respectful, professional, and dedicated to giving our group the best experience possible. (And since the JTA is a small association, you're likely to meet many of the same people if you go). While hiking the Jordan Trail by yourself is managable in the north between Um Qais and al-Salt (where the trail is marked with red and white blazes) going with the JTA helps you make human connections and learn a lot about the area while hiking.

It also minimizes the possibility of harassment for solo female hikers, removes the need to deal with water sources that are marked on the map but have gone dry, and eliminates the need to manage navigation while GPS/cell signals are being scrambled due to...

Badly waymarked. I tried to hike in the North for the second time now. But got...

Best way to know Jordan with its Magnificent Nature and Big Hospitality of the...