| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52 | 39 | 2.50 |
| Feb | 55 | 40 | 2.50 |
| Mar | 61 | 44 | 1.70 |
| Apr | 71 | 51 | 0.70 |
| May | 80 | 57 | 0.10 |
| Jun | 85 | 63 | 0 |
| Jul | 88 | 67 | 0 |
| Aug | 88 | 67 | 0 |
| Sep | 85 | 64 | 0 |
| Oct | 79 | 58 | 0.20 |
| Nov | 66 | 49 | 1.10 |
| Dec | 56 | 42 | 1.90 |
Pausing at the entrance to my tent, I realized how little the Eastern Desert changes, and that this landscape of rock, sand and sky could be unchanged from the one that T.E. Lawrence saw.
Our Bedouin guide signals for a halt and our camels kneel, then settle with a groan to the ground for us to dismount. In the middle of nowhere, we pitch our tents and gather around the campfire for dinner, recalling the hikes through ancient cities, the 4X4 treks and mountain climbs that have brought us here. Without speaking of it, we all share the same sense of muted awe at this place, the palpable sense that time passes through this desert yet barely seems to touch it.
Our talk gradually subsides, leaving a haunting silence. The moon-like landscape stretches out to the mountains, bannered by multicolored striations in the rock. The smooth reddish sand is devoid of stones, and our camels' toes roused no dust as they thudded in their steady pace. There is no dust here in the valley of Wadi Rum, once a sea basin and later the place T.E. Lawrence found his calling. That is the beauty of the desert: it is nothing and everything.
Since 1997, Raed Omar Saleem has led adventure-seekers on hiking and four-wheel-drive jeep treks through Jordan's deserts. He is trained in first aid, and experienced at handling 4X4 vehicles in challenging desert conditions. In 2004, Saleem received the Jordanian Helm Award for Excellence, and was named guide of the year.
On arriving in Amman, meet your Abercrombie & Kent representative and transfer by private car to your hotel. After reviewing plans for the next day’s journey, spend the evening at your leisure, exploring the city or resting in anticipation of the adventure ahead.
Four Seasons Hotel AmmanThis morning, set out northward with your team toward the Syrian border. In the midst of the dramatic sun-baked landscape of northern Jordan lies the black-basalt city of Umm Al-Jimal, once known as the "Black Gem of the Desert." It was from these ancient ruins that archaeologist-cum-soldier T. E. Lawrence staged his first attack on the Ottoman stronghold of Damascus in 1918.
After exploring the ruins, drive to Qal’at al-Azraq, a partially intact fortress originally built by the Romans. Reconstructed by Constantine, it guarded the main trade route that once joined Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria. More recently, Qal’at al-Azraq became the headquarters of Sheriff Hussein of Mecca (the great-grandfather of King Hussein) and T.E. Lawrence when they were planning the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. A long day’s adventure concluded, check into your lodge, originally a British military hospital.
Azraq Lodge B L DAfter breakfast, travel south through the desert to Wadi Rum, a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock, where Bedouin culture still thrives. You enter the valley on a less-travelled overland route delivering you to your desert Bedouin campsite.
Explore the sculptural rock formations and petroglyphs that surround you this afternoon. As evening falls, return to camp to watch the sunset as the staff prepares dinner, a delicious meal of traditional Arabic and Mediterranean dishes.
Bedouin Campsite B L DToday, visit the three arches, an ancient resting and watering stop for desert travellers. The nearby cistern is filled by an intricate web of canals and dikes that trap and channel rainwater from the surrounding hills.
Bedouin Campsite B L DToday, you explore the desert by camel, heading into the valley on the far side of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, a great natural rock formation given its name by Lawrence during his campaign here.
Bedouin Campsite B L D
Drive through the desert to Aqaba Fort on the shores of the Red Sea where you take a break from history to sample the region’s natural beauty. The Royal Dive Center, located next to a pristine reef, is your base for an afternoon of snorkeling activities; scuba diving options are available for certified divers.
Movenpick Resort & Residence Aqaba B L DToday you visit Petra, the ancient city cut into the surrounding red rock. After exploring the main complex in the valley, venture high into the surrounding hillsides to see the buildings and temples less frequented by tourists. Following a challenging hike, ride a donkey along a winding road out of Petra to a newer Bedouin settlement. Return to the valley this evening, where a special dining experience at Al Beidha (“Little Petra”) has been arranged exclusively for your expedition.
Petra Movenpick Resort B L DThis morning, drive to the Dana Nature Reserve, a remarkable 240-square-mile wildlife refuge founded by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. Dana contains four climactic zones and some of the Middle East’s most beautiful scenery.
Later in the afternoon, drive down an old Roman road to visit Kerak, a Crusader fortress built on a ridge with 360-degree views of the surrounding valley. Return to your 4X4 for the scenic drive to the Dead Sea, 1,200 feet below sea level.
Kempinski Dead Seas Resort B L DToday you rejuvenate after a demanding expedition. Relax at the beach, float in the warm and buoyant mineral-rich waters or indulge yourself with a specialized treatment at the hotel's spa.
Kempinski Dead Seas Resort BTransfer by private car to the airport in Amman for your flight home.
In flight B
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