Jordan - Adventure capital

Canyoning

South of Madaba, mountains plunge more than 1,500m from the highland plateau down to the shore of the Dead Sea, this folded landscape cut by a sequence of deep gorges. Go exploring here in Jordan’s spectacular Wadi Mujib canyon on an epic adventure of trekking, abseiling, wading, swimming and waterfall-jumping between towering walls of sandstone, discovering hidden pools and breathtaking views at the heart of the Mujib Nature Reserve.

More information: www.rscn.org.jo.

Cycling

Although trekking on foot through Jordan’s hills and valleys is well-established, cycling and mountain-biking are relative newcomers. Some of the best riding is around the easygoing market town of Madaba, southwest of the Jordanian capital, Amman. Here, byways and country lanes cross the fields and hilly forests on routes perched high above the Dead Sea rift, where specialist local adventure operator Terhaal can get you out into the country villages for a taste of rural life and to share dinner with local families.

More information: www.terhaal.com.

Horse-riding

Celebrate Jordan’s epic desertscape of Wadi Rum – as featured in Lawrence of Arabia – by venturing out across the sands on horseback. As well as camels, the local bedouin have long kept Arabian horses stabled in the desert. Now a local camp and desert compound, known as Bait Ali, offers the chance to experience the romance and adventure of multi-day wilderness trips amid Rum’s magnificent dunes and mountains.

More information: www.baitali.com.

Microlighting

In case the vistas from ground level aren’t enough, take in the views from a thousand metres up. Jordan’s Royal Aero Sports Club, based at Aqaba airport in the south of Jordan, can whisk you up in a weight-shift microlight – essentially a hang-glider with wheels and a motor – behind a qualified pilot. Cruise at up to 90km/h above the desert sands of Wadi Rum, or buzz the Red Sea beaches – and get a whole new angle on your holiday. More information: www.royalaerosports.com.

Scuba-diving

Last but not least, abandon the world above ground to discover a whole new world beneath the waves. Jordan has some of the Red Sea’s least spoilt, most fascinating reef dives, easily accessed directly from the shore with the help of a specialist such as Above and Below. Float through coral gardens or explore spectacular wreck dives.

More information: www.aboveandbelow.info.

Jordan self-drive holidays

Almost everything is researchable (and bookable) online. Get yourself a decent map and a guidebook to do a bit of pre-trip planning to see where you’d like to go and what you’d like to do.

Hiring a car is simplicity itself. All the big global brand names have offices in Jordan – but you’ll often do better to go with a quality local company, who can offer new cars, good backup, full insurance and trustworthy customer service at a much lower price. Reliable (www.rentareliablecar.com) has a great reputation – they’ll pick you up (and drop you off) for free at the airport or anywhere within Amman, for example – but there are lots more companies out there. All you need is your UK driving licence.