The King's Highway Jordan
Runs From Amman through Madaba, Kerak, Wadi Rum, Petra to Aqaba
If you have the opportunity to take this once in a lifetime road trip you can visit some of Jordan’s most spectacular and historic sites in: Amman, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Kerak, Wadi Rum, Petra and Aqaba.
From the starting point in Amman the King’s Highway heads south through the ancient Biblical lands of the Ammonites towards Hisban, Aroer and Madaba home of an ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land.
Madaba and Mount Nebo
From Madaba a small detour is in order, a short drive will take you to Mount Nebo where according to the Bible, Moses lived out his final days. If you’re lucky and the weather is fine and clear you will be rewarded with some of the most amazing views of your entire Jordan tour. Looking west you can see, the salt waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, the River Jordan, and on certain days you can see all the way to Jerusalem.
On Mount Nebo a modern shrine greets the visitor, a Serpentine Cross, a representation of a serpent taken by Moses and a cross on which Jesus was crucified. If time permits take another short drive to the hilltop fortress where Herod Antipas killed John the Baptist.
The next stop en route to Aqaba is Kerak but you’re in for a treat on the way. The King’s Highway drops from around 1,200 metres down to the Wadi Mujib gorge at the level of the Dead Sea, and offers stunning views. For the driver on this section of the road trip, be warned, keep your eyes on the road, let your passengers describe the scenery to you.
The Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve set deep within the gorge offers a unique view into animal and plant life living over 400 metres below sea level. Four legged residents of the Reserve include the now rare horned Ibex. Plant life abounds, with over 300 species and many different species of birds have been recorded.
Kerak
The Crusader fortress at Kerak will be your next stopping point. The imposing structure was built in 1136 and finally overrun by Saladin’s forces in 1189.
Petra
The highlight for many is Petra the next stop on your journey. The ancient Nabatean rose red city offers a fascinating opportunity for the visitor to explore hundreds of buildings, monuments and places of worship.
Aqaba
From Petra, the King’s Highway goes past the desert landscape of Wadi Rum before reaching the Red Sea resort of Aqaba.
The main and most popular tourist destinations are mentioned here, but take the time to make the detours and you will be rewarded with a glimpse into ancient lives. For the inquisitive visitor to Jordan, Roman, Christian and Islamic sites are waiting to be explored, many just a few miles off the King’s Highway.
To make the most of this trip you must have a hire car, an average tour bus will only take you take you to the main sites and public transport is not a viable option.
For more information about Jordan and the King's Highway
