- Region
- Madaba / Karak governorates
- How long
- Half day
- Managed by
- Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)
- Wet trails season
- Roughly 1 April – 31 October
- Siq Trail fee
- JD 21 + 16 % tax for foreigners (JTB, as of November 2026)
- From the Dead Sea resorts
- ≈ 35 km, 30 min
In short
- The Mujib Biosphere Reserve runs from the Dead Sea shore, about 400 m below sea level, up to the plateau near the King's Highway — often called the lowest nature reserve on earth.
- Its famous Siq Trail is a wet walk up a narrow gorge, wading and scrambling over boulders with ropes to a waterfall — about 2–3 hours return.
- Wet trails are open only in the warm season (roughly April–October) and close at any risk of flash floods.
- You will get completely wet: bring water shoes, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
Jordan's 'Grand Canyon'
Wadi Mujib — the biblical River Arnon — cuts a gorge almost a kilometre deep across the plateau between Madaba and Karak before squeezing through a slot canyon to the Dead Sea. The King's Highway zigzags down into its upper canyon past the Mujib Dam (a spectacular viewpoint); the lower canyon, where the river meets the Dead Sea Highway, is where visitors walk into the gorge.
The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) protects the area as the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, home to Nubian ibex, caracal and many birds, and runs the visitor centre, trails and guides.
Book tours in Wadi MujibLive times, prices and free cancellation terms on GetYourGuide.
Check availabilityThe trails
| Trail | Type | Time | Fee (foreigners) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siq Trail | Wet, self-guided, ropes and ladders | ≈ 2–3 h | JD 21 + tax |
| Canyon Trail | Wet, guided, longer | ≈ 4–5 h | JD 31 + tax |
| Malaqi Trail | Wet, guided, with abseil/waterfalls | ≈ 6–8 h | JD 44 + tax |
| Ibex Trail | Dry, guided, panoramic | ≈ 3–4 h | JD 21 + tax |
Walking the Siq Trail
From the visitor centre a boardwalk and steps lead down into the river. You then walk upstream between walls of red and ochre sandstone, wading through water that is ankle- to chest-deep depending on the season and recent rain. Ropes and fixed ladders help over boulders and small cascades. After about an hour the canyon ends at a waterfall pouring over a rock lip — the turnaround point. Life jackets are provided and compulsory.
- Wear water shoes or sandals with heel straps — not flip-flops.
- Clothes will get soaked; swimwear with shorts and a T-shirt works best.
- Use a waterproof bag or case for your phone; leave valuables in the lockers.
- Moderate fitness is needed; the current can be strong early in the season.
Safety and closures
Flash floods are the main danger in Jordan's wadis. RSCN closes the wet trails outside the summer season and whenever rain is forecast upstream, even if the sky is clear at the Dead Sea. The UK FCDO advises not to visit wadis for at least a day after heavy rain. Follow ranger instructions, and turn back if water rises or turns muddy.
Tours and getting there
The visitor centre is beside the Mujib bridge on the Dead Sea Highway, about 30 minutes south of the Dead Sea resorts and 1.5 hours from Amman. There is no public transport; drive, take a taxi or join a tour. See getting to Wadi Mujib.
Wadi Mujib Siq Trail hiking experience from Amman
Transport and a guide for the wet Siq Trail (open roughly April to October), with the Dead Sea nearby for afterwards.
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Wadi al-Mujib and Dead Sea full-day panoramic tour
Scenic day along the Dead Sea Highway with stops at the Mujib gorge viewpoints and a Dead Sea beach.
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Combining Mujib with other sights
The Siq Trail takes half a day, so pair it with an afternoon at the Dead Sea, 30 minutes north. If you are driving south, continue to Karak via the steep road from the southern Dead Sea or through Wadi Araba to Aqaba. On the King's Highway, the upper Mujib canyon and dam viewpoints make a natural stop between Madaba and Karak.
Mujib Biosphere Reserve in brief
The reserve stretches from Wadi Zarqa Ma'in in the north to Wadi Shuqeiq in the south, and drops more than 1,200 m from the plateau to the Dead Sea — one of the steepest altitude ranges of any protected area in the region. That range packs Mediterranean, desert and Sudanian plants and animals into a small space.
- Managed by
- Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)
- Established
- 1985
- Area
- About 212 km², along roughly 24 km of the Dead Sea's eastern shore (RSCN)
- Altitude range
- From about 400 m below sea level at the shore to around 900 m above on the plateau
- Wet-trail season
- Usually April to October, depending on water levels and RSCN decisions
Which trail suits whom?
| You are… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A first-timer in summer | Siq Trail | Self-guided wading to a waterfall |
| Fit and adventurous | Canyon Trail | Longer route with swims and jumps (guided) |
| An experienced adventurer | Malaqi Trail | Full-day canyoning with abseils (guided) |
| Visiting outside the wet season | Ibex Trail | Dry hike with Dead Sea views (guided) |
| Not a swimmer | Ibex Trail or the view from the bridge | The Siq involves deep water and ropes |
Is the Siq Trail safe?
On an open day, with RSCN staff at the start and ropes fixed at the tricky sections, the Siq Trail is a safe and popular half-day adventure for reasonably fit people who are comfortable in water. Life jackets are issued at the visitor centre. The risks are slips on wet rock, the strong current near the waterfall and, above all, flash floods: never enter when the trail is closed or when rain is forecast for the plateau. The UK FCDO advises checking the weather and avoiding wadis for at least a day after heavy rain. RSCN sets rules on age, group size and opening times — check them when you book or arrive.
Where to stay
Most hikers stay at the Dead Sea resorts and visit Mujib as a half-day. RSCN also operates the Mujib Chalets on the shore near the reserve (book via RSCN).
Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea by IHG
Dead SeaOne of the more affordable resorts on the shore, with beach access.
See on Booking.comHilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa
Dead SeaBig modern resort with beach access and pools (8.8 on Booking.com as of November 2026).
See on Booking.comSee all hotels in Wadi Mujib on Booking.com
Hotel links go to Booking.com, where you see live prices and availability. We do not list prices because they change daily; JordanTravel.com may earn a commission.
Plan your visit to Wadi Mujib
- Things to doCanyon hikes, the dry Ibex Trail, the Mujib Dam viewpoint on the King's Highway and…
- ToursGuided Siq Trail trips from Amman and scenic Mujib + Dead Sea days.
- Getting thereBy car or taxi along the Dead Sea Highway, from Amman, the Dead Sea resorts, Madaba and…
- Where to stayDead Sea resorts 30 minutes away, RSCN's Mujib Chalets on the shore, or Karak and…
- When to goWhen the wet trails open and close, water levels through the season, summer heat at…
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail open all year?
No. The wet trails open in the warm season, roughly April to October, and close whenever there is a flood risk.
Do I need a guide for the Siq Trail?
No, the Siq Trail is self-guided. The Canyon and Malaqi trails require an RSCN guide.
Is Wadi Mujib suitable for children?
Older, confident children can do the Siq Trail with adults; age limits apply, so check with RSCN when booking.
Is the Siq Trail included in the Jordan Pass?
No — pay the RSCN fee at the visitor centre.
How hard is the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail?
Moderate: about 2–3 hours of wading against the current, scrambling over boulders and climbing fixed ropes and ladders. Good balance and confidence in water matter more than endurance.
Can I see Wadi Mujib without hiking?
Yes — from the King's Highway viewpoints over the canyon and the dam, or from the Mujib bridge on the Dead Sea Highway, where the slot canyon meets the sea.
Where is the Wadi Mujib visitor centre?
On the Dead Sea Highway (Route 65) beside the Mujib bridge, about 30–40 minutes south of the Sweimeh resorts and about 1.5 hours from Amman.
Sources and official information
Facts were checked against these official sources in November 2026. Opening hours, prices and timetables change, so confirm before you go.
JordanTravel.com is an independent guide, not the official site of the Jordan Tourism Board, the Government of Jordan or any operator. Some links are affiliate links: tours go to GetYourGuide and hotels go to Booking.com, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
