Trekking and Canyoning in the Jordanian Dead Sea Rift [Paperback]

Itai Haviv (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000

The Jordanian Dead Sea Rift includes some of the world's most ragged and colorful desert landscapes. Its dramatic canyons are only now beginning to be reveated, offering the trekker untamed desert wilderness. Year-round streams, waterfalls and lush vegetation are all here to be found, dotting the desert with numerous oases. Rising above the canyons are mazes of sandstone domes and isolated cliffs with spectacular vistas. Bedouin nomads roam through the region, herding their goats and often still living in goat-hair tents, not far from world-famous archeological sites such as the Nabataean city of Petra. It is amazing that a region as spectacular as the Jordanian Dead Sea Rift remained unknown to hikers for so many years. The guidebook is based on many months of through, day-to-day landscape survey of the Jordanian Rift, as well as on 6 years of leading trekking expeditions in Jordan. It is written from the perspective of an experienced hiker and guide who is also an environmentalist and geologist. The book describes 68 routes ranging from one to six days. Among the routes are easy walks for dayhikers as well as challenging treks. 12 canyoning routes demand abseiling skills. The book is 264 pages long including 41 detailed maps, 3 true-color satellite images and 24 color pages. Background information include geography, history, flora, fauna, people and culture, nature conservation and language as well as practical information about when to trek, how to get there, what to take etc.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

It is exciting to realize that even today one can still discover so many natural wonders in his back yard. Though Jordan is not yet a very popular destination for trekkers, we have no doubt that the Jordanian Dead Sea Rift will soon become as famous as the Andes in Peru or the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. It offers a rare blend of rugged desert terrain, abundant water sources, colorful rock formation and unique vegetation, as well nomadic Bedouin population with intriguing lifestyle.

From the Author

Having watched the Jordanian Dead Sea Rift for a long time from the Israel side, I longed for the day I could get to roam through its landscapes. When peace arrived in 1994 the first thing I did was to have coffee in downtown Amman.

From that moment onwards I was captured by the beauty of this land and its people. I trekked and guided through the Rift for six years, and the more I came to know it, the keener my desire to thoroughly explore it grew. After finishing my Geology and Environmental studies I set off for one year of day-to-day exploration.

The excitement of hiking without knowing what lies behind the next bend in the canyon was addictive. Though the maps promised rugged topography, I could never have imagined so much natural beauty. Every day brought new canyons, summits, springs and waterfalls. There were fascinating encounters with Bedouin and enchanting nights of hospitality and storytelling.

I have seen the sparkle in the eyes of those who trek through the region for the first time. I hope that the same is going to happen to you.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Cordee Memory Map; 1st edition (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9659031505
• ISBN-13: 978-9659031504
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,097,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Travel > Middle East > Jordan

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a superb trekking guidebook, January 10, 2001

By 

Eli Raz (Ein Gedi, Dead Sea shore, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trekking and Canyoning in the Jordanian Dead Sea Rift (Paperback)

Most of the exploration literature about this amazing stretch of land was written in the 19th and early 20th century, and was devoted mainly to biblical archaeology and to geographic descriptions of desert expanses. It is only recently that numerous beauty spots are beginning to be revealed hidden in the darkness of the gorges amidst the spray of waterfalls, springs and hanging gardens - all exciting, but vulnerable places. If they were destined to be revealed, let it be in the way of Itai Haviv. The book's accurate route descriptions are accompanied by detailed maps, there is valuable practical and regional information and last but not least - dignity and love for humans, plants, animals and lands of the desert. Excerpts from early explorers literature flavor the text in appropriate locations and useful decorative sketches illustrate it. The book's layout is carefully planed creating an atmosphere which contributes to its content. Pleasant to browse through, it feels right in your hand, and you can definitely count on its reliability. (Eli Raz former manager of the Judean Desert field school in Ein Gedi and a BMC guide)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful, practical and well designed book., October 9, 2000

By 

Yuval (Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trekking and Canyoning in the Jordanian Dead Sea Rift (Paperback)

I recomend this book based on three routes I treked with my wife. The best one (as well as the longest one) was wadi Hassa (route 21 in the book), it is a wet and full of surprises two days walk.

The pictures in the book are definitely encourage you to try more and more routes, and after two trips to Jordan, 5 day a time, we are only waiting to try the next wadis we did'nt walk through yet.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Treking book I ever saw, October 4, 2000

By 

yoel zanger (Tel Aviv, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trekking and Canyoning in the Jordanian Dead Sea Rift (Paperback)

The only real full traveling book - Accurate and detailed route descriptions and information, topographical maps, satellite maps, colored photos and all in one, compact and very "user friendly" book. An absolute must for anyone traveling the region and the best guidebook that exists of Jordan.