JORDAN THE HOME OF MORE THAN 600 SPECIES OF OLD TREES AND HERBS THE HOME OF 1200 YEAR OLD TREE



Since the dawn of time, our land” JORDAN” has wittiness the growing of many different trees and plants .Wheat was first cultivated in “Baida” Little Petra. When the man was first experimenting with agriculture, gathering the nuts, and hunting the wild animals. Even the Nabateans, the people who carved Petra 2000 year ago, planted juniper tree, olive, oak, grapes, and pistachio. Their wine presses and juniper-beams can be seen till this moment in Petra.
In this tour, travelers can see most of the old tree allover Jordan as well some treks and historical sites. But we focus on the old trees and herbs with assistance of agricultural guides licensed from the ministry of agriculture in Jordan.

Tour itinerary:

Day 1: Amman – Jerash

Meets and assist at airport, visa formalities, following by transfer to Olive Brach hotel located on hilltop with magnificent view of olive droves, and Jerash.

Day 2: Jerash – Wadi Al-Yabis

After breakfast we will drive to west of Jerash and we will trek in Wadi Al-Yabis: It is a truly beautiful valley descending 20 Km from the forested uplands to the warmth of the Jordan Valley and offering some excellent walks and treks. Where we find old olives trees some 2000 years old, as well as pine, we trek for six hours crossing between amazing view of old trees, which some if it exist since 900 BC, evening drive back to Olive Branch Hotel, for dinner and overnight.



Day 3: Ajlun Castle – Dibbin - Zubia

After breakfast drive 23 Km west of Jerash to Ajlun Castle a short visit in the castle: the Ajlun Castle is locally known, was the base of the Arab forces of Saladin, when he defeated the Crusaders in the 12th century. The Ajlun Mountains are famous for their lush vegetation and thick green forests and a good place for hikes. The castle of Ajlun was built in 1184 by a nephew of Salah al-Din (Saladin to Westerners) to defend the land held by the Arabs from the Crusaders. Then we will continue to Dibbin: The best remaining area of mature, natural Pinus halepensis forest in the country, on limestone slopes of the highest hill range in northern Jordan, between 550 and 1,000 m. Under storey of Arbutus and evergreen Quercus. Parts of the forest remain remote from habitation, although there are some pockets of agriculture. The surrounding area has oaks and olive groves as well. There is a much-used recreational area in the centre of the site, with parking spaces, barbecue sites, restaurant and playgrounds. Afternoon back to Zubia’s woodlands consist mostly of Oak trees, interspersed with Pistachio, Pine, Carob, and Wild Strawberry trees. These trees have been important to local people for their wood, scenic beauty, and quite often for medicine and food. The Roe Deer is adapted to forest habitat, and feeds on a variety of trees, shrubs and grasses. The rich Mediterranean-like forests that covered the Ajloun area provided an ideal habitat for millennia. However, deforestation and desertification over the past 200 years led to the decline in numbers of the Roe Deer. Three Roe Deers were introduced to the captive breeding enclosure in Ajloun in 1988, from a similar habitat in Turkey. Today, there are thirteen Roe Deer at Ajloun. Back to Olive branch hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight.


Day 4: Madaba – Nebo – Wadi Araba
Early in the morning breakfast short visit to Madaba and Mount Nebo: (20 km from Dead Sea), famous as a land of Mosaics. The most famous of the mosaics being the wonderful map of Palestine and Jordan in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. Continue to Mt. Nebo for tour of the site believed to be home to the tomb of Moses. Then transfer via the Kings’ Highway down to Dead Sea: the rich botanic diversity of Moab and Edom is strongly related to the topography of the Dead Sea rift. Crossing the eastern flank of the Rift east-to –west, from the plateau to the bottom of the valley, there are steep gradients of altitude, temperature and precipitation, which are responsible for a vertical succession of belts of vegetation. Evening continue driving to Wadi Araba Camping with Bedouin family, stay at their tent, overnight.


Day 5: Wadi Ghuwier – Hamman Dethneh – Wadi Nakheel – Mansoura

In the morning after breakfast with the Bedouin family we will trek in Wadi Ghuwier: are garnished by hanging gardens. Its water flow changes with the season, but even in the summer it is a splendid route. After three our caynoning in Wadi Ghuwier we arrive Hammam Dethneh which is Oasis, old palm trees, and escorting to Wadi Nakheel ( Palm canyon) trek up to Mansoura village, camping and overnight (8 hours trekking).

Day 6: Heisha – Beida

Today is special day to visit the Heisha (Abdalia reserve) where its full of Oak and Pistachio some are 1200 year old, trekking around Abdalia Reserve, and discover the Artemisia sieberi, Red Junioer and Pistachio almantica, we will have lunch BBQ, enjoy the sunset of Petra mountains, and evening drive down to Amarein Bedouin Campsite (5 Km), dinner and overnight.


Day 7: Petra

Today will visit the historical sites of Petra, (the Rose-Red city) including the Siq, the Treasury, city centre, the Royal tomb, the theatre, the High Place of Sacrifice, Wadi Farasah and the Roman Soldier Tombs. Lunch in Petra, then evening hike back via the Siq to Wadi Musa for freshen-up followed by transfer to Beidha (little Petra) for gala B-B-Q dinner under the stars, then back to Wadi Musa for O/N hotel. ***The dinner will be Arabic cuisine served open buffet style including Bedouin (folklore) entertainment.


Day 8: Petra – Amman – Airport.

After breakfast, drive via desert high way to Amman or airport for your departure.

Jujuble (Ziziphus spina christi): A thorn tree of tropical origin, which can be found in the lower reaches of most of areas in south of Jordan. it is species name means "thorn of Christ", since according to one tradition Jesus was crowned with its brancges. three prominent viens in its leaf are considered by some as a symbol of the Holy Trinity. The tiny apple of jujube is edible for humans.

Palm (Pheonix dactylifera): The date palm is found all over the Sahara Arabian region. It was probably domesticated about 6,000 years ago in Moesopotamia or possibly in the Rift Valley. Palm fibers are used for ropes and basketry and its dates can be eaten fresh or dried.

Pistacia atlantica: The steppe tree Pistacia atlantica may grow to great thickness (girth 1-4 m, height 3-10 m) and reach hunderds of years in age. In the past, large trees were probably held beneath them. The resin of the tree was used as incens. A limited number survive on the Jordanian plateau.

Red Juniper (Juniperus phoenicea): No other plant represnts the vegetation of Edom better than the Mediterranean Red Juniper, which form magnificant open woodlands on the slpoes of Edom. Its global range of diestribution includes the western Mediterranean (Marocco, Spain) as well as Crete and the Aegean Istalnds. Solitary stands are found on the peaks of northern Sinai.

White Desert Broom (Retama raetam): The white broom, which is one of the dominant plants of Sahara, grows in many wadi beds and is well adapted to the aridity of the desert air. During most of the year it is leafless, using its thin and elongate green stalks for photosynthesis.

Wormwood (Artemisia Sieberi): The wormwood is a steppe bush regulary spaced over slopes and plains around Jordan. Wormwood aroma spreads far and wide, attracting the goats, which have a taste for it. Its latin name Artemisia, honors the hunting goddes Artemis who revealed its medicinal secrets to mortals. Tea brewed with Wormwood is used against stomach-ache