Birding Petra and Jordan
Now is the time to visit the world heritage site and one of the new 7 Wonders, when the tourists are shunning the entire Middle East because of the regional conflicts. Jordan, however, is not in conflict with anyone, and the country is considered safe.
7WB has for a long time had Jordan as a very short extension to our Egypt trip, but it is worth expanding the tour, especially since the birds of Israel are likely not on the birders’ radar right now. Although late August is not an ideal time, and a few weeks before the migration onset, it will still be interesting. Most clients will be coming on this tour because of the chance of seeing Petra without the huge crowds, and the birding will still be good with several of the resident species of birds new to you, if you have not visited this region before.
The tour includes desert birding in Dana, Azraq Wetlands, Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, Ajloun, Yarmouk Forest Reserves, and the Dead Sea.
Cultural highlights apart from Petra itself include the Roman Theatre and the Citadel in downtown Amman, the crusaders’ castles and fortresses at Shoubak and Azraq, the Byzantine and Roman mosaics in Madaba, and the baptism site of Jesus Christ on the Jordan River.
The birding will be in the early morning and afternoons, and cultural visits will mostly be during the heat of the day, except at Petra, where we will make some early morning hikes to some of the most exclusive archeological sites while also looking for birds.