Dhana Reserve
Dhana Reserve Dana Nature Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in Jordan, with an area of 320 kilometers of enchanting beauty, which is evident through the picturesque mountains and valleys along the Great Rift Valley, from the scorching dunes west to the cold mountain peaks in the east.
Advantages of Dana Reserve
Dana Biosphere Reserve is the only one in Jordan with four geographical regions:
(Mediterranean, Iranian-Turanian, Arab Sahara, and Sudanese)
The Dana Reserve is a bio-diversity that combines all species from three continents: Europe, Africa and Asia. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, as well as a range of distinctive flora and fauna from the desert, Mediterranean forests and dry Russian plains.
Biodiversity in Dhana Reserve
To date, 700 species of plants, 190 bird species, 37 mammal species and 36 species of reptiles have been recorded in the Dana Biosphere Reserve.
In addition, 25 species are at risk, including the sand cat, the Syrian wolf, the small moose, and the barbed-tailed lizard.
Hence the importance of the reserve globally, where these animals can not be provided with special care to disappear forever from the face of the earth.
Many families living in Dana have moved to a nearby village called Qadisiyah in search of work or schools, as well as seeking better housing.
The village of Dana would almost have been abandoned without the efforts of friends of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, and the dynamic women's group in Amman, which has renovated more than 70 houses in the village, to enable some families to remain in the village.
Accommodation in Dana Reserve:
1- Guest House:
Located at the foot of Wadi Dana, the guest house features comfortable rooms with views of the Dana Valley, traditional Arabic cuisine and outstanding service.
The guest house currently consists of 8 comfortable rooms, with private balconies with stunning views of the Dhana Valley and the surrounding mountains, all sharing outdoor bathrooms. An additional 15 rooms, each with a private bathroom, are in the works.
Equipped with course and conference facilities, the guest house is ideal for retreats and workshops. It welcomes visitors all year round at the Dana Biosphere Reserve.
Ramana Camp
Al-Rummana camp is located on a flat plateau in a wonderful and picturesque location inside the main area of Dana Biosphere Reserve.
There are two large Bedouin tents and an outdoor dining area. There are shared bathrooms. Also inside the camp are 20 tents equipped with overnight stays, each with pillows, mattresses and blankets.
Traditional Arabic meals are served on request at the camp restaurant.
The camp is open to visitors from 15 March to 31 October
3- Feynan Environmental Inn
Built in 2005 by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Feynan Eco Lodge is the first of its kind in Jordan to be lit by candles and operated by the Eco-Hotels Company, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to experience Jordan's wildlife without affecting the environment.
Located in the picturesque Feynan Valley, between the mountains of Dana Biosphere Reserve and at the end of a bumpy road, Feynan is one of the world's top 25 eco-lodges, according to National Geographic Traveler.
The Feynan Ecolodge has 26 rooms that are similar in design to small old cells, and you will enjoy the candle lighting placed throughout the room.
Finan Inn can accommodate up to 60 people, making it an ideal venue for meetings, conferences and companies.
The hostel welcomes visitors all year round.
Food and beverages in Dana Reserve:
There are three main restaurants in Dana Biosphere Reserve:
- Restaurant in the guest house (Dana Village)
It offers traditional meals and local dishes
- Restaurant in the camp
It also offers traditional meals and local dishes
Finan Inn Restaurant
It serves vegetarian specialties and delicacies inspired by the locals
Walking trails at Dana Biosphere Reserve:
The path of the camp
(March 15 to October 31) with or without evidence.
Difficulty level: Easy
Distance: 1.5 kilometers
Duration: 1 hour
the description:
You can enjoy stunning views of the Dana Highlands, which takes you around the camp and is a unique place for bird watching enthusiasts, especially in the migration season.
Cave Path:
(March 15 to October 31) with or without evidence
Difficulty level: Easy
Distance: 1.5 kilometers
Duration: 1 hour
the description:
The corridor began from the camp of Rummana, and is characterized by the distinctive rock formations in the Valley of the Dog, and a group of small caves that are believed to have a religious history.
The path of Mount Pomegranate
(March 15 to October 31) with or without evidence
Difficulty level: Medium
Distance: 2.5 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours
the description:
You can enjoy the magnificent views of Wadi Araba and this corridor starts from the camp up to the top of the mountain pomegranate is a circular corridor.
This path is distinguished by the beauty and splendor of the formations of sandstone and limestone and beautiful views of the nature reserve, you can also enjoy watching birds of prey.
The path of Dana Village
Accompanied by manual or without
Difficulty level: Easy
Distance: 2 kilometers
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
the description:
This tour will give you a chance to learn about the rich history of Dana, where the tour starts from the guest house and you can meet the villagers and enjoy the old Ottoman building.
You can also explore the gardens of Wadi Dana and its handmade workshops.
The course of the motifs
Accompanied by a guide
Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
Distance: 2 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours
Requirements:
Transportation to the starting point, acceptable level of decency, no fear of heights.
the description:
The circular corridor starts from the Barra area, and takes you to the beautiful mountains, springs and ancient ruins in the area of El Nouafat.
White Dome Path:
(March 15 to October 31), accompanied by evidence
Difficulty level: Medium
Distance: 8 kilometers
Duration: 3-4 hours
Group: 4 to 20 people
the description:
You can enjoy the stunning views of the valley through the picturesque gardens that adorn the road.This corridor follows the huge slope of Wadi Dana between Al Rummanah camp and Dana village.You can also do this passage from the guest house to the camp.
Feather incision path:
Accompanied by a guide
Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult
Distance: 3 km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Requirements: Transportation to the starting point, acceptable level of fitness, no fear of heights.
the description:
The scenery of this corridor is spectacular and the circular corridor starts from the Al-Barra area, passing through a breathtaking view to the feathers.
Wadi Dana Path:
Accompanied by manual or without
Difficulty level: Moderate
Distance: 14 km
Duration: 5-6 hours
the description:
Visitors will be able to experience the four different geological biomes in the reserve.
This corridor starts from the guest house at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level down to Feynan (325 meters), passing through the picturesque Dana Reserve.
The corridor enables visitors to meet local Bedouins who graze their goats, exchange greetings as well as stop, take a break and enjoy lamb-rich tea. The visitor will also be able to observe rare forms of many plants and animals that can be found there such as Nubian caribou.
This route can also be made in the opposite direction from Feynan to Dana Guest House. Local drivers can transfer your luggage to the inn or guest house for an additional fee.
Path of Wadi Al-Dithna:
Accompanied by a guide
Difficulty level: Difficult
Distance: 19 km
Duration: 8-10 hours
Requirements:
Transportation to the starting point, acceptable level of decency, no fear of heights.
the description:
Ideal for adventure lovers who do not fear the heights, this passage descends through the valley of Dithna through the oasis, and through the valley of Hamra to Feynan.
The path of Wadi Ghuwair
Accompanied by a guide.
Difficulty level: Difficult
Distance: 17 kilometers
Duration: 7-8 hours
Start time: 7 am
Requirements:
Transportation to the starting point, acceptable level of decency, no fear of heights.
the description :
You'll enjoy the pebble riverbed at the bottom of the valley, along with the flowing waterfalls and the breath-making sound of purl.
Right up to the entrance to Wadi Ghuir, which resembles the Siq Pass in Petra. These scenes that amaze visitors and make them forget how long it took to walk to reach it.
This corridor is full of spectacular views of stone formations and many unique plants and trees on both banks of the river.
Upon arrival, you can rest and have a cup of tea while the accompanying guide tells you more about the area. From there continue to walk until you reach the Byzantine ruins in Khirbet Finan and then to your final destination.
If flooding is expected from nearby mountains due to rainfall, this road closes and prevents visitors from using it.
Sunrise path:
Accompanied by a guide
Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced (children are not allowed for safety purposes)
Distance: 2 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours
Start time:
the description:
You can start this route at dawn, where you will start with a local Bedouin and climb the mountains just as the shepherds do with their livestock.There are two different roads, the first is the hardest, the Abu Khalil road to his summer and winter home, and the second road Abu Mohammed road to his home.
At the top of both roads you can enjoy the view of the Bedouin and Antiquities villages and the Wadi Araba desert.
At the end of the day you will enjoy the sunset and the reflection of its rays on the mountains and the desert valley and you will see how Feynan is beautiful.
Sunset path:
Accompanied by a guide
Difficulty level: Easy and suitable for all ages
Distance: 1.5 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours
The path begins: 90 minutes before sunset.
the description:
The tour takes 20 minutes and starts this evening so visitors can enjoy the sunset and the beauty of the mountains, which are formed by the picturesque colors and violet roses.
The visitor will be able to experience the life of the Bedouin at the end of his day, where children play, men gather their herd in the evening time, women fire and the muezzin is authorized to pray.
Visitors will also enjoy the view of the stars in the skies and the warm breeze while drinking hot tea.
This activity takes approximately two hours, 40-45 minutes for walking.
The path of Finan plants:
Accompanied by a guide
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Distance: 3 kilometers
Duration: 2 hours and half
the description :
Visitors will enjoy bird watching as Dana Nature Reserve is home to it, as well as seeing the great rift in the valley.
Visitors will also discover the benefits of the plants in the reserve.
Path of copper mines:
Accompanied by a guide
Difficulty level: Easy and suitable for all ages
Distance: 6-7 kilometers
Duration: 3-4 hours
the description:
An interesting historical tour that takes visitors back thousands of years, during which they can see the copper deposits and how they were processed in Finan by ancient civilizations thousands of years ago and their importance in the ancient center of Finan of the Roman Empire.
The forgotten shafts can also be discovered, visiting nearby sites to see how copper was transported and refined, leaving clear formations of smelting that are still visible today.
The course of archaeological treasures
Accompanied by manual or without
Difficulty level: Easy, suitable for all ages
Distance: 5-6 km
Duration: 3-4 hours
the description:
A fascinating historical tour explores the ruins of Feynan, which are spread over the landscapes surrounding the hostel, such as the Roman ruins, the water canal, the mill, the Byzantine monastery, the church on a nearby hilltop and the remains of the Neolithic settlements that testify to the transition from nomadic life to permanent housing and agriculture:
