Zarqat Ma’in: A Gorgeous Little Canyon
by rakan mehyar
During another training session in the Jordanian canyons, we decided to explore Wadi Zarqa Ma’in (upper gorge) – one of the nicest little canyons of Madaba’s region.
We gathered in a little olive farm in Madaba at 6:30 in the morning waiting for the mini van to pick us up to the trailhead 10km south-west of Ma’in Village next to Madaba.
The canyon received us with a beautiful black basalt gorge followed by a short narrow white limestone gorge. We strolled along a little water stream for 90 minutes before we reached few boulders, a little water cascade and the first waterfall… a splendid 35m cliff asking to be rappelled!
Directly, Tala – being the canyon manager that day- gave her orders to open an abseiling station by the left side of the cliff. We put our harnesses and helmets on, took out two 50m ropes and some equipment and started working.
After everybody has gotten down, we have made the last rappel to find ourselves being received by an impressive site; below the fall lied a splendid pool girded by travertine drapes of an amazing shape… Breathtaking by all means!
After a 30 minute lunch break, we continued our hike towards the second waterfall… same procedure again and off we were down on the other side at another water pool…
The trail ended at the hot springs resort of Ma’in where we had a hot steamy bath under the big waterfall and headed back to Madaba for a delicious oriental dinner.
By the way, we have scheduled to do this canyon again on Saturday, 24th of March. We invite you to join us for an easy-to-moderate canyoning adventure! Click here for more information
Besides bathing, abseiling, swimming and hiking in this canyon .you might also search for lost mobile phone*
*Rakan lost his mobile in the first water pool
Tala, thank you for the embarassment =P well ya i really learnt my lesson the expensive way… and now you know what to get me as a present =)