Exploring the King's Highway in Jordan with kids

Following the King’s Highway in Jordan with Kids

Amman, the capital city of Jordan, was our entry point into the country. Having arrived into Amman in the middle of the night we had to wait until the last day of our trip to explore the city. After too short a sleep, we set off along the King’s Highway in Jordan, en-route to Petra. Luckily our nine day tour of Jordan organised by Jordan Select Tours, meant we had a car with a driver, so we could all catch up on our sleep as we drove!  Occupying the central highlands, the points of interest that punctuate the King’s Highway are well worth exploring and lie at the heart of ancient Jordan. Including panoramic sites of biblical importance, exquisite Roman mosaics and well preserved Crusader castles there  is plenty to see throughout this central region.

FOLLOWING THE KING’S HIGHWAY IN JORDAN WITH KIDS

PIECE TOGETHER EARLY CHRISTIAN HISTORY AT THE MOSAICS OF MADABA

Our first stop was St George’s Church in Madaba where we viewed the Holy Land mosaic map. Having survived fire, neglect and even earthquakes the map of the Holy Land represents the oldest map of Palestine in existence. It provides many historical insights into the region. Crafted in AD 560, the map has 157 captions in Greek depicting all the major biblical sites of the Middle East from Egypt to Palestine. It originally contained more than 2 million pieces! Although some of the mosaic has been lost, enough remains to get a wonderful picture of the region.

The mosaic map of the Holy Land in MadabaHere you can clearly see the city of Jerusalem depicted on the map. The city is complete with city walls, gates and the central road (cardo). A little further up you can see fish in the Jordan River escaping upstream away from the lethal waters of the Dead Sea.

SURVEY THE PROMISED LAND FROM MOUNT NEBO

Mount Nebo is where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land. A land that he was forbidden to enter. He died (allegedly aged 120!) and was later buried in the area of Mt. Nebo. The exact site of his burial however, remains unknown.

Go up unto…Mount Nebo in Moab, across from the Jericho, and view Canaan…the land i am giving the Israelites as their own possession. There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die.                  Deuteronomy 32:49-50

The views of the Promised Land towards Gilead, Judah, Jericho and the Negev are spectacular on a clear day. Unfortunately, it was rather hazy while we were here. However, we could still see the Dead Sea and the plains of the Promised Land stretching out infront of us.

The Memorial Viewpoint on Mount Nebo. Moses viewed the Promised Land from here.

The view from Mount Nebo in Jordan

ENJOY THE EAGLE EYE VIEW OF WADI MUJIB

Stretching across Jordan from the Desert Highway to the Dead Sea is the vast Wadi Mujib. It is proudly known as the ‘Grand Canyon’ of Jordan. The views across the wadi are spectacular and worth a stop. The canyon is 1km deep and 4km wide. It takes the King’s Highway 18km of road to switchback down one side of the wadi, across the dam at he bottom and up the other side!

Wadi Mujib, exploring the King's Highway in Jordan with kids

The switchbacks on the road up and down Wadi Mujib, the Grand Canyon of Jordan

EXPLORE ANCIENT CRUSADER REMAINS AT KARAK CASTLE

The ancient Crusader stronghold of Karak (or Kerak) lies within the walls of the old city. The fortified castle that dominates the town was a place of legend in the battles between the Crusaders (Franks) and the Islamic armies of Saladin. It is one of the most famous crusader castles. In its day it was just one of a long line of Frank defences stretching from Aqaba in the south to Turkey in the north.

The view from Karak Castle in Jordan

Karak lies on the ancient caravan routes between Egypt and Syria, and was used by the Greeks and Romans. The city is mentioned in the bible and features in the famous Madaba mosaic map. The arrival of the Crusaders gave the city renewed prominence, especially after the castle was built in AD 1142. The castle was inhabited all the way up until 1893 when it housed over 1400 soldiers. Karak has a commanding position and its strategic value is still obvious today.

View from Karak Castle in Jordan

Karak Castle is a large site. Although much of the castle has been destroyed through nearly a thousand years of battles, there are still many rooms, winding passages and tunnels to explore. The boys loved exploring, wandering through the underground tunnels and partially excavated halls.

Exploring Karak Castle with kids

Although a long day, and immediately after we had arrived into the country, it is well worth spending a day exploring the sights of the King’s Highway in Jordan. There is plenty to keep children occupied with short stops and fabulous castles to explore. Our recommendation would be two spend two nights on arrival into the country in Amman. After exploring Amman and getting over your flights, move on to explore the King’s Highway, en-route to Petra.

FOR MORE ON JORDAN:

Top 10 Things To Do In Jordan With Kids

A 10 Day Jordan Itinerary With Kids

Amman with Kids: The Gateway to Jordan

The Complete Guide To Petra With Kids

Have you been to Jordan? What were the highlights?

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Exploring the King's Highway in Jordan with kids

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17 Comments.

  • My son announced yesterday that he wants to go to the Dead Sea, so I thought of you guys! The views look so incredible and it must have been so amazing to be visiting such historically important places. #Mondayescapes

    • Nicky Williams
      January 8, 2018 2:22 pm

      You should go! Fantastic place for a family adventure holiday. Still a couple of posts to write on our trip but hopefully get them out soon.

  • I have only been to Jordan once, but I have great memories of my trip. It is such a beautiful country. would love to go back and do a tour like you guys did. #mondayescapes

  • After reading about your trip, I now have Jordan firmly set in my sights. All that history, and such a stark rugged beauty. It looks incredible. #MondayEscapes

    • Nicky Williams
      January 8, 2018 2:23 pm

      We were blown away by Jordan, so much to see and do in a relatively small area. The history and beauty are impressive too.

  • It looks so interesting and sounds so interesting, it reminds me of learning RE at school. I bet my kids would love this when they’re a bit older. What an amazing trip you had! #Mondayescapes

    • Nicky Williams
      January 9, 2018 11:08 am

      It was a great trip. We were wowed by Jordan, so much to see and do in a relatively small area. Would definitely recommend.

  • Its sounds incredible but exhausting with so little time to explore. Good tip about adding a day to your visit! #MondayEscapes

    • Nicky Williams
      January 9, 2018 11:10 am

      Hi Claire. The first day was definitely tiring as we arrived into Amman late at night and then set off along the King’s Highway early the next morning. Luckily we had a driver so could just sleep in the car. Would definitely recommend an extra day in Amman for anyone arriving on a late flight. The rest of the trip was great…packed a lot in but loved it all.

  • It looks and sounds like an amazing place to go to Nicky.

  • Isn’t the King’s Highway such a wonderful name for a road – and so many amazing stops. On my trip (pre-daughter) we went to all except Karak, somewhere I’d love to see, and it really is like stepping into history. I’d love to take my daughter to Jordan, so have been following your trip with interest, definitely pinning this as a reminder. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping

    • Nicky Williams
      January 11, 2018 9:32 pm

      I’m sure she’d love it. Our three boys had a great time, lots of outdoor adventure!

  • Can you believe that We never visited Jordan though we lived in he Middle East. It’s in the list and great to get a family perspective #citytripping

    • Nicky Williams
      January 11, 2018 9:31 pm

      You must go…it completely wowed us, so much to see and do in a relatively small area. Great for kids as lots of outdoor adventure!

  • You have totally inspired me to go, I have been wondering and planning this trip in my head for so long! Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes.

    • Nicky Williams
      January 13, 2018 11:03 am

      You’ll love it…its a fantastic country with so much to do and see in a relatively small area.

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