We really do not know if there is an accurate way to describe the experience of being in Wadi Ibn Hammad, because from the moment you step into the wadi bed your senses are overwhelmed with its beauty, and such in case you are thinking of not getting wet early on in your hike, well forget it because there is no way you can avoid the running stream, but then this may be another reason why this wadi is considered by some the most beautiful in Jordan.

We parked our cars and carefully descended the side of the wadi into the wadi bed and within moments we were immersed in a lush green paradise of palm trees, reed and maidenhair fern adorning the sides and the mountains on top. Across the river was the pool of the hot springs “Hammam Ibn Hammad”, popular with the locals and almost always crowded.

Moving forward, the sides of the wadi closed in and we were in a narrow winding sandstone gorge, filled with the running stream and curtained from both sides with dense vegetations mainly of moss and maidenhair fern kept fresh and green by dripping water.

Twenty minutes later we arrived at a waterfall gushing down from the cliffs on the right side. Its spring water was crystal clear and pleasantly cool. A quick head and face shower helped put us in the mood for what yet to come.

Walking in the wadi now was like walking in a subtropical rain forest or one of those theme parks simulating a rain forest. Water was oozing from every orifice in every rock, dripping down in continuous gentle flow providing moisture to an ever green thick growth of maidenhair fern. The dripping water was painting the underlying rock surface with the red color of minerals and thermophiles. In places where there was no maidenhair fern, the rocks were covered with moss and lichens displaying all different hues of green.

High above one could see travertine and stalactites abutting from both sides and meeting to form a colorful bridge. The view was so mesmerizing and awe-inspiring that one could not stop gazing up was it not for the dripping water splashing on our faces and in our open eyes.

Another waterfall was gushing from the left side. Its crystal clear spring waters were flowing down in a narrow crevasse in the rocks, between pink flowering oleanders and palms. The narrow crevasse was wide enough for us to take turns enjoying another cool messaging shower.       

An hour later we reached the end of the narrow gorge. The wadi widened up and the sun was out again. It was close to mid day on a hot summer day. All of a sudden it was hot again in contrast to the cool naturally air-conditioned gorge we were in minutes ago.

We continued down stream, basking in the hot sun. An hour later we arrived at a 3 meter high waterfall hidden behind huge boulders. We bypassed it by crossing water-polished limestone slabs on its left and backtracked our steps. We unloaded and enjoyed one of the most wonderful refreshing showers. Standing underneath the tremendous volume of the falling cool water after an hour of walking in the hot sun was an indescribable experience. It quickly took away the fatigue and replaced it with a sense of vitality and rejuvenation. This was definitely the highlight of the day.

Knowing that we had to get back, we reluctantly fared good bye to the waterfall and started our walk back making sure to stop and enjoy all the things we had enjoyed on our way down. What more fun a person can ask for, I wonder!