Dead Sea
The lowest point on the face of the earth
Without a doubt the world’s most amazing place, the Jordan Rift Valley is a dramatic, beautiful landscape, which at the Dead Sea, is over 400m (1,312 ft.) below sea level, this vast stretch of water receives a number of incoming rivers, including the River Jordan. Once the waters reach the Dead Sea they are land-locked and have nowhere to go, so they evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its finest products.
The Dead Sea is flanked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost other-worldly beauty. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar (Bela).
One of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world, the Jordanian east coast of the Dead Sea has evolved into a major hub of both religious and health & wellness tourism in the region. A series of good roads, excellent hotels with spa and fitness facilities, as well as archaeological and spiritual discoveries make this region as enticing to today’s international visitors as it was to kings, emperors, traders, prophets and pilgrims in antiquity. The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm, soothing, super salty water itself – some ten times saltier than sea water, and rich in chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromine and several others. The unusually warm, incredibly buoyant and mineral-rich waters have attracted visitors since ancient times, including King Herod the Great and the beautiful Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. All of whom have luxuriated in the Dead Sea’s rich, black, stimulating mud and floated effortlessly on their backs while soaking up the water\'s healthy minerals along with the gently diffused rays of the Jordanian sun.
No trip to the Dead Sea is complete without a visit to one of the many outlets available at many shops that sell the world famous Dead Sea products. These are reasonably priced, of excellent quality and make great gifts to take home.
Dead Sea Salt
Bath Crystals, made of natural salts, are highly concentrated with 26 essential minerals from the Dead Sea such as magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc and other minerals. These salts soften, nourish, cleanse and refresh your skin. As a therapeutic spa bath, these salts are effective in relieving muscular pain and stress-induced tension.
Dead Sea Mud
Dead Sea black mineral mud cleanses and purifies the skin thus allowing it to better absorb moisture, leaving your whole body looking radiant and refreshed. Additionally, Dead Sea black mineral mud’s high concentration of trace and essential elements improves circulation, helps the immune system, reduces muscle tension and eases rheumatic pains.
The Dead Sea is less than an hour's drive from Amman heading west and is clearly sign-posted throughout the journey
Some Practical tips
• There is no such thing as swimming in the Dead Sea, floating is an incredible experience.
• The Dead Sea is actually not a sea at all, but a lake that’s made up of about 30 percent salt.
• Being wrapped in mud is a very weird sensation.
• Try not to get the salt in your mouth or eyes, you will regret it.
• Wear an old bathing suit, as the water often discolors whatever you’re wearing
• Sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses are essential items
• Don`t shave just before going in, it stings.