Gay Jordan: Essential Guide for LGBTQ travelers

What could be better than spending 5 days cruising through the Wadi Rum desert, passing by dozens of sand dunes and rock formations, or floating in the exfoliating waters of the Dead Sea? Out Adventures' gay tour of Jordan, every November/December will see you accompanied by a knowledgeable tour guide, who will teach you everything there is to know about Jordanian life.

Whether it be the day-to-day happenings of the ancient city of Petra, known for its rose-pink buildings carved from stone, or the history of its capital city of Amman. You’ll spend most of your nights in sophisticated 5-star hotels, plus a short stay on a desert campsite, where you’ll doze off beneath the stars.

The Bangles told us to walk like an Egyptian, but why do that when you can travel by ship instead? He Travel’s jampacked gay 12-day itinerary in Egypt every November/December is a once-in-a-lifetime treat! If you book this, they also offer the chance to include their 3-day “add on” itinerary for Jordan.

He Travel's gay Jordan tour is more jam-packed and includes a visit to glorious Petra, the Dead Sea, and Amman. It's certainly a more efficient way to see the main Jordan highlights but ideal if you want to take in Egypt as well.

Similar to He Travel, Brand G Vacations have put together a comprehensive 9-day itinerary around Egypt every March, which if you book, you'll also have the chance to include their 6-day Jordan “add-on”. This will include a 6-day fully escorted tour with local gay friendly guides and Brand g hosts.

The itinerary includes visiting the ancient ruins of Jerash, the historic Biblical sites of Bethany and Mount Nebo, driving through the Wadi Rum desert in a 4×4, exploring Petra, and relaxing in the restorative, mineral-rich Dead Sea whilst staying at the super lush Kempinski Ishtar Resort.

From the merchants of Chinese silk and Indian spices to the legendary adventurer Indiana Jones, to the iconic Nomadic Boys, Petra is an ancient city that has for centuries welcomed the most curious of travelers. It is one of the seven wonders of the world, known for its rose-red-colored buildings carved from stone.

We recommend going when it opens at 6am to avoid the mass crowds. Our personal highlight was seeing the Greek-like structure of the Treasury building. It's truly beautiful, but also the most photographed part of Petra so be warned!

The first thing you notice when stepping into the Dead Sea is the unmistakable tang of salt. A scent that only a gay bathhouse in gay Berlin could rival. The water is ten times saltier than the ocean, making it impossible to swim, but easy to lay back and float.

The combination of healing mineral waters and fresh air makes it the perfect spot for relaxation. The Jordanian bank of the Dead Sea is quieter than the Israeli shore, which we feel makes this experience even more therapeutic.

Staying overnight in the desert in a transparent bubble tent was definitely a trip highlight! If your itinerary allows for it, we highly recommend at least spending one night doing this. The lack of urban lights means you can gaze up and see the Milky Way!

Hopping on the back of a camel, we embarked on a long, meandering trail, taking in the sights of sweeping sands and rock formations. Or go on foot or by jeep, whizzing through the desert with a local tour guide who will give you fascinating historical facts.

You can pack several days’ worth of activity in the capital city of Amman. Swing by the city's impressive Roman theater, an ancient venue that seats up to 6,000 people, and has served as an event space for musical performances for centuries.

In Amman, we recommend checking out the city's Citadel ruins and the bustling Rainbow Street, packed full of restaurants, cafes, and bars. Amman also makes for a handy base for day trips to Jerash – one of the best preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East – the sight of Hadrian’s Arch looks as if it fell straight from the pages of The Iliad!

Head off to the charming town of Aqaba, the perfect entry point to discover the Gulf in all its glory. The best diving experience is offered by the Aqaba Marine Park. After all, the Red Sea is the holy grail for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts.

This park is dedicated to protecting the surrounding marine life. Submerged beneath the sparkling waters are a stunning array of coral life and sea creatures, such as clownfish (hey Nemo!), turtles, angelfish, and goldies.

Mansaf emerged as Jordan’s national dish in the early 20^th century, following independence from British rule. We expected big things from the national dish of Jordan. Lamb is cooked in a dried yogurt known as jameed.

It is often served with rice on a large platter and placed in the center of a table where everyone can tuck in. That’s right, Seby had to learn how to share his food for once!

Mutabal is a dipping sauce, perfect for spreading across pita bread or on a cracker. It is prepared by cooking it above an open flame, which gives it an unmistakable smoky aftertaste.

The sauce itself is made from a dash of garlic, olive oil, and eggplant (the perfect gay food, if you know what we mean). Unlike other dips, mutabal is super healthy. It’s loaded with minerals and nutrients that help ward off diseases, so you can gorge guiltlessly on it all evening.

Made from tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and olive oil, qalayet bandora is a lazy cook’s dream come true. Not only is it super easy to whip up, but it’s also both healthy and delicious. It can be eaten on its own, by scooping it up with pita bread or mixed in with rice.

Some people, if they’re feeling a lil fancy, add pine nuts for extra flavoring. It's a favorite of backpackers who love making it whilst out camping.

Those with a sweet tooth will loooooooove kunafa. It’s made of string pastry, soaked in sugary syrup, and layered with cheese, cream, pistachios, and nuts. Sure, it sounds unhealthy AF… but who cares? It’s delicious and looks like a candy-fied spaghetti!

We had it at a friend’s party and couldn’t get enough. Mind you, we felt like we needed a trip to the dentist after gorging on it.

Kollaj tastes like how summer feels. As we munched on a few (ok, MANY!) rolls of them, we were taken aback by how light and airy they tasted, despite being packed full of flavor.

Consumed all across the Middle East, Kollaj is a baked dough filled with crushed almonds and cinnamon. Typically eaten in July, it’s definitely easy to see why it is so popular at parties.

No feast or family gathering would be complete without a delicious dish of maqluba. Its name translates to ‘upside-down’… and nope, not because it’s the national dish of the alternative dimension in Stranger Things.

But rather, it’s a mix of meats, rice, and fried vegetables prepared in a pot and then flipped over whilst serving. It’s often topped off with pine nuts, parsley, and even fresh yogurt.

Zaarb is a marinated meat baked with tons of crispy veggies. It’s a must-have for any curious traveler looking to get an authentic taste of Middle Eastern cuisine. Someone described this dish as being ‘dramatic’, so we of course had to try it out for ourselves.

And seeing it get prepared for right in front of us, we definitely have to agree. It’s cooked over an open fire, which makes the meat so tender, that it practically falls right off the bone.

What party is complete without a tub of hummus? Though the kind we can pick up in our local store in London is NOTHING compared to true Middle Eastern hummus. Made from a puree of chickpeas, fattet hummus is mixed with pieces of pita bread, tahini, and pine nuts. It’s then topped up with olive oil. Perfect for spreading on bread or crackers or using as a dip.