70 years ago, on May 25th, 1946 the “Hashemite Kingdom of the Jordan” was founded after gaining its independence from Great Britain as part of the Treaty Of London. The territory had been under British supervision since 1918’s Arab Revolt, in which the Hashemite Army was able to wrestle control of the land from the Ottoman Turks, who had controlled what is now present day Jordan for over 400 years.
After centuries under foreign governments, the independent country started to find itself. Its culture began to blossom and as travel became easier over the years, tourism became a large part of the nation’s economy, resulting in over 8 million visitors in 2010. Tourists see no shortage of historical landmarks, as Jordan is home to 100,000 archaeological and tourist sites, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Experiencing the Treasury at Petra as nightfall descends is worth the price of a plane ticket to Jordan alone. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
I have been fortunate enough to visit Jordan twice in the last three years, having led photography workshops in the country for The Giving Lens. The country stole my heart. The people, the history, the Wadi Rum desert, Petra, the tasty shisha…I could go on and on about how Jordan should be on every photographer’s bucket list. I even show you how you could visit only the Wadi Rum desert and get enough incredible photographs to fill a portfolio.
But instead of rambling on about why you should be planning your trip to Jordan, with the help of Resource Travel Staff Writer Sébastien Beun, we put together 40 of our favorite photos from our adventures in Jordan. If this doesn’t convince you to visit Jordan before her 71st birthday, we don’t know what will.
See more from Michael Bonocore on his website, Instagram and Facebook.
See more from Sébastien Beun on his website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Start planning your trip by visiting the Jordan Tourism Board and My Jordan Journey.
Photographers from The Giving Lens set up to take photos of another golden Wadi Rum sunset. Photo by Michael Bonocore
A street vendor in Al-Salt. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
Even kittens feel at home at Petra’s Treasury, best known for it’s role in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
The famous Mushroom Rock in Wadi Rum. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
Driving through the desert region in the open air jeeps is a must do to really experience all of what Wadi Rum has to offer. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
Photographers could spend days in Petra finding unique angles. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
During a rest break, our jeep driver took a short walk through the Martian landscape. Photo By Michael Bonocore
The faces of Jordan are filled with smiles and character. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
The Wadi Rum provides beautiful sunsets when clouds over take the sky.
It’s easy to get lost in the endless slot canyons of Petra. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
You don’t need to venture far from your tent at Captain’s camp to view the vibrant Milky Way in the Wadi Rum.
Shaban, always a playful character, poses with two of his camels in the Wadi Rum Desert. Photo by Michael Bonocore
Get up high for spectacular views of the Wadi Rum. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
A man sits with a group of camels on the warm Wadi Rum sand. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
The most recognized rock formation in Wadi Rum, the Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
Our jeep driver looks over the Wadi Rum as the sun begins to set in the Wadi Rum Desert. Photo by Michael Bonocore
Photographing out of the back of a fast moving truck provides plenty of obstacles, but the adventure captured in the photographs is an exciting way to document your trip through Wadi Rum. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
The Jeep Tour Guides work to start a campfire as the sun sets over the mountains in the distance.
Our guides make tea as blue hour starts to set in deep in the Wadi Rum desert. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
When camping at Captain’s Camp, set your intervalometer to capture exposures of the stars with one second intervals between photos, and then stack them using Star Stax to create a cool Star Trail image. While your camera is working, head on over to the campfire to talk to Shaban, the “Shisha Man of Wadi Rum”. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
Musicians play in the old Roman city of Jerash. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
The Dead Sea at Sunset. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
A portrait of our friend and guide, Mohammad in Wadi Rum, Jordan. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
While recommended, seats belt laws are not enforced in the Wadi Rum desert. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
Horse carriages are common in Petra, as the UNESCO World Heritage site is massive. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
Quite possibly the nicest view from any souvenir shop in the world is at Petra. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
Petra isn’t just buildings carved into rock. Photo by Sébastien Beun.
Shaban, an Egyptian who moved to Jordan for work, has been providing Shisha, entertainment, and friendship to the guests at Captain’s Camp in the Wadi Rum desert for years. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
Young Jordanian men take a break from work and enjoy the view overlooking Petra. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
Jordanian boys take a break from an after school football match to pose for a group shot. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
Sunrise over the sprawling capital of Amman. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
A decorated camera at the Treasury in Petra. Photo by Michael Bonocore
The people of Jordan are some of the friendliest I have encountered when it comes to taking portraits. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
A man concentrating on an intense street game with his friends in the city of Al-Salt. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
