Escape the beaten path. A sensory experience awaits.

Deep in the heart of the mountainous Dana Biosphere Reserve, at the end of a rugged track, an idyllic candle-lit lodge rests in the magnificent Wadi Feynan.

Here, set against the glorious desert landscape, guests staying at the 26-room lodge can be found adventuring through the untouched outdoors, sipping mint tea with the native Bedouin, exploring local archaeological sites or simply unwinding in the serene courtyards and terraces of the candle-lit complex; safe in the knowledge that they are vacationing in a socially and environmentally-responsible way.

Hailed as one of the top fifty ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, the solar powered Feynan Ecolodge offers the most developed eco-experience in Jordan; an experience made possible by a unique partnership between EcoHotels and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, a Jordanian NGO devoted to the protection of the Kingdom’s finest natural landscapes.

Enter an enchanting world of seamless hospitality and natural beauty.

Whether you’re an explorative traveler keen to experience Jordan’s wilderness and indigenous people en-route to Petra, an eco-tourist in quest of a dramatic backdrop for canyoning and biking, or a local resident seeking a magical weekend getaway, Feynan Ecolodge offers a unique escape from the beaten track.

Leave your televisions and telephones behind. Switch off your laptops and your hectic life. Retreat to the serenity of nature: to gaze at majestic sunsets across multi-coloured mountains, join stimulating hikes through rocky terrains, and unwind under starlit nights accompanied only by the sounds of the desert wind, wildlife and the occasional Bedouin footstep.

Tantalise your senses in a new world of contrasts. Feel the awe of gazing through a telescope at an endless canvas of stars. Savour the joy of waking up to the sounds of distant roosters, the touch of cool floors under bare feet, and the exotic smell of an Arabic breakfast wafting through unpolluted air. Then wander into the local leather and candle workshops to watch artisans skilfully mould nature’s elements into useful tools and works of art. Or simply lounge on one of the terraces marvelling at the surroundings and how the arabesque lodge merges seamlessly into the ancient rocks.

Feynan Ecolodge boasts:

• 26 en-suite guest rooms. Economy (standard), Superior and Deluxe rooms are available to suit your taste and budget.
• Spacious terraces, each offering a different view of the lodge or reserve. Pick a sunny or shady spot to suit your mood. One terrace is complete with hammocks, perfect for relaxing after a hike.
• An open dining area that leads from the buffet area onto one of the terraces. Communal and individual tables give you the option of eating privately or joining other guests.
• A library lounge with couches inviting you to nestle up with a novel, peruse a book about the area, play a board-game with fellow guests, or simply relax with mint tea by the fireplace in winter months.
• Meeting facilities for organised groups of up to 60 people. Conferences, workshops and retreats can be accommodated in an airy, windowed room equipped with meeting tables and solar-powered electricity for laptops.
• Panoramic rooftop terrace with a 360 degree view of the desert reserve by day and a never-ending vista of stars by night.
• A small shop where you can buy jams, dried herbs and unique handicrafts produced by Bedouins and villagers from all the RSCN reserves. The shop is also stocked with flashlights, toiletries and other necessities for your stay.
• Leather and candle workshops that employ local artisans who handcraft fine decorations and the candles that light the lodge.

The rooms
A balcony that surrounds and overlooks the lodge’s central courtyard leads to the individually designed guest rooms; each presenting a different view of rocky Wadi Feynan. Whichever distinctive room you choose, you will enjoy ambient lighting from candles tucked in alcoves around the room and solar-heated showers in your private en-suite bathroom.

Depending on your preference and budget, choose from three room categories: economy, superior or deluxe. The Lodge has rooms that sleep 2-4 people; comfortably accommodating groups, families, couples and independent travellers.

Economy rooms
Comfortable rooms with single beds and en-suite shower rooms. Twin and triple rooms available. Beds measure 200 x 85-95 cm.
   
Superior rooms
Treat yourself to a larger room with either single beds or a queen-sized bed, an en-suite shower room and an extra washbasin in some of the rooms. Twin, double and quad rooms available. Beds measure 200 x 110 cm (twin) or 200 x 170 cm (queen).
   
Deluxe rooms
Indulge yourself with even more space and a private balcony from which to enjoy breathtaking views of the landscape. Deluxe rooms sleep up to four people and provide a washbasin in most rooms in addition to that in the en-suite shower room. Twin, double and quad rooms available. Beds measure 200 x 110 cm (twin), 200 x 170 cm (queen) and 200 x 130 cm (double).

The dining
Enjoy healthy delicious vegetarian dishes inspired by traditional Arab cuisine that combine fresh local produce in a delectable way. As part of its commitment to sustainability Feynan Ecolodge strives to acquire its produce and ingredients as much as possible from nearby farms. The bread served at the lodge is supplied by a Bedouin woman from the local community that bakes the flat bread (known as shraak in Arabic) fresh each day on a traditional half moon shaped oven or saj.

The lodge serves three meals a day in the dining area and lunch boxes can be prepared for day-long excursions. A café serves fresh sandwiches, juices, hot drinks and desserts in the afternoon.

Breakfast on the terrace at sunrise is a pleasure. Lunch can be enjoyed at the lodge or as a picnic stop in the wilderness as part of your eco-experience. But the most delightful dining choice is where to enjoy the sumptuous dinner: on the outer terrace aglow from the moon, or in the dinning room lit solely by the magical flicker of candles?

Feynan’s dining features

• Vegetarian cuisine
• Three meals a day
• Local herbs, preserves, homemade jams and teas from the Dana Biosphere Reserve, soon to be complemented with produce from a nearby organic farm
• A large terrace for outdoor dining throughout the day
• Café serving fresh sandwiches, juices, hot drinks and desserts
• Outdoor dining under the stars or indoor dining by candle light

   
Due to the remoteness of the lodge, dinner and lunch should be booked in advance as meals are freshly prepared for the number of guests reserved for each meal.

The activities
Bring your curiosity, energy and sense of adventure. Pack your hiking shoes, cameras and backpacks. Whether an outdoorsy warrior, educational traveller or first-time explorer, Wadi Feynan and Dana Biosphere Reserve provide a myriad of hiking trails and biking routes to satisfy all. Discover the most diverse flora and fauna in Jordan, unearth the history of an ancient land, and unlock the mysteries of native Bedouin life through the warm welcome of this humble native community.

Excursions overview
At the only reserve in Jordan to boast four different bio-geographical zones, experience first-hand the birds, plants, animals, geology, history and bedouin culture. Feynan’s staff is happy to plan guided or self-guided tours to suit your personal interests.

Hiking and canyoning
Wadi Feynan has an abundance of routes that will satisfy all tastes and abilities: from relaxing walks to challenging canyoning adventures. The lodge has experienced Bedouin guides on hand to tailor your route and chefs ready to prepare a delicious packed lunch to enjoy on your way.

Mountain biking
Mountain bikes are available for guided or self-guided rides to the many archaeological sites near Feynan or on to the nearby villages. Packed lunches and stops for tea can be arranged with your guide.

Evening activities
As night falls and the valley settles into quiet, join the sunset hike, stay at the lodge and light candles, play board games, or retreat to the rooftop terrace for a magical star-gazing experience that offers one of the most exquisite views of the Kingdom.

EcoHotels upholds the following values:

• To provide educational, adventurous experiences in natural environments and indigenous communities
• To have as little impact as possible on the environment both in the building and operating of the lodge, and through the activities offered to guests
• To sustain the cultural integrity of the local people by hiring members of the community, and respecting their habitat and traditions
• To generate revenue for the conservation of nature and betterment of local communities through ecotourism initiatives
• To leave every guest with a delightful memory of the warm hospitality, seamless service and charming atmosphere of the lodge

Minimal damage to the environment

• Solar power: Feynan exclusively generates its own electricity through solar/photovoltaic (PV) panels and is not connected to the electricity grid. In order to efficiently utilize stored energy, only essential electrical appliances are used, and those employed are certified to use very low amounts of energy. The kitchen, washrooms and office are the only areas electrically lighted with CFL 8 watt bulbs. Appliances such as the refrigerators in the kitchen are Energy Star (US rating) or A/A+ (EU rating) certified. Laundry is air dried, reducing the need for energy consuming driers. Batteries store 54kWh, enabling the lodge to store 3 days worth of electricity to account for cloudy days.
• Solar heating: To hear water, an extensive solar heating system is in place that provides all necessary hot water for the kitchen, guests, and washing machines (the washing machines do not heat water electrically).
• Limited water consumption: The lodge is kept hydrated by local spring water from one of the nearby Wadi Dana springs. Kitchen water use is strictly controlled while aerators limit water flow from room faucets and showers.
• Heating: Due to warm climate at Feynan, heating is only required for a short part of the year. For 60-90 evenings each winter, waste from olive pressing known as jift in Arabic or olive pit charcoal is burned in the two fireplaces at the lodge to provide heat. This preserves Jordan's trees and utilizes a renewable source of energy that is a natural by-product of Jordan's annual olive harvest.
• Composting: To minimise waste and utilise resources, the lodge has composting facilities where all food excess and waste is transformed into fertilizer.
• Recycling waste: Although only minimal amounts of paper and plastic are used on site, most waste is recycled and recycling bins are placed in convenient locations around the lodge for guests to take part in this important initiative.
• Reusable material: Locally produced clay jars for water are placed in guest rooms to avoid disposable plastic water bottles. Feynan Ecolodge is currently in the steps of introducing reusable water bottles for hikes in an effort to further eliminate disposable water bottles.

   
Hiring locally and investing in socio-economic initiatives
In line with EcoHotels’s mission and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature’s (RSCN) policies to employ staff from local areas and communities, Feynan Ecolodge has an almost entirely local team working onsite. This helps create the uniquely authentic atmosphere in the lodge, while generating much needed income for surrounding communities. In addition, the candle-making and leather workshops on site give women in the community the opportunity to work to help support their families and showcase their art. All revenue generated from transportation to and from the lodge goes directly to the 40 or so drivers from the local Bedouin community. This revenue supplemental income to these drivers' families.