Private day trips from Dead Sea to places you'll never forget

The Dead Sea is one of the earth's most extraordinary natural phenomena. At 1,412 feet (430 meters) below sea level, it is the lowest point on earth and the saltiest large body of water anywhere, with a salt concentration of about 34 percent. Its intense buoyancy makes swimming impossible but effortless floating entirely natural, and its mineral-rich mud has been prized for therapeutic and cosmetic properties for thousands of years.

Floating in the Dead Sea is the essential and unmissable experience. Walk in until the water reaches your knees, lean back, and the salt density does the rest. Applying the mineral-rich black mud from the shoreline to your skin and then rinsing off is a tradition visitors have enjoyed for millennia. Many resorts along the Jordanian shore offer spa treatments using Dead Sea minerals. Wadi Mujib, a dramatic canyon reserve that meets the Dead Sea, offers excellent canyoning and gorge hiking.

Do not shave for at least 24 hours before entering the water, as the salt will sting any cuts or nicks. Cover open wounds with waterproof bandages. Never put your face in the water and keep it away from your eyes. Rinse off with fresh water immediately after exiting. Limit your time in the water to around 20 minutes at a time, as the intense salinity is dehydrating.

Jordan uses the Jordanian dinar (JOD). US dollars are accepted at most Dead Sea resort hotels and larger establishments. The Jordanian dinar is one of the world's strongest currencies; having some local currency on hand is useful for smaller purchases and tipping. ATMs are available at most resort properties.

Arabic is the official language. At the Dead Sea resort hotels and major attractions on the Jordanian side, English is spoken well by most staff. The Dead Sea area caters extensively to international visitors, and communication in English is straightforward throughout the resort corridor.

October through April is the most comfortable time, with mild temperatures ideal for outdoor activities and floating. Summer (June through August) is intensely hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). Early morning floats are recommended in summer to avoid the peak heat of the day.

Mansaf, Jordan's national dish of lamb cooked in dried yogurt sauce and served over rice with pine nuts, is magnificent at a local restaurant. Mezze spreads of hummus, mutabbal (smoky eggplant dip), falafel, and warm flatbread are excellent and widely available. Fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice and cardamom-infused coffee are the essential Jordanian drinks.

Popular day trips from the Dead Sea include the ancient Nabataean rose-red city of Petra (about two hours south, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World), the well-preserved Roman city of Jerash in the north, the capital Amman with its hilltop citadel and Roman amphitheater, and Mount Nebo, where Moses is said to have viewed the Promised Land.