A Little Immersion… Humanizing the Travel Experience at Feynan Ecolodge

Last updated on January 2, 2023

Our pickup truck bumped and jostled down the unpaved path, the driver from Feynan Ecolodge weaving around deep pits and potholes by rote, each piece of this desert clearly as familiar to him as the lines on his darkly tanned hands. For twenty-five minutes we plodded a slow path through stark and open plains and into the raw and honest surrounding beauty of Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve.

The Feynan Valley on the way to the Feynan Ecolodge in Jordan
The sprawling Feynan Valley on the way to the Feynan Ecolodge in Jordan

Supporting Eco Tourism in Jordan

The mid-afternoon heat of the day meant even the birds were taking a break from patrolling the sky and as the minutes ticked by. I flitted around in my head with the thought of getting motion sick before shoving the possibility into the recesses of my brain. Conversation ebbed and flowed around me in the cab of the truck. I pondered the eco hotel we were about to visit. The Feynan Ecolodge is set far out into the Dana Nature Reserve, and on paper it so clearly embodies the responsible travel principles I believe in: sustainability, conservation, and socio-economic development from within the country and community.

As a relatively budget traveler all over the world, it’s often hard to find and visit great grassroots development projects, ones that are actually making a difference. In this case, community-supported, Jordanian-led initiatives. I throw my hands in the air when projects and opportunities turn into feel-goodery for the tourists at best, and AIDS Orphan tourism in Africa at worst. That’s what I fear—the wanting to help, but finding efforts amount to little more than personal satisfaction.

I was snapped out of my musings when our Bedouin driver, with an understated and graceful bare minimum movements, gestured deep into the Feynan Valley. Squinting my eyes, I was able to make out a desert colored structure sitting at the base of the valley and blending in naturally with the miles of pale orange sands surrounding our truck.

The Feynan EcoLodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan
The Feynan EcoLodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan

Exploring Feynan EcoLodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan

The truck abruptly stopped and our driver dropped us at the front door of the eco hotel, where I was instantly greeted by Nick, an American man married to a Jordanian. He lives in Jordan and works in the communications and marketing department for the Ecolodge. As our Bedouin driver reversed and drove away, Nick explained that all of the local Bedouin living in the area are rotated for the Ecolodge’s transportation needs, and the money earned goes directly to the driver and the community.

Score a point for the Ecolodge. As Nick explained more about the Ecolodge, I was increasingly intrigued. The Feynan Ecolodge is a joint project between several initiatives within Jordan. In addition to providing higher-end, fully eco-friendly accommodation to guests, a central tenant to the lodge’s ethos is:

To sustain the cultural integrity of the local people by hiring members of the community, and respecting their habitat and traditions.

The handicrafts and weaving loom created by the local Bedouin near the Feynan Ecolodge in Jordan.
The handicrafts and weaving loom created by the local Bedouin near the Feynan Ecolodge in Jordan.

As Nick explained more about Feynan Ecolodge’s mission and development projects, I was sold. So, to better move along this story (and to keep me from waxing poetic about truly sustainable eco-development) let’s just give the lodge plus 20 points and move onto to the other aspects that sold me on this stunning lodge located in the heart of the Dana Biosphere Reserve: the experience. I could endlessly list the ways that the Ecolodge minimizes its impact on the environment and supports the local Bedouin in the area, but that’s only half of what made my afternoon at the lodge so special.

The experience the ecolodge crafts for visitors interested in sustainably enjoying Wadi Feynan stands out. The setting is quiet and remote, the pristine Dana Biosphere Reserve is a wide-open stretch of land in south-central Jordan serving as a home to many diverse plants and animals sprinkled throughout the 119 square miles. In the U.S., Montana is nicknamed “big sky country;” I’ve never visited Montana, but I can imagine that the vast expanse of open blue skies stretching miles in every direction in Jordan’s Dana Reserve channels that same startling beauty.

Wadi Feynan on the drive to the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan
Wadi Feynan with clear blue skies on the drive to the Ecolodge in Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve

Understanding the Eco Experience in Wadi Feynan

I used the term “remote” to describe this eco hotel and that’s the truth—the lodge is set back into Wadi Feynan (wadi means valley in Arabic) and well away from the highways crisscrossing the length and breadth of Jordan. But though you’re remote, you’re not actually isolated. Instead, the Feynan Ecolodge is a prime way for Bedouin in the area to maintain their semi-nomadic lifestyle while also making a more traditional living. And a bonus for responsible travelers? Travelers and volunteers are offered a window into the Bedouin culture that is not as easily visible from the traditional tourist path around Jordan.

Kneading jameed, a thick goat's milk yogurt, near the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan
Kneading jameed, a thick goat’s milk yogurt, near the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan
Making fresh shrak, a type of bread on the saj near the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan
Making fresh shrak, a type of bread, on the saj near the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan

Human connections and stories often stick with me more vividly than temples and ruins. Seeing the joy and happiness, the smiles that crossed the language barriers as the Bedouin woman invited me to her side of the tent, that’s the memory for me—the one I will tell my grandchildren about one day.

I will surely share stories of Wadi Rum and Petra too, these stunning sites are stenciled into my memory with a Sharpie, but in the quest toward cultural understanding, the immersion possible at the ecolodge in Wadi Feynan—and the ability to see and learn from the Bedouin, to ask my questions directly—afforded me a deeper understanding of everything I had just spent a week in Jordan observing.

Abu Abdallah serving tea near the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan
Abu Abdallah serving tea near the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan
Handmade shrak, a type of locally made bread, near the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan
Handmade shrak, a type of locally made bread, at a camp near the Feynan Ecolodge.
The traditional serving of sweetened tea at the Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan, Jordan
Enjoying a traditional serving of sweetened tea.

That’s what immersive travel brings to my life; a deeper understanding. Don’t get me wrong, immersion is everywhere and just as possible chatting with a local at a shisha bar in Amman, but the nuances are different, and, given the choice—I think both styles are ideal, or any style really.

Find the moments that compel you in life and do that. For me, it’s an afternoon spent awkwardly learning Bedouin tea customs with Abu Abdallah (as sure as you tell me not to do something is the moment I will accidentally do it), cooking shrak with the Bedouin wives, and overcoming my dead animal issues to sit next to a goat skin container and learn how to knead and mix jameed, a thick goat’s milk yogurt traditional in Bedouin cuisine.

Quick Tips: Visiting  and Volunteering at the Feynan Ecolodge

Where is the Feynan Ecolodge

The Ecolodge is set right in the heart of Wadi Feynan and on the western side of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. The site clearly outlines directions for getting there … and it’s not particularly easy to explain so use their site for clear directions. Plan on needing between one and three hours from most anywhere in Jordan (Amman is three hours while the Dead Sea is two hours, to give you an idea). 

How to get to Wadi Feynan

This is where it gets fun. You can hike into the reserve (about 5-6 hours to get to the lodge from the Dana Village and 6-8 hours from Wadi Ghwayr) and ease yourself into the beautiful surroundings. Or drive your own 4WD to the lodge. You can also stop at the reception center and local Bedouin will drive you to the lodge (transport costs support the local community). 

What to Expect at the Eco Hotel

Prepare for a full experience. The produce is locally grown and thus pretty natural, bread is freshly made each day by local Bedouin women, and the lodge is lit by candles in the evening. The staff are exceedingly friendly and the nature nearby is perfect for hiking, trekking, mountain biking, and exploring.

Travel Tips

Given extra time I would have loved the sunset hike – this comes very highly recommended. Then spend the evening counting stars – you’re deep enough into the heart of the desert that travelers can geek-out on the explosion of astronomy-goodness.

Volunteering at Feynan Ecolodge

The Ecolodge regularly looks for two English language teachers (4-8 week commitment), or if you’re looking for longer-term cultural immersion and development, contact the Ecolodge directly.

23 thoughts on “A Little Immersion… Humanizing the Travel Experience at Feynan Ecolodge”

  1. Thank you for a great article! This is what I love about traveling, immersing yourself in the culture! Landmarks are great, but seeing them in photos and then in person is not what excites me. Communicating with people in foreign cultures is a education in life that really makes traveling so special!

    Reply
  2. You’ve described it beautifully. Even virtually, I can see the charm in volunteer travel in a place so rustic. I spent the last month volunteer traveling at Spiti, in the Trans-Himalayan region of India, and the experience was equally moving. Thanks for sharing yours :)

    Reply
    • Thank you Shivya, the experience in Spiti sounds really amazing – that region is so raw and inspiring. Have clicked through and am reading about your own volunteer experiences in Northern India :)

      Reply
  3. So glad you enjoyed Feynan! Lovely pics too, Shannon. We just loved it – we spent a few nights there just over 18 or so months ago. Coincidentally, we just had a story published on it this week in Asia’s Lifestyle+Travel magazine. Love the long hike (downhill) and the sunset walk, but star-gazing was also super.

    Reply
    • Thanks Lara! It was such a wonderful spot in Jordan, a highlight for me :)
      Very cool that you guys are spreading the word into Asia, it’s an
      experience worthy of experiencing and I would love to go back and stay for
      longer than the mere day we had there.

      Reply
  4. Wow, this sounds like such a great experience! What an awesome post. The writing is lovely, and I really like your photos. It’s funny because the post is talking about immersion, and the writing/photos combo made me feel like i was being immersed in Jordan, too. Loved it :)

    Reply
    • So appreciate Faith – Jordan tops out my list of places I’ve traveled and
      memorable experiences, Wadi Rum being one of them for sure – thanks for your
      kind words! :)

      Reply
  5. Wow. That seems like a truly amazing place. The photos are stunning too. Finding places that are actually sustainable and have the mind set to give back to the local community can be few and far between but it seem like you found a great lodge. The English teaching opportunity sounds amazing too.

    Reply
    • Thanks Elise! And so glad to hear Feynan resonated with you :)  The people and experiences along the way are what often shape and deepen travel. The teaching is right up my alley too- would love to go back and participate.

      Reply
    • Thanks Josh, it truly is one of the more memorable places I’ve traveled – so
      many diverse experiences and poeple (cultures) packed into one relatively
      small country! :)

      Reply
  6. Thank you Sasha, I appreciate the kind words :) The experience is well
    worth a visit if you head to Jordan, I think it really adds to the travel
    experience when you can learn from the local community!

    Reply
  7. Like Robert says that place does sound amazing but I bet it gets really hot and humid.  The jameed looks like scrabbled eggs almost.  How was the sweet tea?  I know some places where the tea is just too sweet for my taste.  Love the photos!

    Reply
    • The humidity is actually quite low because of the desert surrounding – my face so dry after just a few days in the the country! As for the tea, it is really, really sweet. It’s one of the few places the Bedouin use sugar in their diets, so they use it with enthusiasm :)  Thanks Kirk!

      Reply
  8. Sounds like an incredible experience! There should be more tourism around the world like this focusing on sustainability along with giving back to the local communities by giving them jobs and education.  Such a great initiative!!! And really you can’t go wrong in such beautiful surrounds! Also just wanted to add I love how you write, it’s so descriptive, you’ve a very good story teller! :)

    P.S. I loved this post so much I submitted it to Travel Blog Chronicle :)

    Reply
  9. This place sounds amazing! Do you have any idea what it would be like for a vegan to stay there? Either way, I think I would try to get out there and at least see it.

    Reply
    • The food is completely vegetarian and natural – so you would be in the
      clear! I am fairly positive that a lot of what they serve is vegan by nature
      (the lunch I had there mostly was…). Everything is solar powered, and
      since they’re low on electricity the meals tend toward very fresh and
      vegetable driven, with fresh bread made each day by the local Bedouin women
      :)

      Reply
      • Yeah, silly me. After I made my comment I went to their website. It’s now
        been added to my list of destinations. Truly wonderful. I really should look
        around for places like this in the US since we’re going to be traveling here
        for a while before he head out into the rest of the world.

        Reply
    • i live 200 miles away from Feynan.. in the capital city Amman.. i have been first time there  DEC 2010.. definitely next winter i am going again for a couple of days… worth it.. AMAZING 

      Reply
      • Thanks so much for sharing your experience Fadi, and so glad you enjoyed it
        too – hard not to surrounded by all of that beauty :)

        Reply

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