Jordan’s barren-but-breathtaking landscape is the backdrop for a series of tours based on the escapades of a cartoon hero which will soon be packing them in at the cinema. Caroline Davison went along for the ride

It’s more than 50 years since Tintin, the cub reporter and cartoon character who has become one of Belgium’s best-loved exports, first set foot in Jordan with his faithful lieutenants Captain Haddock and Snowy the dog.

His adventures there provide the backdrop for a film to be released next year by Steven Spielberg and co-director Peter Jackson.

The star cast will include Jamie Bell as Tintin, Daniel Craig as Red Rackham and Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock.

Jordan tourist wallahs can hardly believe their luck. On The Go Tours has won the backing of Moulinsart (holder of the Tintin rights) to start guided adventure tours taking in the Wadi Rum desert, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea and Petra, and I experienced an early taste of what visitors can expect.

The local agent collected us at Jordan’s capital, Amman, with a comfy 25-seater coach and a cool box – a wonderful forethought in this sweltering country.

Our first port of call was the Dead Sea, and en route we spotted the twinkling city lights of Jerusalem. Our four-star hotel overlooking the beach was clean and spacious with welcoming staff.

Only a few hotels have sprung up to cash in on this coastline’s beauty.

Here, say the Gospels, John the Baptist baptised Jesus, and on the Dead Sea shore the Middle East’s problems come into dramatic focus.

On the left across the water is Israel. On the right is Palestine. Jordan recognises Palestine as the same state so its citizens are free to cross the border at will. Those who travel to Israel need a passport – and a visa to return to Jordan.

Buffet breakfast was such a mix of British, Continental and Jordanian fare, including pastries and yoghurt-like labaneh, that I expected to become the first person to sink in the sea’s salty water.Floating in the Dead Sea is surreal. It’s so salty that cuts sting like fury, but once you lie back and shut your eyes it’s glorious.I washed back to the shore like flotsam after keeping my eyes shut for too long – which gave me an incentive to cover myself in Dead Sea mud. The idea is to cake on the paste, let it dry, then wash it off. It’s said to be effective in treating skin conditions and making bathers silky smooth.Certainly my skin felt great and after a few more floating sessions we headed towards Little Petra.Dropped off in the hills, we found beautiful Arabian horses waiting to transport us the final distance along the Al Hasanat path.Before bed, Tintin expert Michael Farr gave a fascinating talk about the life and times of the character’s creator, Belgian cartoonist Herge.The next day it was off to Unesco heritage site Petra – the Rose City. Featured in the Tintin story Red Sea Sharks, it’s well known as the place where the Holy Grail is guarded in Spielberg’s Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade.After walking just over a mile through a winding dry gorge, we emerged between the rock faces to the sight of the Treasury, Petra’s most elaborate ruin which is hewn into a sandstone cliff.Experts believe the structure was used in ancient times as a tomb, then later as a temple.US archaeologist Christopher Tuttle explained that only 2% of the area has been excavated so far.This fascinating glimpse of a past civilisation makes Petra a unique and enchanting place. Visitors at night have the entrancing sight of a valley lit entirely by candles.Then it was off into the Wadi Rum deserton a Jeep, passing sand dunes and camel herders. Our accommodation – a luxury tent – came with bed, furniture and carpet. The romantic setting was enhanced as our group climbed to the top of a boulder to watch the sun set while sipping sweet tea.The tent-dwelling Bedouin made splendid hosts, cooking chicken in an underground oven and playing traditional music as the stars came out in force. A magical evening.To return to civilisation, we relied on camels, but my camel suddenly lurched forward to bite the one in front – sending it cantering into the distance. Cue raucous laughter.Back in Amman at a restaurant recommended by our guide we were greeted by a wonderful meze selection of pitta, hummus, salad, peppers, dips, cheeses and meats – and they were just the starters!The full Tintin tour also includes two days at the Red Sea, with a boat trip to the Pharaon Islands and the chance of snorkelling.No doubt the Spielberg film will be wonderful – but it won’t match the thrill of retracing Tintin’s route across Jordan. like labaneh, that I expected to become the first person to sink in the sea’s salty water.

Floating in the Dead Sea is surreal. It’s so salty that cuts sting like fury, but once you lie back and shut your eyes it’s glorious.

I washed back to the shore like flotsam after keeping my eyes shut for too long – which gave me an incentive to cover myself in Dead Sea mud. The idea is to cake on the paste, let it dry, then wash it off.

It’s said to be effective in treating skin conditions and making bathers silky smooth.

Certainly my skin felt great and after a few more floating sessions we headed towards Little Petra.

Dropped off in the hills, we found beautiful Arabian horses waiting to transport us the final distance along the Al Hasanat path.

Before bed, Tintin expert Michael Farr gave a fascinating talk about the life and times of the character’s creator, Belgian cartoonist Herge.

The next day it was off to Unesco heritage site Petra – the Rose City. Featured in the Tintin story Red Sea Sharks, it’s well known as the place where the Holy Grail is guarded in Spielberg’s Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade.

After walking just over a mile through a winding dry gorge, we emerged between the rock faces to the sight of the Treasury, Petra’s most elaborate ruin which is hewn into a sandstone cliff.

Experts believe the structure was used in ancient times as a tomb, then later as a temple.

US archaeologist Christopher Tuttle explained that only 2% of the area has been excavated so far.

This fascinating glimpse of a past civilisation makes Petra a unique and enchanting place. Visitors at night have the entrancing sight of a valley lit entirely by candles.

Then it was off into the Wadi Rum deserton a Jeep, passing sand dunes and camel herders.

Our accommodation – a luxury tent – came with bed, furniture and carpet. The romantic setting was enhanced as our group climbed to the top of a boulder to watch the sun set while sipping sweet tea.

The tent-dwelling Bedouin made splendid hosts, cooking chicken in an underground oven and playing traditional music as the stars came out in force. A magical evening.

To return to civilisation, we relied on camels, but my camel suddenly lurched forward to bite the one in front – sending it cantering into the distance. Cue raucous laughter.

Back in Amman at a restaurant recommended by our guide we were greeted by a wonderful meze selection of pitta, hummus, salad, peppers, dips, cheeses and meats – and they were just the starters!

The full Tintin tour also includes two days at the Red Sea, with a boat trip to the Pharaon Islands and the chance of snorkelling.

No doubt the Spielberg film will be wonderful – but it won’t match the thrill of retracing Tintin’s route across Jordan.