Wadi Rum

Wadi Rumknown as the “Valley of the Moon,” is one of the world’s most dramatic desert landscapeswhere towering red sandstone cliffs showcase vast golden sands creating an otherworldly setting that has drawn travelersadventurersand filmmakers for decades. In this guidewe’ll explore everything you need to know to experience this region-from jeep safaris and overnight stays in traditional Bedouin camps to hikingrock climbingATV adventuresand hot air ballooning-while also covering its rich historylocal cultureand practical tips for getting therehelping you make the most of your unforgettable desert adventure.

Introducing Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is the largest ‘wadi’dry valleyin Jordan. It is a diverse desert areawith tough rocky outcrops of red rock and flat areas covered in sand or salt. Many civilizations have inhabited the areabut always sparsely due to its harshinhospitable nature. Todaya handful of Bedouin tribes live in the area.

This region rose to fame in the West following the movie ‘Lawrence of Arabia’which followed the story of TE Lawrence when he fought in the then Transjordan during the Second World War. In recent yearsit has become a popular filming location for movies looking for lunarmoon-like landscapes. Notable recent movies filmed here include ‘The Martian’ and scenes from ‘Star Wars: Rogue One’.

Wadi Rum is a designated nature reserve and requires an entrance fee. There is also a Visitor Center at the entrance to the area.

Things To Do in Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is a desert area with little in the way of permanent construction or modern facilities. The area is incredibly popular with touristshowever. The main activities here are jeep safaris through the desert. Most jeep tours are around 2 hours and cover the highlights of the areaalthough longer half-dayfull-dayor multi-day tours are also available.

Even if you only have 24 hours in Wadi Rumvisitors opt to spend one of their overnights in Jordan in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rumto gain a local experience. There are tens of different camps in the areasome of which are quite makeshift with locals just setting up tents in the desertwhilst others are more Western- resortswith cabins as well as tentsen-suite roomsswimming poolsdining facilitiesand so on. We recommend this Bedouin Experience Tour.

This is also a major hiking areawith many trails through the desert drawing visitors. Rock climbing is another major draw to the region.

Appealing to adventure seekers and extreme nature loversthis destination offers opportunities for long desert hikeshigh-speed ATV or desert buggy ridesand scenic hot air balloon flights. Hiring a local tour guide in Wadi Rum is recommendednot only for navigation and safety in the vastremote terrainbut also to gain insight into the desert’s unique landscapesBedouin cultureand hidden landmarks that might otherwise be missed.

How To Get to Wadi Rum

While public transport in Jordan can be limitedmost visitors arrive by private taxiarranged transferor as part of an organized tour-either private or with a group. It’s located about 45 minutes north of Aqaba and roughly 1 hour south of Petramaking it an easy stop when exploring southern Jordan. Travelers driving the highway between Aqaba and Petra will catch striking views of the desertbut venturing deeper into Wadi Rum offers the most dramatic and unforgettable vistasfrom towering sandstone cliffs to endless sand dunes.

Your Journey Through Jordan’s Moonlit Valley

Wadi Rum is a spectacular place where every turn feels like stepping onto another planet. From exploring its dramatic landscapes on a jeep safari or on footto spending a night under the stars in a traditional Bedouin campthe desert offers adventure and culture all in one trip. In generalJordan is full of incredible experiencesincluding the ancient wonders of Petra and the serene beauty of the Dead Sea. Our Jordan travel resources provide practical tipssuggested itinerariesand insider advice to help you explore the country at your own pace.

To truly make the most of your visitjoin one of our Wadi Rum tours. These well-plannedexceptional journeys offer local insightsafe navigation through the vast desertand a chance to experience hidden corners of the landscape that are easy to miss on your own. For travelers seeking a mix of adventurecultureand natural beautythere’s no better way to experience Wadi Rum and the best of Jordan.

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