South of the Arabah, part of the Great Rift Valley in southern Jordan, one of the world's most famous deserts stretches between sand dunes and sandstone cliffs: Wadi Rum. ...
20 pictures of Wadi Rum from Julien Lavallée, Alex Azabache, Martino Pietropoli and other travelers
To get there, you can take a bus or taxi from Aqaba (a 1-hour drive) or Amman (a 4-hour drive). Alternatively, you can rent a car to explore the area at your own pace. There's also an option to take a guided tour from Amman, Aqaba, or Petra, which typically includes transportation, meals, and accommodation.
It's recommended to book a tour in advance, as this will ensure you have a licensed and experienced guide to show you around the desert. Additionally, if you plan on staying overnight in a Bedouin camp, it's best to make reservations beforehand to guarantee availability.
The costs for visiting Wadi Rum vary depending on your chosen activities and accommodations. A guided day tour can range from 50 to 100 JOD per person, while an overnight stay at a Bedouin camp can cost between 25 and 150 JOD per person, including meals.
The best things to do in Wadi Rum include exploring the desert on a 4x4 jeep tour, going on a camel ride, hiking to the top of natural arches like Burdah Rock Bridge, and visiting the ancient petroglyphs at Khazali Canyon. At night, stargazing in the desert is a magical experience not to be missed.
For dining options, most Bedouin camps offer traditional meals like zarb (meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven) and mansaf (lamb served with rice and yogurt sauce). Alternatively, you can try local dishes at eateries in Rum Village, such as Rest House and Bedouin Lifestyle Camp.
For accommodations, consider the following options:
1. Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp: Featuring stylish Martian Domes with private bathrooms and panoramic views, this camp offers a luxurious desert experience.
2. Bedouin Directions Camp: A more budget-friendly option, this camp provides traditional goat-hair tents and authentic Bedouin hospitality.
3. Bait Ali Wadi Rum: This lodge-style accommodation offers a swimming pool, restaurant, and various room options, including chalets and tents.
Off the beaten path:
For a truly unique experience, consider a hot air balloon ride over the desert at sunrise. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure offers unparalleled views of Wadi Rum's incredible landscape, allowing you to appreciate its beauty from a different perspective. Make sure to book this activity in advance, as it's quite popular among tourists.
6 km away
Learn more
41 km away
Aqaba is the only coastal city in Jordan and the largest and most populous city on the Gulf of Aqaba. Situated in southernmost Jordan, Aqaba is the administrative centre of the Aqaba Governorate.
Learn moreDiscover the best tours and activities around Wadi Rum, Jordan and book your travel experience today with our booking partners
South of the Arabah, part of the Great Rift Valley in southern Jordan, one of the world's most famous deserts stretches between sand dunes and sandstone cliffs: Wadi Rum.
This exceptional valley is a true masterpiece of nature. While the sun's rays sublimate the red, yellow and ochre of the sea of sand, erosion and time shape magnificent rock formations.
Wadi Rum is a must-see in Jordan.
Made up of sand valleys and vertical rock faces, this wadi is a testament to the geological evolution of the region. Its sandstone cliffs rise to an altitude of nearly 1900 metres. From the peaks of the jebels to the depths of the gorges, the rocks sculpted by erosion surprise and fascinate visitors. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and natural riches, the desert is also a protected area.
The reserve is also home to numerous plant species. In spring, you can see shrubs and wild flowers in an explosion of colours. This vegetation provides food for some animal species, such as Nubian ibex, desert gazelle and Blanford fox. The rock faces provide shelter for large colonies of bats, reptiles and scorpions. However, it is the birds that are most present. Sedentary or migratory, they populate the desert skies.
Hikes on foot, by camel or by 4×4 will allow you to follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia and to observe the magnificent rock formations sculpted by the wind such as the Burdah Arch or the Mushroom Rock.
During the visit, it is possible to access the siq of the jabal Khazali and the Um Ishrin massif where rock inscriptions represent the life of the first inhabitants of the region. The more athletic travellers can walk the Abu Rajbah and al-Barra canyons. Climbing enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous climbing routes in the sandstone massifs.
The desert is the ideal playground for photographers. Particularly photogenic, it is dressed in gold and light when the sun's rays shave the horizon. This magical spectacle continues once night falls. Far from the cities, the sky is absolutely pure.
Here, the stars seem to shine brighter than elsewhere. Before taking refuge in a Bedouin tent, it is advisable to admire the infinity of the firmament.
If you are looking for a destination that is as soothing as it is beautiful, don't hesitate to visit one of the world's most famous deserts: Wadi Rum.
The climate in Wadi Rum is Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry and can reach 50°C.
The average annual daytime temperature is 25°C. To take full advantage of the activities available in the desert, it is recommended to visit between the months of April and October.
If you want to go to Wadi Rum, it all depends on where you are coming from.
If you are travelling from the capital Amman: head south on the Desert Road or the more scenic Kings Road. Allow about 4 hours for the journey if you are travelling on the Desert Road or 6 hours on the Kings' Road.
If you are travelling from Aqaba: From Aqaba, head north, the journey takes less than an hour.
However, there are daily buses from Aqaba, Petra and Amman to Wadi Rum.
The desert location of Wadi Rum means that during the day it is very hot and dry, but when night falls it is very cold.
Discover the best hotels around Wadi Rum, Jordan and book your stay today with our booking partner booking.com
Click on the pictures to learn more about the places and to get directions
Discover more travel spots to explore around Wadi Rum
️🏜️ Desert spots ️🏜️ Badlands spots 🏰 Historic site spots ⛰️ Hill spots 🗼 Landmark spots 🏞️ National park spots ️🏜️ Natural arch spots ️🏜️ Dune spots 🌲 Ecoregion spotsExplore popular touristic places around Wadi Rum