Wadi Rum is Jordan's Mars. A 720-square-kilometer UNESCO Mixed Heritage Site of sandstone mountains, red sand valleys, natural rock bridges, and 2,000-year-old inscriptions, all inhabited by Bedouin communities who've been here longer than recorded history. It's a 1.5-hour drive from Petra, making it one of the easiest world-class desert experiences to access.
This guide covers everything you need to plan your visit.
Wadi Rum Protected Area sits in southern Jordan, between Aqaba on the Red Sea coast and the Desert Highway running north to Amman. The valley is surrounded by sandstone and granite mountains reaching 1,750 meters. The sand is red — iron oxide gives it that color — and the rock formations have been sculpted by wind over millions of years into arches, canyons, and towers.
About 5,000 Bedouin people live in the protected area, and most tourism is run by Bedouin families operating camps, jeep tours, and guiding services.
The name means "Valley of the Moon" in some translations, though locals say it comes from an ancient word for "elevated." T.E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia") made it famous in Western culture through his book "Seven Pillars of Wisdom."
March to May: Perfect. 20-30°C days, cool nights (8-15°C), wildflowers in the valleys. This is peak season — book camps 2-4 weeks ahead.
September to November: Also excellent. Similar temperatures but without the spring crowds. October is arguably the ideal month.
June to August: 35-40°C+ in the day. Possible but punishing. Only for heat-tolerant travelers. The upside: virtually empty.
December to February: Days are comfortable (15-20°C) but nights drop to 0-5°C. Bring serious warm layers. Stars are exceptional in winter's clear, cold air.
From Aqaba (nearest city): 60 km, 1-hour drive. Daily JETT buses available. Most backpackers fly into Aqaba's King Hussein International Airport.
From Petra: 110 km, 1.5-hour drive. Easy to combine — most Jordan itineraries do Petra-Wadi Rum in sequence.
From Amman: 310 km, 4-hour drive via the Desert Highway. JETT bus daily for 7 JOD ($10).
From the Israel/Jordan border (Wadi Araba crossing): 70 km from Aqaba border crossing.
Most camps arrange pickup from Wadi Rum Village (the Visitor Center). Don't drive your own car into the desert — 4WD is required and navigation is tricky.
Buy the Jordan Pass at jordanpass.jo BEFORE you arrive:
All versions include your visa fee (normally 40 JOD), Wadi Rum entry, and 40+ other sites. If you're visiting Petra and Wadi Rum, the pass pays for itself immediately. You must stay 3+ nights in Jordan to waive the visa fee.
Contact camps via WhatsApp. Full overnight package (tent, dinner, breakfast, 4-hour jeep tour): 45-70 JOD ($63-99) per person.
Popular camps:
All camps are off-grid. Electricity is solar or generator (usually turned off by 11 PM). Phone signal is nonexistent in most of the desert.
A 4-6 hour jeep tour in an open-back pickup is the standard Wadi Rum experience. Your Bedouin driver covers the main sites:
Cost: 40-65 JOD ($56-92) per vehicle (fits up to 6). Includes Bedouin tea stops.
The highest natural arch in Wadi Rum at 35 meters. Getting up requires a challenging 3-4 hour scramble with a mandatory Bedouin guide (25-35 JOD). The final section involves exposed climbing — not for vertigo sufferers. But the view from the top is the best in Jordan.
Bring sturdy closed shoes and 2+ liters of water.
1-2 hour rides through the valleys, usually at sunrise or sunset. 15-25 JOD ($21-35) per person. Book through your camp the night before. Slower than a jeep, but you notice things — animal tracks, plants, the texture of sand — that speed hides.
Wadi Rum has virtually zero light pollution. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye on clear nights (300+ nights per year). Best during new moon periods in spring or fall. No telescope needed — just lie on a blanket and look up.
Most camps include dinner and breakfast in the overnight price.
Zarb is the signature meal — meat and vegetables buried in a sand pit with charcoal, slow-cooked for 2-3 hours. The lamb comes out falling-apart tender with a distinct smoky flavor.
Breakfast is typically flatbread, eggs, jam, cheese, hummus, and tea.
Bedouin tea: Sweet, often with sage or mint, brewed on a small fire. You'll drink 5-10 cups per visit. When offered, always accept — refusing is considered rude.
There are no restaurants in the desert. The Visitor Center has a small cafe and shop — stock up on snacks and water here.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Wadi Rum entry fee | 5 JOD ($7) — included in Jordan Pass |
| Overnight package (direct booking) | 45-70 JOD ($63-99) per person |
| Extra jeep tour (half day) | 40-65 JOD per vehicle |
| Camel trek (1-2 hours) | 15-25 JOD per person |
| Burdah Rock Bridge guide | 25-35 JOD per person |
| Bubble tent upgrade | 100-150 JOD per person |
A budget traveler doing one night with the standard package spends about 50-55 JOD ($70-77) total.
Wadi Rum itself is very safe — crime is essentially nonexistent. The safety considerations are environmental:
Arabic is the primary language. Guides speak English.
While in Jordan, floating in the Dead Sea is a natural complement to the desert experience.
For a similar experience in a different setting, Beirut offers a compelling alternative.
History lovers can continue the archaeological trail at Cairo and the pyramids.
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