Wadi Rum, Jordan

October 29, 2022 · by gdctblog · in Adventure Travel, Jordan, Land Excursions. ·

Located in the Middle East, specifically in the Southern part of Jordan, Wadi Rum is a desert valley with a scenic landscape. The area is isolated and mostly uninhabited, making it the perfect place to escape to when city life becomes hectic and crowded.

How To Get There

In order to get to Wadi Rum, you will first need to fly to a nearby location. You can get to Wadi Rum from Aqaba, Petra, Amman, or the Wadi Aqaba border. Most of these cities offer buses either directly to or close to Wadi Rum, but if there is no bus available when you need it, taxis are always available. You may even be able to negotiate a lower taxi price!

Types of Accommodations

Accommodations in Wadi Rum range from bedouin camps to chalets to luxury tents – see photos below. Depending on what you are looking for. You can have an authentic camping experience, a lavish and accommodating stay, or something in-between. There are even camps that let you sleep directly under the stars!

Luxury Tents

Climate

Because Wadi Rum is located in the desert, the climate is generally hot and arid throughout the year. Jordan is known for being one of the world’s driest regions and often has sandstorms. Southern Jordan does not see much rain or snow, although it is possible, especially during January and February. The average year-round temperature in Wadi Rum is 66º F, but can fall anywhere between 37º and 95º, depending on the season. When we visited in October, it was around 80 during the day until almost sunset, when it fell to the low-60s overnight.

We stayed at Mazayen Camp which provided individual tent rooms and included air conditioning and private bath – below

Views from our tent and of other tents

Best Time to Go

Wadi Rum is a great place to visit year-round but offers the most sunshine from March to May and September to November. The best time for hiking or climbing is October through April, and February is the best time to see the desert plants begin to bloom. The busiest and most popular months in Wadi Rum are September, October, March, and April

What to Eat, and Drink

When it comes to delicious food, there is no shortage in Wadi Rum! If you are staying overnight in one of the many Bedouin camps or luxury tents, you will be able to find traditional dishes there, such as chicken, goat, or Bedouin tea. Wadi Rum cuisine tends to feature lots of exciting spices and vibrant flavors.

Sights to See

Wadi Rum features a protected area, inside which many of the following historical and natural sites lie.

1. Anfashieh Inscriptions-These inscriptions, which show a camel caravan, are carved into a mountain and are from the Nabatean and Thaumadic times.

2. Umm Fruth Rock Bridge-The smaller of the main rock bridges in the area, you might see Umm Fruth if you sign up for a tour, as it is easily accessible and only takes about 5-15 minutes to climb.

3. Burdah Rock Bridge-While this rock bridge is more prominent and can be seen from a distance, climbing it provides a view unlike any other. The only catch is that it takes about 4-7 hours to climb, thus requiring an all-day tour.

4. Lawrence Spring-This stagnant spring sits near a breathtaking view of the desert, on top of a short scramble. It is a little over a mile away from the village of Rum.

5. Seven Pillars of Wisdom-A rock formation near the visitor’s center, the Seven Pillars of Wisdom is so impressive that it was named after T E Lawrence’s autobiography