Wadi Rum, Jordan: travel guide
Red sand, sandstone towers and starlit Bedouin camps in a vast desert
The Valley of the Moon — a vast protected desert of red dunes, sandstone massifs and Bedouin camps, made famous by Lawrence of Arabia and countless films. Explored by 4x4, camel and star-lit camp stays.
About Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a protected desert area in southern Jordan, a landscape of red sand, towering sandstone cliffs and arches. It is not a town but a wide valley, and the sense of space is its main attraction.
Most visitors explore by 4x4 jeep with a Bedouin guide, stopping at rock bridges, dunes and canyons, or by camel for a slower pace. Many people also hike or scramble on the rocks. At night, you stay in a desert camp, eat food cooked in the sand and look up at a sky with very little light pollution. The area is linked to Lawrence of Arabia and has featured in many films.
It suits adventurous couples, photographers and families. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit.
- Country
- Jordan
- Currency
- JOD
- Time zone
- Asia/Amman
- Nearest airport
- AQJ
- Typical trip
- 2-3 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Wadi Rum
Alameleh Inscriptions
petroglyphs · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A cliff face covered with thousands of years of Thamudic and Nabataean rock carvings depicting caravans, hunters and camels.
Lawrence's Spring (Ain Shalaaleh)
spring · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A hillside spring above the desert floor named for T.E. Lawrence, reached by a short scramble past Nabataean inscriptions to a green fig-shaded pool and viewpoint.
Um Fruth Rock Bridge
natural arch · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A striking free-standing natural rock arch rising ~15m from the desert floor that can be climbed for a classic Wadi Rum photo.
Khazali Canyon
canyon · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A narrow cool cleft in the rock you can walk into, its walls carved with Thamudic and Nabataean petroglyphs of people, camels and inscriptions.
Nabataean Temple (Rum Village)
temple ruins · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The ruins of a 1st-century Nabataean temple dedicated to the goddess Allat, on the edge of Rum Village near the old Lawrence-era spring.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Rock Formation)
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A well-known sandstone rock formation in Wadi Rum, named after T.E. Lawrence's memoir, visible near the visitor centre.
Burdah Rock Bridge
natural arch · 5.0 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the highest natural arches in Wadi Rum at ~35m, reached by a scrambling hike with a scenic guide — a highlight for adventurous visitors.
Red Sand Dunes
sand dunes · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A large drift of deep-red sand banked against a mountain that visitors climb for sweeping desert views — especially photogenic near sunset.
Wadi Rum Protected Area
desert reserve · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A 720 sq km UNESCO-listed desert wilderness of towering sandstone and granite mountains, red dunes and Bedouin heritage — the "Valley of the Moon". Entry is at the visitor centre.
Things to do
- Wadi Rum Half-Day 4x4 Jeep Tour Adventure · 3 h · from JOD 35 per person
- Wadi Rum Overnight Camp & Stargazing Adventure · 18 h · from JOD 65 per person
- Wadi Rum Camel Trek Adventure · 2 h · from JOD 25 per person
- Wadi Rum Hot Air Balloon Ride Adventure · 1 h · from JOD 130 per person
Where to stay in Wadi Rum
- Protected Area (Desert Camps) about JOD 70 per night
Sleeping in a desert camp inside the reserve is the signature Wadi Rum experience — from simple Bedouin tents to bubble domes.
Hotels
- Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp 2-star · JOD 25 to JOD 60 per night
- Sun City Camp 4-star · JOD 90 to JOD 220 per night
- Memories Aicha Luxury Camp 4-star · JOD 80 to JOD 200 per night
- Rahayeb Desert Camp 3-star · JOD 45 to JOD 110 per night
Where to eat
- Rum Gate Restaurant Jordanian, International, Buffet · about JOD 15 per person
- Bedouin Zarb Dinner (Desert Camp) Bedouin, Jordanian, Barbecue · about JOD 20 per person
Getting to Wadi Rum
Airport: Wadi Rum (AQJ)
How visitors arrive in Wadi Rum
- Taxi or bus from Aqaba By road from Aqaba · common
Buses on the Aqaba highway can drop at the Wadi Rum junction; taxis and tours run from Aqaba to the Visitor Centre and village. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus or taxi from Petra By road from Petra · common
A bus from Wadi Musa stops at the Visitor Centre and Rum Village; taxis also make the trip. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus toward Aqaba or Ma'an, or shared taxi By road from Amman · possible
No direct bus; take a bus or shared taxi toward Aqaba and get off at the Wadi Rum intersection. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Taxi from Aqaba unconfirmed
Wadi Rum is reached via Aqaba. From AQJ take a taxi to Aqaba or direct to the visitor centre; ask your camp about pickup. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Some taxi drivers in Aqaba claim to arrange Wadi Rum tours but drop you at Shakariya village outside the reserve. Confirm the destination. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Bus toward Ma'an or Amman from Aqaba unconfirmed
Take a bus or minibus from Aqaba bus station and get off at the Wadi Rum turnoff, then continue to the visitor centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Some taxi drivers in Aqaba claim to arrange Wadi Rum tours but drop you at Shakariya village outside the reserve. Confirm the destination. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Animal Ride
Camel rides are offered by camps and guide companies in Wadi Rum; camels move at walking pace, so jeeps suit short visits.
- Offroad Vehicle main way to get around
Guided 4x4 jeep tours with Bedouin drivers are the usual way to see the rock formations and viewpoints of the desert beyond Wadi Rum village.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Unlicensed Wadi Rum tour operators
Online and at Rum Village
Cheap "camps" advertised online sometimes differ from what's delivered, or add charges for the reserve fee and tours.
How to avoid it: Book with camps registered with the Wadi Rum authority; confirm exactly what the 4x4 tour, meals and reserve fee include.
Best time to visit Wadi Rum
- Jan 15°C
- Feb 18°C
- Mar 21°C
- Apr 25°C
- May 30°C
- Jun 33°C
- Jul 35°C
- Aug 34°C
- Sep 33°C
- Oct 29°C
- Nov 21°C
- Dec 16°C
More in Jordan
Frequently asked questions about Wadi Rum
- How many days do you need in Wadi Rum?
- A typical trip to Wadi Rum is 2-3 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Wadi Rum?
- The highest-rated places in our Wadi Rum guide are Burdah Rock Bridge, Um Fruth Rock Bridge, Khazali Canyon, Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Rock Formation), Alameleh Inscriptions.
- Where should I stay in Wadi Rum?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Wadi Rum: Protected Area (Desert Camps).
- How do I get around Wadi Rum?
- Ways to get around Wadi Rum covered in our guide: Animal ride, Off-road vehicle, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Wadi Rum?
- Scams reported to us for Wadi Rum include Unlicensed Wadi Rum tour operators. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Wadi Rum?
- Average daytime highs in Wadi Rum run from 15°C in Jan to 35°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Wadi Rum?
- The nearest airport to Wadi Rum has the code AQJ.