Wadi Rum

Travel tips you can trust

 

Why
Wadi Rum
is special

Wadi Rum is a scenic wilderness in a desert-and-mountain setting. It's far from city sounds and lights - you commune with raw nature.

Wadi Rum
tips and insights

Highlights

They include Driving along the parched wadi tracks lined with stunning mountainscapes and rock formations, some strikingly sculpted by winds over eons. Camping overnight in a remote touristed tent campsite Viewing the ancient rock drawings and inscriptions Seeing the huge natural rock bridges Walking through the tight-spaced canyons Getting to know the hospitable Bedouins.

Sightseeing options

Most visitors explore this wonder in a 4x4 Jeep-like vehicle or a converted pick-up with a driver/guide (though some visitors venture out on their own). Traveling by camel is another popular option. You can even take a hot air balloon ride. Other visitors use their feet to hike or trek - or to climb the challenging mountains.

Lawrence of Arabia

The British officer T.E. Lawrence helped fight the Turks in Wadi Rum in the First World War. He immortalized his deeds and adventures in his popular "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" book. It was later transformed into the Academy Award winning "Lawrence of Arabia" film, which was in large part shot on location.

How to pronounce

Wadi Rum = wah-dee rohm (sounds like "rome")

Getting there

Wadi Rum is under 4 hours from Amman (Jordan's capital), 2 from Petra, and about 1 from Aqaba. You travel by car or bus on a well-paved highway.

When to come

The best periods are March-to-mid-April and October-to-mid-September. Summers are very hot and winters can be uncomfortably cold.

Location in Jordan

Know these Jordan tips and insights

Jordan medal winners
Dead Sea
Desert Castles
Jerash
Petra
Wadi Rum

Rankings
Top 3 Jordan Wonders

 

Photo by John Thomas - CC BY 2.0

 

Jordan Tourism Board

 

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