Wadi Rum, Jordan: travel guide
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.
- Country
- Jordan
- Currency
- JOD
- Time zone
- Asia/Amman
- Nearest airport
- AQJ
Top places to visit in Wadi Rum
Alameleh Inscriptions
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
A cliff face covered with thousands of years of Thamudic and Nabataean rock carvings depicting caravans, hunters and camels.
Lawrence's Spring (Ain Shalaaleh)
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h
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
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
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
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
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)
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h
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
A well-known sandstone rock formation in Wadi Rum, named after T.E. Lawrence's memoir, visible near the visitor centre.
Burdah Rock Bridge
Viewpoint · 5.0 rating · about 3 h
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
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h
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
Nature · about 2 h · entry JOD 5
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 around
- Animal Ride main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Offroad Vehicle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
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.