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Wadi Rum

Valley of the moon's timeless magic

Wadi Rum in Jordan is a vast desert valley surrounded by rust-colored sandstone mountains and ancient rock formations shaped over millions of years. The landscape features wide open spaces, dry riverbeds and scattered patches of hardy vegetation that support local wildlife such as ibex and foxes. Visitors can explore the area on foot or by jeep to see natural arches, hidden caves and petroglyphs left by early inhabitants. Clear night skies make stargazing especially clear here due to minimal light pollution.

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Nature Reserve in Jordan

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	4
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	3

Read details

3/5

English proficiency varies among locals in Wadi Rum. Tour guides and camp hosts generally speak functional to good English, while shopkeepers and some drivers may have more limited vocabulary. Basic communication is rarely a problem for tourists, but comp

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Wadi Rum Summary

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World-class for desert landscapes and adventure tours. Explore vast sandstone valleys by jeep, ride camels across dunes, hike rocky canyons and stargaze in remote desert camps.

Place score

8.1

Best at:

Deserts

Stargazing

Natural sites

Climbing

Camping

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

🕌 10

Halal

❤️ 8

Couples

Jordan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type D Type C: Type D: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Jordanian Dinar (JOD) £1 ≈ JOD 0.944
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment options are available in Jordan, especially in urban areas like Amman. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Mobile payment options are also becoming popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping in Jordan is common and appreciated. In restaurants, a 10% tip is usually expected, and taxi drivers typically expect a small tip or rounding up of the fare.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Jordan but is generally restricted to licensed venues such as bars, restaurants, and hotels. Public consumption of alcohol is not widespread.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in public places but is restricted in certain indoor areas like restaurants and public transport. Smoking areas are available in many public buildings.

Jordan Independence Day (25 May)	A national holiday celebrated with events and parades
Eid al-Fitr (Varies)	A religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with feasts and gatherings

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Careem, Uber
Other:	Jordan is known for its ancient historical sites, such as Petra and the Dead Sea. The country offers rich cultural experiences but requires caution due to the regional political situation.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Wadi Rum, Jordan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Dec

High season:	March - April, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., May, Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Nights can drop near freezing from December to February, bring warm layers for desert camps

Summer midday temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C (104 °F), jeep tours and hikes are best at sunrise or evening

Flash floods possible but rare from November to March, tours may be cancelled after heavy rain

Don't miss

🚙 Take a thrilling 4x4 jeep tour through vast desert landscapes
🏂 Sandboard down giant red sand dunes for adrenaline rush
🏕️ Spend a night in a traditional Bedouin desert camp
🧗‍♂️ Climb the iconic Burdah Rock Bridge for spectacular views
✨ Stargaze under incredibly clear desert skies at night

You've been here?

Why travel to Wadi Rum?

Wadi Rum offers an experience that feels both timeless and magical – where the modern world seems to disappear beneath an endless canopy of stars. The landscape itself is the main attraction, with its extraordinary rock formations in vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow creating an almost Martian environment that has served as the backdrop for numerous films. Exploring these ancient corridors of soft red sand between monumental mountains, whether by 4×4 jeep, camel or on foot, provides a sense of adventure and discovery that few other destinations can match. Beyond the stunning scenery, Wadi Rum offers a cultural immersion through its Bedouin hospitality. Spending at least one night in a desert camp is an unforgettable experience – watching the sunset paint the rocks in golden hues, enjoying traditional meals cooked in underground ovens and sleeping under a blanket of stars of stunning clarity. The tranquility of the pitch-dark desert night creates a profound sense of peace that contrasts beautifully with daytime adventures exploring canyons, climbing natural rock bridges or discovering ancient petroglyphs that tell stories of the desert's long human history. Just be prepared for the elements – summer heat can be intense, while winter nights can be surprisingly cold and facilities outside of camps are minimal.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Lawrence House
2 Lawrence's Spring
3 Siq al Khazali

🎡Places for activities

1 Wadi Rum
2 Barrah Canyon

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Burdah Rock Bridge
2 Mushroom Rock
3 Jebel Umm al-Ishrin
4 Siq al Khazali
5 Al Hasany Sand dunes
6 Jebel Al-Hash

🎈Events

Wadi Rum Ultra Marathon
Full Moon Desert Camping Festival
Bedouin Cultural Festival
Stars of Jordan Astronomy Event
Desert Photography Competition
Traditional Music Gatherings
Wadi Rum Trail Opening Season
Camel Racing Events
Desert Survival Workshops
Bedouin Cooking Festivals

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book Bedouin jeep tour. Private vehicles banned inside.
Overnight in desert camp for stargazing; book sunrise/sunset tours from camp directly.
Pack scarf, hat, water; daytime heat extreme, nights drop below freezing year-round.
Climb red dunes barefoot at golden hour for panoramic views minus tourist crowds.

How to travel to Wadi Rum

The most convenient way to reach Wadi Rum is via King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, about an hour's drive away. From Aqaba, JETT buses offer daily service to Wadi Rum or you can hire a taxi or rent a car. Many visitors arrive from Petra or Amman by bus or private transport. Most highway buses traveling between Aqaba and Petra/Amman can drop passengers at the intersection to Wadi Rum (except Jett company buses), from where you can take a local minibus (JOD 1 – 2 (£1.05 – 2.11)) to the Visitor Center. The entrance fee to the Wadi Rum Protected Area is JOD 5 (£5.27) per person (free with the Jordan Pass).

Access summary

From Aqaba Airport (AQJ): Taxi or transfer, about 1 hour driving.
From Aqaba city: Bus, tour or taxi via Desert Highway, 1–1.5 hours.
From Amman: Long-distance bus or private car, around 4 hours south.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Wadi Rum

Accommodation in Wadi Rum centers around the unique experience of desert camping, ranging from basic Bedouin-style tents to luxurious "glamping" options with private bathrooms and comfortable beds. Most camps include dinner and breakfast in their rates and offer activities like jeep tours and camel rides. Some visitors opt for more luxurious accommodations outside the reserve in nearby areas like Disah. Booking in advance is essential, especially during peak seasons (spring and fall). For budget travelers, simpler options exist in Wadi Rum Village, though the authentic desert camping experience is highly recommended for at least one night.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Memories Aicha Luxury Camp

9.1

Hasan Zawaideh Camp

9.0

Shaheen Camp Wadi Rum

9.2

Hasan Zawaideh luxury camp 2

8.9

Beyond Wadi Rum Camp

9.0

Mars Land Luxury Camp

9.2

Mirage Camp Wadi Rum

10.0

Rum Legend luxury camp

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Wadi Rum

Exploring Wadi Rum requires local transportation as the reserve is vast and the terrain challenging. Most visitors arrange 4x4 jeep tours with Bedouin guides through their accommodation or at the Visitor Center, which is the standard and most practical way to see the major sites. Tours range from two-hour excursions to multi-day adventures. For a more traditional experience, camel treks can be arranged, though they cover less ground. Hiking is possible but should only be done with a guide due to navigation challenges and safety concerns. Independent exploration by private vehicle requires registration at the Visitor Center and an all-terrain vehicle.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-23 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 23% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to JOD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Aqaba, Jordan - 41 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£34	£98	£304
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£14	£41	£105
🍝 Food per day	£17	£52	£182
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£17

Notable additional fees: Protected-area entry JOD 5 (£5.30) per person, included in the Jordan Pass. Jeep tours, camel treks and desert camps are all charged separately.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£21
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.90
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£6

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£10
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£14
🤧 Cold medication	£3.10
💇 Basic haircut	£5.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Wadi Rum is generally very safe regarding crime. The main concerns are natural hazards like heat exposure, dehydration and getting lost. Some poisonous snakes and scorpions exist but encounters are extremely rare. Always travel with a guide when venturing away from camps and register at the Visitor Center for longer treks.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Wadi Rum are extremely limited. The nearest hospitals are in Aqaba, about an hour away. Visitors with pre-existing conditions should take appropriate precautions. Heat-related illnesses are the most common health issue, so staying hydrated and protected from the sun is essential.

Accessibility

Wadi Rum presents significant challenges for visitors with mobility issues. The desert terrain is uneven, sandy and rocky. Some jeep tours can accommodate those with limited mobility, but most activities require a good level of physical ability. Specialized camps with accessible facilities are rare.

Tap water

Tap water is not readily available in Wadi Rum and drinking water must be brought in. Most camps provide bottled water for guests. When on excursions, carry sufficient water as the dry desert air causes rapid dehydration, even when temperatures aren't extremely high.