The Wadi Rum Desert
This stark and gorgeous landscape is like no other place on Earth
Wadi Rum (Arabic for “Valley of the Moon”) is a spectacular desert valley in southern Jordan, notable for its towering sandstone cliffs, reddish-brown sand dunes, and vast rocky landscapes. This valley has been inhabited by humans since neolithic times, and it served as the epicenter of major international trade routes for thousands of years.
Today the Wadi Rum Desert is a popular tourist destination and a favorite among historians, archaeologists, and adventure seekers. While it is still home to nomadic Bedouin tribespeople, the desert valley remains largely untouched by millennia of human history.
The desert is too vast to ever experience all of it, but there are many ways to experience some small part of Wadi Rum for yourself. Our flight brokers will assist in making your trip to Jordan unforgettable.
Jump in the Jeep
Explore Wadi Rum’s rugged landscape on a 4×4 Jeep tour. Local Bedouin guides can take you on a thrill ride or a leisurely jaunt, depending on your preference. Either way, you will encounter stunning rock formations, narrow canyons, and rolling sand dunes in a display of staggering natural beauty. You can explore the desert for a day or take a multi-day excursion and camp under the desert stars.
Take a Hike
Those looking for a more active experience may want to set out on a hike. There are well-established trails for hikers of all experience levels, though more adventurous hikers may choose to chart their own routes through the desert. Hiking through this rugged terrain gives visitors an entirely different perspective on the stunning landscapes of Wadi Rum.
Sleep Under the Stars
Venture out with your Bedouin guides just before sunset and set up camp far from the light pollution of civilization. For many visitors, this will be the clearest view of Earth’s night sky they will ever encounter. Enjoy a traditional Bedouin meal around a campfire and allow your guides to regale you with traditional tales of the nomadic cultures that have lived like this for thousands of years.
Visit the Red Planet
For his 2015 film “The Martian,” director Ridley Scott knew that filming on the red planet was not feasible, so the film crew set up camp in the Wadi Rum Desert. It’s not the first time that Hollywood has trekked to Wadi Rum. Other notable films made there include “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Prometheus,” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Explore these Wadi Rum filming locations for yourself and enjoy the next best thing to a trip to Mars.
Petra at Night
The city of Petra, a short drive from the Wadi Rum Desert, is home to a number of world-famous archaeological sites, including massive stone temples carved directly into the faces of towering cliffs. Anyone who has seen “Raiders of the Lost Ark” will recognize these amazing locales.
For a truly unforgettable experience, visit Petra by Night. You will be led through a narrow canyon to the Treasury, a massive ancient temple lit with candles and bathed in colored lights. Experience traditional Bedouin music and storytelling as you see this ancient monument in a whole new way.
April and May are great times of year to visit Jordan. Depending on how long you plan to stay, you may want to purchase a Jordan Pass. This special tourist visa includes entrance to Jordan, as well as admission to the Petra site, the Wadi Rum protected area, and dozens of other attractions and sites in Jordan.
Talk to your GAC broker today to plan your pilgrimage to this ancient and beautiful part of the world.