Wadi Rum is the other half of a southern Jordan trip and, for many visitors, the part they remember most. It is a vast desert of red and orange sand, natural rock arches and sheer mountains that rise straight out of the valley floor, inscribed by UNESCO in 2011 as a mixed natural and cultural World Heritage Site for its landscapes and thousands of rock inscriptions and petroglyphs left over millennia. T. E. Lawrence passed through during the Arab Revolt, and the rock formation by the visitor centre is named after his book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. More recently the desert has stood in for Mars and distant planets in films. Visits start at the visitor centre near Rum Village, where you pay a modest entry fee (included in the Jordan Pass) and meet your jeep guide or camp transfer.
How it works: Wadi Rum is about an hour by road from Aqaba and roughly two hours from Petra. Private cars stay at the village; you explore with local Bedouin guides by 4x4, on a camel or on foot. Half-day jeep tours cover the classic stops, including Lawrence’s Spring, the Khazali Canyon petroglyphs, red dunes and rock bridges.
What to expect: days in November are pleasant and nights are cold, sometimes very cold, so bring warm layers. The landscape is huge and quiet, and sunset over the mountains is a highlight.
Making the most of it: stay at least one night in a desert camp so you get sunset, a Bedouin dinner and the stars. Book a jeep tour of four hours or more to reach the quieter parts of the desert.
What to expect
The experience
Jeep, camel or hiking tours from the visitor centre with local Bedouin guides.
Best time
Late afternoon to sunset, then overnight for the stars.
How long
A full day, ideally with one night in a camp.
Tips
Pack warm layers for the nights, book a camp that includes transfers, and allow four hours or more for a jeep tour.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Desert landscapes, sunsets and a night under the stars.
- Families
- Jeep tours, dunes and camp dinners are a hit with children.
- Couples
- Sunset over the mountains and a dome or tent under the stars.
- Pair with
- An overnight camp stay and Petra two hours north.
- Time needed
- One day and one night.
Good questions
How far is Wadi Rum from Petra and Aqaba?+
Roughly two hours from Petra and about an hour from Aqaba by road.
Is Wadi Rum a UNESCO site?+
Yes, the Wadi Rum Protected Area was inscribed in 2011 as a mixed natural and cultural site.
Can I drive my own car into the desert?+
No. Visitors park at the village and explore with local guides by jeep, camel or on foot.
Is the entry fee included in the Jordan Pass?+
Yes, Wadi Rum entry is included in the Jordan Pass.
How cold is it at night?+
In November and winter, nights can be very cold; bring warm layers even if the days are mild.
