Explore Jordan's 'valley of the moon'
A valley carved out of the granite rock and sandstone in southern Jordan, Wadi Rum is steeped in history, culture, and mythological lore. Perhaps first achieving fame for its connection to the British officer T.E. Lawrence and its feature in the movie ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, Wadi Rum is also a historical hot-spot due to the rock inscriptions, petroglyphs, and ruins that were left by prehistoric civilisations. With an area of 280 square miles, it is the largest wadi in Jordan.
Due to the rolling expanse of sand dunes, Wadi Rum is perfect for Jeep explorations. Allow the wind to roar in your ears as you rocket over red sand that’s long been used as the backdrop in many science-fiction movies, and gasp in awe at the colossal mountains and rock formations as they come into view. Along the surfaces of these stunning natural wonders is where you’ll find petroglyphs and inscriptions that were etched into Wadi Rum thousands of years ago.
Wadi Rum is also teeming with living history. Bedouin camps showcase a different way of life that you can take part in. Break bread with the local Bedouin people, enjoy an authentic meal with them, and listen to their stories.
If you prefer to keep active, Wadi Rum is full of amazing rock-climbing and hiking areas that will enable you to survey the valley in all its glory. And if you’re lucky, you may even be able to spot the waters of the Red Sea beside Aqaba – or so the story goes.
A desert is one of the best places to stargaze, and Wadi Rum is no exception. Let the twinkling lights of the Jordan night lull you to sleep in one of the tented camps as you await your next day of adventure in this Middle Eastern heritage site.
Highlights
Embark on a Jeep tour of Wadi Rum and its seemingly endless shapes of sand and rocks
Enjoy a traditional Middle-Eastern meal in a sheltered tent, in the middle of the desert
Spend time with the local Bedouin people and learn about their way of life
Explore the inscriptions and ruins left by people thousands of years ago
Jack Beckford
Travel Designer
I highly recommend a visit to Wadi Rum. Not far from Aqaba, it is a great stop to do some off-road exploring, whilst also immersing yourself in the history of Jordan. The scenery makes for some great photo opportunities too!
Jack Beckford
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Wadi Rum
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Trip inspiration
Explore more of Jordan
Amman
As the capital of Jordan, Amman,is a city of fascinating contrasts where ancient ruins loom over modern buildings, galleries, restaurants and boutiques. Not only the largest city in Jordan, it’s also the most populated in the Levant region and is an important political, economic and cultural centre.
Discover moreAqaba
As Jordan's only coastal city, Aqaba features exquisite beaches that are the ideal location if you want long days basking in the sun, or they can be a brief respite from the enthralling water sport activities Aqaba has to offer.
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Known as the lowest point on land and renowned for its therapeutic properties, the Dead Sea is a unique salt lake that offers an unparalleled wellness experience. Indulge in the utmost relaxation and rejuvenation at this natural wonder, where luxurious spa treatments and invigorating mud baths using its mineral-rich mud will leave you refreshed and revitalised.
Discover morePetra
The ancient city of Petra is one of Jordan’s national treasures as, along with being admired for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is also a UNESCO World Heritages Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Discover moreMeet your Middle East team
When to visit
Visiting during the moderate months of April, May and October gives you the chance to experience Bedouin culture in comfort, without battling the elements of extreme weather. The fresher temperatures of the mornings and evenings provide the perfect conditions for hiking and discovering the area’s natural beauty. Being on the edge of optimum stargazing season, May is a good alternative for those wanting to avoid the intense heat.
Stargazing by the mountains
June - August
Comfortable temperatures
April, May and October
Spring flowers
April
Cold nights and fewer crowds
December - February
Eid Al Fitr
March - April
Plan your trip to Wadi Rum
Whatever you want from your adventure in Wadi Rum, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
From the moment I contacted Jacada, they were very professional to work with. Excellent communication before and during the trip. We are veteran travellers and they manage to exceed our expectations.
My husband and I recently traveled to South Africa and we utilized Jacada travel services. Jody Van Merode planned the perfect trip for us- we spoke over the phone and she put together an itinerary that would best match what we wanted to see, our interests and our budget! We visited two very different game reserves - each beautiful in…
The trip was perfect from start to finish which I completely attribute to the communication with James and Eugenia. I really felt as if our needs were anticipated and our style of travel understood. They truly picked the best accommodations and made transfers between easy. I've never had such a seamless and well-organized travel experience. It is so worth it…
We had an excellent trip to Barcelona/Mallorca this August 2024 Jacada Travel! All small details were well thought out and there was someone available for any emergency changes (for example, our flight was overbooked and the concierge in Barcelona was aware and made changes appropriate to make the flight from Barcelona to Mallorca). The choice of hotels and activities were…
We worked with Jamey and Angela at Jacada to plan our honeymoon in South Africa. We started from scratch not knowing much about South Africa and Jamey met with us to get to know us and our budget and created the most incredible 10 day trip for us. My husband and I have both travelled a lot, but this trip…
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