Get Exclusive Access to My Top 10 International Travel Tips - Subscribe Now!
Jordan is a great travel destination for its rich culture, ancient ruins, religiously significant landmarks, and amazing food. One of the most visited destinations in Jordan is Petra, with about a million people coming to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site every year. Just about 2 hours away from Petra lies another must-see Jordanian destination: Wadi Rum.
In this guide, we will discuss Wadi Rum, how to get there, what to do there, and where to stay there.
Table of Contents
What is Wadi Rum?
Wadi Rum is a desert valley found in a mountainous region in southern Jordan. Wadi Rum is the largest wadi in Jordan, but that is not its main claim to fame.
What is the meaning of Wadi Rum?
The Arabic term wadi refers to a valley or riverbed that is dry except during periods of heavy rain. It is believed that rum comes from Aramaic, meaning “high” or “elevated”.
Valley of the Moon
Wadi Rum is famous for its unique landscape. Large granite and sandstone mountains rise up from the red sand. It is extremely desolate, with very few animals. There are no buildings or roads either.
Wadi Rum has been nicknamed the “Valley of the Moon” due to its alien-like appearance. In fact, Wadi Rum has been the location of various movies that were set on other planets, including The Martian (2015) and Dune (2021).
It is no wonder why Wadi Rum is one of the most instagrammable places in Jordan!
Where is Wadi Rum?
Wadi Rum is located in southern Jordan. It is about 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the capital city, Amman. It is located in a protected area that covers about 720 square kilometers (280 square miles) and is part of the larger Wadi Rum Protected Area.
How Far is Wadi Rum From Petra?
Wadi Rum is located about 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) south of Petra.
How Far is Wadi Rum From Aqaba?
Wadi Rum is located about 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of Jordan’s coastal city of Aqaba.
How to Get to Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum by Car
The easiest way to travel around Jordan is by car. You can easily get from Amman to Wadi Rum in about 4 or 5 hours. Traveling by car also makes it easy to visit other famous sites around Jordan.
Wadi Rum by Bus
The most economical way to get to Wadi Rum is by bus. There are regular buses to Wadi Rum from major cities in Jordan.
Check out the JETT website for the bus schedule.
Wadi Rum by Tour
If you are looking for convenience, there are plenty of available tours to Wadi Rum. Booking a tour will help you save time because they will take care of transportation and accommodation for you. It is also convenient if you want to combine other destinations, such as the Dead Sea or Petra.
What to Do in Wadi Rum
There are plenty of things to see and do while in Wadi Rum.
Jeep Tour
I highly recommend taking a truck or jeep tour around the desert. You ride in the bed of the pickup while taking in the amazing views of the surrounding landscape. It may not sound like the best way to get around, but the seven-hour tour that I went on never got dull.
The tour guide took us to see historical landmarks made famous by Lawrence of Arabia. If history is not your thing, your guide will also take you to different mountains that you can climb. The views of Wadi Rum from several hundred feet up are incredible.
Running Down Sand Dunes
One of my favorite activities was running down sand dunes. Before coming to Wadi Rum, I had never known that such an activity existed. And trying to climb up the loose sand on foot made me question whether it could be worth the effort.
Once we reached the top of the dune, we briefly took in the view before running full-speed down to the bottom. It was an exhilarating experience, almost like you were gliding down. At the time, I was mainly worried about slipping and tumbling the rest of the way down. But it was one of my favorite experiences in Wadi Rum.
Check out our guide about the tallest sand dunes in the world!
Watching the Sunset
A more relaxing activity involves watching the sunrise or sunset from one of the mountains. I highly recommend observing at least one sunset in Wadi Rum.
In addition to the awesome sunset, the night sky that follows is an equally impressive sight. There is very little light pollution in Wadi Rum, so you will be able to see countless stars. Just remember to bring a flashlight if you are going to be climbing down in the dark.
Traditional Bedouin Meal
A unique experience that many accommodations provide for their visitors is a traditional zarb dinner. This is a type of barbecue used by the Bedouins in which the food is cooked underground!
How Zarb is Prepared
The chefs will prepare different meats, usually chicken, beef, and sheep, along with different types of vegetables. It is then lowered into a hole in the ground where it is slowly cooked by a fire for hours. The hole is covered in sand to lock in the heat and flavor. Once it is ready, the food is dug back up and served to the guests.
Accommodations in Wadi Rum
Many accommodation options offer private Bedouin-style tents for sleeping, with a large communal tent for eating dinner and socializing. The Bedouins, or indigenous tribes that live in the desert, traditionally made their tents from black goat hair. The goat hair expands when it gets wet, which helps to keep the inside of the tents dry when it rains. The black color also absorbs sunlight, keeping the tent cool during the day and warm at night.
Where to Stay in Wadi Rum
Luckily, you can enjoy Wadi Rum without breaking the bank. In addition to there not being any kind of entrance fee to enter Wadi Rum, there are also many economical options for sleeping.
Wadi Rum does not have any hotels, so if you plan on sleeping there, you will end up in some kind of tent. Some tents are much more luxurious than others, and the price will reflect that. There are budget options that will cost around $15 USD/night, while you will also be able to find “glamping” options for hundreds of dollars per night. You should be able to find many comfortable options for less than $40-$50 USD per night.
Check out the map below for accommodations in Wadi Rum.
Best Time to Visit Wadi Rum
While you should visit Wadi Rum whenever you can, you should consider how the time of year impacts the weather and price of accommodations.
From December to February
From December to February, accommodation prices average $51 USD/night. The weather will be the coldest during this time, averaging 58 F and getting down to the 30s at night. There is also the highest chance of precipitation during this time, which can potentially cause flash floods.
From March to May
From March to May, accommodation prices will be slightly higher, averaging $76/night. The average temperature will be around 72 F.
From June to August
From June to August, accommodation prices will be at the highest, averaging $122/night due to increased tourism. The weather will also be at its hottest, at an average of 87 F.
From September to November
From September to November, accommodation prices will be at the lowest, averaging $37/night. The weather will be slightly cooler, averaging 77 F.
I visited Wadi Rum in July. September to November may be the best time to visit based on weather, low prices, and less tourism.
