Wadi Rum is one of the natural jewels of Jordan. We often speak of its historical wonders, but Wadi Rum deserve to be at the top of the places to see in Jordan and at the top of your planning list. Check out those rocks and colors combinations.
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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum also called the Valley of the Moon is the largest wadi in Jordan. The valley is cut into the sandstone and granit rock offering beautiful landscape mixing mountains and sand dunes.
It is a Unesco Protected Area.
Getting to Wadi Rum
- Wadi Rum is located in the South of Jordan
- 60km East of Aquaba
Visiting Wadi Rum
- Tours are organised from the gate via camels or 4WD
- You can go for a couple of hours, a day or spend the night in a bedouin camp
- More information on the official Wadi Rum website
Driving through the desert landscape
Camel is fun but with a 4DW you can cover a lot more ground and there is a lot to see in Wadi Rum!
The scenery is dramatic and colorful. Everything I love! Sadly I was very sick since the night before and did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
After several viewpoints, we found a place with shade for lunch. I was really unwell. I thought eating was going to help me but I could not swallow more than a few slice of cucumbers and I was shivering in the desert in the middle of the day! So he brought me his thick winter Bedouin coat (made with goat skin, hummm smelly…) and I tried to rest for a while. That was very sweet of him.
Not able to rest at all, I decided I would be better at the bedouin camp where I spent the night.
The next morning, feeling just a little bit better he offered me to take to the rock bridge I had not seen the day before. This was very nice of him, again. And I felt lucky to see this rock formation at this hour as I the light would have been a lot harsher at lunch time.
Lawrence’s spring
The Lawrence's spring is a spot where Lawrence of Arabia is supposed to have washed during the Arab Revolt. I personally did not find this spot fascinating.
But I loved the view on the other side
Khazali canyon in Wadi Rum
The Khazali canyon is a deep and narrow fissure in the mountain side. It contains many rock inscriptions but as I was sick I di not walk inside.
Sand dunes of Wadi Rum
My favorite spot in Wadi Rum is where sand dues pile up against mountains. The combination of hard and soft is stunning. As I was sick, I did not climb but it looked like fun.
Rock bridge
One of the most popular spots in Wadi Rum is the Rock Bridge: a natural rock arch with great views. You need to hike a little to get there but it is not difficult.
Jebel Rum (The Seven Pillars of Wisdom)
The seven pillars of Wisdom are one of the most recognizable rock formations in Wadi Rum although the cliff has only six "pillars". It is just nearby Wadi Rum gate and it seems I have not taken any picture of it... sorry
Spotted animals
It is a very harsh environment but I still spotted some animals. I wish they were doing a living desert safari like I the one I joined in Namibia.
On our way to one of the sight my guide spotted a big yellow reptile and he was chasing him with the 4WD for me to have a look at it.
And we spotted some goats from a bedouin family:
Driving around
I could have spent many more days driving around Wadi Rum. The landscapes are stunning. Some rocks are white other are red, the sand is red and all of that mix beautifully.
Sometimes my driver was going very very fast!
Want to see MORE of JORDAN?
Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online Jordan Travel Guide.
Don't you think the colors & mix of sand / rocks are amazing?
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