Jordan’s Wadi Rum
A special energy blows in the desert wind. In Wadi Rum, a desolate but beautiful valley of sand punctuated by mountains of rock, it’s possible to ride into the desert on camel, and spend the night in a traditional Bedouin tent. A gourmet meal is cooked in ancient fashion; by baking meats and vegetables beneath the hot sand, served with pita, salad, hummus, and all the delicious trimmings. Explore and scramble up the surrounding rock hills, feeling the dry air blowing in your hair. Listen to the crackle of the fire while shooting stars spray across the clear night sky. For a seemingly lifeless landscape, the energy of Wadi Rum is charged with magic.
Length of Trip : 3 hours to several days, depending on your tour.
Cost :
Ranges from $85 per person for a 3-hour 4x4 drive into Wadi Rum, to US$345 for a two-day/two-night excursion, with all meals included.
Best time to go : March to May and September to November, when it's not too scorching.
Wheelchair friendly : Contact operator to make arrangements.
Family friendly : Yes
Where to eat :
In the desert, earth ovens are used to cook a huge spread of fine Middle Eastern cuisine with the star attraction being chickens, covered in foil, and buried in the hot sands of the Wadi Rum. Dug up with spades, the chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Served with a mezze of delectable dips and salads, nobody is going to sleep under the stars hungry.
Official Site :
Visit Jordan
Where to Stay :
My experience was to overnight in a Bedouin-style camp. You can also choose to sleep by the fire under the stars, or in the large, traditional tents provided by tour operators. Campers with their own tents can also stay in unserviced campsites. There are also B&B options in Rum Village. All that said, glamping has come to Wadi Rum in a major way, with comfortable and luxury bubbles popping up everywhere. Now that's the way to do it!
Getting There :
From Amman: drive south on the Desert Highway (4 hours) or the Kings' Highway (6 hours). Your tour operator might be able to arrange transportation.
From Aqaba: drive north and you'll reach Wadi Rum in less than an hour.
Note from Robin :
Consider the camel. Since Wadi Rum gained its UNESCO status, Jeeps and 4x4's have had an increasingly detrimental impact on the desert. Travelling to your camp by camel may be slow and a little smelly, but it's a total adventure! Bring a flashlight as there is no electricity in the campsites at night. Glamping is now the most popular way to camp overnight in Wadi Rum, with a number of hotels/operators around.
