Wadi Rum Travel Guide
Travel to Wadi Rum - Tranquil Rum, Land of the Bedouin
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Made famous by T.E. Lawrence ‘of Arabia’ in his book the Seven Pillars of Wisdom the awe-inspiring rocks of Wadi Rum are best appreciated at dusk or dawn as the sun intensifies their colours. Visit to explore one of the world’s best desert wildernesses in the company of the hospitable Bedouin people.
Thamudic rock carvings can be found at various locations around Wadi Rum, indicating that this ostensibly lifeless desert region was inhabited some 2,000 or more years ago. Today the proud and hospitable Howeitat Bedouin tribe live here, making a living from nomadic herding and guiding visitors through the amazing valleys of this, Jordan’s most beautiful desert region.
Made up of dramatic mountains plunging in some cases 1,500m down to the sand below the immense size of the jebels is balanced by the open space of the floor of the valley. It is here that the black goat-hair tents of the Bedouin can occasionally be seen, their goats and sheep picking at the scrub.
Attractions in Wadi Rum
A visit to Wadi Rum enables the visitor to learn something of the traditions of the Bedouin amongst one of the world’s greatest desert landscapes. There are rock bridges and hidden canyons, 2,000 year old rock art and sand dunes to explore, but for many the highlight of a visit is the overnight camps and contact with the local Bedouin that remains the most vivid memory. The Bedouin have a long tradition of hospitality and whilst there are fewer and fewer nomadic Bedouin as the years past a visit to a camp is an unforgettable experience.
Activities in Wadi Rum
You can get an impression of the magnificence of Wadi Rum in a visit of just a few hours, however to really do the area justice allow a minimum of a full day and night to experience Wadi Rum fully. There are 4WD and camel safaris to enjoy, both of which can last from an hour or two to most of a day. Rum attracts climbers, for the mountains are both challenging and spectacular, whilst with a local guide there are many treks, some involving scrambling, to discover. Hot air ballooning is possible, as is skydiving and micro-lighting.
Relaxing
The absolute best way to relax in Wadi Rum with a cold beer at the campfire of your desert camp.
Getting Around
Wadi Rum is only conveniently accessible with your own transport or on an organised tour. Connections are infrequent from the main Desert Highway to Wadi Rum and hitching is not recommended. It is possible to get to Wadi Rum from Ma’an from where minibuses leave for Rum on a when-full basis until mid-afternoon.
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