Wadi Rum
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Wadi Rum Protected Area (2011, Mixed Natural And Cultural). The Valley Of The Moon, A Desert Landscape Of Towering Sandstone And Granite Jebels, Rock Bridges And Petroglyphs, Home Of The Zalabia Bedouin And The Setting Of Lawrence Of Arabia And The Martian. · Wadi Rum, Aqaba
Wadi Rum is a huge sandstone-and-granite desert valley in southern Jordan, about an hour from Aqaba, known as the Valley of the Moon. Red sand, towering jebels, rock bridges and ancient Nabataean inscriptions stretch for miles. The Zalabia Bedouin live here and run the 4x4 tours, camel treks and camps. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was a base for T. E. Lawrence, and the setting for Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, Dune and Rogue One. The honest picture is a harsh, quiet and beautiful place. Summer heat passes 40 C, winter nights fall below 5 C, and sandstorms and flash floods happen. You must go in with a licensed local guide, so book the jeep and a camp ahead, and bring layers, water and sun protection. Sunset and the night sky are the real reward, and a camp stay turns a day trip into the best part of a Jordan visit. Wadi Rum is also a living home, so treat the camps, the animals and the land with respect, and ask before photographing people. Evenings in camp are calm, simple and social, with tea, music and talk around the fire.
Sandstone-and-granite desert valley about 60 km east of Aqaba, entered at the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre and explored by 4x4 and camel from Rum Village, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Jordan
The visitor centre at the gate is open daily from morning until the late afternoon, and you buy your entry and book your jeep tour there. Tours run in daylight, with sunrise and sunset trips, plus overnight camp stays. Some tracks can CLOSE in storms or floods. Wadi Rum village is open all day, but the desert is not safe at night without a guide.