Hi travellers and adventurers! My name is Kevin and welcome to my travel guide on the best things to see and do in the epic Wadi Rum of Jordan.
I was born and raised in Switzerland. The urge to travel was always in me. When I was little and couldn’t sleep, my mother used to say: “think about a place far, far away where there are palms at the beach and where the sun is always shining”. Maybe my passion for travel came from sayings like these.
With the first money I earned, I saved as much as I could to take my first trip. Back then, I hadn’t a clue about money. So I kept saving. When I finally had a vacation, to my own surprise, it was enough to fly a long distance.
My first destination was Bali which has always been a dream destination, not just for me but I guess it was hyped up back then. Equipped with an old digital camera from my dad, I took my first photos abroad and got addicted to travel and photography. Bali sparked that travel fire in me.
An Incredible Journey to Jordan
I recently spent two incredible weeks in Jordan. This is a diverse country, to say the least. The colours and dramatic landscapes called me. I couldn’t resist any longer and just had to go. It was on my radar for quite a while and being so close to Europe makes Jordan such an attractive destination.
It took two weeks to travel from the north in Amman to the very south at a beautiful place called Aqaba. In between, we stopped at some major sights. Among them were the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Red Sea. My first impression was: wow! The sheer epicness is jaw-dropping.
Several Epic Days in Wadi Rum
We spent several days in Wadi Rum and did a private tour everyday with a different guide. They offer diversified tours which range in cost and itinerary. To name a few, we did a jeep safari in the White Desert, went camel trekking to Lawrence’s Spring and a mountain trek to a rocky bridge.
When I arrived, I remember thinking that I was looking at something from outer space. Those sandstone cliffs in a sea of red were just extraordinary. I think one of the top places of Wadi Rum are the red sand dunes because it’s a sand hill and the views from the top are spectacular.
5 Best Things To Do in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is more than just a desert. While at first glance it seems like a typical desert easily accessible from Petra or Aqaba – stay overnight and you will see the real majesty and potential of this place. Below are my top five recommendations of things to see and do in Wadi Rum:
- Drink Tea with the Locals – The locals of Wadi Rum are super friendly and welcoming. They know a lot about the desert and landscapes, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with guests.
- Try the Food of Wadi Rum – I’m not much of a potato eater but Jordanian Zarb, a meal cooked under the desert sand in a submerged oven called a “taboon”, was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.
- Stay in a Hotel with a Dome Room – This gives you the full Mars experience and trust me it’s worth every penny! You’re really going to feel like you’ve landed on a different planet while watching a starry sky.
- Go on a Jeep Safari – By far the best way to enjoy the desert from different angles. You’ll be surprised by how many hidden gems and photogenic sights there are along the way. Such a thrilling activity!
- Take in Every Sunrise and Sunset – Believe me, this gives the word “red” a completely new meaning. Make sure you wake up early and see the sunrise as well as finding a nice viewpoint to take in each sunset.
Need to Know Before you Go
We split our stay in Wadi Rum. The first few nights we stayed in a Bedouin Camp and the rest of our time in a Mars Camp. Of course, I did my research in advance and came across Sun City Camp. In my opinion, it’s the most authentic place to stay for the Mars experience. Highly recommended!
It’s always a good idea to do some research when you travel and this is especially true in places like Wadi Rum. There is so much to see here and the history of the desert is never-ending. Don’t search for particular places like movie sights. Wadi Rum itself has many great viewpoints.
Make sure you buy your entry ticket at the visitor center and don’t do tours which are too far away. The best landscapes (in my opinion) can be found around the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Sunsets here and all over Wadi Rum are fantastic – so ensure you include these times if you only do one tour.
Additionally, when doing a jeep safari, try and book yourself on a tour that has a nice jeep. It can make a big difference! Finally, bring enough water with you. This is the desert after all and it can get extremely hot and dry.
I would like to leave you with the best memory I have of Wadi Rum. It was when the sun set and the moon rose (it happened to be a full moon). The desert showcased its magical side in this moment and I will never forget that spectacle of nature! Thanks for reading and enjoy Wadi Rum everyone!
