Majestic Martian Landscapes: Wadi Rum

Nestled in the heart of Jordan's desert landscape, Wadi Rum stands as a captivating canvas of rugged beauty, where towering sandstone mountains and endless dunes paint a picture of otherworldly allure. As you embark on an exploration of this timeless wilderness, you'll discover that Wadi Rum not only offers a spectrum of comfort levels in its camps but also a myriad of activities that promise an immersive experience like no other.

Camps for Every Comfort Level

Our camp at night, Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum welcomes visitors with a variety of camps, each catering to different comfort preferences. From basic and traditional setups to more luxurious options, the choice is yours. Whether you opt for a Bedouin-style camp or a more upscale desert retreat, the starlit nights and breathtaking vistas are constants.

At night, you can enjoy traditional dinners, tea, and conversations with your bedouin host. If you're unlucky, you might be there when a large organized group is there and as an independent traveller, the experience will not be quite the same.

Activities : Jeep Tours, Camel Rides, Hikes, and Stargazing

The heart of Wadi Rum beats with adventure, offering a range of activities that cater to every traveler's whims. Embark on a thrilling jeep tour through the mesmerizing landscapes, where experienced guides navigate the ever-shifting dunes, revealing hidden canyons and ancient petroglyphs.

For a more traditional experience, sway atop a camel and traverse the sandy trails, feeling the rhythmic pace of the ship of the desert. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the numerous trails, revealing the secrets of Wadi Rum's unique geological formations.

As the sun sets and the desert sky transforms into a celestial masterpiece, indulge in the mesmerizing experience of stargazing. Far from the city lights, Wadi Rum offers an unparalleled view of the night sky, where constellations unfold in all their glory.

Why is it so cheap and how the desert works

You might be surprised to find very very affordable accommodation in the Wadi Rum, starting at maybe 10$ a night for a basic tent for 2, sometimes including dinner and breakfast. These prices are the result of fierce competition between the camps, who mostly offer the same level of service.

The bedouins will lose money on the food and accommodation but will make it up by selling you activities in the desert. In fact, if you're not booking any activity, you might be alone in the camp during the day, with not much to do, and with no option to leave the camp.

So you have to consider it as a package where you book a cheap place, but understanding that you will need more budget for activities. Anyway, the jeep tour is great and camel can be fun.

Some camps will also charge you a huge fee for getting you to their camp (you can't access it with your car), up to 30JD per person return. To waive the fee, book an activity with them. When we first visited Wadi Rum, we didn't fully understand how it worked and we felt like it was quite scammy, but this is the norm across virtually all camps.

Overall, a must-do in Jordan in our opinion !