Planning a trip to Jordan and wondering what to do in Wadi Rum? You’re in the right place. This ancient desert, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth a vast sea of red sand dunes, towering sandstone cliffs, and carved rock formations that seem almost otherworldly. Whether you’re seeking adventure, culture, or pure silence under a canopy of stars, Wadi Rum has something unforgettable waiting for you.
Here is our complete guide to the best things to do in Wadi Rum, curated by our local Bedouin team at Wadi Rum Best Tours.
1. Explore the Desert by Jeep – The Classic Wadi Rum Experience
If there’s one thing you absolutely must do in Wadi Rum, it’s a 4×4 jeep tour. Sitting in the back of an open Toyota pickup truck while your Bedouin guide navigates through red sand corridors and past ancient carved canyons is a feeling unlike anything else.
Our jeep tours cover the most iconic sites in the reserve:
- Lawrence’s Spring a natural water source hidden among the cliffs, named after the legendary T.E. Lawrence
- Khazali Canyon narrow slot canyons covered in Nabataean inscriptions and ancient rock drawings
- The Red Sand Dunes perfect for climbing and sliding down in the golden afternoon light
- The Seven Pillars of Wisdom a massive rock formation visible from the village
- Lawrence’s House the ruins of a Nabataean building used during the Arab Revolt
Tours range from a 3 to 4-hour half day to a full day with a night in the desert. For first-timers, we recommend our full-day jeep tour, which includes a traditional Bedouin lunch and covers all the major highlights.
2. Walk Through the Famous Rock Arches
Wadi Rum is home to some of the most dramatic natural rock arches in the world. These geological wonders were carved over millions of years by wind and water erosion, and standing beneath them is a humbling, awe-inspiring experience.
Um Fruth Rock Bridge
One of the most photographed spots in Wadi Rum, the Um Fruth Rock Bridge rises 15 metres above the desert floor. You can climb to the top with your guide the view from up there, with nothing but red desert stretching to the horizon, is absolutely breathtaking.
Burdah Rock Bridge
The largest natural rock arch in Wadi Rum, the Burdah Rock Bridge requires a 5-hour return hike, with a few exposed passages, to reach but rewards you with extraordinary views. It’s a favourite for photographers and hikers who want to go beyond the typical tourist trail.
3. Experience Bedouin Culture and Traditional Cuisine
Wadi Rum is not just a landscape it’s the homeland of the Bedouin people, who have lived in this desert for thousands of years. One of the most meaningful things to do in Wadi Rum is to sit with local families, share food, and listen to stories passed down through generations.
- Share a traditional Bedouin lunch prepared fresh in the desert zarb (meat and vegetables slow-cooked underground), fresh salads, and warm flatbread
- Drink sweet cardamom tea around a fire while your guide explains Bedouin customs and desert navigation
- Learn about medicinal plants that grow in the desert and how the Bedouin have used them for centuries
- Listen to traditional Bedouin music in the evening at camp
4. Sleep Under a Million Stars – Overnight Bedouin Camp
Of all the things to do in Wadi Rum, spending the night in the desert is the one that travellers remember for the rest of their lives. When the sun sets and the last light fades behind the sandstone mountains, the sky over Wadi Rum transforms into one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles imaginable.
There is almost zero light pollution in this protected reserve, which means you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye, watch shooting stars, and gaze at constellations invisible from most cities. Wadi Rum is consistently rated as one of the top stargazing destinations on Earth.
Our overnight experience includes:
- A private Bedouin tent with comfortable mattresses and blankets
- Traditional dinner cooked over an open fire
- Bedouin tea and conversation around the campfire
- A guided stargazing session with your Bedouin host
- Sunrise over the desert absolutely magical
- Breakfast before your morning departure
We offer 2-day and 3-day packages that include overnight camping in the heart of the desert, far from other tourists.
5. Hike, Scramble and Climb the Sandstone Mountains
Desert Hiking
Walking through Wadi Rum on foot gives you a completely different perspective on the landscape. Our guides lead small group or private hikes through narrow canyons, past Nabataean inscriptions, and to viewpoints that vehicles cannot reach.
Rock Climbing
Wadi Rum is a world-class rock climbing destination, with routes first established by international mountaineers in the 1980s and 1990s. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, there are routes for every level.
6. Ride a Camel or a Horse
Jeeps are the quickest way to see the desert, but nothing beats its silence at the pace of an animal. We offer two camel rides: one hour to Lawrence’s Spring during your jeep tour (+15 JOD per person), or one hour at sunset (20 JOD per person), when the heat drops and the sand turns deep orange. Both suit children and grandparents alike.
Riders can also explore on horseback with our guide and a partner stable from the village. It is one of the most requested activities, and the horses get booked quickly, so ask us early.
7. The Must-See Sites at a Glance
Wadi Rum covers about 740 km², so no one sees everything in a day. Here are the places our guests remember most, with the time you really need on site:
- Lawrence’s Spring: a small spring high on the rock, with a view over the whole valley. A 10-minute walk up from the jeep.
- Khazali Canyon: a narrow crack in the mountain, its walls carved with Thamudic and Nabataean drawings of people, camels and footprints. 15 to 20 minutes.
- The red dune: climb barefoot to the top, then run or slide down. 20 minutes, and the best photos in the late afternoon.
- Um Fruth Rock Bridge: an arch about 15 metres high that you can climb in a few minutes with your guide. Sturdy shoes recommended.
- Abu Khashaba Canyon: a sandy canyon you cross on foot while the jeep waits at the other end. Around 30 to 45 minutes of easy walking.
- Burdah Rock Bridge: the big arch, about 80 metres above the rocks below. A 4 to 5-hour return hike with some exposed passages, for fit walkers only.
- Lawrence’s House and Anfashieh inscriptions: old Nabataean stones and rock carvings, a quick stop full of history.
- The Seven Pillars of Wisdom: the huge cliff named after T.E. Lawrence’s book, visible as soon as you arrive at the Visitor Center.
Wadi Rum is also a film set: Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, Rogue One and Dune were all shot here. Your guide will happily show you where.
8. How to Plan Your Time
If you have half a day
Take a half-day jeep tour in the afternoon: the classic sites, tea with your guide, and the sunset from a dune. It is the best option if you are driving on to Aqaba or Petra the same day.
If you have one day and one night
This is what we recommend to most travellers: a jeep tour, the sunset, a Bedouin dinner cooked in the sand, and a night under the stars. You can add a Bedouin night fire far from the camp lights.
If you have two or three days
With more time you reach the quiet south of the reserve, where few jeeps go. See our 2-day tour or the 3-day tour, and if you love walking, a scramble or a summit such as Jebel Umm ad Dami, the highest peak in Jordan.
Still hesitating? Our guide Petra and Wadi Rum: how many days? helps you split your time.
Practical Information for Your Visit
When to Visit Wadi Rum
The best times to visit are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when days are warm and nights are mild. Summer days often go over 40°C, so tours start early and finish at sunset. In winter, days are pleasant but nights can drop close to freezing: bring a warm layer. More details on our Wadi Rum weather page.
How to Get to Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is located in southern Jordan, approximately 70 km from Aqaba and 112 km from Petra. We meet our guests at the Wadi Rum Rest House, in the village, and can arrange transfers from Aqaba or Petra on request. All routes, bus times and taxi prices are in our guide how to get to Wadi Rum.
Entrance Fee and Cash
Entry to the protected area costs 7 JOD per person, paid at the Visitor Center, or free with the Jordan Pass. Bring cash in Jordanian dinars: the only ATM is at the Visitor Center, a few kilometres before the village, and it does not always work.
What to Pack
- Comfortable shoes you can climb in (sandals are fine on the dunes, not on the rocks)
- A scarf or keffiyeh against the sun and the sand in the open jeep
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
- A warm jacket for the evening, even in spring and autumn
- A small torch or your phone light for the camp at night
- A power bank: phone signal and electricity are limited deep in the desert
Respecting Bedouin Life
Wadi Rum is home to Bedouin families, not only a landscape. Dress modestly in the village (shoulders and knees covered), always ask before photographing people, and accept the tea when it is offered: refusing the first cup is impolite. Take your rubbish back with you, as there are no bins out in the desert.
Photography Tips
The light is magical in the two hours before sunset and just after sunrise, when the rock turns red and gold. At midday the colours are flat, so it is the time for lunch and tea in the shade. Protect your camera from the sand in a bag, and if you want to photograph the Milky Way, bring a small tripod: your guide knows the darkest spots.
Wadi Rum with Children
We welcome families with children from 6 months old. Kids love the dunes, the camels and the night under the stars. Read our tips for Wadi Rum with kids.
How Long Should You Stay?
We recommend at least one night in the desert. A day trip gives you a taste, but staying overnight is when Wadi Rum truly reveals its magic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one day enough for Wadi Rum?
One day lets you see the main sites by jeep. But most of the magic happens after sunset, with the dinner, the silence and the stars, so we always advise at least one night.
Can you visit Wadi Rum without a guide?
You can enter the protected area on your own, but private cars cannot drive into the desert, and it is easy to get lost. A local Bedouin guide with a 4×4 is the safe and simple way to visit.
Is Wadi Rum safe?
Yes. Wadi Rum is one of the most visited places in Jordan, and the Bedouin community is very welcoming. Read our honest answer about safety in Jordan in 2026.
How much does a tour cost?
Our jeep tours start from 35 JOD per person and a night in the desert from 20 JOD, with no deposit: you pay on site. All rates are on our prices page.
What is the best time of day?
Late afternoon. The heat drops, the sand glows red, and you end the tour with the sunset.
Are there toilets in the desert?
Camps have toilets and showers. During the tours, there are none out in the desert, so plan a stop at the village or the camp before leaving.
Book Your Wadi Rum Experience
At Wadi Rum Best Tours, we are a local Bedouin family who have lived and guided in this desert for generations. Our tours run in small groups (6 people max per 4×4), or privately for +20 JOD per person, with Eid and his family, who speak Arabic and English.
All tours are conducted by local Bedouin guides with more than 10 years of experience in Wadi Rum. 4×4 transport, traditional meals and camping equipment included. We operate year-round.
