I’m back with some more Jordanian journeys! This time I’m going to give you some fun tips on what to see, where to stop, stay and eat on a road trip to Wadi Rum! Be sure to check out my articles on Amman and Petra so you get a comprehensive view on all of Jordan so you can plan you trip according to what you like from my coverage. But for now, let’s get started on our road trip to Wadi Rum!
Road Trip Pit Stops
Most travelers will be driving to Wadi Rum from Amman and/or Petra and seeing as it’s quite a long drive, you will definitely want to break up the journey. For those interested in the historic biblical locations in Jordan, Mount Nebo is a significant destination. The site is said to be where Moses stood and caught a glimpse of the promised land below. Now home to a chapel that contains ancient mosaics, it is a lovely place to get sweeping views of the Jordanian and Israeli valleys below and see what Moses saw all those centuries ago.
Another stop of note is the city of Madaba, aka the City of Mosaics. Known for its, you guessed it, mosaics, Madaba boasts various sites of ancient and well preserved mosaics. With several famous mosaics and sites, including the Madaba Map which is the oldest known map of the Holy Land and the world’s largest mosaic located within the visitor center, you could absolutely spend half a day here checking them all out. And be sure to carve at time for a tasty lunch at Haret Jdoudna as the setting is lovely, the food is fresh and delicious and it is also one of the best restaurants in Jordan.
A cool place to stay en route
To get a a glamping style Bedouin experience, a stay at the famed Feynan Ecolodge is a must. It is truly an enchanting world of authentic Bedouin hospitality and natural beauty located deep in the heart of the mountainous Dana Biosphere Reserve, at the end of a rugged track. Just getting there is an adventure!
This idyllic candle-lit lodge rests in the magnificent Wadi Feynan and is hailed as one of the best 25 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. The award-winning, solar powered Feynan Ecolodge offers the most developed eco-experience in Jordan; an experience only made possible by a unique partnership between EcoHotels and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, a Jordanian NGO devoted to the protection of the Kingdom’s finest natural landscapes.
Here, set against the glorious desert landscape, guests staying at the 26-room lodge can be found adventuring through the untouched outdoors, sipping sweet tea with the native Bedouin, exploring local archaeological sites or simply unwinding in the serene courtyards and terraces of the candle-lit complex, safe in the knowledge that their travels in Jordan are socially and environmentally responsible.
The lodge showcases scratch made vegetarian meals on site made from locally grown produce. Additionally, the activities offered onsite are reason alone to journey to Feynan. From hiking and canyoneering, mountain biking, cooking classes, star gazing and my personal favorite, Bedouin community experience, a stay at Feynan is as grand as you want to make it. This eco-conscious, sustainable resort truly celebrates the wonderfully outdoorsy and adventurous side of Jordan.
Wadi Rum
I’m willing to bet that Wadi Rum is a very, very, very close second to Petra as far as why travelers come from all over the world to Jordan. This stunning and vast red desert has been made famous by several movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars, The Martian, Dune and Prometheus.
Considered to be a nature lover’s paradise with its red sand and rock formations interspersed with lush green vegetation, it is a popular destination among adventure tourists who come here to indulge in hiking, trekking, rock climbing or even just a place to relax at a resort that feels like you’re on the surface of Mars. Also known as the Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. From ancient rock carvings to Bedouin settlements, this fascinating place offers a glimpse into the traditional way of life of the locals. The breathtaking views of the desert landscape and the warm hospitality of the Bedouin people make Wadi Rum a must-visit destination in Jordan.
Once you arrive at the Visitor’s centre in Wadi Rum, you can buy tickets from the counter to enter the protected area. If you’ve rented a car for the trip, the rented car is not allowed past the Visitor’s centre, where you can park it for free. Only 4×4 cars are allowed in the desert area, which you should book from the Visitor’s centre while buying your ticket unless you are already booked in advance with a tour provider.
While you can see Wadi Rum on a jeep tour in a few hours, my suggestion is that you stay the night at one of the Instagram famous bubble hotels so that you are able to experience sunset, stargazing and sunrise in the desert. The landscape is truly magical and looks different at each time of day. Of course I absolutely recommend head coverings, sunglasses, sunscreen and proper footwear to be able to traverse the thick sand as well as the rocky mountains.
What is there to do in the red desert?
What to do in Wadi Rum? So much!
- Visit Lawrence Spring and Lawrence House – The British General, T.E Lawrence, is said to have slept here during his time in the desert. The house is built on an ancient structure built by the Nabateans. People visit this place for the views of the desert from the top, and there is not much to see in the house itself except a few ancient Nabataean inscriptions. The house is about 14 km away from the Visitor’s Centre while Lawrence’s Spring’ is about 10 km away from the Wadi Rum Visitors’ Centre. The views of the desert from here makes visiting the place worth it.
- Visit/Hike to the beautiful rock bridges – There are many rock bridges in Wadi Rum. These three rock arches are well known for spectacular views of the desert – Little bridge: The little bridge is easy to climb and offers a panoramic view of Khor Al Ajram. Umm Fruth rock bridge: A massive natural formation that balances a single stone slab between two tall peaks. The views from the top make it worth climbing the bridge. It is one of the most photographed places of Wadi Rum. You can expect to wait here for a while to climb and click photos unless you are visiting off-season. Burdah rock bridge: This is the highest bridge in the area, and the plateau above it offers an excellent stargazing location. You can see the bridge during a jeep tour, but climbing the bridge would need around 4 to 5 hours.
- Try sandboarding or rolling down the Al Hasany dunes – Many companies offer it for free along with the day tour package. If not, this will cost you around 15 – 20 JD separately for the sandboarding equipment.
- Visit the Nabatean temple and the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – The Nabatean temple is known for its inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century BC and ruins of an old bath behind the temple considered to be the oldest in Jordan.
- Stargazing – Another free thing to do in Wadi Rum is watching the milky way at night and gazing at shooting stars. Easy to do from your camp however it is best to get away from light sources so you can be in a dark environment that really allows the stars to shine!
- Enjoy traditional Bedouin lunch/dinner and tea – Most of the camps provide ‘Zarb’, traditional food cooked in an underground oven lined with bricks. Also, try the Bedouin tea, a special tea made by the tribe with lots of sugar. If you’re staying overnight at a camp, some camps also have musicians who sing traditional Bedouin songs for entertainment.
- Hike across the desert – The Jordan Trail, a 650 km hike across Jordan, is the longest hike you can take in the country, which involves hiking from Petra to Wadi Rum and Wadi Rum to the Red Sea in this region.
- Try rock climbing – Rock climbing in the Wadi Rum is mainly traditional rock climbing, and there are a few options for amateurs with anchor points installed on the rocks.
- Take a Hot Air Balloon tour – A hot air balloon ride is a great way of watching the sun rise over the surreal landscape. These rides start early in the morning before the sun rises and take 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Take a movie tour – Joining a film tour is a good option if you want to see specific spots where films were shot.
Or just chill at your other worldly resort and take it all in with your feet up and a cocktail in hand!
Well, I hopes this helps you plan your Jordan road trip to Wadi Rum as well as to and from other places of interest within the country. Stay tuned as there is one more installment on Jordan and it’s full of great surprises!
*Special thanks to Jordan Tourism and IFWTWA for the incredible trip
