Snapshot: Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum can be both your peaceful getaway and an explorer’s adventure

From its arresting red sand dunes to its stunning sunsets, Wadi Rum is an expansive delight. Literally Jordan’s 'Roman Valley' and also known as the 'Valley of the Moon,' its spans almost 500 sq km of desert.

Watch the landscape and way of life change on the drive in from Petra. Wadi Rum is an inland protected area and something of a time capsule: the ancient Nabataean civilisation first appeared in Jordan in the 6th century BC and is preserved in the form of rock drawings and inscriptions, alongside the traditional ways observed by the nomadic Bedouin tribes who call still call Wadi Rum home.

Upon arrival you can browse the local shops in Wadi Rum village, get acclimatised at its visitors’ centre and familiarise yourself with another key historic attraction located nearby. The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a towering rock formation named after Wadi Rum’s most famous Western inhabitant, T. E. Lawrence. The British soldier immortalised by the classic movie Lawrence of Arabia wrote the book that gives the Seven Pillars’ its name. Fans of the film may recognise other backdrops during their time in Wadi Rum, as it was shot on location. The Lawrence Spring also bears his name and is a secluded oasis surrounded by a clutch of plant life that flowers during the spring.

There are numerous other sandstone mountains to admire, such as Jebel Umm Ashreen and Jebel Rum on the site’s west flank or Jebel Umm Al Ishrin on its east. Wadi Rum also boasts several striking natural rock bridges: some are only a few metres off the ground, but for those unencumbered by a fear of heights there’s the Burdah rock bridge: 35 metres high and a favourite with desert hikers.

In addition to scaling the heights, Wadi Rum also features several valleys. The 5 km-long Barrah is among the most popular routes, while the Khazali canyon may only be 100 metres long but is home to an abundance of history and nature, such as ancient rock drawings and inscriptions, alongside man-made pools that fill during the winter months.

Let the Bedouin locals be your guide. Cross this unique terrain with them on camel before enjoying the comfort of high-end accommodation such as the Wadi Rum Luxury Camp or the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp. Both offer guests the chance to dine in spectacular large tents or under the changing colours of the desert sky, as dusk turns to night. There’s space to relax in your quarters stocked with traditional Arabian furniture and lounge areas, with fully plumbed showers and bathrooms giving you the convenience of home in the middle of the great outdoors.

After you’ve enjoyed your Bedouin cuisine and a peaceful night’s rest, it’s time to awaken refreshed, enjoy breakfast and head out for the last part of your Bedouin tour: finding the perfect spot for panoramic views and a photo opportunity to immortalise your trip to the desert.