Tips Before You Go To Wadi Rum 14/06/2017


A Brief History of Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is about 278 square miles or 720 square km of desert wilderness, also called as ‘The Valley of the Moon”. 
 
For many years, people inhabited Wadi Rum had struggled to endure its harsh desert settings. The desert had been home for farmers, hunters, pastoralists & traders, Wadi Rum popular occupants is the Nabateans who left several impressive structures present up to this day.
 
The desert of Wadi Rum became well-known worldwide after the native Bedouins joined the Arab Revolution under King Faisal, fighting alongside British Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence who made his operations based at Wadi Rum in 1917-1918.
 
In 1998, the Jordanian government declared Wadi Rum a protected area. A dedicated team of locals under the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority protects the area with the main purpose of preserving the desert.
 

 

Best Time To Visit Wadi Rum

Spring (Mar to May) or Autumn (mid of Sep to Nov) is ideal due to pleasant and bearable day temperature.
 
Visit on Dec to Feb is not ideal as rain and snow are both common whilst, visit on Jun to Aug daytime temperature is excessively hot (exceeding 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit).
 
Important to know, regardless of when you choose to go to Wadi Rum, temperatures in the evening can fall below 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
 

 

Distances and How to go to Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is about:
  • Approximately 60 km or 37 miles from Aqaba
  • Approximately 120 km or 74 miles from Petra
  • Approximately 325 km / 202 miles from Amman or the Dead Sea
 
Public transportation is limited and not reliable. The visitor may hire a car or arrange a private taxi, daily flights between Amman & Aqaba is available.
 
If you want to ensure a hassle-free travel or holidays to Aqaba and in Jordan contact BookingJordan.
 

 

Fascinating Wadi Rum Facts

  • Wadi Rum is featured in mainstream films like Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Red Planet (2000) and The Martian (2015).
  • Few trees can be found in Wadi Rum, those exist falls under 3 categories: False fig, tamarisk, and acacia.
  • Visitors in Wadi Rum see limited animals due to the fact most are nocturnal.
  • The presence of Iron Oxide makes the sand in the valleys and mountains red in color.
 

 

Things to do in Wadi Rum

  • 4x4 jeep tour
  • Camel riding
  • Horse riding
  • Short or Long Hikes
  • Trekking
  • Climbing
  • Scrambling
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride
  • Micro flight
 

 

Wadi Rum Highlights

  • Seven Pillars of Wisdom
  • Nabatean Temple
  • Rum Village
  • Lawrence Spring
  • Khazali Canyon
  • Little Rock Bridge
  • Um Frouth Rock Bridge
  • Burdah Rock Bridge
  • Anfashieh Inscriptions
  • Sand dunes
  • Sunset site
  • Burrah Canyon
 

 

Where to stay in Wadi Rum

Interested to stay overnight?
Your option is to camping in a Bedouin campsite located in the protected area: private tent with bed and sleeping equipment or with only your mattress under the stars.
Available camps are from basic (no facilities) to luxurious Bedouin campsites offering numerous facilities. Luxury camps are often located outside the protected area.
There is no hotel in Wadi Rum your option is to drive to Aqaba or Petra for selection of hotels.
 

 

What to Wear & Bring in Wadi Rum

Minimize what you have to carry to the desert. If staying for a night or two a day pack should be sufficient.
  • Camera with batteries/charger
  • Hat or scarf as protection against sun and wind
  • Sunglasses and sun protection
  • Hiking boots or sandals
  • Covering clothes for sun protection
  • Warm jacket or sweater for cooler nights
  • Lightweight windproof jacket
  • Small towel
  • Insect repellent
  • Antibacterial hand wash
  • Trekking Poles
  • Torch
  • Waste bags
  • Toilet paper
 

 

Wadi Rum Desert Rules

  • Drive your vehicles only on designated roadways
  • Do not litter (bring waste bags and take your trash when you left)
  • Camping & Climbing is only permitted in the official sites
  • Do not hunt in the desert
  • Do not remove any artifacts, plants, animals
  • Do not damage any trees, shrubs, artifacts
  • Do not vandalize
  • Graffiti is not permitted
  • Respect the local people, always ask permission before taking any pictures

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