Wadi Rum

There is a Wadi Rum ticket fee to enter the UNESCO-listed protected area. Most visitors arrive either on a full-day tour or to stay in one of the desert camps, which range from basic to luxurious. It is also possible to hire a Bedouin 4WD driver directly on arrival.

This picturesque desert and its sandstone mountains are an essential stop on most multi-day Jordan tours, some of which include a night under the desert stars. At around four hours from Amman, it’s a challenging day trip, and better approached from Aqaba—although many would argue that without a night in the desert, you’re missing out. Most Wadi Rum tours explore by 4WD, although some include a short camel ride, and longer camel safaris are also possible. Adventure activities include rock climbing and sandboarding.

• Wadi Rum is a must-do for adventurous travelers, as well as for anyone who loves photography.

• Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

• A scarf is a great desert accessory to protect against wind-blown sand.

Deep in the south of Jordan near the border with Saudi Arabia, the site is about a 45-minute drive from Aqaba; guides and camps can generally arrange seats on the minibuses that run the route most of the year. Given that self-driving inside the protected area is only possible in a 4WD with a professional driver to supervise, many will find it easier simply to arrange a Wadi Rum tour that includes round-trip door-to-door transport.

The Wadi Rum desert can be surprisingly cold on a winter’s night and searingly hot at the height of summer. The tourist peak seasons of spring and fall (mid-March to mid-May and mid-September to mid-November) are also the most convenient times to visit. It’s worth spending one or two nights in Wadi Rum to appreciate the stillness of the desert and the brilliance of the stars.

From Lawrence of Arabia to The Martian, Wadi Rum’s startling colors have long made it a popular film location. Known as the Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum regularly stands in for Mars, and indeed for other planets: It serves as a setting for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. One desert camp, inspired by The Martian, features domes in the style of the one Matt Damon’s character lived in during the movie.

The Wadi Rum Protected Area spans 285 square miles (738 square kilometers) with limited roads, so 4WD guided tours are popular. However, you can also explore by camel or hiking or try activities like sandboarding. A night in a desert camp adds magic to your experience in Wadi Rum if you have time: stargazing can be spectacular.

Spring (late March through May) and fall (September through early November) are the best times of year to visit Wadi Rum. Summer days are often scorching, while winter nights can be bone-chilling, particularly in a tent. April can be beautiful as desert herbs and wildflowers burst the arid landscape into life.

You need a full day and a night. Full-day Wadi Rum Jeep tours hit most top attractions, with a camel ride, sandboarding, and some rock scrambling if you like. Most local guides highly recommend you stay overnight wilderness camping or in a tented camp to appreciate the night sky.

Yes, you can visit Wadi Rum without a guide: many desert camps will collect you from Wadi Rum Village free of charge. To self-drive, you’ll need a 4WD, experience driving in the desert, a self-drive permit bought from the visitor center, and the owner’s permission to take the vehicle off-road.

The price of tours in the Wadi Rum depends on group size, tour duration, inclusions, and standards. As a rule of thumb, expect to pay $35 for a 2-hour shared 4WD tour and $110 for a shared 4WD tour and a night in a simple desert camp.

That depends. Wadi Rum is a big and empty place. There is signal in Wadi Rum Village, the visitor center, and nearby desert camps, but many desert camps have neither a phone signal nor Wi-Fi. If a digital detox is off your agenda, check with your camp before you book.