Tips 👏
Wadi Rum feels like stepping onto another planet, and no surprise, it's been the set for tons of movies like Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, and even Star Wars.
- You need a 4x4 or pickup to move around, normal cars can't go into the desert.
- Book a desert camp in advance, many offer pickups from the village.
- Book your activities ahead of time, prices onsite are often inflated, and we made some rushed (and expensive) decisions.
- Bring long trousers for camel rides (seriously your legs will thank you).
- If you’re not sure how long to ride camels, one hour is plenty—beautiful but uncomfortable, especially for men (!).
- Buffets at camps are usually very good and generous.
- Bring your own drinks if you want alcohol, there's no shop in the desert (ask your camp to keep it cold).
- Desert days are hot but mornings and evenings can get chilly, pack layers.
- Sand gets everywhere: bring closed shoes or solid sandals.
- Allow at least two nights if you want to properly explore and chill.
- It is possible to hike some peaks which sounded amazing!
🏠 Accommodation
We stayed at Memories Aicha Luxury Camp, probably one of the most stunning settings we've ever seen. The camp sits right up against towering cliffs, with a field of private glass bubbles facing straight out onto the desert. Waking up to sunrise through the glass wall was pure magic.
That said, inside the bubbles the decor was a bit tacky and basic compared to the price we paid. Think glamping, not a true luxury hotel.
Still, it was a beautiful, unforgettable experience and we'd definitely recommend it, just manage expectations.
The buffet dinners were excellent, and the staff were friendly and helpful (even keeping our beers cold while we ate!), but it's worth noting that the camp was still responsible for the steep prices of activities, so better to plan and book ahead if you want to avoid snappy decisions.
🚲 Getting there
From Petra, it was an easy 2-hour drive to Wadi Rum. We parked the car at the village pick-up point (organized by our camp) and from there, a 10-minute 4x4 ride into the desert, simple and smooth.
⏱ Duration
We stayed two nights, which was the perfect amount of time. Enough to relax, ride camels, explore key spots, and enjoy the desert without feeling rushed.
Camel Ride and Sunset 🐪
After arriving and taking a slow siesta, we started with a camel ride at 5 PM (20 JOD per person). We rode out into the open desert towards a small rock formation. After about an hour on camelback, we climbed up the sandy hill on foot for an incredible 360° panoramic view. The desert stretched endlessly in every direction, glowing gold under the afternoon sun.
From there, we continued by camel to another higher viewpoint where we caught an unforgettable sunset, orange skies over rolling dunes, total silence all around.
Definitely wear trousers, riding a camel without proper protection will destroy your legs after even a short ride. And honestly, one hour was plenty for the experience. It's beautiful, but not the most comfortable transportation!
Back at camp, we had an excellent buffet dinner, followed by a bonfire with mint tea under a starry desert sky. Later, we grabbed our beers from the fridge and chilled in front of our bubble room, watching the stars over the cliffs, an absolutely surreal night.
Full-Day 4x4 Desert Tour 🚙
The next day, after breakfast, we headed out around 9 AM for a full day exploring Wadi Rum by pickup truck.
We started with a visit to Mushroom Rock, a quirky rock formation shaped like (you guessed it) a giant mushroom. Then we made a quick stop at the cave used in Lawrence of Arabia, one of the many cinematic spots scattered across the desert.
From there, we zipped over to a sandy slope for sandboarding (fun but sandy!) and then reached two natural rock arches—the first was a bit of a scramble, the second much easier to climb, offering great panoramic views without needing much effort.
After a short drive, we visited the Nabataean Temple near the village, an ancient but slightly underwhelming stop compared to the natural wonders around. For lunch, our driver found a shady spot under a cliff where we had a simple but tasty homemade meal—grilled chicken, salads, flatbread, and mint tea.
In the afternoon, we explored some ancient carved inscriptions left by early desert tribes, visited Lawrence’s House ruins for a quick stop, and then took a 30-minute canyon hike through stunning red rock formations.
Our driver picked us up at the canyon’s far end and drove us to a final, much bigger rock bridge, which you could climb onto, if you're not afraid of heights!
Finally, we ended the day watching the sunset from one of the high points in Wadi Rum, soaking up the last golden light before returning to camp around 6 PM, totally exhausted but completely happy.
Hope this was helpful, you can ask us any questions on Instagram.