Wadi Rum

A dreamy landscape gleaming with vivid shades of orange, Wadi Rum is the remote desert paradise of Jordan’s southern end. It has been home to countless tribes long before T.E. Lawrence brought it into the spotlight in his memoir. And today, the Martian-like desert valley is a destination in every adventurer’s bucket list.

Wadi Rum is a wilderness site featuring rare rock formations. Some of them are so dramatic that they have appeared in major motion pictures and served as a motivation for the nickname “Valley of the Moon.” Among the valuable sights, the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, rock bridges, and Khazali Canyon are the most photographic landmarks in the valley. Khazali Canyon and the surrounding hillsides are particularly special for their breathtaking collection of petroglyphs, offering visitors a window into Jordan’s Nabataean and Thamudic periods. These ancient tribes may be lost, but Wadi Rum’s human heritage still lives on in the Bedouin village. There, the nomadic residents welcome visitors into their daily lives.

At sunset, the distinctive formations in the valley host spectacular shadow plays and a dazzling view across the dunes. If you are patient enough to wait for nightfall, the site becomes even more unearthly under celestial lights. With some local guidance from the Bedouins, you can explore the vast land of Wadi Rum with jeep safaris, camel treks, or comfortable hikes.