What to do in Wadi Rum: Ultimate Guide for First-Timers

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Wadi Rum is one of the top tourist destinations in Jordan, and attracts visitors from all over the world. If you’re visiting Wadi Rum for the first time, I’ve rounded up some of the best activities that cannot be missed. 

Ever wondered what it’s like to walk on Mars?

Ok, that’s a bit extra, but you catch my drift.

I don’t fancy the scary-rocket-blast-off-launch bit, but walking on Mars would be pretty cool.

So what’s the next best thing? Well, I give you, Wadi Rum. Mars on Earth.

Wadi Rum desert in Jordan is the closest most of us are ever getting to Mars, and to be honest, I’m good with that.

The red sands, sandstone rocks and otherworldly landscapes are enough to convince us we’re on another planet. 

If you’re visiting Wadi Rum for the first time, you’re going to be asking; what is there to do in Wadi Rum? How long do you need to stay? How do you get around? What do you wear in Wadi Rum?

In this post, I’ll outline the best things to do in Wadi Rum and pretty much just about everything else you need to know for your first visit. 

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Wadi Rum, I’ve written a detailed guide to help you. Check out my where to stay in Wadi Rum here.

​​Visiting Jordan? Check out my other posts below:

• Is The Jordan Pass Worth It? A Must-Read Before Purchasing!
• Tipping in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know
• Driving in Jordan: The Ultimate Car Hire Guide
• Jordan 7 Day Itinerary: A Perfect Trip to the Middle East
• Is Petra Worth Visiting? A Must-Read Before You Go!
• Where to stay in Wadi Rum: Best Desert & Bubble Camps Explained
• Where to Stay in Petra: Best Places Near the Entrance

What to do in Wadi Rum: The Best Activities

1. Explore the landscape by 4×4

One of the best things to do in Wadi Rum is to explore by a 4×4.

If you’re staying in one of the camps or bubble resorts, your accommodation will most likely sort this for you.

You’ll book either a 2, 3, or a 4-hour driving tour visiting all of the best landscapes of the desert.

Plus, most of the tours are run by the local Bedouins, so it’s a great way to get to know their culture and way of life.

Most tours will stop by the famous spot where Matt Damon struggled to survive in The Martian Hollywood movie, and the famous petroglyphs carved into rocks by the Nabateans (the ones who also made the incredible ancient city of Petra).

We chose a 4-hour tour (which I’d recommend as there is just so much to see!) and spent some time driving through the open plains, stopping off for tea in the Bedouin camps and hiking up to incredible viewpoints.

(Kidding, I’m totally petrified of heights so I just watched).

🚽 GOOD TO KNOW: There aren’t any toilets on the tour. Now if you’re like me and need a wee the second I say that, you’re going to want to take some wipes or toilet paper to use a bush. It’s wild living, embrace it.

2. Take a stargazing tour

I can just hear you saying “Can’t I spot stars on my own?!”

Yes, you can. But should you still do a stargazing tour? Absolutely.

Surprisingly, this was one of our best activities in Wadi Rum.

We didn’t expect much, as we were just told we’d be going to spot some stars in the desert for a few hours. I assumed I’d see just what I could see from my bubble dome.

I was so wrong. We were taken away from the lights of the camp, to a little area sectioned off with three OTT-sized telescopes. The smallest alone cost $15k and the biggest over $50k!

Our tour guide was as enthusiastic as an old-school science teacher, and it made all the difference.

We learnt that Wadi Rum was once all underwater, and he continued on to show us some shark teeth he had dug up in the past few months.

The otherworldly, ethereal look of the rocks had come from them being buried deep in the ocean for thousands of years before us. Cool, eh?

And of course, we had to use the telescopes. With one eye pushed up against the spherical glass, we were able to see the craters of the super moon, constellations and the glows of stars.

It was an unforgettable experience (especially when one of the guests asked why we sometimes see the moon, and why sometimes the sun. The poor guide then had to explain the difference between night and day).

But yep, it was undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Wadi Rum!

3. Get to know some of the local Bedouin (by drinking tea)

When you visit Wadi Rum, or just Jordan in fact, you will realise that they love tea.

They absolutely bloody love it.

You can’t walk further than about 500m without being offered a seat and some tea.

If you’ve read any of my other Jordan posts, you’ll know how much respect I have for the Jordanians. They really are some of the kindest and most welcoming people I’ve ever met.

But anyway – if you want to soak in a bit more culture, experience the ‘real’ side of Wadi Rum (most of the Bedouin locals live in tents and villages deep in the desert), and get chatting to them!

Pull up a seat, sit round the fire and drink tea. They’ll open up and tell you stories, and you’ll be able to tell them yours. It’s pretty special.

🗺️ If you’re going to be swimming in the Dead Sea, I’d recommend getting a Syncwire Waterproof Case. I’ve had mine for a few years and I’m able to swim underwater, take photos and videos and keep my belongings safe when I’m in the water!

4. Stay in a bubble tent or Bedouin camp

You’ve probably seen the bubble tents on Instagram (especially if you follow me, as I am obsessed. Ooh, if you don’t follow me, you must. Click here!) and have more than likely thought ‘god, I wonder how much it is going to cost me to stay THERE?!”

Well, you’re in luck.

Staying in a bubble tent in Wadi Rum isn’t usually (depending on the time of year) more than £100 per night per person, and 1 night is enough.

I would recommend 2, but if you’re on a budget, try and push to do just the one.

You’ll stay in utter luxury in a glass dome under the night sky and be able to watch the stars from under your duvet. Plus, the resorts put on a bloody good spread for dinner. (Maybe my favourite part…?)

I’ve written a guide all about these incredible bubble tents (and the best one to stay in) in my post: Where to stay in Wadi Rum.

Alternatively, if you’d rather have a more ‘authentic’ experience, stay in one of the Bedouin camps.

I haven’t done this myself, but I’ve heard from blogger friends that they can get pretty wild!

Think late night stories, traditional dancing and craziness!

If you’re still booking flights, I recommend checking lastminute.com for the latest deals. Recently, we were able to save £50 on our flights just by booking through Last Minute!

5. Take a hike through the desert

I mean, you might be bonkers doing this but some people love it.

Another amazing thing to do in Wadi Rum is to take a hike across the plains and experience it all first-hand.

There are plenty of rocks and cliffs to climb, camels to find and Bedouin shops to visit (although Wadi Rum is HUGE) and you can spend the entire day hiking and not get bored.

However, it is the desert. It is going to be extremely, extremely hot. We actually avoided the midday sun and only went outside early morning or late afternoon (it starts to drop around 4pm).

If you are intent on hiking, make sure you have a suitable water bottle, suitable clothing, and a map, and you know exactly what you’re doing.

Getting lost in the desert is not going to be ideal.

🇯🇴 My Jordan must-have: A wheelie backpack! Check out my favourite, the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s dreamy for long-term trips and when you need more than a carry-on!

6. Experience either a sunrise or sunset

Depending on what kind of person you are (I’m always a sunset. Will you ever catch me in the mornings watching a sunrise? No way).

The sunsets (or sunrises) in Wadi Rum just hit differently. Like seriously, the sky turns orange and there’s absolutely nothing blocking your view of the horizon. It’s pretty incredible.

If you have the energy, hike up to a good viewpoint to ensure you get the best experience.

TOP TIP: Check the sunrise/sunset time on your phone and set a reminder to ensure you don’t miss it!

🚰 The tap water in Jordan isn’t safe to drink, so I used my filter water bottle pretty much every day to keep myself hydrated. I take it everywhere with me, and it works in every country where you can’t drink tap water! You can grab yours here.

Should I ride a camel in Wadi Rum?

Controversial opinion here.

No.

I’m sorry. If this is something you’ve always wanted to do, then I’m not going to tell you you can’t do it.

But all kinds of animal tourism can be seen as cruelty.

Camel rides, donkey rides, mules, horses – sadly the animals are put under stress and strain from carrying the weight of humans.

I’m not an expert, I’m not PETA, and I’m not going to protest on the street about it. But the camels we saw didn’t look too healthy, and camel rides were the furthest thing from our minds.

Again, it’s your decision, but if you’re feeling a bit cautious, ditch the idea.

🇯🇴 Make sure you pack water in an insulated water bottle. Wadi Rum desert gets HOT! If you have a Chilly one, your water can be topped up at the hotel whilst it’s freezing cold, and will stay cold for up to 24 hours after! It is so worth investing in!

Landmarks to see in Wadi Rum

If you do a 4×4 tour, you will more than likely be taken to all of the following landmarks. But, I’ve listed them just so you know what you’re in for!

• The Martian set: you can channel your inner astronaut and visit the spot where filming for The Martian took place
• Nabataean inscriptions: thousands of years old petroglyphs on rocks
• Lawrence Canyon and Lawrence House: both places are believed to have been occupied and used by Lawrence of Arabia
• Bedouin tents: buy small gifts and drink tea in the Bedouin tents
• Umm Al Froth: A giant rock arch
• Mushroom Rock: says what it does on the tin. Literally a rock shaped like a mushroom.
• Burrah Canyon: One of the biggest canyons in Wadi Rum

There are so many other landmarks, and tours may vary where they take you, but these are some of the most visited landmarks in Wadi Rum.

🇯🇴 My Jordan must-have: Well, it’s a little more advanced, but if you want to take high-quality photos, make sure you invest in a good camera. This doesn’t have to be thousands of pounds, and our favourite is the Canon EOS 6D Mark II.

The Wadi Rum Steam Train

Strangely, there’s a one track steam train running through the Wadi Rum desert. Yep, we were as shocked to see it as you are!

It’s an original train from the Arab Revolt of 1917, and it extends all the way into Saudi Arabia, and Damascus, Syria! Officially named the Hijaz train, you can opt for a tourist ride by buying tickets here!

If you’re a big fan of locomotives, you can even buy a ticket that reenacts the Arab Revolt! I mean, I’d be terrified, but each to their own!

If you don’t opt in for a ticket, you can still train spot between the Desert Highway and Wadi Rum entrance, and you’ll more than likely drive past it when arriving at your camp!

What is Wadi Rum?

Wadi Rum is a desert in the southwest of Jordan. It is known for its outer-world looking rocks and red sands. It covers over 720 square kilometres of land and is literally translated to ‘Valley of the Moon’.

Wadi Rum was once inhabited by the Nabateans, who left fingerprints and markings that are still evident today. The Nabateans were also known for building the ancient city of Petra.

🇯🇴 Love taking cool photos? Our drone is one of the best investments we’ve ever made. We love it, and the photos can be downloaded straight onto our phones! This drone also films in portrait mode (the ONLY one on the market) so you don’t lose any quality when uploading to social media. It’s also given us some hilarious travel memories 😂

Quick tips for visiting Wadi Rum

• You will need to get your Jordan Pass (a full guide to that here!) stamped at the Visitor Centre before entering Wadi Rum. If you don’t have a Jordan Pass, you will need to pay 5 JD upon entry.
• It is best to not travel around Wadi Rum without a guide. The desert is gigantic and it is easy to get lost.
• If someone helps you out or goes the extra mile for you, it is best to tip. Tipping in Jordan isn’t expected but the workers are on low wages so it can make all the difference. I’ve written a guide on tipping in Jordan here.
• The hottest time of day in the desert is between 11-3pm. We found after this time it cools down and is much more bearable.

Renting a car in Jordan? Don’t forget a car phone holder! You’ll rarely be given one, and you can then pop it in your backpack to use in any country in the world. We’ve had ours for years and have used it countless times for GPS! I’s also written a guide all about driving in Jordan, which you can check out here.

Where to stay in Wadi Rum

Like I said previously if you have the budget for it, I’d highly recommend staying in a bubble dome. We stayed in UFO Luxotel and it was perfect.

If not, check out some of the traditional Bedouin camps.

I’ve written a detailed guide explaining where to stay in Wadi Rum here.

🇯🇴 Check out my What to Wear in Jordan post to know what to pack for your trip! I practically lived in these black gym leggings for our trip as they were super comfortable, and didn’t show too much skin. Make sure you’re covered up!

Getting to Wadi Rum from Amman

Amman is roughly 320km away from Wadi Rum, and is a straightforward 4-hour drive away.

Amman to Wadi Rum by car

This is the best way to get around Jordan. Hiring a car is super simple and inexpensive (roughly £45 per day). Not sure whether to drive in Jordan? You can check out my guide here.

Amman to Wadi Rum with a private driver or taxi

Your most expensive option! A trip like this will set you back at least £100-120 (one-way!)

Amman to Wadi Rum by public transport

This is the cheapest option, but most difficult. Unfortunately there isn’t a direct bus to Wadi Rum, so you’ll need to compete the journey in two parts.

You will need to board the JETT bus (roughly £10) at 6.30am from Amman to Petra or a public bus to Aqaba. Then you’ll need to hop in a cab or bus from either place to reach Wadi Rum.

Wadi Rum is approximately 1 hour from Aqaba or 1.5 from Petra (by car).

🗺️ Booking hostels? I always use Hostelworld as their deals are usually the cheapest. They also have reviews from other backpackers, and explain the vibe of the hostel (party, chill, social…) so you know exactly what you’re booking.

Getting to Wadi Rum from Aqaba or Petra

If you can take my advice, I would strongly recommend hiring a car in Jordan. If you’re driving to Wadi Rum from either Aqaba or Petra, it will take you 1-1.5 hours on easy highways and straight roads.

There are public buses but I really wouldn’t recommend them as they can take a long time. You can also visit by booking a guided tour.

🗺️ My Jordan must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos?  📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)

When to visit Wadi Rum

The best time to visit Wadi Rum is either in spring (March, April, May) or autumn (September, October, November).

The temperatures are a bit lower than summer and both have long days of sunlight (8-11 hours).

During autumn, the daytime temperatures are perfect for hiking and trekking through the desert, and the skies are clear for stargazing and those epic sunsets.

We visited in April during spring, and loved the warm-but-cool evenings and only had to add one extra layer to stay warm.

🇯🇴 My Jordan must-have:  I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

My experience in Wadi Rum

If you’re unsure whether to visit Wadi Rum, I could not recommend it highly enough. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If you know anything about me and my boyfriend Tom, you’ll know that things always go a bit, erm, cooky, with us, and we usually find ourselves in the strangest of situations. Wadi Rum was no exception.

From us nearly being convinced we were staying in the wrong desert to us being left to drive over sand dunes in our little hire car, it was an adventure from start to finish.

Not having wifi in the domes was a dream and we loved being disconnected from the world.

The locals we met were so friendly and welcoming and we couldn’t have asked for much more.

Plus, the food in our hotel was baaaaaanging. Like seriously, buffet style food? Sign me up.

But really, just being in Wadi Rum was an experience. There were hours when we didn’t even do much. We just sat on our balcony or walked to a good viewpoint and sat staring into the distance. It sounds cringy, but it’s true.

It really is a place like no other.

If you need any advice or an itinerary for visiting Wadi Rum, check out my 7 day route here.

🗺️ My Jordan must-have: Solo travelling on your Jordan trip? Stay safe by carrying your cash or card in a money belt. I know it sounds silly, but the Middle East can be chaotic and pickpockets are known to work in busy areas. it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Using a Jordan Pass for Wadi Rum

If you have bought a Jordan Pass for Wadi Rum, you just need to visit the Visitor’s Centre for a stamp before entering.

If you haven’t, you’ll need to pay 5JD per person upon arrival.

You can read about the Jordan pass and whether it is worth it here.

🗺️ My Jordan must-have: Don’t forget an additional memory card and hard drive for saving your photos on the road!

Can you visit Wadi Rum by yourself?

It’s not recommended, as it’s such a large and vast desert. You are best hiring a guide or booking onto a group tour. The conditions are harsh and the temperature is hot and dry. Don’t risk it, get a guide!

If you stay in Wadi Rum, you can book tours through your resort easily which will always be guided. They are fairly priced and can easily be done on a budget.

Just remember to try and save some cash for a tip.

Check out my tipping in Jordan guide here.

What do people do for a living in Wadi Rum, Jordan?

Most of the local Bedouins live in Wadi Rum Village, although some do live in the more remote areas.

In the village, there are jobs such as raising and farming animals like camels and goats, or working in the tourism industry.

Tourism is great for the economy and Wadi Rum, but wages are still low for workers.

Try and tip when you can!

Unsure about tipping in Jordan? Check out my tipping in Jordan guide here.

🗺️ My world travel must-have: Whilst out during the day, I use a tote bag to hold my belongings like my camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big beach bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!

What to do in Wadi Rum: In a Nutshell

We’ve made it! A complete guide including everything you need to know about visiting Wadi Rum. Phew!

Hopefully now you have more of an idea of what to expect, and can plan your incredible once-in-a-lifetime to this epic place!

Don’t forget to check out my EPIC Jordan itinerary before you visit, and girls, check out what you can wear here!

Oooh, and if you do visit, make sure you let me know! You can write in the comments below or shoot me a DM on Insta. Don’t be a stranger! 🙂

Happy travelling! 😀

Jennie x

Other Jordan posts:

• Is The Jordan Pass Worth It? A Must-Read Before Purchasing!
• Tipping in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know
• Driving in Jordan: The Ultimate Car Hire Guide
• Jordan 7 Day Itinerary: A Perfect Trip to the Middle East
• What to Wear in Jordan in 2022 (That Isn’t Ugly)
• Gifts for a Travel Lover: 2022 UK Travel Gift Guide

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