Even the slightest mention of Jordan conjures up images of the mighty Petra. While Petra is spectacular and definitely worthy of a visit, Jordan’s real beauty lies in the untamed outdoors.
Deserts seem to hold a special place in our hearts. Just last month we wrote about our epiphanic experience in an Egyptian desert. I don’t know if it is the glistening sands or the promise of an oasis, but there is something intriguing, even primordial, about the wilderness of a desert. This increases manifold when one is talking about an area frequently referred to as one of the world’s most beautiful stretches of desert.
Welcome to Wadi Rum, The Valley of the Moon.
A desert safari to Wadi Rum is an unforgettable experience. The first feeling is that of deja vu – the surreal landscape has been featured in dozens of films including Lawrence of Arabia, Red Planet, and Prometheus.
The deja vu wears off as one goes deeper into the desert. All around endless sand-dunes, dramatic canyons, impressive mountains, inscriptions, and drawings of humans and animals jostle for attention. It is hard to pick a favourite.
Fact File: Wadi Rum Safari
- Wadi Rum is in Southern Jordan, close to the city of Aqaba.
- It is easy to book your safari in Aqaba. Make sure you bargain before settling on a reasonable price.
- A number of cruise ships dock at Aqaba, so it is possible to visit Wadi Rum on a Cruise Holiday
- There are a number of options available to tourists. Opt for camel, horse, or jeep safaris.
- It is possible to explore the area on foot if you enjoy hiking. Make sure you hire a Bedouin guide. The area is not signposted and it is very easy to get lost.
- It is possible to stay overnight at one of the bedouin camps in the desert. We highly recommend this if you have 2-3 days to spare.
Stark, stunning and serene – that’s Wadi Rum. Put it on your bucket list NOW!
Click on the photos below to see what we’re talking about 🙂 And once you have absorbed the sheer magnificence of Wadi Rum, head over to our beautiful photo series on the lost city of Petra!
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So cool! I did a similar trek with Berber nomads in Morocco a couple years ago. Seeing the Sahara like this really is the adventure of a lifetime. Awesome post!
We agree Emily. It was unlike anything we had ever done before 🙂
Oo nice landscape and pics guys! Thanks for the post…an adventure worth exploring 🙂
Thanks Shilpi 🙂
never knew something as barren as a desert could be so beautiful..a vacation to a desert is surely going into my bucket list 😀
The barrenness is what makes it special Kausambhi. It’s that kind of stark beauty that stuns 🙂
What a unique and amazing adventure. Definitely one of the things I want to do most is visit the desert and stay with the Bedouins!
Marina we’re sure you’ll love it. The desert is stunning at night 🙂
Wow what harsh and yet stunning landscape and imagery, thanks for sharing the beauty of this place
Savi I’m inviting you to join us for Travel Photo Mondays, the link runs all week so I hope you can join us for the next installment?
Hey Noel- sorry for responding this late. We were on the road and had limited access to the internet. Let me know where I can send the photo 🙂
reminds me of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho…
so nw its easy to go to Egypt…;)
True that Shikha 😉
Your photos look amazing, I’m planning a trip here in May, who did you book your tour with was it private? And roughly how much did it cost?
Hi Alysha,
We were on a cruise in the Red Sea and visited Wadi Rum as part of an excursion from one of the port stops (Aqaba).
Amazing pictures ..Can you tell little more details of the cruise tour to jordan?
Hi Anisa,
We visited Jordan as part of a Red Sea cruise with Thomson cruises. It started from Sharm-el-sheikh in Egypt and visited Aqaba in Jordan from where we did day tours to Wadi Rum and Petra. The cruise then took us to Hurghada, Cairo, and Luxor in Egypt 🙂
Hope that helps!
Outstanding place to see! I’ll try to come in Septemeber!
Great idea 🙂 Hope you make it there soon
I have no words for your pretty pictures. Was working on a travel writing project on Wadi Rum and Petra and the firs reference I could think of was you guys.
Keep up the amazing work!
Thanks a ton Kritika 🙂
Hey guys Im planning a holiday confused between morocco or Jordon for a holiday ?
Can you suggest which was your favourite out of the two.
Regards
Tahir
Hey we like Jordan better out of the two but both countries are special in their own right!
The pics are FABULOUS. Can’t wait. I am off to Jordan in a month. Is there a place you can suggest for stay in Wadi Rum? I am on a shoestring budget, so nothing expensive, but someplace safe…
Hey there – unfortunately not. Would suggest looking up a website such as hotelscombined.com or hostelworld.com 🙂
We actually ended up staying with Wadirum Nomads in their desert camp – absolutely awesome!
Oh nice – do send us photos for https://www.instagram.com/bruisedpassports_bts/ 🙂
Superb blog and love the pictures. I am off to visit in a few weeks and I would really appreciate how you travelled from Aqaba to Wadi Rum. I am arriving in Aqaba in the afternoon and thinking of going straight to Wadi Rum for 2 days then returning to Aqaba for 4 days.
Any tips on prices for jeep safari and camel safari would be really appreciated!! I know its easy to get ripped off in these destinations…
Would you recommend Jordan as a honeymoon destination? I’m looking for a mix of adventure plus a relaxed holiday, something different from the usual beach honeymoon vacations!
Hey personally we wouldn’t recommend Jordan as a honeymoon destination but if its sights and sounds appeal to you, why not 🙂