Hotels in Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum: Red Desert at Jordan's Southern Edge

Wadi Rum sits 60 km east of Aqaba in southern Jordan, a protected valley of red sandstone and rose-granite massifs that reach up to 1,754 m at Jebel Umm ad Dami. UNESCO listed the area as a World Heritage Site in 2011, recognising its Nabataean rock inscriptions, prehistoric petroglyphs, and the sweeping desert floor where Lawrence of Arabia camped during the 1917 Arab Revolt. The valley floor spans roughly 720 sq km, making it Jordan's largest protected desert reserve.

Where to Stay in the Desert

Accommodation clusters around Rum Village, the main entry point, and scattered Bedouin camp sites deeper in the protected area. Options range from basic goat-hair tents to pressurised bubble domes with transparent roofs for stargazing. Most camps include guided 4WD excursions to landmarks such as Khazali Canyon, Lawrence's Spring, and the Seven Pillars of Wisdom rock formation. Sunrise and sunset lighting draw photographers year-round.

Practical Tips

• Access: Minibuses run from Aqaba (1 hr) and Petra (2 hrs) to the Rum Village visitor centre.
• Entry: A Jordan Pass covers the 5 JOD protected-area fee; buy it before arrival to save on the Petra visa bundle.
• Season: October to April offers cooler daytime temperatures; July–August midday heat regularly exceeds 38 °C.
• Packing: Pack a warm layer — desert nights drop sharply even in summer.