Wadi Rum Trail

A compact 2-3 day multi-day desert trek through Wadi Rum in Jordan.

Time to Hike: 2-3 days; itineraries vary from single overnight routes to two-night looped treks and day hikes. Exact distance depends on the route and whether you return to the same point.

Best Time to Go: Autumn to spring are the preferred months - cooler days and cold nights. Summers are very hot and uncomfortable for extended walking.

Getting there: The trailhead is accessed from the visitor centre at the village of Rum; most walkers arrive from Aqaba or overland from Amman. Public buses and shared taxis serve Aqaba and local transfers run to the reserve.

Costs: Expect a park entrance fee plus charges if you hire a Bedouin guide or stay in a licensed camp. Food and tents are usually included by local operators; independent camping is possible but check rules at the visitor centre.

Difficulty: Sandy, rocky desert terrain with some easy scrambling on sandstone outcrops. Expect large temperature swings, strong sun, and remote conditions that make logistics and water management the main challenges.

Wadi Rum is a sweeping protected valley of red sand dotted with towering sandstone and granite monoliths, natural arches, narrow canyons and wide-open plains. The landscape is sculpted by wind and occasional rain and contains prehistoric petroglyphs and inscriptions, plus sites linked to T. E. Lawrence and modern film crews.

Highlights include short scrambles to viewpoints, exploring narrow gorges and visiting cultural features such as Lawrence’s Spring and the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Accommodation is primarily Bedouin-run camps and simple desert bivouacs; many multi-day treks are run by local guides who provide food, tents and local knowledge.

Aqaba is the closest city and airport for most international visitors, with domestic or overland connections from Amman at Queen Alia. From Aqaba take a taxi or organized transfer to the Wadi Rum visitor centre or the village of Rum.

Most independent walkers start at the visitor centre in Rum and set out into the desert from there. Transfers can be arranged to drop you at different trailheads if you prefer a point-to-point route instead of a loop.

Wadi Rum is most comfortable from October through April when daytime temperatures are pleasant and nights are cool. Summer months can be dangerously hot for long walking days, so avoid June to August for multi-day treks.

Pay attention to weather briefings at the visitor centre - winter rains are uncommon but can cause flash flooding in narrow wadis. Book licensed camps and guides in advance during the busy season and register at the visitor centre on arrival.