Wadi Rum
Nature Reserve Desert valley of sandstone mountains and red dunes
Wadi Rum’s sandstone and granite canyons offer Bedouin camps, jeep and camel tours, rock-climbing routes and multi-day treks; visitors hire local guides for route navigation and desert-camp nights under clear skies.
Wadi Rum is a large desert valley of sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan, famed for its dramatic rock formations, narrow canyons and wide desert plains. The area preserves traces of human occupation from prehistoric times to Nabataean and Islamic eras and is a popular destination for trekking, rock climbing and desert camping.
Iconic features include natural rock bridges and arches, deep gorges and extensive sand flats that are typically explored on guided 4x4 tours, by camel and on foot. Visitors also see numerous petroglyphs and inscriptions on rock faces spanning millennia and visit sites associated with T. E. Lawrence.
The valley has long been occupied by Bedouin communities and in modern times has developed a tourism infrastructure of licensed guides and camps, with activities from short excursions to multi-day expeditions.
Wadi Rum lies in southern Jordan’s Aqaba Governorate, north of the port city of Aqaba and south of Petra, and is accessed from the nearby village of Rum and regional roads linking to Aqaba and Amman.
- UNESCO status: Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011 for its natural rock formations, desert landscape and evidence of human use from prehistoric to modern Bedouin cultures.
- Access and tours: Access to most of the protected area is by licensed local guides using 4x4 vehicles or by organized trekking and climbing excursions; overnight stays are usually in Bedouin-style camps.
What to See #
- Natural rock arches: Burdah and Um Fruth natural rock arches and bridges that are popular targets for short hikes and photography within Wadi Rum's sandstone landscape.
- Lawrence's Spring and rock art sites: Lawrence's Spring and Nabataean petroglyph sites containing ancient inscriptions and rock art found throughout the valley.
- Plains, canyons and Bedouin campsites: Wide desert plains and narrow canyons used for 4x4 tours, camel treks and organised multi-day Bedouin camps.
How to Get to Wadi Rum #
Wadi Rum is reached via the Wadi Rum Village/visitor centre in southern Jordan. Travelers usually arrive by taxi, shared transfer or bus from Aqaba or from Petra and then join guided 4x4 or camel tours from the village into the desert. Most operators pick up from Aqaba, Petra or nearby towns and run excursions into the protected area.
Tips for Visiting Wadi Rum #
- Visit Wadi Rum either very early or late in the day for the best light and to avoid the height of daytime heat-sunrise and sunset also show the desert's colors at their strongest.
- Enter and register at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center (village of Rum) and hire a licensed local Bedouin guide/driver-they provide route permits, know which valleys are quieter, and handle vehicle logistics on the unmarked desert tracks.
- To escape day-trip crowds, book an overnight campsite or a multi-day jeep route that pushes into less-visited wadis; sites like Lawrence's Spring, Khazali Canyon and deeper valleys are far quieter later in the day and by night.
Best Time to Visit Wadi Rum #
Aim for spring or autumn for comfortable desert temperatures and the best overland and camping conditions.
Weather & Climate near Wadi Rum #
Wadi Rum's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 34°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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June
June is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 34°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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