Wadi Rum | Jordan, 1996

Distance:  N/A

Average Time:  Anywhere from 3 hours to 3 days.

Start / Finish :

• Wadi Rum village

• Public minibusses run regularly from Aqaba to Wadi Rum. Click here for details.

Season:  Any time but summer.

Maps / Info :

• Tony Howard’s, Treks & Climbs in Wadi Rum (2010). I used the original version of this book, “Walks & Scrambles in Wadi rum”, which was published in 1993. If you can’t pick it up online, you should be able to find it at the Redwan Bookshop in Aqaba.

• For general information on Wadi Rum try www.wadirum.jo or Lonely Planet’s Jordan guidebook.

Route / Conditions:

• Along with my friends Craig and Kev, I spent about 4 or 5 days in Wadi Rum.

• For the most part, we did day hikes (as listed in Howard’s Walks & Scrambles) from the village itself.

• The only overnight trip we did was out to the spectacular Rock bridge of Burdah (see above photo).

• Click here for images and details on Burdah and other natural arches in the Wadi Rum area.

• Water is scarce. Bring all that you need from the village. A wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen are essential.

Sleeping:

• Take your sleeping bag or grab a warm blanket and sleep under the stars.

• Accommodation may be available at one of the various Bedouin camps in the area.

• For accommodation in the village itself, try the Government Rest House.

Overview:

• Channel your inner Lawrence of Arabia (Wadi Rum was an old stomping ground of his) and give yourself at least 4 days to explore some of the most spectacular desert scenery imaginable.