I stood on the red sand dunes of Wadi Rum, watching the sun paint the sandstone cliffs in shades of orange and red. This is a place that feels like another planet. If you are researching what to do in Wadi Rum, you will find that the desert offers far more than just a day trip. The local Bedouins are incredibly welcoming, and the landscape changes with every hour. Staying overnight in a dome room at Sun City Camp gives you a full Mars experience. You can hike up Jebel al Hash for panoramic views of the valley, and ending the day with a Zarb dinner cooked under the sand is a memory you will not forget.
- Best time
- Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November)
- Where to stay
- Sun City Camp for the dome room experience, or Khaled's Camp for a more remote setting.
- Perfect for
- Adventure travelers, stargazers, and those seeking a unique desert stay.
- Don't miss
- A jeep safari to see the Seven Pillars of Wisdom at sunset.
Things I'd tell a friend
Three experiences that make Wadi Rum special if you are short on time.
Drink tea with the locals
The Bedouins in Wadi Rum are incredibly friendly and know the desert inside out. They love sharing stories over a cup of sweet tea. This is a great way to learn about the area.
Source · Checked this myself
Try the Zarb dinner
Jordanian Zarb is a meal cooked under the desert sand in a submerged oven called a taboon. It was one of the best meals I have ever had, and it is served in most camps.
Source · Tasted it
Stay in a dome room
Sun City Camp offers dome rooms that give you a full Mars experience. Watching the starry sky from your room makes you feel like you are on another planet. It is worth every penny.
Source · Stayed there
Jeep Safari
A jeep safari is the best way to see the hidden corners of Wadi Rum and visit its most famous sights.
- Ride in open-air jeep through red desert
- See Lawrence House, rock bridges, and petroglyphs
- Stop at Red Dunes for sandboarding
- Best landscapes are around the Seven Pillars of Wisdom
The jeep safari takes you across the desert in a pickup truck fitted with benches. You sit in the open air with a sun-roof, so wear long sleeves and sunscreen. The drivers know the best spots, from the ancient petroglyphs to the Um Fruth rock bridge. One of the most beautiful stops is a canyon with shade and greenery. The Red Dunes give you a panoramic view of the valley, and you can try sandboarding if your driver has a board. The best landscapes are around the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, especially at sunset. Book a tour with a good jeep and bring plenty of water.
Wear long sleeves and sunscreen
You will get a lot of sun in the open jeep. Long sleeves and sun lotion are necessary to avoid sunburn.
Start from the Visitor Centre
Park your car at the Roadhouse and continue with a 4x4. The jeep tour begins after you leave the village.
Entrance fee 5 JD
The entrance to Wadi Rum costs 5 Jordanian dinars and is included if you have a Jordan Pass.
Go early in the morning to beat the heat and the crowds at the rock bridges.
Many camps offer jeep safaris as part of their tour packages. Sun City Camp and Khaled's Camp are great bases.
Wadi Rum Quiet Village Camp
- Free Wifi
- Free parking
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Breakfast
Wadi Rum Meteorite Camp
- Good free WiFi (26 Mbps)
- Free parking
- Family rooms
- Airport shuttle
- Room service
- Non-smoking rooms
- Exceptional breakfast
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Camel Ride
Riding a camel through the desert at sunrise is a classic Wadi Rum experience.
- 30-minute ride to a rocky viewpoint for sunrise
- Half-day tours with breaks for tea and lunch
- Camels are well cared for by Bedouins
- You can try galloping with the right guide
Most camps offer camel rides ranging from one to six hours. A half-day ride includes plenty of stops for tea, climbing rocks, and seeing small sights. The sunrise camel ride takes about 30 minutes each way to a rocky outcropping with a great view. The saddles are comfortable for galloping, but let your guide know your skill level. Bring a scarf to protect from wind and sand.
Best time for a camel ride
Early morning or late afternoon avoids the midday heat and gives you better light for photos.
Camels can be uncomfortable
If you are not used to riding, hold on tight and follow the guide's instructions. It gets easier after a few minutes.
If you can, book a half-day ride to really get a feel for camel travel.
Camps like Khaled's Camp offer convenient camel rides directly from the property.
Memories Aicha Luxury Camp
- Free parking
- Family rooms
- Airport shuttle
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Excellent Breakfast
Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp
- Free parking
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Wonderful Breakfast
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Hiking Jebel al Hash
This hike offers a moderate climb with stunning views of the valley and into Saudi Arabia.
- Moderate steady climb from the back of the mountain
- See wild herbs and flowers along the trail
- Guide picks wild thyme for tea at the summit
- Panoramic view of Wadi Rum and Saudi Arabia border
Jebel al Hash is the easier and more scenic of the two popular hikes around Wadi Rum. You walk up from the back, never extremely steep. The trail is covered with flowers and herbs. At the top, your guide may brew wild thyme tea while you take in the view. On the way down, you might encounter a camel herd. This hike takes about half a day and is best done with a good English-speaking guide.
Wear hiking boots
The terrain is rocky and loose in places. Hiking boots give you the best grip in the sand and on scree.
Arrange a guide through your camp
The hike starts from a drop-off point in the desert. Your camp can book a guide and transport for you.
Ask for an English-speaking guide
A guide who speaks English can explain the plants, history, and geology along the trail.
Take the Jebel al Hash hike if you want beautiful views without the extreme effort.
Stargazing in the Desert
With clear, dry air and no city lights, Wadi Rum offers some of the best stargazing on earth.
- Air is dry and rarely cloudy
- Nearest town is far, so skies are dark
- Best around new moon for darkest skies
- Catch meteor showers in August and December
After dinner, many camps light a path to a flat rock where you can lie back and watch the stars. The air is so clear that you can see the Milky Way. Plan your trip around the new moon for the darkest skies. If you have a camera, bring a tripod for long exposure shots. The starry sky from a dome room at Sun City Camp is an unforgettable experience.
Bring a headlamp
It gets pitch dark after sunset. A headlamp helps you safely reach the stargazing spot and go to the bathroom at night.
Look for meteor showers
The Perseids in August and the Geminids in December are peak times for meteor spotting in the desert.
Check the moon phase before booking - new moon gives the best stargazing.
Camps away from the village, like Quiet Beduin Village Camp, offer darker skies for stargazing.
Hasan Zawaideh Camp
- Free Wifi
- Free parking
- Family rooms
- Airport shuttle
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Very Good Breakfast
Wadi Rum Dream Camp
- Free Wifi
- Free parking
- Family rooms
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Very Good Breakfast
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Bedouin Zarb Dinner
A traditional meal cooked under the desert sand, the Zarb is a social and delicious experience.
- Chicken, vegetables, and potatoes cooked in a taboon
- Meal is buried and dug up hours later
- Served with salads, hummus, and bread
- Same meal each night but always tasty
Every camp prepares a Zarb dinner. A fire is built in a hole in the ground, and when the embers are hot, a rack of food is lowered down. It is covered with a metal plate and then sand. After a few hours, the camp staff digs it up, often filmed by guests. The chicken is tender and the vegetables are sweet. Dinner is buffet style with extra dishes. The fresh bread in the morning is also a highlight.
Same dish across camps
The Zarb dinner is very similar in all camps. Choose your camp based on location and comfort, not the food.
Dinner is included in your stay
Your camp fee covers the Zarb dinner. You do not need to spend extra on meals - just bring cash for souvenirs.
Don't expect variety - but the Zarb is consistently delicious each night.
Sun City Camp Dome Room
Staying in a dome room gives you the feeling of sleeping on Mars while watching the stars from your bed.
- Transparent dome ceiling for stargazing
- Full Mars experience feel
- Authentic Bedouin hospitality
- Worth the splurge
Sun City Camp is known for its dome rooms that let you look up at the stars from your bed. The camp provides a comfortable stay with good meals. The location is quiet and offers great views of the desert. You can join their jeep tours and camel rides. For a truly otherworldly night in Wadi Rum, this is the place to book.
Dome rooms fill up quickly
These rooms are popular with visitors. Reserve early to secure a clear-ceiling dome for best stargazing.
Request a dome away from lights
For the darkest view of the stars, ask for a dome room that is far from the camp's common areas and lanterns.
Book a dome room at least a month in advance, especially in spring and autumn.
How much does it cost to enter Wadi Rum?
The entrance fee is 5 Jordanian dinars per person. It is included in the Jordan Pass if you have one.
What is the best time of year to visit Wadi Rum?
Spring and autumn are the best times. Daytime temperatures are comfortable, and nights are cool but not freezing.
Can I do a jeep safari without a guide?
You need a guide for the jeep safari. The drivers know the desert and the best spots. They are included in the tour package.
How many nights should I stay in Wadi Rum?
Most tourists stay one night, but two or three nights allow you to do a jeep safari, a camel ride, a hike, and enjoy stargazing.
What should I pack for a visit?
Bring sunscreen, a hat, long-sleeved clothing, hiking boots, a headlamp, plenty of water, cash, and a scarf for sand protection.
