Wadi Rum is the desert T.E. Lawrence rode through, and the one that stood in for Mars on film. Stand in the red sand at sunset, with sandstone mountains all around you, and you'll see why.
Is glamping in Wadi Rum worth it? Yes. You get the raw desert, red sand and a sky full of stars, with a private bathroom and climate control in your own bubble suite or dome. Pair a sunset jeep tour with a Bedouin dinner and an hour of stargazing, and give it two nights so you never feel rushed.
Key facts
- What it is: Wadi Rum Protected Area, a mixed natural and cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, about 740 square kilometers.
- Where to stay: a bubble suite or dome with a private bathroom. Palmera Camp is where our group sleeps.
- Don't miss: a sunset jeep tour, a sunrise camel trek and stargazing on a clear, moonless night.
- Our trip: two nights in a luxury bubble suite at Palmera Camp on the Jordan Experience.
Why Wadi Rum Is Unlike Any Desert You've Seen
Wadi Rum Protected Area became a mixed natural and cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. Its rock carvings and inscriptions record about 12,000 years of people living in this desert.
Wadi Rum at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| UNESCO designation | Mixed World Heritage Site (2011) |
| Area | About 740 square kilometers |
| Nearby peak | Jabal Umm ad Dami (1,840m), Jordan's highest |
| Historical significance | 12,000+ years of human habitation |
| Rock art | 25,000+ carvings and inscriptions |
| Film appearances | Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, Dune, Star Wars: Rogue One |
The Glamping Experience
The camp scene in Wadi Rum has changed a lot. Many camps now have bubble tents and domes with private bathrooms and climate control, and the raw desert is still right outside your door. On our trip you stay two nights in a luxury bubble suite at Palmera Camp.
Wadi Rum Camps to Know
| Camp | Style | Signature Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Palmera Camp | Bubble suites | Where our Jordan Experience stays |
| Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp | Bubble tents | Clear domes for stargazing from bed |
| Sun City Camp | Martian domes | Futuristic look, The Martian vibes |
| Memories Aicha Luxury Camp | Tents and domes | Bedouin hospitality |
| Rahayeb Desert Camp | Premium tents | Quieter setting |
Rates change by season, so ask us for current pricing.
What to Do in Wadi Rum
Sunset jeep tour: a 4x4 ride through the valley's most dramatic formations, with Lawrence's Spring, Khazali Canyon and the natural rock bridges along the way.
Sunrise camel trek: the gentlest way to meet the desert at dawn, watching the rocks turn from grey to gold to red.
Stargazing: far from city lights, Wadi Rum's skies are deeply dark. On a clear, moonless night the Milky Way stretches right across the sky.
Photo: Dylan Shaw / Unsplash
A Sample Wadi Rum Day
| Time | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Sunrise camel trek | 90 min |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at camp | 45 min |
| 9:30 AM | Jeep tour of key sites | 3 hours |
| 1:00 PM | Bedouin lunch in the desert | 90 min |
| 3:00 PM | Rock climbing/sandboarding | 2 hours |
| 5:30 PM | Sunset viewing point | 1 hour |
| 7:00 PM | Zarb dinner (underground cooking) | 2 hours |
| 9:30 PM | Stargazing with guide | 1 hour |
Coming to Jordan for more than the desert? Start with my Petra luxury guide, then read about the sage tea and zarb in my guide to Jordanian food and culture.
Wadi Rum is part of our Jordan Experience. Packing for it? Here's what to wear in Jordan, cold desert nights included. Book your desert night and let the sky do the rest.
Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destination Guide