Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum · Southern desert protected area, Jordan
The red desert mountains, Bedouin camps and starry skies of the 'Valley of the Moon' — the setting of Lawrence of Arabia.
Know before you go
- In the protected area you must be accompanied by a Bedouin guide and may not drive in on your own
- don't carve on the rock walls
- take all rubbish out of the desert.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Wadi Rum means 'Valley of the Moon'; its red sandstone mountains and desert create a Mars-like landscape. Bedouin have grazed their herds here for a thousand years, and tented camps, camel caravans and desert campfire evenings carry nomadic culture into the present. 'Lawrence of Arabia' was active here during the First World War, and the film Lawrence of Arabia made it world-famous. It became a World Heritage Site in 2011.
Local customs
- The Bedouin are renowned for hospitality, and drinking sweet tea on entering a tent is traditional etiquette
- a desert dinner of zarb (meat roasted underground) is the heart of the camp experience.
Religion & beliefs
- Most Bedouin are Muslim, and camp life adjusts to prayer times
- simply respect local religious customs.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Jordan: stay out of canyons in the rainy season
- From November to March, check the weather before entering a canyon, and wait at least a day after heavy rain
- If a flash flood comes, move to higher ground
- Entering a canyon after heavy rain
- Trying to wade through floodwater
In the rainy season, canyons can flood suddenly and are very dangerous; call 911 for rescue.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Jordan travel advice
Jordan: no drinking in the street
- Drink in bars, hotels or private homes
- Drinking in the street
It is illegal.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Jordan travel advice
Jordan: don't stay in Petra outside opening hours
- Enter and leave at the park's set hours
- If you have questions about ticket prices or extra charges, ask at the visitor centre first
- Staying in Petra Archaeological Park after closing
You may be arrested and prosecuted; visitors have been locked in the park overnight.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Jordan travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- In the protected area you must be accompanied by a Bedouin guide and may not drive in on your own
- don't carve on the rock walls
- take all rubbish out of the desert.
Locals appreciate DO
Bedouin guides like to sing and tell desert stories around the campfire, and no one knows the stars and mountains better.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Temperatures swing widely between day and night, so even in summer bring warm clothes for the evening
- staying a night to see the stars is the key experience, so choose a well-reviewed camp. A jeep tour, half-day or full-day, is the standard way to explore
- the desert glows deepest red at sunrise and sunset. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a headscarf are essential.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Zarb
- Mansaf
- Bedouin grilled meat with pita
Zarb (Bedouin feast of meat and vegetables cooked in an underground sand oven), mansaf, Bedouin grilled meat + pita, hummus, Bedouin sage / mint tea
| Where to eat | Bedouin camp dinners (mostly included with accommodation), small restaurants in Rum village |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Meals at camp are shared — eat with your right hand, don't refuse repeated offers of tea, dress conservatively and don't drink or make noise in public |
| Typical price per person | Camp meals are usually included in accommodation or tour fees; à la carte about JOD 10–18 ≈ CNY 100–180 |
| Tips | There are no shops in the desert, so stock up on snacks and water in the village beforehand; the ceremony of unearthing the zarb happens in the early evening — don't miss it. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
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فيصل العدناني · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Irina Alexandra S. · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0
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