Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, also called the Valley of the Moon, lies in southern Jordan, about 60 kilometres east of Aqaba. The Wadi Rum Protected Area covers about 720 square kilometres of desert valleys, sand dunes and mountains, and the village of Rum sits near its entrance.

People have lived in and passed through Wadi Rum for thousands of years. Petroglyphs and inscriptions in Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic scripts record hunting, herding and travel. A Nabataean temple stands within walking distance of the Rest House near the entrance. T. E. Lawrence passed through during the Arab Revolt of 1917 to 1918 and described the area in Seven Pillars of Wisdom. UNESCO inscribed Wadi Rum as a mixed natural and cultural World Heritage Site in 2011.

Sheer sandstone and granite mountains rise from the sand floor, with Jabal Umm ad Dami, about 1,840 metres, the highest peak in Jordan, near the southern edge. Natural rock bridges, the narrow Khazali Canyon with its inscriptions, and red dunes are common stops on tours. The landscape has stood in for Mars and other planets in films such as The Martian and Dune. Local Bedouin, including members of the Zalabia tribe, run jeep tours, camel treks, climbing trips and desert camps.

Visitors pay an entry fee at the visitor centre, which is included in the Jordan Pass. Tours are arranged with licensed local operators. Days are hot in summer and nights are cold in winter, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.

Jabal Rum, at about 1,734 metres, is the second highest peak in Jordan, and elevations across the protected area range from 45 to 1,750 metres. The mountains are built largely of Umm Ishrin sandstone, the thickest layer in the Nubian Sandstone sequence. Between them lie several dune types, including crescent-shaped barkhans and climbing dunes that carry sand up the hillsides.

Rain is rare. The area averages about 74 millimetres a year, almost all of it in thunderstorms that can cause flash floods, and no rain is recorded from June to September. July is the hottest month, with an average daily high of 34.6°C. Plan the hottest part of the day around shade or a camp, and carry more water than you expect to need.

Wadi Rum is also a climbing destination. The first recorded European ascent of Jabal Rum was made in November 1952 with Sheikh Hamdan as guide, and Guerre Sainte, climbed in 2000, was the first fully bolted route in the area at about 450 metres long. The area drew about 162,000 tourists in 2017. Staying a night in a Bedouin camp lets you see the stars away from town lights and the colours of the rock at sunrise.