Enjoying the jeep tour in Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan.
Just picture it.
Speeding through the desert, passing the camels and Bedouin camps with the most breathtaking scenery you could ever imagine!
The jeep tour in Wadi Rum Desert is a fantastic way to transport yourself to another planet, even if it’s just for a couple of hours!
There is so much involved in the jeep tours at Wadi Rum.
One minute you are holding on tight as you speed across the miles of desert sand…
Next, you are climbing up some of the most picturesque naturally formed rocks to reveal a picture-perfect setting!
This blog will explain what you can expect from the famous jeep tour, with some pictures from my awesome tour.
You will be booking it for yourself by the end of this blog.
Guaranteed!
Ready for the awesome Jeep tour.
Arriving at Wadi Rum Desert.
We saved our desert escapades until the final evening of our 4 day Jordan trip, so headed straight to Wadi Rum from Wadi Musa, after an awesome day exploring the best of Petra.
Arriving into the Wadi Rum protected area following a 90 minute drive started to reveal some incredible landscape.
Petra is naturally beautiful, but Wadi Rum takes the beauty of Jordan to a whole new level!
We had made it for a beautiful Wadi Rum sunset!
Palm trees on the road into Wadi Rum.
There are giant mountains for miles.
Entering the Wadi Rum Desert.
Jeep tours start at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center, which is the official entry point to the protected area.
From here, there is a 3 step process to begin your jeep tour:
Entrance Fee - A small entrance fee of 5 Jordanian dinars (around $7 USD) per person is required to enter the Wadi Rum protected area, although it is waived if you have a Jordan Pass.
Meeting Your Guide and Jeep - Here, you'll meet your Bedouin guide and hop into your designated jeep for the tour. You don’t need to worry about transferring your luggage to the camp, if you are staying the night. It is all taken care of.
Entering the Desert - Once the paperwork is settled, it's time for the adventure to begin! Your guide will be the passenger, so they can offer full attention on the tour. Another local will take control of the driving.
The visitor guide.
View from the front of the jeep.
Wild camels.
Passing the local camels.
Having seen the camels at Petra and feeling sorry for them, it was nice to see some wild camels enjoying their natural habitat.
As you get driven around the desert in the jeep you will see the camels eating, running, and looking happy.
There is an opportunity to book a camel ride for an extra charge, either before, or when you arrive into the Bedouin camps.
I would feel a lot more comfortable riding a camel in this environment, compared to Petra, where there are large crowds.
A camel handler will ensure you can enjoy the ride safely.
Camels chilling next to an enormous mountain.
The local Bedouin tour guides.
Ahmed really made our journey into the desert special.
He took us to the most popular spots and explained the history behind each place.
He was trying to get us to climb one of the mountains the next morning, however, we declined on this occasion. He said that he had climbed all the mountains in the area over the years.
Quite the achievement if you stand next to one of the colossal mountains and realise their true scale.
Ahmed’s service wasn’t unique though, we could sense the rapport that all of the locals have with each other and the different tour groups.
They are proud of their country and want to show International tourists the best of Wadi Rum.
So whichever tour guide you get assigned, you will be looked after from the minute you enter, until the minute you leave.
Our tour guide looking for scorpions.
Getting shown around.
Speeding through the desert.
The landscape of Wadi Rum means that only jeeps are used, and the locals don’t hold back with their speed.
We had to hold on tight as Ahmed drove us over the sand at a high speed.
It was awesome!
Views for days.
The breeze was very welcome in the Desert heat!
Imagine the jeep bouncing and swaying over uneven desert terrain as the camels watch on.
It was quite a unique moment!
Some free time to climb up the rocks to some awesome viewpoints!
Once Ahmed had driven us to his favourite spots, we had some free time to go and explore the beauty of Wadi Rum.
He showed us his favourite viewpoints, and then gave us 30 minutes to go and do some easy climbing and to capture some photos.
Ahmed showed us the best viewpoints.
Although the photographs are unreal, they still don’t fully capture the magnificence of nature!
Pondering and living in the moment.
Driving to see some colossal mountains.
Ahmed gave us some knowledge as we headed towards some of the enormous mountains.
Although they aren't the highest mountains in the world, they rise dramatically from the desert floor creating a stunning landscape.
It felt like a Looney Tunes cartoon.
The highest peak in the Wadi Rum area, and the whole country of Jordan is Jabal Umm ad Dami, located just outside the desert itself, at 1,840 metres (6,040 feet) tall.
The highest mountain inside the Wadi Rum protected area is called Jebel Ram, which is the second highest peak in Jordan. It stands at 1,734 metres (5,689 feet).
Many other mountains in Wadi Rum reach over 1,600 metres (5,249 feet).
Ahmed told us he had scaled all of them and showed us some impressive photos!
The scale of the mountains is shown here.
Climbing up the mountains is awesome.
Getting shown some famous landmarks in the desert.
Despite the desert being vast, there are some landmarks with interesting stories behind them.
The main benefit of booking this jeep tour is that the knowledgeable locals explain each spot.
Here were my favourites:
Um Fruth Rock Bridge.
A naturally formed rock bridge which stands at approximately 15 metres high, ideal for photos.
Mushroom Rock.
As the name suggests, a wacky shaped rock, which looks like a mushroom.
Lawrence house.
Some history in the desert, and although it is fairly recent compared to some of the Jordanian history on offer in the country, it is still very intriguing.
Lawrence (The British general) who united Arab tribes to fight against the Ottoman Empire is said to have sheltered in this structure around 1917.
Khazali Canyon.
This is a narrow passageway which Ahmed walked us through, to show us some ancient Thamudic and Nabataean inscriptions and carvings covering its sandstone walls.
The famous ‘rockface’.
Tackling the giant sand dunes.
The next stop, another fun activity!
This time it was to tackle a huge sand dune.
This was a challenge to say the least, as we visited Jordan at the worst time in terms of weather, so climbing up a steep dune in 30 degrees + felt way harder than it should have.
The ground was pretty uneven also as it was obviously sand, however, once we reached the top, the views were absolutely incredible!
We could see for miles across the whole desert, and I felt like I was on Mars.
Interestingly, the colour of the dune varies from deep red to orange depending on the sunlight.
Climbing a steep sand dune.
The tour you should book.
There are many Bedouins offering tours in Wadi Rum, all of which are quite similar.
Following my great day out with our tour guide, I have to recommend it to you.
The local touch from Ahmed and excellent service made our day in the desert special.
Wadi Rum Desert: Full Day Jeep Tour & Traditional Lunch.
After you arrive into Wadi Rum Village you can go to the meeting point, where you will meet your tour guide.
After this point, you do not need to worry about any logistics, as it is all taken care of.
It is time to relax and immerse yourself on one of Earth’s most fascinating landscapes.
The thing that I loved about this tour was the variety of activities included.
My favourite part was the rock climbing up to the viewpoints, which was made extra special by the local knowledge of Ahmed.
He knew exactly which rocks offered easier climbs but yet very rewarding views.
This is ideal for visitors who aren’t as fit and able, making it a very inclusive tour.
The Bedouin Zarbing show before the feast was served up was also a memorable highlight, as it showed us all a glimpse into the local culture and traditions, which have been used for centuries.
Book your spot on the Wadi Rum Desert Jeep Tour now to secure your spot.
A traditional Bedouin meal to finish an awesome tour.
You can’t visit Wadi Rum without experiencing a Zarbing Bedouin dinner and the above tour includes one.
So enjoy your desert adventure knowing that you will be relaxing and enjoying the Bedouin show later in the evening, and of course, a feast to replenish after your excursions.
Zarbing offers cultural insights into the way of the Bedouins, and it includes digging a deep pit in the sand lined with stones to set a fire.
This cooking method slowly cooks the meat underground, under the desert sand for hours, before it is served to excited guests.
When you first arrive you will be seated onto an Arabic patterned seat with local tea as you wait for the show to commence.
The locals then dig out the food and do a little show for guests before the feast is served.
The zarbing show from the locals.
The feast is served.
A Bedouin camp for you to consider.
Wadi Rum Magic Camp has everything you need for an authentic Bedouin stay.
The locals are all awesome and friendly and the facilities are comfortable.
Imagine relaxing on the swinging chairs watching the sunset as you await your Bedouin dinner, and then after your feast, you head back outside with the other guests from around the world to sit around the fire watching the stars with toasted marshmallows and tea.
It really is the little things which make travel so incredible.
The double rooms which come with a private bathroom sell out in some months, so make sure you secure your spot.
Other popular spots to visit in Jordan.
Petra needs no introduction as it is one of the world’s seven wonders, and rightly so!
It is a mind blowing experience to wander around and learn the interesting facts about Petra while on site.
If you are staying in Wadi Musa for several days, then Little Petra should also be on your itinerary, although it isn’t as impressive as the main Petra site, it still offers visitors a glimpse back in time to Nabatean times, and it is free to enter and walk around.
Then on your way back to Amman, you should visit Mount Nebo, Wadi Mujib Canyon, and a Dead Sea Resort, which can all be enjoyed in one afternoon, and will give you a combination of natural beauty, religious history, and a one of a kind experience of floating on the Dead Sea.
The Jordanian capital is often overlooked, however one day in Amman offers International visitors an insight into the Middle East.
Rainbow Street offers some nightlife, but not as Westerners know it, however, it is one of the few spots in the city that is colourful, with street art and quirky decor.
The historical highlights of Amman are the main attraction with the Roman Theatre and Citadel taking visitors on a history lesson, dating back thousands of years.
The best views of the city are from the citadel site also!
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