Wadi Rum Protected Area — Attraction in Aqaba

A truly unique piece of real estate that should be on everyone's bucket list. Stunning mountains and desert scenery with glorious sunsets, sunrises and the heavens overflowing with stars. Extraordinary geological formations abound in this almost Martian landscape. Amazing! A must for anyone visiting Jordan and the Middle East.

I would have given 5 stars except for the human factor. Tourists are treated like cash cows with a distinct lack of imagination, shuffled from one point of interest to another with everyone scrambling like ants over rock bridges and a ruined house where Lawrence of Arabia once lived. The crowds at each stop are rather depressing given the imnensity of the protected area while the vast wilderness is left to a few camels and Bedouin families. Self tours are discouraged and prices are not for the faint of heart. The Bedouin are a proud race and they deserve a better expression of their culture to the world.

I hiked on my own and had a wonderful time. I was able to walk to sunsets and sunrises and see Wadi Rum in absolute silence. It was glorious. The basic tours at high prices are just that... basic with run-down vehicles and threadbare cushions on the seats. Some reinvestment is sorely needed. The amount of garbage and refuse in the park is also disturbing.

Wadi Rum is gorgeous but the locals are destroying it with garbage and too many illegal camps with no sewage treatment. Go see it now while it is still relatively pristine. Amazingly photogenic vistas as are the camels. The guides are expert at charming tourists... most have been dealing with foreigners since they were children offering camel rides. Some show real interest while most are just glorified drivers who point where you should go then head for the ubiquitous rest tent to have tea with their fellow guides who are all cousins. This place is in serious need of some imagination. So much potential.

Hire a guide and ask him to take you where no one else goes or maybe to visit his grandfather out in the desert. Channel your inner Lawrence of Arabia, like I did, and visit Wadi Rum on your own terms. You'll be...

This striking image may resemble a Martian landscape, but it's actually a view of a hotel nestled in the Valley of Rum, Jordan, one of the most unique and breathtaking places on Earth. The Valley of Rum, also known as Wadi Rum, is a desert wilderness in southern Jordan, renowned for its surreal, otherworldly terrain. With its towering sandstone mountains, vast, rugged sand dunes, and expansive, reddish-hued rock formations, the valley has earned a reputation for resembling the surface of Mars. Because of its Mars-like appearance, Wadi Rum has served as the backdrop for numerous space-themed films, including The Martian (2015), where its dramatic landscapes doubled as the red planet. Each year, thousands of tourists are drawn to Wadi Rum not only for its connection to film history but also for its remarkable natural beauty and the opportunity to experience one of the clearest night skies in the world. The remote desert location offers an ideal setting for stargazing, with minimal light pollution making it one of the best places in Jordan—and the Middle East—to view the stars, planets, and meteor showers. The peaceful silence of the desert, combined with its unparalleled views of the night sky, creates a truly magical experience for visitors. For many, a visit to Wadi Rum is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the desert's unique charm, whether through hiking, jeep tours, or staying in the traditional Bedouin-style camps or modern desert hotels like the one pictured. The hotel's design itself often blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape, providing guests with an immersive experience of Jordan’s rugged beauty while offering a comfortable base to explore this extraordinary region. Whether you’re stargazing, trekking, or simply soaking in the scenery, Wadi Rum is a place that continues to captivate all who...

Good place to visit. Awesome view. When I went it, was silent and peaceful.

One  can drive to the Visitor Center, pay the 5 JOD for entering and leave you rental car in the parking place. If you haven’t booked a guide, someone is always around so the visitor center provides you with one. You, for sure need someone to show you the different places in the desert. It consists of two parts: red & white desert. There are some Bedouin tents where you can buy some traditional clothes, spices, can drink tea, etc.

The views were spectacular and breathtaking. On one of the stops on the journey we stopped at a spot and landmark where the movie Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. Guide also pointed out where the movie the Martian was filmed and showed me the housing units that were built to accommodate the actors and film crew.

There is a lot to see and do in this vast desert and if you're lucky you will get to go on an extended jeep tour to explore more. The jeep tour I went on was booked through Sun City Camp so that was the beginning and finishing point although I have seen other tours start and end at the Visitor's Center. Your guide will likely take you to see where The Martian was filmed, the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Nabataean inscriptions and some amazing views from rock cliffs to watch the sunset. I came upon this tall rock face and wandered through and discovered carvings by ancient people in the rock. Prepare yourself with appropriate equipment: climbing shoes, sun creme, hat, etc. Not many tourists either. There are lot of camps around as well for overnight (around 30 camps) but we found a day trip absolutely enough to check out the main...