Khaled's Camp - Wadi Rum — Hotel in Aqaba

If I had to sum up my stay at Khaled's Camp in one word, it would be "unforgettable." From the moment I arrived at this oasis in the heart of the desert, I knew I was in for a truly unique experience.

First, let's talk about the sky. I've seen some beautiful skies in my life, but nothing quite compares to the celestial masterpiece that unfolded above Khaled's Camp every night. The stars seemed to twinkle with an extra dose of magic, as if they were putting on a show just for us lucky campers. I spent countless hours lying on the sand, gazing up at the vast expanse above, feeling like I was floating in a sea of constellations. It was the kind of sky that makes you contemplate the mysteries of the universe and your place in it.

But as much as I could have happily stargazed for days on end, there were also the red mountains to explore. These impressive rock formations are like nature's sculptures, rising majestically from the desert floor. Hiking through the rugged terrain, I felt like an intrepid explorer uncovering hidden treasures in the desert's folds. The views from the summits were nothing short of breathtaking.

Speaking of adventure, Khaled's Camp offers a range of exciting tours that cater to all tastes. During my stay, I chose to kick things off with a heart-pounding 4x4 desert tour, where our skilled driver expertly navigated the challenging terrain, making it feel like an exhilarating roller coaster ride.

The following day, I embarked on a tracking tour, which allowed me to immerse myself in the desert's unique flora and fauna. It was a refreshing change of pace, and I learned so much about the incredible resilience of desert life.

And I can't forget to mention our incredible tour guide, Sallam. He was not only our guide and driver but also a lunch chef and an amazing photographer. Sallam's multi-talented skills added an extra layer of enjoyment to our desert adventures, capturing both the beauty of the landscape and the essence of our memorable journey.

On the last morning of my stay, I joined a camel trek, a serene and contemplative journey through the desert. Riding those majestic creatures through the sandy landscape felt like stepping back in time. They make for excellent photo companions and offer a different perspective on the desert's beauty.

Now, let's talk about the camp itself. It's a true desert gem, blending seamlessly with the landscape. The tents are comfortable, cozy, and surprisingly well-equipped for a place in the middle of nowhere. It was the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern amenities.

Of course, no review of Khaled's Camp would be complete without mentioning the food. The meals were not only delicious but also a testament to the culinary skills of the camp's team. Dining under the starry sky, surrounded by the desert's silence, made each meal feel like a special occasion.

Last but certainly not least, I have to give a shout-out to our host, Khaled. He's not just an attentive host; he's a magician when it comes to making his guests feel at home in the desert. His warm hospitality, endless stories, and infectious laughter created an atmosphere of camaraderie among the campers. It's safe to say that Khaled's Camp wouldn't be the same without him.

In conclusion, my stay at Khaled's Camp was more than just a vacation; it was an adventure of a lifetime. From the unforgettable night sky to the awe-inspiring red mountains, the exciting 4x4 desert tour, tracking tour, and the serene camel trek on the last morning, every moment felt like a treasure. If you're looking for a desert escape that's equal parts thrilling and heartwarming, Khaled's Camp is the place to be. I can't wait to return for another round of sand, stars, and...

Obviously the scenery is amazing. Deep in the desert, one finds himself away from the main Wadi Rum village deep into the desert overlooking the red and the white holy deserts. There was nice swing for kids, benches, camel taxi, good lights in the evening to find your tent and lovely stone sitting over the rock to watch the sunset.

One can climb the rock and visit a cave. Some staff was super smiley. The main staff was rather business oriented. They were kind to organize taxi from airport and their response was on time. Their offered star tour was not worth for me, as I know more about stars. Surprising private cake celebration was lovely, unfortunately end up as clear temptation trick rather than just heart gesture. Ladies watch out, unless you like receiving massages:)

Winter time take your warm pyjamas with. Morning you have no electricity or water (all electric battery charged). So, good to be prepared for eco-desert life. Tent with a view had comfortable bed, many blakets and own shower-toilet. That is perfect for basic need. Cleanness was ok, but could be better. Next time I take my sleeping bag.

(advise) Tent with a window was unnecessary, because you probably only will sleep in and window only makes it cooler. Scenery is amazing, but one doesn't really have a time to sit inside the tent to enjoy the secenery and space is limited.

After visiting other Jordan desert camps, I realized this dinner was over priced for the quality. Surely it was rich in variations and so was also the served breakfast. You can take as much tea as you wish. Fresh fruits, soup and salads were available, so different tastes (vegan) could be sattisfied. Dinner had nice fire sitting and musician, that made the whole atmosphere pleasant inside the main dining tent. But it lasted very short. Maybe because I was bit late. I would have loved to have longer music program (1 hour) and would pay gladly for it.

The 6 hour jeep tour was too much for me. I would suggest 2,5 hour tour for next time. But it did have nice old jeep with hood above against possible rain and very kind driver. We saw many places. Surelly the driver spoke little english, but I don't need tour guide in the desert to tell me things. Our driver told us enough, in my opinnion. One can find all the info online or books and there is no need when you are in a group for more info, as we had plenty to visit and photograph. So, if one needs special tour guide with english and much talking, then one should hire private tour or so. The lunch during our tour was fine, but basic. One can certainly be fed and belly happy, but don't expect something spectacular.

This was my first Wadi Rum visit. So, I judge only from my own percpective of what I felt. I am glad the driver who waited me two hours, since my plane didn't land and I am happy with the camp. I had no big expectations and so they surely met mine. I would recommend one to try this camp, as they might have different experience. I just analyze the price-value and it was possible to have different feelings. Now I know, that it is overpriced for some things and would personally search something...

I loved this camp! It was my first time in Wadi Rum but I stayed with people who had traveled to Wadi Rum before and said that we were really getting a good experience with the camp we picked.

Rooms/amenities: My room was a cute little 2 bed room with full bathroom. Has working lights, water, and a mirror. Only thing is the shower was ice cold (but idk what you expect and it was kinda refreshing at 7am haha. I heard if you take it mid day when the pipes have time to warm up you can get a warmer shower) I also loved that they had like a whole outside patio set onto of a mountain, a volleyball net, pinic tables, and my favorite a swinging hamic to stare at the stars or take a nap on.

Location: the tour and location is amazing because you get to really see and experience more than the service of Wadi Rum. The camp is deeper in than others, giving you space to really unwind and enjoy the desert. The jeep tour is also super cool because there was a good mix of drive and come out and hike. There is one time where we were dropped off and told to hike through and meet out guide on the other side which was nice to give us time to enjoy and go at our own pace. When we started to run out of time before sunset, our guide made sure to rush over to a perfect sunset spot so that we would be able to take good pics and just enjoy the view!

Service: What really made memories for me was the staff. Chef was amazing and did a cooking presentation for us for dinner. Khaled was very hospitality, fun and chill. His nephew Badr was amazing! He was our guide for the tour and not only did he do a great job taking us places or explaining different sites, he also volunteered how/where to take pictures for us, gave us time to explore each location, made jokes, made me plenty of tea, stayed up to play Uno with us in the common area and much more. Even with limited common language between us he did an amazing job at making the tour personable which is something valuable to me!

Go check out this camp if you're in Wadi Rum, I'm already...