Wadi Rum is a very peculiar desert in the Middle East, especially because of its rock formations (granite and sandstone). This particularity causes the color of the sand to be affected, gaining a very striking orange tone.
This characteristic made the desert become the setting for several films throughout history. Before visiting this important destination in Jordan, it is important to know the main information about the place and how to visit it safely and comfortably.
Learn About Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a desert located in southern Jordan, also known as Valley of the Moon. This desert is a valley cut through granite rock and sandstone, a fact that makes its color much more orange than other deserts.
Its highest point is 1,800 meters. Thus, in addition to being a hot environment during the day and summer, it is a space where temperatures have low temperatures, especially at night and at night, since the sand has a low thermal amplitude (they lose heat easily).
The desert provides excellent landscapes, either during the day or at night. During the day, the highlight is the desert itself, with the dunes in orange tones and the sandstone walls. During the night, the highlight is the starry sky. There are records of cavemen in the region, thanks to the presence of petroglyphs in several rocks in the desert.
In addition, the desert has other important monuments, especially of the Nabatean people, who occupied the region until the mid-2nd century AD. Wadi Rum has been the setting for several films, such as Lawrence of Arabia, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Red Planet and The Martian. Due to its beauty and cinematographic scenarios, it has attracted more and more tourists.
Important information for visiting Wadi Rum
The driver drops you off at Wadi Rum in a parking lot. In it, you must wait for a 4×4 to pick you up. This transport is provided by the hotel where you made the reservation (it is worth noting that the hotel is similar to a campsite and support point). It is recommended that you bring light luggage.
Thus, you facilitate your walk in the desert and the change between different types of transport. The camps/hotels offer bathrooms and meals (dinner and breakfast).
Use these services as there are no other options in the region. Restoring energy is essential to withstand the long days of walking. As is common in deserts, temperatures during the day are high and drop a lot at night, due to the low temperature range of the sand. In addition, the Desert is more than a thousand meters high, which influences the great difference in temperature between day and night. Go prepared for both scenarios.
There is no internet in the hotels, only in the parking lot! So, enjoy the trip to disconnect from the world. Make the records and keep them in your electronics until you return and post your experience. At 10 pm the electricity is turned off in the hotel camps.
Take advantage of this feature to regulate your sleep. Sleep early and wake up early! Dawn is one of the best moments for photos and videos in the Wadi Rum desert. Just 1 day is enough to live this experience. Enjoy both the day (when the highlight is the sandstone and granite rocks and the orange-hued sand) and the night (when the highlight is the starry sky).
There are night tours focused on this stargazing scenery). Without a doubt, this experience should be included in your trip to Jordan. You will not regret it! So, what are you waiting for to visit this important desert called Wadi Rum?
Here you will find some accommodations with promotions! Enjoy!
