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All Jordan Wadi Rum Village Wadi Rum
AO Edited

Wadi Rum

Known as the "Valley of the Moon," this Jordanian wadi is one of the most amazing desertscapes on Earth.

Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

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Andrea IX
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RV tracks   Rebecca Byrne / Atlas Obscura User
  Andrea IX / Atlas Obscura User
  Andrea IX / Atlas Obscura User
  Andrea IX / Atlas Obscura User
  kaskalaga / Atlas Obscura User
  tahasic / Atlas Obscura User
  Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
  Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Andrea IX / Atlas Obscura User
  Andrea IX / Atlas Obscura User
  Andrea IX / Atlas Obscura User
  kaskalaga / Atlas Obscura User
  Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
  Johan SWE / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Wadi Rum Senset   joshuacarlon / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Wadi Rum Colors   joshuacarlon / Atlas Obscura User
Hanging rocks   Rebecca Byrne / Atlas Obscura User
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About

When we think of the desert we normally imagine endless expanses of sand and dust. But the Wadi Rum desert valley in Jordan, also known as the "Valley of the Moon," offers so much more. A journey to this ancient landscape is a journey to a vast, silent, and timeless place.

In this arid valley, dug in a superb fashion by the water and the wind over the millennia, there are fabulous and unspoiled landscapes made of high sand dunes, rocky mountains with incredible shapes, narrow canyons with a thousand shades of color, water sources intertwined between the heights, impressive rock arches, 4,000-year-old rock engravings, and many other wonderful treasures.

One of the area's main attractions is the ruins of the house where, according to legend, T.E. Lawrence aka "Lawrence of Arabia" lived during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in the First World War. Another historical site is the inscriptions of Anfaishiyya: Etchings depicting camels, warriors, and animals cover a stretch of the huge rock face, reminding us that these areas have been inhabited for millennia.

Among the many natural wonders, a highlight is the Al-Hasany Dunes, the most spectacular sand dunes of Wadi Rum. Though they occupy a relatively small area, they rise for many feet accumulating against the slopes of the Jebel Umm Ulaydiyya mountain. Another is the Ain Ash-Shallalah, or "Lawrence's Spring," a cave in which water gushes from the lush vegetation above, while the inside is adorned with ancient carvings in Arabic and filled with the scent of mint. Also look out for the Burdah rock bridge, a spectacular 260-foot-high natural bridge that is truly breathtaking. For the bravest travelers, it is also possible to reach the summit. 

Wadi Rum is an ideal location for adventurers and off-roaders, with plenty of places to hike, climb, and trek. True climbers can test their skills by ascending Jordan's highest mountain, Jabal Rum. A guide is recommended for the trip to the summit, and arrangements should be made previously at Rum village or at a tourist agency.

Wadi Rum is a spectacularly scenic desert valley (wadi in Arabic) in southern Jordan, or valley of the moon, because of the unique landscape that nearly similar to that on the moon.

This area of Jordan is quite isolated and largely inhospitable to settled life. The only permanent inhabitants are several thousand Bedouin nomads and villagers. There is no real infrastructure, leaving the area quite unspoiled. Apart from the Bedouin goat hair tents, the only structures are a few concrete shops and houses and the fort headquarters of the Desert Patrol Corps.

Wadi Rum was the primary filming location for The Martian as well as the planet Jedha in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Related Tags

Star Wars Film Locations Martian Landscapes Deserts Landscapes Dunes Nature Natural Wonders Rocks Ancient Ecosystems Geology

Know Before You Go

The main route to Wadi Rum is well marked and easily navigable both from the north (Amman) and south (Aqaba) on Desert Highway or King's Highway. Public transportation to the village is very difficult. Tourist agencies in all the main cities offer trips with or without a driver. In case you won't have a driver, renting a vehicle in general in Jordan is also easy (and it will be in many cases the low-cost solution). From the main crossing, the road extends about 35 kilometers through the desert. The meeting point is usually the Wadi Rum Visitor Center, indicated by the above map coordinates. It is located in the small village of Wadi Rum, which consists mainly of Bedouin tents, houses, and few shops.

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Community Contributors

Added By

Andrea IX

Edited By

Ameen Alatabeh, d3291, Max Cortesi, joshuacarlon...

  • Ameen Alatabeh
  • d3291
  • Max Cortesi
  • joshuacarlon
  • Rebecca Byrne
  • tahasic
  • Johan SWE
  • kaskalaga

Published

March 4, 2019

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  • https://jordantours.net/jeep-tour-in-wadi-rum/
  • https://www.pasaportealatierra.com/que-ver-en-wadi-rum/
  • https://jordantours.net/wadi-rum/
  • https://theworldtravelguy.com/wadi-rum-jordan-epic-desert-canyons-jeep-tour/
  • https://www.jordantourspetra.com/en/wadi-rum
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum Rd
Wadi Rum Village
Jordan
29.639263, 35.434294
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Hejaz Railway Train of Wadi Rum

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jordan

Jordan

Middle East

Places 23
Stories 9

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Hejaz Railway Train of Wadi Rum

Shakaria, Jordan

miles away

Judean Date Palm Methuselah

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miles away

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Photo of Jordan

Jordan

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