Wadi Rum is a unique corner of the planet, a "moonscape" of intricately wind and sand riddled rocks on a desert plateau, a moonscape of pink sands and black mountains, a realm of Bedouins, peace, echoes and singing wind that became the setting for a true story told by director D. Lin in the film Lawrence of Arabia. Wadi Rum is the largest and one of the most spectacular desert landscapes not only in Jordan, but globally. Powerful cliffs wall the arid red plain. Some peaks reach a height of 1750 metres and can only be climbed by those with serious mountaineering training. But no less exciting routes can be made through the sullen gorges and bright hills, made of local multi-coloured sandstone and burning in the rays of the hot local sun like precious stones. Some would prefer to spend the day in a leisurely walk on the back of a camel, and the night - under the huge southern stars at the Bedouin tent. By the way, relatively few modern Bedouins in Jordan continue to live the life of their ancestors. Most of them gradually move to the cities and confidently join the cycle of civilisation. Nevertheless, colourful Bedouin tents with camels and sheep grazing around them are still ubiquitous in Wadi Rum (and in Jordan in general).
Despite the onset of civilisation, a tourist can still count on traditional Bedouin hospitality, and at least a glass of fragrant Bedouin coffee.
The best time to come here is in spring, when after the rains the desert turns fabulously green for a short period of time, turning into the likeness of a vast dense meadow, and for several months "comes alive" with flowers and birds. Red anemones, poppies and the famous black iris, the flower that has become Jordan's national emblem, are literally at every turn.
The main attraction of the Wadi Rum Reserve is the desert itself. Wadi Rum is an example of a classic sandy desert landscape with its multi-coloured sandstone hills and cliffs (Arabic name: "jabl") rising above an almost perfectly smooth red-pink surface. The ruins of the ancient Nabatean temple, a stunning example of the architectural style that prevailed here many centuries ago, can be considered a continuation of the desert. There is a whole network of specially protected areas on the territory of the reserve for compact living of endangered species of desert fauna.
Wadi Rum is most convenient to visit within one big tour with visits to Dana, Petra and Aqaba. Wadi Rum is located 3.5-4 hours by bus from Amman southwards on the main road to Aqaba. From Aqaba to Wadi Rum is less than an hour's journey in a northerly direction. Minibuses run from Aqaba and Wadi Musa (near Petra) to Wadi Rum.
