Wadi Rum: What to See in the Valley of the Moon Desert (Ticket, Tours, Overnight)
Wadi Rum, the Valley of the Moon, is a desert of red sandstone and granite in southern Jordan, listed by UNESCO. Cliffs hundreds of metres high, natural arches, orange dunes and canyons with ancient inscriptions are all visited by 4x4 with a Bedouin guide, for a few hours or a night. The reserve is run from Rum village, where the visitor centre is. The simplest plan: half a day by 4x4 and a night in a camp, between Petra and Aqaba. See also which tour and which camp to choose.
Highlights
Khazali Canyon
A narrow fissure where you walk between two walls, with ancient inscriptions and drawings carved into the rock. It is a stop on almost every tour.
The open spaces and rock formations
The 4x4 crosses plains of red sand between isolated massifs. Tracks also pass the Seven Pillars of Wisdom formation, near the village.
Red dunes and viewpoints
You climb the dunes on foot for the sunset light, with tea offered by the guide on most tours.
Burdah rock bridge and Lawrence's Spring
Stops on longer tours that involve walking; see Burdah rock bridge.
Practical info
Tips
- Entry fee: 5 JOD per person according to most 2026 sources, free with the Jordan Pass; one operator quotes 7 JOD, so confirm at the visitor centre, which generally takes only Jordanian dinars in cash (no ATM or exchange office on site).
- The ticket does not include the 4x4, a camel or the camp. Prices found (unofficial): a 3 to 5 hour 4x4 tour about 50 to 75 JOD per vehicle; camel about 20 JOD per hour; camps from 20 JOD per person (simple Bedouin) to over 130 USD a night (bubble camp). Details in the 4x4 tour and the bubble camp.
- For a sunrise over the desert, see also the hot air balloon at Wadi Rum.
- Bring warm layers in winter (nights close to zero), a hat and 2 litres of water per person in summer. Camps inside the reserve can only be reached by 4x4.
- Sleeping on site is the best way to see the desert at sunset, at sunrise and under the stars; otherwise a day trip from Aqaba or Petra is enough.
How to get there
About 1 hour from Aqaba (a taxi is around 25 to 35 JOD one way, often arranged by a camp that sends a driver), 1.5 to 2 hours from Petra (Wadi Musa; shuttle or taxi around 30 to 35 JOD) and nearly 4 hours from Amman. According to a guide, a daily bus links Wadi Musa to the village at 6 am: confirm with your hotel. See also car rental and Aqaba.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
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