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How do I get to Wadi Rum?
Below we describe how to get to Wadi Rum from Amman, Aqaba, and Petra. If you are coming to Wadi Rum from another location and require directions, contact us and we will show you the way.
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Wadi Rum Protected Area
History of Wadi Rum
Archaeological evidence shows that the Wadi Rum Desert has been inhabited since prehistoric times. A recently excavated site to the south indicates settlement at least as early as 4500 BC. In the 8th and 6th centuries BC, the area was known as Wadi Iram. The freshwater springs make it an ideal stopover for caravans traveling between Arabia and the Levant. Furthermore, inscriptions show that the Bedouin tribes of Ad, Thamud, Lihyan, and Main all gathered here.​
The Nabateans certainly made their mark here in Wadi Rum as well, with the remodeling of the temple at the foot of Jabal Rum (just west of Rum Village) in the 1st century BC and a more recently excavated site 8.5km to the east of the village. Consequently, this site is believed to have been occupied before Petra.
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Lawrence of Arabia
Wadi Rum Desert is famous for its link to T.E. Lawrence, the original “Lawrence of Arabia”. Along with Prince Feisal bin Al-Hussein, he made his base here during the Arab Revolt of 1917-1918. At the center of Wadi Rum village is the Desert Police fort. Built in 1932, the village remained nothing more than a cluster of tents until the 1980s.
In 1962, David Lean arrived to film his world-renowned Lawrence of Arabia. Filmed on-site here in Wadi Rum, the film won seven Academy Awards, revealing for the first time our dramatic landscapes to the Western world.
The 1980s marked the arrival of renowned British climber Tony Howard. Inspired by the film’s stunning backdrops, he came to publish the region’s climbing routes. As a result, the tourist boom of recent decades began. This has brought thousands of visitors from across the globe to the spectacular Wadi Rum Desert.​​
As in T.E. Lawrence’s day, the area’s prominent tribe is the Zalabiyah tribe. Our family is proud to be a part of this tribe, which has been charged with the protection of Wadi Rum Desert to this day!
Lawrence House Wadi Rum
Long before Lawrence passed through, Bedouins took shelter from wind and bandits in this old Nabatean station, set on caravan route from Hijaz to Petra and Damascus. Awesome views across the sweeping valley floor to Jebel Raqqa.
Burdah Rock Bridge
Bounded by soaring cliffs painted with intricate rock formations, this canyon has a narrow siq reminiscent of Petra. Just up the steps at the entrance are a set of ancient inscriptions, some dating back as far as 350 BC. Further along, you’ll also find the broken remnants of a Nabatean dam.
Umm Fruth Rock Bridge
Rum’s most-visited arch, Umm Fruth is arguably its most picturesque as well, a rugged overhang of bright white rock. Visitors can battle vertigo on the climb to the top, which takes just a few minutes.
Mushroom Stone
An oddly-shaped sandstone formation, the base of this rock has been worn away by time and the elements. Nearby, hidden in the rocks is an old nook carved hundreds of years ago by Bedouin, used to store food in the desert.
Red Sand Dunes
The five-minute climb and five-second descent of these giant sand dunes is one of the definite highlights for Wadi Rum visits. In addition to the smooth red sand, the dramatic backdrop of Jebel Nasraniyah and Jebel Umm Ishrin’s sheer cliffs make it a great place for photos.
Burdah Canyon
In the middle of this canyon there are beautiful sand dunes. The views are spectacular on the top.
Wadi Sabet
Spread below the peak of Umm Adami, highest in Jordan, this valley by the Saudi border has the best views of the mountain as well as glimpses into the Saudi Arabian wilderness. You can feel the solitude of the desert here, since relatively few visitors reach this far south.
Umm Ishrin Canyon
One of the most beautiful spots in the north section of Wadi Rum, this sandy canyon is on the side of Jebel Umm Ishrin within a 1 hour hike.
