Wadi Rum desert is one of the most otherworldly places in Jordan and enchanting natural landscapes in the Middle East. From the moment I exited off the Desert Highway onto a small two-lane road leading to the expansive 300-mile protected area, I knew I was in for an unforgettable experience. It was the first time in Jordan I noticed camel crossing signs; directing drivers to reduce their speed to avoid hitting these clumsy animals. Upon arriving, I was completely left in awe by the unadulterated, wild beauty of Wadi Rum. Towering sandstone rock formations and vast orange desert plains invite visitors to come explore.

Although you can spend several days trekking through the endless desert and sleeping under the stars, sometimes a day trip to Wadi Rum is the only option for those staying in Jordan for a shorter trip. I took a day trip from Petra, situated in the modern village of Wadi Musa located just 2 hours North of Wadi Rum. A day trip was the perfect opportunity to explore the fascinating terrain and natural treasures of Wadi Rum. I took a truck tour that lasted several hours and provided ample time to stop at the most stunning rock formations, desert canyons, and scenic viewpoints.

In this guide, I will share everything you need to know about planning a day trip to Wadi Rum.

Welcome to mars

Commonly referred to as the “Valley of the Moon”, visiting Wadi Rum feels like traversing another planet. Maybe it’s the massive rock formations and granite cliffs afloat a wave or endless red sand. It could also be that despite being the size of New York City, there are no permanent residents of Wadi Rum besides the few Bedouin tribes (more on them later). Despite being one of the most popular places in Jordan, there is plenty of room to spread out.

My trip to the Wadi Rum desert felt like a day on Mars. Wadi in Arabic translates to “arid valley” and rum could be related to a Quranic reference to a fallen civilization or an Aramaic corruption of the word “high place”. Several Hollywood blockbusters have also been filmed here, including Star Wars, the Mummy, and Lawrence of Arabia. Your visit to Wadi Rum will open your imagination and transport you to another world.

Tribal home of the bedouins

Translated from Arabic as the “desert dwellers”, the Bedouins are a historically nomadic people occupying North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Levant. For much of human history, the Bedouins lived a nomadic lifestyle and relied on the land for their livelihood. 

The creation of modern nation-states in the Middle East during the early 20th century had a dramatic effect on the Bedouin way of life. New borders made nomadic movement more challenging and incentivized the Bedouins to establish homes in specific geographic boundaries.

Changing times have required the Bedouin people to adapt. Today, several tribes reside in Wadi Rum. Many of them are guides, drivers, and accommodation managers supporting the tourist infrastructure of Wadi Rum. The majority live in the simple concrete village at the end of the road and the beginning of the desert. Despite the changes, many traditional skills and cultural practices are still maintained and passed down to the younger generations.

Getting to Wadi rum

Travel to Wadi Rum is easy from major destinations like Amman, Petra, or the port city of Aqaba. The easiest way to get to Wadi Rum is by renting a private car and driving there. You can also use ride-share such as Uber or Careem or take a taxi. The Jett is the Jordanian public bus system and has daily routes to Wadi Rum from multiple destinations.

is it possible to do a day trip to wadi rum

In short – yes, it is possible to take a day trip to Wadi Rum. The ease and benefit of taking a day trip to Wadi Rum depend on where you are starting your day trip. Below is the estimated time driving for one way to reach Wadi Rum:

Aqaba ~ 45 minutes – 1 hour

Wadi Musa (Petra) ~ 1.5 – 2 hours

Amman ~4 hours

Madaba ~ 4 hours

I took a day trip to Wadi Rum after visiting the ancient city of Petra in Wadi Musa. The drive from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum took less than 2 hours and was a relatively easy drive. Only when you exit the Desert Highway onto the narrow two-lane road leading to the Wadi Rum Visitor Center (the official entrance) do you have to be careful of oncoming traffic. The drive from the port city of Aqaba, South of Wadi Rum is even shorter.

A day trip to Wadi Rum fit perfectly in my Jordanian itinerary. For a comprehensive guide of my Jordan itinerary, check out my blog here.

I wouldn’t recommend taking a day trip from Amman or Madaba. It’s around 4 hours one way. You would spend the majority of the day driving and not getting to actually explore much of Wadi Rum.

Is it worth it to do a day trip to wadi rum

A well-planned day will give you the full experience in Wadi Rum. Most day excursions last several hours and will take you to the most stunning desert vistas, panoramic views, and rock formations. Despite what you may hear elsewhere, a day trip is plentiful time for those who only have one day to enjoy Wadi Rum.

top tips for visiting wadi rum in a day

start early

My top tip for those planning a day trip to Wadi Rum is to start your day early! The sooner you arrive at Wadi Rum, the longer your tour will last and the more you will be able to see. I scheduled my tour to start at 8 a.m. This meant that I had to leave Wadi Musa at 6 in the morning and wake up even earlier. Luckily, there are plenty of coffee stalls all along the Jordanian highway selling the strong and aromatic Arabic coffee. It only took me around an hour and forty-five minutes to get to Wadi Rum. The majority of the drive was on the large, scenic, and well-maintained King and Desert highways.

Travel Logistics and Priorities – communicate with your guide

Another tip for a successful day trip to Wadi Rum is to communicate with your guide. Discuss any important travel logistics and priorities for your day. This will help you plan your tour around any important reservations or flights.

My tour in Wadi Rum was my last day in Jordan. I had a flight later that evening departing Jordan from the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. By communicating with my guide, I was able to schedule my tour an hour early giving me 4 hours to see the desert. This gave me plenty of time to return to the airport and return my rental car.

I stored my luggage in the trunk of my rental car. There are no public lockers in Wadi Rum.

join a jeep or truck tour

Private vehicles are not permitted to drive in Wadi Rum past the Bedouin village at the entrance of Wadi Rum. This means you will need to join a guided tour to see Wadi Rum. Most of the desert tours are in Jeeps or trucks. I recommend using Wadi Rum Bedouin Guide tours. They were great in accommodating the needs for my truck tour. Reach out to them on WhatsApp for trip specifications.

If you take a truck, you can sit in the back and enjoy the desert drive. Most have some sort of makeshift covered canopy to protect you from the sun.

other activities in wadi rum

Depending on the length of your day trip to Wadi Rum, you could easily incorporate a camel ride on your visit. Regrettably, I did not have time to take a camel tour during my day in Wadi Rum. It seems like a relaxing alternative to savoring the unique beauty and terrain.

If you have more time in your day, there are other activities like sandboarding, ATV tours, and rock climbing.

tickets and entry to wadi rum

You need a ticket to enter the Wadi Rum protected area. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on arrival at the Wadi Rum visitor center. You will not be allowed to pass until you are issued your entry receipt. Entry to Wadi Rum is included in the Jordan Pass, which includes entry to around 40 other historical and natural sights in Jordan. If you will be visiting Petra or several of the other cultural sights in Jordan, I would consider looking into the Jordan Pass.

You will enter the protected natural world heritage sight at the entrance gate where you will validate your ticket or purchase one. It is a short drive to the Wadi Rum guest house from there where you will start your tour.

Best Time to Visit Wadi Rum

The best time to visit Wadi Rum is between March and May and September through early October. Summertime is brutal in the open desert. Jordan also has a wet season running from November to February, with lots of rain and thunderstorms.

Wadi Rum is open during Ramadan, however, opening and tour times may vary. The few restaurants in Wadi Rum town may have limited hours due to the fast.

What to wear and bring

It is best to wear airy, comfortable, and lightweight clothes during your day trip to Wadi Rum. The days are warm throughout the majority of the year. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are best for hiking and exploring the sand dunes. Due to the exposure from the sun, I recommend bringing a hat and sunglasses and to apply sunblock throughout the day.

I would also bring a small backpack with snacks and lots of water. Also, have some cash on you. There are a few restaurants at the small Bedouin village at the entrance to the Wadi Rum protected area and they only accept cash, along with the Bedouin rest stops inside the desert.

highlights of wadi rum

desert valleys and rock formations of wadi rum

My most memorable experience in Wadi Rum was just admiring the vast openness of the desert and the dark sandstone rock formations. I was left speechless taking in the extraordinary scenery as my guide drove through the desert, trying to stay in the tire tracks from previous vehicles to give me the smoothest ride possible. My driver took me through the most scenic and stunning valleys on my day trip. He stopped many times for me to take pictures and videos during my tour.

Little arch

One of the most stunning sights in Wadi Rum is a natural rock formation known as Little Arch. Little Arch is an enchanting earth bridge with backdrops of the rugged beauty and views of Wadi Rum. It is also less visited than other arches in Wadi Rum and is a perfect place to take photos.

the canyons of wadi rum

The canyons of Wadi Rum are fascinating. These impressive deep gorges cut through the intimidating sandstone mountains and are carpeted with a layer of hot orange sand. Some desert shrubbery can be found in the shade and a few streams run through some of the canyons. I didn’t venture too deep into the canyons, I was scared of having a chance encounter with a desert cobra!

house of lawrence

Another remarkable place I saw on my day trip to Wadi Rum was the House of Lawrence of Arabia. A modest stone building tucked under the shade of a rocky mountain, this is believed to have been the hideout for T.E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Although a humble building, the structure maintains a large historical significance. The rocky terraces around the House of Lawrence can be climbed and offer remarkable views of the Wadi Rum’s towering cliffs and desert plains. Many travelers have also begun the tradition of stacking trail marker towers to commemorate their visit.

caravan carvings

Wadi Rum has been a passageway for nomads, traders, and armies since the dawn of time and served as the corridor to Arabia. It functions as a geographic and psychological crossover between the worlds of the Arabian Peninsula and the more fertile Levant region of the Middle East.

The existing caravan carvings suggest Wadi Rum was an active and important pathway for merchants and nomadic traders. Many of the carvings depict camels and items of commerce and give directions to important ancient trade sites like Petra or Mecca.

Bedouin Desert rest stops and natural streams

Since my tour was in the back of a covered pickup truck, these stops were much appreciated. Many of the Bedouin are curious about life outside Jordan and it was a special way to have meaningful conversations with the locals and learn what life is like in Wadi Rum. Many of the rest stops also have watering holes where many camels gather together.