Glamping in Wadi Rum is a bucket list-worthy experience for many since the Jordanian natural reserve is an incredibly dreamy destination. Film-induced tourism has done it justice, resulting in an increase in its popularity, since the Martian-like desert made an exceptional appearance in so many Hollywood hits such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Martian (2015), and Aladdin (2019). Not just that, but it’s also one of those breathtaking destinations that secured a high rank on the Gram.

If Wadi Rum is on your travel bucket list, it’s safe to say that it’s totally worth the hype – it’s not just outstanding destination marketing. That’s why I put together this blog post to help you plan an unforgettable glamping trip to Wadi Rum.

---

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Please see full disclosure for more information.

---

About Wadi Rum

Spanning 742 square kilometers in the South of Jordan, Wadi Rum is a natural reserve known for its famed brick-red landscapes. The iconic color is a natural result of the granite and sandstone mountains and rock formations. From sky-reaching mountains to the canyons cutting deep into them, Wadi Rum is home to so many magical trails and breathtaking views.

Where to Stay: Glamping in Wadi Rum

There’s a wide variety of Wadi Rum camps and you’ll definitely find plenty of options to choose from. So, how to filter out the good ones?

When filtering out your Wadi Rum dream camp, it’s important to check out the locations on Google Maps. You see, many camps claim that they’re located in Wadi Rum and promote themselves as such; however, they’re not really inside the protectorate. These camps are located right outside of Wadi Rum, in an area called Diseh – they’ll still offer you tours and a camping/glamping experience, but it won’t be an authentic one. It’s okay if you want to go glamping in Wadi Rum without breaking the bank, but in return, don’t complain if you’re room view is a parking lot instead of the vast brick-red desert (based on true events that happened to a friend).

So, when choosing a camp, if it meets all your accommodation criteria, just make sure it’s located within the borders of the protectorate, which is so easy to double-check via the interactive map below.

Booking.com

Here are my suggestions for a few luxury camps where you can stay in one of those Instagram-famous Wadi Rum bubbles, also known as Martian tents:

• Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp (this is where I stayed and highly recommend it)
• Memories Aicha Luxury Camp
• Palmera Camp Wadi Rum

How to Go to Wadi Rum

Upon your arrival in Wadi Rum Village, head to the Visitors Center to purchase an entry ticket for 5 JOD. Jordan Pass holders will not have to pay for entry as it’s already covered. You can find below different routes and means of transportation to reach Wadi Rum.

Amman to Wadi Rum

• Unfortunately, there are no buses from Amman to Wadi Rum. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi from Amman to Wadi Rum and negotiate the price. It’s a 4-hour drive from Amman to Wadi Rum.
• You can also travel to Wadi Musa (where Petra’s located) or Aqaba and go to Wadi Rum from there by bus or taxi.
• If you’re traveling with others, you can rent a car to get around for around 25 JOD per day on average (insurance included) and split the costs. The liter of gas in Jordan costs 1 JOD. It can be pricey, but it’s a practical option and even a cheaper one if you’re traveling with others.

Petra to Wadi Rum

• There’s a daily JETT bus from Petra to Wadi Rum at 5 PM for 15 JOD.
• You can take a taxi from Petra to Wadi Rum for an average of 35 JOD for the 2-hour ride.
• If you’re traveling with others, you can rent a car to get around for around 25 JOD per day on average (insurance included) and split the costs. The liter of gas in Jordan costs 1 JOD. It can be pricey, but it’s a practical option and even a cheaper one if you’re traveling with others

Aqaba to Wadi Rum

• There’s a daily JETT bus from Aqaba to Wadi Rum at 8 AM for 15 JOD.
• You can take a taxi from Aqaba to Wadi Rum and negotiate the price. It’s a 1-hour drive from Aqaba to Petra.
• If you’re traveling with others, you can rent a car to get around for around 25 JOD per day on average (insurance included) and split the costs. The liter of gas in Jordan costs 1 JOD. It can be pricey, but it’s a practical option and even a cheaper one if you’re traveling with others

Things to Do While Glamping in Wadi Rum

Indulge in the traditional Bedouin zarb

Zarb is a traditional Bedouin meal that is slow-cooked to perfection underground. It usually consists of chicken, vegetables, and rice, and it’s pretty similar to Siwa’s Abu Mardam. You’ll probably get to see the Bedouins pull it out of the ground at your camp – they make some sort of a mini-show out of it and it’s actually quite interesting to watch.

Enjoy the spectacular sky shows

Being in a secluded area like Wadi Rum allows you to connect with nature, and that’s the best opportunity to take in nature’s finest sky shows at different times of the day. You may have seen so many sunrises and you might witness a beautiful sunset every single day, but nothing ever compares to those you’ll witness while glamping in Wadi Rum. Sure, every sunset or sunrise is special in its own way, until you witness either (or both) in Wadi Rum – magical would be an understatement.

Even at night, you get a front-row view of the Milky Way, so whether you choose to spend the night practicing your night photography skills or opt for the classic stargazing sessions, you’ll have an incredible time, especially if you’re staying in of those famous Wadi Rum bubbles.

Go on an adventurous hike

Being in a vast scenic desert such as Wadi Rum only calls for a hiking adventure, and the protected area sure offers plenty of trails. Here are the most popular one-day hikes you can opt for:

• Jabal Umm Ad Dami, Jordan’s highest mountain at 1,854m (that’s the one I’ve done)
• Jabal Al Hash
• Burdah Rock Bridge
• Rakhabat Canyon

Do all the touristy stuff (no shame!)

Even though I personally skipped this, there’s no shame in opting for the touristy activities. After all, hiking is not for everyone and you’d probably want to do more than just chill at the camp. The most popular activity among tourists is the Wadi Rum Tour, also known as the Jeep Tour or 4×4 Tour. The off-road ride in the desert may slightly differ from one camp to another, depending on how long you spend out there, but it will most likely cover some, if not all, of the following attractions:

• Lawrence’s Spring
• Lawrence’s House
• The Mushroom Stone
• Burdah Rock Bridge
• Umm Fruth Rock Bridge
• Khazali Canyon
• Sand dunes

The Best Time to Go Glamping in Wadi Rum

Glamping in Wadi Rum is best done during spring and fall months as the weather is mostly pleasant. Summer in the desert would be blazing hot, so you’ll definitely be too uncomfortable to enjoy your time. Meanwhile, winters in Wadi Rum are relatively bearable – you can still visit in the winter as long as you’re well-prepared for the cold and potential rainfall. Spring months in Jordan would be March to May, while fall is from September to November.

What to Pack for Glamping in Wadi Rum

The following packing list is suitable in case you’re glamping in Wadi Rum for just 1 night in mild weather conditions:

---

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!

Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.

SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.

This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.

GET INSURED NOW – Nomad Insurance

---

Sharing is caring!

You might also like:

• Hiking Jabal Umm Ad Dami, the Highest Mountain in Jordan
• Visit Petra: Everything You Need to Know About Jordan’s National Treasure

Meanwhile, if you like my content and would like to see more of it, subscribe to my newsletter here.