Jordan

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Wadi Rum

Jordan's Valley of the Moon

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Wadi Rum Plan a trip around Jordan

Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Currency: JOD
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Jordan

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0

Wadi Rum is a vast desert valley of towering sandstone and granite mountains in southern Jordan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors come for 4x4 tours, camel rides, hiking, rock climbing and nights in Bedouin camps under the stars.

Largest cities

Amman
Zarqa
Irbid
Aqaba
Salt

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Jordan
Capital: Amman
Region population: 2,000
Population of Jordan: 10.4M
Country area: 89,341 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD) · 1 USD ≈ 0.709 JOD
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +962
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 937 m
Plugs: B / C / D / F / G · 230V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	15°	16°	20°	27°	30°	34°	35°	36°	33°	28°	22°	17°
Low	4°	4°	7°	12°	16°	20°	21°	22°	19°	15°	11°	6°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$38
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$95
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$255

Plan a trip to Wadi Rum

Top things to do

≈ $85
4x4 Desert Tour
A 3–5 hour jeep tour stops at the main sights with short walks and tea; confirm the route and duration before booking.
- Half day
- Wadi Rum Village
- Good for kids
≈ $30
Camel Ride
Ride a camel at walking pace through the valley for an hour or more; book through your camp or a local guide.
- Half day
- Wadi Rum Village
- Good for kids
Free
Khaz'ali Canyon Petroglyphs
See Thamudic-era rock carvings of humans and antelopes in a shady canyon; usually included in a 4x4 tour.
- Half day
- Khaz'ali Canyon
- Good for kids
Free
Jebel Um Ishrin Hike
A guided half-day hike to viewpoints over the valley; go with a local guide and start early to avoid the heat.
- Half day
- Jebel Um Ishrin
≈ $120
Jabal Umm ad Dami Trek
A full-day guided trek to Jordan's highest peak at 1,840 m, with views to the Red Sea and Saudi border on clear days.
- Full day
- Jabal Umm ad Dami
≈ $25
Bedouin Camp Dinner
An evening meal of zarb and sweet tea in a traditional goat-hair tent, followed by stargazing; book through your camp.
- Half day
- Wadi Rum Village
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Sunset Viewpoint
Watch the sandstone mountains turn red at sunset from a high dune or rock ledge; bring a torch for the walk back.
- Half day
- Visitor Centre area
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Wadi Rum Village Walk
Stroll through the Bedouin village to see the school, shops and Desert Patrol headquarters; buy supplies here before heading into the desert.
- Half day
- Wadi Rum Village
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors need a visa to enter Jordan. A single-entry visa can be purchased on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport or at the Sheikh Hussein/North Border land crossing for 40 Jordanian dinars (about 56 USD), valid for 3 months. Alternatively, if staying at least 3 nights, you can buy a Jordan Pass online before travel (70–80 JD), which includes the visa fee and entry to major sites. If you plan to stay more than 14 days, you must register with the local police station within 14 days of arrival. Always check the official UK government entry requirements page for the latest rules, as

Official website

From the airport

Most travellers arrive via Aqaba (about 60 km west) or Petra; buses and minibuses from Aqaba stop at the Wadi Rum turnoff, from where a local minibus or hitchhike reaches the Visitor Centre and Rum Village in 20–30 minutes. A private taxi from Aqaba takes about 1 hour.

Getting around

Inside the protected area, travel is by guided 4x4, camel or on foot, as private vehicles are not allowed beyond the village.

Local tips

Dress modestly and cover shoulders and knees, especially in Bedouin camps and villages.
Bring Jordanian dinars in cash; there are no ATMs in the protected area and card payments are rare.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons; summer days are very hot and winter nights can be near freezing.
Carry plenty of water, sun protection and a good map or GPS if hiking; mobile signal is patchy.

Areas worth knowing

Khaz'ali Canyon
Jebel Um Ishrin
Visitor Centre area
Wadi Rum Village
Jabal Umm ad Dami

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 10, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK