Tours

Two days/one night walking, scrambling and jeep riding - From Rakebat to Burdah Arch

We start through the Rakebat Canyon and shall be picked up by jeep to transfer towards the Barragh Canyon where we shall do some more walking. We shall spend the night either near to Barragh or towards Jebel Burdah.


The next morning we start with a climb to the Burdah Bridge before continuing the hike in the afternoon through a very attractive narrow valley towards another rock bridge. You can climb this one as well if you wish, but it is much easier than Burdah.

Incidentally in 2006, this trip was selected by Royal Jordanian Airways as one of the five best adventure trips in Jordan - it even came in number two!

Price: for 2-4 people 120JD per person. This includes all meals and sleeping equipment and the guide for hiking and climbing to Burdah.

It does NOT include the entrance fee to Wadi Rum.

Please note the page about Private Tours

Starting from Rum village, we follow the 'classic jeep tour' described in "By jeep to the Barragh Canyon".. You can hike (alone) through the Barragh Canyon, and enjoy the silence there. We have lunch in this famous valley.

Later we drive to a place where you have a view of the bridge high on Jebel Burdah, and you can take another hike in the afternoon through a very attractive narrow valley towards another rock bridge. You can climb this one as well if you wish - it is much easier than Burdah - before sleeping in the desert and returning to Rum for the early buses the next day.

This is in fact a less taxing version of the "Three Bridges Trek" to be done in one day, omitting the more difficult passage through the Rakebat Canyon and the climb to the Burdah Bridge.

It offers about two and a half hours in a jeep and the same amount of time walking. The walks are straightforward and do not need an accompanying guide. The jeep will go on ahead and wait for you about three quarters of the way down, just in case you prefer to ride the last bit.

Price: for 2-3 people 60JD per person; for 4 people or more 50JD per person. This includes all meals and sleeping equipment .

We start with a full day in 4x4 following the 'classic jeep tour' described in "By jeep to the Barragh Canyon".

The second day, after a night in the desert, we drive south, through the largely deserted southern valleys to Jebel Khasch, a high ridge stretching east to west for several kilometers. We shall walk along the top of the ridge for three to four hours, admiring the views of Wadi Rum to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. This is a magnificent walk, along a clearly marked path, and is always very popular.

We come down from the Khasch into the lonely cirque of Nogra where we shall have lunch


After lunch, we can take another shorter hike, or if you prefer it, make a leisurely return to Rum Village in the jeep at the end of the afternoon. A second night in the desert can be added on if you wish or we can take you "From Um Adaami to Aqaba".

We highly recommend this two day tour, which we believe provides the best Wadi Rum visit possible.

Price: for the two days for 2-3 people 105JD per person. This includes all meals, sleeping equipment and the guide for the hiking. it does not include the entrance fee to Wadi Rum

Please note the page about Private Tours

T. E. Lawrence took three days in a dash from Wadi Rum to Mudawarra on a racing camel to cut the Hejaz railway line. We shall go more slowly, covering much the same ground in five days. This is another route that is taken by few people.

On arrival at Mudawarra, we shall be met by a jeep with provisions and you can return to Rum by the road with it if you wish. Otherwise the return is made again with the camels, taking a different route and a further five days.

The longer trek allows you to become fully used to riding a camel - it's not really very difficult and much easier than a horse.

We start off with the 'classic jeep tour' described in "A day with the Bedouin". This takes us to the principal sights of Wadi Rum.

The next day we shall drive south for nearly an hour to a long ridge stretching approximately east to west across the desert. This is Jebel Khasch.

It is easy to climb up and we shall walk the length of the ridge for three to four hours. There are fantastic views to the north over Wadi Rum and to the south over Saudi Arabia. We come down again in the distant valley of Nogara where the jeep will be waiting for us. We drive back to the previous day's camp.

After a night spent in the desert we start off on the camels for a 4 to 5 hours trip which will take you to some places you did not visit previously. If you have any special suggestions about where to go we should be happy to hear them. We are not offering an itinerary, since it can vary with each client.

We shall come back to Rum Village at about sunset.

This is about a 5 hours' ride on the camel which gives you the time to learn how to control it yourself without the help of the guide. You will enjoy the tour much better like this.

This is a programme with - we hope - something for everybody who loves the wild places and the desert. Certainly you see something of everything in Wadi Rum.

Price for the three days : 160JD per person for 2 to 4 people. This includes all meals, equipment for sleeping, the camels and the guide with his own camel.

We start off with the 'classic jeep tour' described in "A day with the Bedouin". This takes us to the principal sights of Wadi Rum.

After a night spent in the desert we start off on the camels for a 4 to 5 hours trip which will take you to some places you did not visit the day before. If you have any special suggestions about where to go we should be happy to hear them. We are not offering an itinerary, since it can vary with each client.

We shall come back to Rum Village at about sunset.

This is about a 5 hours' ride on the camel which gives you the time to learn how to control it yourself without the help of the guide. You will enjoy the tour much better like this.

Price for the two days : 115JD per person for 2 to 4 people. This includes all meals, equipment for sleeping, the camels and the guide with his own camel.

Please note the page about Private Tours

We can offer a number of routes for camel trekking, and if there is anything that you particularly want to see or a place you wish to visit, please tell us and we will work it in.

For the moment we are giving the prices only, without the routes - all of Wadi Rum is sufficiently beautiful that we presume the prices are what you chiefly with to know.

All of these prices include a guide mounted on a camel.

For one full day for two to four people : 50JD per person. This includes the guide, the camels and lunch. The tour ends at sunset, but if you wish we can "add in" a night in the desert for the price of 20JD/person (please see the page "Extra excursions")

For two days (and one night) for two to four people : 120JD per person. This includes the guide, the camels, the overnight and all meals (two lunches, one supper, one breakfast).

For three days (and two nights) for two to four people : 175JD per person. This includes the guide, the camels, the two nights and meals as above.

A short camel ride : After a night in the desert, if you wish we can bring you back to Rum Village by camel! It would take about two hours and will cost 30JD/person for a minimum of two people, as always with a mounted guide. We could also arrange this at the end of any tour.

If you are short of time the next morning, wanting to catch a bus or something, we could start you off on camels at the beginning of your trip, and pick you up somewhere near to the sand dunes to continue by jeep.

Solo travellers should refer to the page on people travelling alone.

These prices do not include the entrance fee to Wadi Rum (see the introduction page)

There are basically two ways to visit Wadi Rum with a camel : the first is with somebody (usually a young boy) leading the camel. The second is to have a mounted guide with you.

While most people arriving at the Resthouse take the first option, we always prefer to offer the second one to our clients.

It is certainly a bit more expensive, since the camel for the guide has to be taken into account, but in our experience there is no comparison in the enjoyment felt. With a mounted guide, you go faster, you therefore cover much more ground, and since the basic technique of camel riding is easily and quickly mastered, within a few hours most people will be guiding their own camel and will feel much more independent. Just about everybody does this when they are here for a second day.

A camel is not like a horse and few people have any problem with one. Although they look decidedly unfriendly, in fact this is deceptive, and most people come quickly to appreciate their qualities.

They make little noise and you will be able to experience the complete silence of the desert.

We offer camel trips lasting from one to five days, and also trips combined with either jeep riding or hiking - and with both. Not all of the itineraries are given here for the longer trips, we can supply them at your request.

No special equipment or dress is necessary. As always you will need a shoulder bag or rucksack, and please, ladies - you will be more comfortable in trousers! Any kind of shoes or sandals will be fine.

The prices take account of the mounted guide in every case: if you prefer to have a guide on foot with you, the itinerary as well as the price will be altered so please let us know in advance.

This is a wonderful trip, through the heart of the former Bedouin hunting territories and will make a holiday that you will remember for the rest of your life.



Day 1 : We start from the village and go through the Rakebat Canyon to cross through the massif of Jebel Um Ishrin. It will take about 2 1/2 hours. We arrive in the lovely valley of Wadi Um Ishrin, where we take a break and have some tea. We continue by jeep to the Barragh Canyon, passing on the way the sand dunes in Um Ishrin, some Nabatean inscriptions and "Lawrence of Arabia's house". Lunch in the Barragh Canyon.

In the afternoon we cross from the Canyon to Rad el Beidha by doing some scrambling, including one easy abseil of 20m. This is a great trip, all in the shade and takes about 2 hours. At the end of the canyon a jeep picks us up and drives us to Jebel Burdah where we shall see the bridge. On the way, you will notice how the landscape changes colour with the approach of evening. We camp down near Burdah and admire the moon and the stars before sleeping.

Day 2 : After breakfast we go up to the bridge. It's easy scrambling except for just one short bit near to the top! It will take us about 1 1/2 hours to reach the bridge from where we can see the marvellous view. If you want to continue to the top of the mountain, it would take an extra hour. Alternatively you can go down by a different route. Back in the camp we have lunch - and tea of course!

Afterwards we continue by jeep to Khazali Canyon where you can see some Nabatean and Thamudic inscriptions. After the canyon we drive to a spot from where there is a wonderful view of the sunset. We camp near to the beginning of Sabbagh's Road up Khazali.

Day 3 : Up Sabbagh's Road to Khazali. We eat our packed lunch on the summit, admire the different views from there, and look to see if we can see any ibex. There are still some around, even though Jebel Khazali is close to Rum Village. We come down at sunset, and sleep in the same camp.



Day 4 : We drive south to Jebel Um Adaami, the highest mountain in Jordan which we shall climb on the south eastern side. The climb is straightforward, a simple uphill walk on the usual path. We come down the other side, which is less popular. You will see that the countryside is much starker than the soft red of the sand and the sandstone in Wadi Rum itself. It is not used by the Bedouin for pasturing their herds or for cultivation of any sort. We might meet a rare hunter, the area is outside the Protected Zone of the Nature Reserve, but even this is unlikely.



When we are down, we have lunch and continue by jeep and then another uphill walk until we reach a beautiful valley, less than 300m from the Saudi border, which is still far below us. We sleep in this valley.



Day 5 : Taking a packed lunch, we go up into the No Man's Land area. The climb involves some serious scrambling - no rope is really needed, but the guide will bring one anyway. This is a mountain walk with great views to the north and the south. We have lunch in a valley among the red sand dunes there. We continue along another crest with yet more views and arrive in the night's camp, where we have supper and watch the sunset before spending the night in the desert.



Day 6 : Jebel Rum : this is serious scrambling, and abseiling down needs experience or steady nerve. If you don't like the idea of abseiling, we can also come down another route if you prefer.

Day 7 : Today we tackle Jebel Um Ishrin, going from east to west. We shall take the Assaoud Road up, and come down again by the Hadjaj Road. In the afternoon we return to Rum Village, although if you prefer it we can spend another night in the desert.

Price : 90JD/day per person for up to 3 people, 4-6 people 75JD/day

A scrambling route far to the south in a wild area which (so far) is not frequented by tourists and only by a very few Bedouin. This is our favourite trek, taking us a long way from Wadi Rum, as far as (but hopefully not over) the Saudi border.



We start by jeep from Rum Village and head for Jebel Um Adaami, the highest mountain in Jordan which we shall climb on the south eastern side. The climb is straightforward, a simple uphill walk on the usual path. We come down the other side, which is less popular. You will see that the countryside is much starker than the soft red of the sand and the sandstone in Wadi Rum itself. It is not used by the Bedouin for pasturing their herds or for cultivation of any sort. We might meet a rare hunter, the area is outside the Protected Zone of the Nature Reserve, but even this is unlikely.

When we are down, we have lunch and continue by jeep and then another uphill walk until we reach a beautiful valley, less than 300m from the Saudi border, which is still far below us. We sleep in this valley.

Day 2 : Taking a packed lunch, we go up into the No Man's Land area. The climb involves some serious scrambling - no rope is really needed, but the guide will bring one anyway. This is a mountain walk with great views to the north and the south. We have lunch in a valley among the red sand dunes there. We continue along another crest with yet more views and are picked up by a jeep to take us back to Rum Village.

Price : 115JD per person for the two days for 2-4 people, or 80JD/person for 5/8 people. Everything is included in this price except the entrance price to Wadi Rum.

This is quite a difficult trek and should not be attempted by novices to scrambling. We can offer other easier treks which also take in the "distant places".

Please note the page about Private Tours

Exploring the valleys and the mountains of Wadi Rum

Jebel Um Adaami is 1832M above sea level - Wadi Rum village is 1000m above sea level



A drive through the desert some 40kms to the south to Jebel Um Adaami, and a guided hike to the top, which usually takes about 2 1/2 hours. This is a magnificent drive going through the far valleys of Wadi Rum and crossing the beautiful and lonely Wadi Saabit.



The path to the summit of this mountain is clearly marked and needs no rope. It is no more than hill walking, and you are rewarded by the panoramic view over Saudi Arabia to the south and Wadi Rum to the north.

Price : 180JD for 1-6 people. This price includes jeep transport and a guide to the top. Lunch is provided. If you want this trip to include an overnight in the desert, the price would be 70JD/person for 2-4 people.

Please note the page about Private Tours

Exploring the valleys and the mountains of Wadi Rum
This is a one day trip taking about 7 hours. We start from the village, and go through the Rakebat Canyon to Wadi Um Ishrin. Then an easy walk of about 45 minutes through the valley to the beginning of Kharazeh Canyon. We go through this canyon by hiking and with one short abseil of 40 meters. We come out into Wadi Rum and return to the village on foot.

Exploring the valleys and the mountains of Wadi Rum

Scrambling routes are often based on the old Bedouin trails on the mountains. They are mostly hill walking routes but you should be prepared to use your hands occasionally to help you along. They take you into parts of the area that most tourists never see : they are for the adventurous people who enjoy a challenge. They are more difficult than the hiking routes, and you will need to be in good physical condition to get a maximum of enjoyment from them.

Do not try a difficult trip unless you have previous experience in scrambling! There are plenty of "easy scrambling" routes around, and we should be happy to discuss your preferences when you arrive here. If in any doubt, go for an "easy" day, which can be followed by a more difficult one if you are happy with our mountains.

We offer here mainly one and two day tours, and also a five day trip but they can easily be extended, either by adding on all or part of another programme, or by taking a few other routes not described here.

We can also provide a more varied week in Wadi Rum by combining the hiking trips with the simpler scrambling. Many groups coming from tourist agencies much appreciate our week long trekking tours in Wadi Rum.



Footwear : these trails are more "interesting" than the hiking routes and hiking boots with cotton socks are definitely recommended. Stout hiking sandals can also be worn; on some routes trainers are a possibility. Consult your guide if in doubt.

Other equipment : You are likely to be in the sun for much of the time and should have a head covering of some sort - this is the time to learn how to tie a Bedouin kefiya!

You will also need a rucksack or shoulder bag for water, and such oddments as your camera, sunscreen, a light sweater according to season and perhaps some biscuits for a snack. Chocolate melts quickly, but the guide willl show his devotion to duty in helping you to eat it.