Wadi Rum, Jordan
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| Camping in Wadi Rum |
Wadi Rum is a scenic desert valley in the southern part of Jordan having great diversity and adventure in it. The area of the wadi is quite isolated and significantly inhospitable to settled life. The only permanent inhabitants who live in the desert are a few thousand Bedouin nomads and villagers. Only a few species of plants and animals especially reptiles can be seen there.
You will find no real infrastructure there in the valley which makes this area quite unspoilt. The only structures which you will find there are a few concrete shops, houses and the fort headquarters of the Desert Patrol Corps, other than the Bedouin goat hair tents.
This place also has an importance due to the name of T.E Lawrence, who spent a significant amount of time in this desert during the course of the British-inspired Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during 1st World War. A film known as "Lawrence of Arabia' was also made which shows the landscapes, cliffs and granite mountains of the wadi.
This place also has an importance due to the name of T.E Lawrence, who spent a significant amount of time in this desert during the course of the British-inspired Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during 1st World War. A film known as "Lawrence of Arabia' was also made which shows the landscapes, cliffs and granite mountains of the wadi.
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| Map of Jordan with Wadi Rum |
When you travel on the Desert Highway between Amman and Aqba, you will find a side road which leads to the entrance of Wadi Rum. You will find the Wadi Rum Visitors Centre, a police station and a lot of guides who will offer you their camels and treks. Before entering the valley, you will have to pay the entrance fee which will about 5JD per person.
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| Wadi Rum Visitors Centre |
How to get around the Wadi Rum
When you enter in this great wadi, the private vehicles will be prohibited past of the village of Wadi Rum. You will need to hire a guided camel or a 4-wheel-drive tour, if you want to experience the adventure that the wadi has to offer. You will have to be an expert in bargaining in order to get a suitable package for your tour. The costs may vary based on the guides, the length of the trip and your ability to bargain eith the guides.
The usual price to explore the great valley is about 50-70 JD per jeep for 3-5 hour tour or 20 Jd per camel per hour. But be sure that the prices asked by the camel men or guides are not fixed, you will have to bargain according to your trip.
The usual price to explore the great valley is about 50-70 JD per jeep for 3-5 hour tour or 20 Jd per camel per hour. But be sure that the prices asked by the camel men or guides are not fixed, you will have to bargain according to your trip.
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| Exploring the Wadi on camel |
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| Jeep tour in Wadi Rum |
What to do & see
Hot air balloon ride
The adventurous hot air balloon ride in the sky of Wadi Rum is a great experience to have at least once in your life. It gives the bird's eye view of the beautiful scenery of the vast desert and majestic mountains of the great valley. You can have this experience alone or give a surprise gift to your loved one, which surely will be a unique experience.The price of balloon trip is about 130 JD per person for 1-2 hours tour. Be sure that the flights can be cancelled due to bad weather conditions i.e sandstorms etc.
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| Hot air balloon over the valley |
Lawrence's House
This is an impressive place to watch, a structure which is known to be Lawrence's house (Lawrence of Arabia) during the 1st World War. Nobody is certain about this. But there are stories that he both stayed there or used to store weapons there. The current structure is built upon the remains of a Nabataean building. You will find it a beautiful spot in the desert. But the house itself is a bunch of stones and not very impressive.
This is an impressive place to watch, a structure which is known to be Lawrence's house (Lawrence of Arabia) during the 1st World War. Nobody is certain about this. But there are stories that he both stayed there or used to store weapons there. The current structure is built upon the remains of a Nabataean building. You will find it a beautiful spot in the desert. But the house itself is a bunch of stones and not very impressive.
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| Ruins of T.E Lawrence's house |
Lawrence's Spring
The Lawrence's spring is present just 2km south-west of the Village of Rum. It is an mazing destination to explore in the valley, which is at the top of short scramble-head for the fig tree. The views across the desert from the pool are truly spectacular.
The Lawrence's spring is present just 2km south-west of the Village of Rum. It is an mazing destination to explore in the valley, which is at the top of short scramble-head for the fig tree. The views across the desert from the pool are truly spectacular.
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| Lawrence's Spring |
The Nabataean Temple
You can have a visit to this temple near the Rest House in the Rum Village. These are the ruins which include a temple, several villas and building complexes. The surrounding area of these ruins is covered with Thamudic and Kufic art.
You can have a visit to this temple near the Rest House in the Rum Village. These are the ruins which include a temple, several villas and building complexes. The surrounding area of these ruins is covered with Thamudic and Kufic art.
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| View from Nabataean Temple ruins |
Burdah Rock Bridge
There are many rock bridges in the Wadi Rum but the Burdah Rock Bridge is the largest rock bridge in the valley. Most of the tourists only see this bridge from a distance, but it is possible to climb up this rock bridge if you have a guide. It is not possible to climb without a guide as there are great risks in climbing on it. You will need a reasonable level of fitness plus stamina to climb over the largest rock bridge of the valley.
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| View of Burdah Rock Bridge |
Red Sand Dunes
You will find various places spread in the whole valley, where the white and the red sands meet. The most visited place, where most of the tourists visit is a dune sloping up alongside a jabel (mountain). You will ned a guide to visit this place as it is a bit difficult to climb up to the dune. Most of the guides take the visitors to this place. It is also notable that it is a great fun to run down the the dune.
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| Red sand dune |
Great..
ReplyDeleteThanx a lot...
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