How Many Days In Wadi Rum Is Best? Itineraries And Guide
Wondering how many days in Wadi Rum is best for your group trip or solo travel through Jordan?
Tough decision, as there’s so much that you can experience in this desert region - it's one of the best places to visit in Jordan.
One of our Skyhook tours is a multi-day Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea tour along the Jordan Trail - which includes spending a few nights in Wadi Rum.
We can confidently say that this desert never gets boring and that you’ll always have plenty to see during your trip.
To help you understand this a bit better and plan out your itinerary, follow these Jordan travel tips on how long to stay in Wadi Rum.
Where is Wadi Rum?
Wadi Rum is located in southern Jordan, encompassing a vast desert valley situated around 60 kilometres (37 miles) east of Aqaba and approximately 320 kilometres (200 miles) southwest of the capital city, Amman.
This desert valley is part of the larger Wadi Rum Protected Area and is renowned for its stunning red sand dunes, towering rock formations, and unique desert landscapes.
How Many Days in Wadi Rum?
There are lots of things to do in Wadi Rum, which can make it difficult to decide how long to spend in Wadi Rum.
There’s no definite answer here, as the desert can be enjoyed in a day, or in a week. Choosing how many nights in Wadi Rum can vary depending on your travel preferences and the activities you plan to do.
Here are the three main options that most travellers choose:
Day Trip: Some travellers visit Wadi Rum on a day trip from nearby cities like Petra or Aqaba. A day trip allows for a glimpse of the main attractions but may not cover all that Wadi Rum has to offer. Be sure to check the weather in Wadi Rum and figure out what to pack for your Wadi Rum trip first.
Overnight Stay: Many visitors opt for an overnight stay in Wadi Rum to fully experience the desert's beauty. This typically involves spending a night in a Bedouin camp, enjoying traditional meals, stargazing, and partaking in various desert activities like camel riding, jeep tours, hiking, and sandboarding.
Multiple Days: To truly immerse yourself in the tranquillity and beauty of Wadi Rum, spending multiple days (2-3 days or more) can be a fantastic experience. This allows for deeper exploration, more extensive tours, and a chance to discover remote areas or engage in longer hikes.
Ultimately, the number of days you spend in Wadi Rum depends on your schedule, interests, and the depth of experience you desire in this mesmerizing desert landscape.
However, if you want to experience the magic of Wadi Rum camping, and all of the other desert activities and sights, then spending at least two days is recommended.
How Many Nights in Wadi Rum to See All the Sights?
So, you've decided to stay for longer than just a day trip - good choice. How many days in Wadi Rum is best to see the must-visit sites?
The ideal number of nights to spend here can vary based on your preferences, the activities you want to engage in, and the pace at which you wish to explore the area. Here's a general guideline:
One Night: A one-night stay in Wadi Rum allows for a glimpse of the main attractions. You'll have time for a jeep tour to visit some of the iconic rock formations, experience sunset or sunrise views, enjoy a traditional Bedouin dinner, and stargaze in the desert.
Two Nights: Opting for a two-night stay gives you more time to explore additional areas and engage in more activities. You can take longer jeep tours to remote locations, enjoy some hiking through Wadi Rum, do more extensive stargazing, and possibly participate in camel rides or sandboarding.
Three or More Nights: Spending three or more nights allows for a comprehensive exploration of Wadi Rum. This duration provides ample time to visit various sights, engage in multiple activities at a relaxed pace, and perhaps venture deeper into the desert to discover less-trodden paths or remote Bedouin camps.
To see all the major sights and fully immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquillity of Wadi Rum, consider a minimum of two nights.
However, the more nights you spend, the more you'll be able to experience and enjoy this unique desert landscape.
Wadi Rum 1-Day Itinerary
To help you understand what your trip could look like in Wadi Rum, here’s an example of a one-day itinerary you could try.
Morning
Reach Wadi Rum early in the morning to make the most of your day.
Upon arrival, you'll likely be welcomed at the visitor centre or by your tour guide. Get a briefing on the day's plan and activities.
Mid-Morning
Embark on a jeep tour through the desert. Explore iconic sites like Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon, and perhaps some ancient petroglyphs.
Stop at viewpoints to take in the breathtaking landscapes and capture memorable photos.
Lunchtime
Enjoy a traditional Bedouin-style lunch. This might be at a campsite or a designated spot amidst the stunning desert scenery.
Afternoon
Resume the jeep tour to discover more hidden gems, and unique rock formations, or perhaps visit a Bedouin camp.
Depending on your interests, engage in optional activities like camel riding, short hikes, or sandboarding.
Evening
Head to a prime location to witness the mesmerizing sunset over the desert landscape. This is a magical moment in Wadi Rum.
Get the genuine experience
Dinner and Stargazing
Enjoy a traditional Bedouin dinner under the starlit sky. Embrace the serene atmosphere and indulge in stargazing, a highlight of the desert experience.
Departure
After dinner and stargazing, depart from Wadi Rum, ending your one-day adventure in the desert.
This itinerary provides a condensed experience of Wadi Rum, covering major attractions and allowing you to soak in the unique beauty and culture of this remarkable desert region within a day. Adjustments can be made based on personal preferences and available time.
Wadi Rum 2-Day Itinerary
A two-day itinerary for Wadi Rum offers a more in-depth exploration of the desert, allowing you to dive deeper into its beauty and various attractions. Here's a suggested itinerary.
Day 1
Reach Wadi Rum in the morning to start your adventure early.
Meet your guide or hosts, receive an introduction to the area, and discuss the day's plan over breakfast.
Mid-Morning to Afternoon
Embark on a half-day jeep tour to explore prominent landmarks like Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon, and ancient petroglyphs. Take your time to appreciate the stunning desert landscapes.
Stop at a Bedouin camp for lunch and experience traditional hospitality. Relax and immerse yourself in the Bedouin culture.
Afternoon to Evening
Resume the jeep tour to visit more remote sites, unusual rock formations, or lesser-known areas.
Reach a perfect viewpoint to witness the breathtaking sunset over the desert. Take photos and enjoy the magical moment.
Night
Return to the camp for dinner, featuring a traditional Bedouin meal. Gather around a campfire, listen to stories, and engage in stargazing.
Day 2
Wake up early to catch the sunrise. Experience the serene beauty of the desert as the sun paints the landscape with warm hues.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the camp to fuel up for the day's adventures.
Mid-Morning to Afternoon
Resume the jeep tour to explore different routes and visit sites not covered on the previous day. This could include lesser-explored canyons, viewpoints, or unique geological formations.
You might want to engage in optional activities like hiking, camel riding, or sandboarding, based on your interests.
Afternoon to Evening
Spend time relaxing at the camp or exploring the surrounding area independently. Have a farewell tea or coffee with your hosts before departing from Wadi Rum.
This two-day itinerary offers a more comprehensive experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the desert's beauty, engage in various activities, and appreciate both sunrise and sunset views amidst the stunning Wadi Rum landscape.
Of course, adjustments can be made to accommodate specific interests or preferences.
Wadi Rum 3-Day Itinerary
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of Wadi Rum, then three days lets you do it. Here’s an itinerary suggestion you could follow.
Day 1
Reach Wadi Rum in the morning to kickstart your exploration early.
Meet your guide or hosts, receive an introduction to the area, and have breakfast to discuss the day's plan.
Mid-Morning to Afternoon
Begin a comprehensive jeep tour to explore key landmarks such as Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon, and various rock formations. Take ample time for photography and exploration.
Enjoy lunch at a Bedouin camp, experiencing their hospitality and learning about their way of life.
Afternoon to Evening
Resume the jeep tour, exploring lesser-known areas, remote sites, or hidden canyons.
Reach a picturesque spot to witness the stunning sunset over the desert landscape.
Dinner and Cultural Evening
Return to the camp for dinner, followed by a cultural evening with storytelling, traditional music, and stargazing.
Day 2
Wake up early to witness the mesmerizing sunrise, capturing the tranquillity and beauty of the desert awakening.
Mid-Morning to Afternoon
Continue the jeep tour, exploring a different route or venturing deeper into the desert to discover hidden gems and unique geological formations.
You could then engage in optional activities such as hiking, camel riding, or sandboarding.
Afternoon to Evening
Spend the afternoon relaxing at the camp, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, or exploring the area independently.
Enjoy dinner at the camp and perhaps another round of stargazing or cultural experiences.
Day 3
Depending on your preferences, either relax at the camp or participate in activities you haven't experienced yet, such as a longer hike or camel trek.
Mid-Morning to Afternoon
Use this time for any remaining exploration, visit viewpoints, or simply soak in the serene atmosphere of the desert.
Afternoon to Departure
Have a farewell tea or coffee with your hosts, take in the last views of the desert, and depart from Wadi Rum, carrying unforgettable memories of your desert adventure.
This three-day itinerary allows for a more extensive exploration of Wadi Rum, providing ample time to discover its beauty, engage in various activities, and truly connect with the unique landscape and culture of the region.
Conclusion
So, how many days in Wadi Rum is best when you visit Jordan? There’s no clear answer here, but at least two to three days is recommended as the best time to go to Wadi Rum.
This lets you see the major sights of the desert while giving you time to appreciate the area's natural beauty, sunrises, sunsets, and impressive starry skies.
Try to first establish what you want to do in Wadi Rum, then you can plan your trip around that.
However, there’s so much to see in this desert area that spending even a week or longer will keep your itinerary full!
