Red sandstone rock formations rising from orange sand in Wadi Rum under a blue sky.

Jordan — Petra and Wadi Rum

Country JordanRegion Southern JordanBest time March to May; September to NovemberBudget Mid-range

Sandstone formations in Wadi Rum, Jordan.Photo: Peter Chisholm · CC0 · Source (Wikimedia Commons)Resized to 480/960/1600 px wide and converted to WebP (from a Commons-generated 3840 px rendition).

Overview

Southern Jordan packs two of the Middle East’s most memorable places into a short distance: Petra, the Nabataean rock-cut city, and Wadi Rum, a desert of sandstone mountains where Bedouin communities run camps and 4x4 tours. Aqaba on the Red Sea offers diving, while the Dead Sea lies further north.

Travellers often combine them in four to six days from Amman. Petra needs a full day or more on foot; Wadi Rum is best with a night in a camp and a sunrise walk. The Jordan Pass bundles entry fees; check what it includes and its current terms.

Best time to visit

March–May and September–November are most comfortable; summers are very hot and winters can be cold with rain and occasional flash floods.

Getting there and around

Fly to Amman (AMM) or Aqaba (AQJ). Petra is about 3 hours from Amman by road and about 2 hours from Aqaba; Wadi Rum is about 1 hour from Aqaba. Daily buses and private drivers are common.

Sample three-day itinerary

  1. Day 1 — Amman to Petra. Drive the Desert Highway, arrive in Wadi Musa and visit Petra by Night if available.
  2. Day 2 — A full day in Petra. Walk the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Façades and climb to the Monastery.
  3. Day 3 — Wadi Rum. Drive to Wadi Rum, take a 4x4 and camel tour, and spend the night in a camp.

A sample, not a booking. Opening hours, transport and seasonal closures change; confirm with official sources.

Indicative budget

Mid-range Mid-range. Entry fees, a driver and a camp night add up; the Jordan Pass can help with fees. Meals are inexpensive.

No live prices, weather, visa eligibility or availability are shown. Use the budget calculator for your own estimate.

Attractions

  • Petra. The Treasury, Royal Tombs and Monastery; see the Petra wonder profile.
  • Wadi Rum Protected Area. Red desert with rock arches and Bedouin camps.
  • Little Petra. A smaller Nabataean site near Petra.
  • Aqaba. Red Sea diving and snorkelling.

Packing guidance

  • Wide-brimmed hat and sun protection
  • Sturdy walking shoes
  • Light layers for cool desert nights
  • A scarf for wind and sand
  • Water bottle and snacks

Open the packing checklist →

Gallery

A single camel walking across a wide desert plain in Wadi Rum with rocky mountains behind.
A camel in the Wadi Rum desert.Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0 · Source (Wikimedia Commons)Resized to 480/960/1600 px wide and converted to WebP.

Reviewed 2026-10-23. SATRAM’s notes are editorial guidance written from public references, not live travel information.

Where to stay

Pale tents beside a road and a sandy plain at the foot of red sandstone cliffs in Wadi Rum.
Photo: Irina Alexandra S. · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source (Wikimedia Commons)

Desert camp Wadi Rum Protected Area, southern Jordan, Jordan

Wadi Rum Bedouin camps

Overnight camps run by local Bedouin families beneath the sandstone mountains of Wadi Rum.

  • Jordan Tourism Board guides describe camps from simple goat-hair tents to luxury domes, and note that a night in camp allows a morning return to Amman.
  • The Wadi Rum Visitors Centre arranges 4x4 hire with a Bedouin driver, and stays under the stars can be arranged there. Guides advise exploring only with an authorised Bedouin guide or camp.
  • This entry covers the camp experience in general, not a single property; choose a camp by checking its reviews, licensing and arrangements.

Season: Spring and autumn; nights are cold in winter and days hot in summer.

Verified 2026-10-23 against Jordan Tourism Board. Not verified: Camp licensing and standards; Current prices.

Wadi Rum visitor information ↗Enquire through the Wadi Rum Visitors Centre or a licensed camp. No prices are shown here; confirm directly.

Wonders to combine

Ambient sound off