Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum
- Best trek for: For desert hiking and Bedouin hospitality
- Difficulty: Mild
- Trek duration: Two to seven days
- Accommodation: Camping
- Start/end point: Various
Rising from the desert plains, the orange sandstone rocks and mountains of Wadi Rum provide a backdrop to this most Martian of landscapes. Not only can you follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia but experience a different way of life through the eyes of the Bedouin tribes who have lived in these lands for centuries.
It is possible to trek Wadi Rum without a guide but having local knowledge can allow hikers to go off-trail and discover gems that would otherwise appear hidden or time-consuming to locate.
Need to know
My favourite Wadi Rum highlights include a scramble to the top of Lawrence's Spring, walking through the colourful Canyon of Al Mahama and seeking out rock bridges with natural arches, which will have you reaching for your camera.
These sites can be packed with holidaymakers at certain times of the day, often on a one-day jeep excursion. However, the crowds can be avoided by taking a multi-day trekking tour and seeing these magnificent structures on foot.