Jordan’s Martian Landscape Comes to Life in the Wadi Rum Desert
From one of the Seven Wonders of the World at Petra, we moved on to one of the most amazing deserts in the world: Wadi Rum. If you’re a fan of movies like The Martian, Star Wars, or Lawrence of Arabia, you’ve probably seen this incredible landscape on the big screen. Lawrence of Arabia was actually filmed here, and the real Lawrence lived in this very desert.
Walking into Wadi Rum truly feels like stepping onto another planet. The red sand creates a Martian looking landscape, while massive mountains and hills jut dramatically out of the middle of the desert. As you sink into the soft sand with each step, you can’t help but feel transported to a different world entirely.
The rock formations are absolutely incredible, with huge inlets, cutouts, and natural sculptures that showcase millions of years of geological artistry. These aren’t just hills – they’re massive stone monuments rising from the desert floor.
Bedouin Hospitality
Our desert adventure started with camel rides, and we highly recommend this experience if you visit Wadi Rum. Even though it was not our first time on a camel, this ride felt much more calm and relaxing. The quiet of the desert is amazing, broken only by the occasional nudge from your camel companion.
The camels here seem well-trained and gentle. Mine kept nudging me during the ride, apparently because he liked me, and thankfully wasn’t trying to bite – which I guess is always a good sign when you’re dealing with large desert animals!
We were served a Bedouin-style lunch that was absolutely fantastic. We enjoyed sheep’s milk cheese and the wonderful sugar-laced Arabic tea that paired perfectly with the meal. The hospitality of our guide Abdullah was incredible, and sharing a traditional meal in the middle of this stunning desert landscape made the experience even more special.
After lunch, we embarked on a “Jeep” tour – though it was actually in the back of a Toyota pickup truck. This turned out to be quite the bumpy adventure as we explored different areas of Wadi Rum, but the rough ride was absolutely worth it for the places we got to see.
Tourist Attractions Worth Visiting
The Little Arch: This natural rock formation has become a popular photo spot, and for good reason. Once you climb up to the top, the rocks are surprisingly smooth and flat, making for comfortable walking and steady photo opportunities. It’s sturdy enough that multiple people can stand on it safely.
Lawrence of Arabia’s House: We visited the remains of what was once the real Lawrence of Arabia’s house. While it’s mostly a rebuilt structure with not much left of the original, it’s still fascinating to stand where this legendary figure once lived. The rock face behind it is absolutely massive and showcases incredible natural geological formations.
Lawrence’s Spring: Another stop on our tour connected to the famous Lawrence of Arabia story, adding historical context to the stunning natural beauty.
Ending with Desert Magic
One of the unexpected pleasures of our Wadi Rum adventure was meeting other travelers, including some friendly folks from the Netherlands. The shared experience of exploring this incredible landscape creates instant connections with people from around the world.
We finished our time in Wadi Rum watching an amazing sunset over the desert landscape, while watching a few local keep their bonfires under control. There’s something magical about watching the sun set over those red sands and towering rock formations while sitting around a fire in one of the world’s most spectacular deserts.
Wadi Rum offers a combination of natural beauty, historical significance, cultural experiences, and adventure that’s hard to find anywhere else. Whether you’re interested in the Lawrence of Arabia connection, want to walk where major movies were filmed, or simply want to experience one of the world’s most stunning desert landscapes, Wadi Rum delivers.
The contrast between the red sand and the massive rock formations creates a landscape that photos simply can’t capture fully. You have to experience the scale and beauty in person to truly appreciate what makes this place so special.
Our day in Wadi Rum was both successful and amazing. Despite the challenges of desert travel – the sand, the heat, the bumpy rides – every moment was worth it. This is the kind of place that reminds you why travel is so rewarding and why some destinations become legendary.
If you can make your way to the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan, don’t hesitate. It’s an incredible place to see and experience, offering adventure, beauty, history, and culture all in one unforgettable desert landscape.
Want to see us bouncing around in the back of a pickup truck and riding camels through Mars-like landscapes? Watch our complete Wadi Rum desert adventure on our YouTube channel:
