Wadi Rum Camel Experiences

Camels have been used for thousands of years as the primary mode of transport. They are an important part of our history, connecting Asia to Europe through the Middle East. In recent centuries, shipping and trains have surpassed this traditional form of transport, however in Wadi Rum you can still experience this prominent part of our culture. Camel rides offer you a step back in time, giving you an insight into the development of international relations and trade, and how our world was linked. The Wadi Rum landscapes are a genuine representation of the Arabian Peninsula, as the junction of the three old world continents. Camel rides in Wadi Rum provides tourists with a safe and fun opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the region. The UNESCO World Heritage area has received appreciation for its natural beauty and is one the most memorable and picturesque landscapes to undertake this special experience.

For multiday tours, an additional camel is required for luggage and other equipment.
Camel transport is so historically significant in the history of trans-Asian trading routes, Lawrence of Arabia’s WW1 rebellion, and Nomadic lifestyle on the Arabian peninsula, that it is number 3 on our list of best things to do in Wadi Rum!

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRAVELLING BETWEEN THE CAMP AND WADI RUM VILLAGE. THIS ALLOWS YOU AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE OF TRAVELLING BY CAMEL CARAVAN!

Camel Caravan Journey – Village to Camp

A one-way journey is available in both directions, and creates a unique experience of setting off with your camel into the desert. The camp is located in the serenity of the valley, which provides a perfect contrast to the busy spring on the edge of the village. You have the option of travelling from the oasis, where camels and their handlers rest, until you reach the camp, or setting off from the quiet valley where the camp is and make your way back towards the busier spring.

We highly recommend this experience for our guests who want a taste of an authentic journey, compared to the alternate round trip options.

* Please note: The camel tour does not include site visits and is intended to provide an experience of travelling through the Arabian desert.

Duration: The journey between the camp and the oasis, alongside the village, is between 2 and 3 hours.
What’s included: Camel and guide.
Price: from JOD40 p/p

Short Camel Rides

We offer customised short rides on camelback that allow our guests to incorporate an authentic camel ride into a limited schedule in Wadi Rum.

It is important to note that camels travel slowly and are not an efficient way of seeing the landmarks of the protected area on a regular tourist itinerary. These camel rides are specifically intended to be an additional experience to a 4×4 jeep tour, which allow guests to visit the landmarks that are spread widely across the large Protected Area.

What’s included: Camel and guide.

Price:
1 hour from JOD15 p/p
2 hours from JOD25 p/p
Half Day from JOD40 p/p
* Please note: Tours of half day or less do not include meals.

Full Day Camel Tour

Camels travel slowly and are built for travelling long distances and can go without food or water for weeks. They move in slow paces and can therefore only cover short distances in a day. Muslim pilgrams from the North-West of Africa travelled with camel caravans for months to perform the sacred Hajj duty - travelling to Islam’s holy city of Mecca for months. We recommend a 4x4 tour for our guests to allow them to efficiently see the majority of attractions during a short visit to Wadi Rum. However, if you’re comfortable with seeing fewer sites and covering less distance, we encourage you to enjoy sightseeing by camelback in the Protected Area for 1 or more days, depending on your schedule.

The one-day tour incorporates a variety of landmark stops that are in close proximity to each other on the journey between the camp and the village, and are accessible by camel within this timeframe:

Lawrence Spring (a year-round water source in the valley)
Khazali Canyon (including pre-Christ Nabatean rock art)
Red Sand Dune
Khor al Ajram rock arch (natural rock bridge)

What’s included: camels, saddle and riding equipment, lunch and a local Bedouin camel handler and guide.
Options: This can be packaged with accommodation and other tours.

Price: from JOD60 p/p
*Please note: Price includes a simple packed lunch; however guests have the option to upgrade to a traditional Qalih campfire cooked lunch for an additional JOD5 p/p.

Multi Day Camel Tour

CWe offer customised multi-day camel tours for stays ranging from 2 to 5 days. These itineraries travel through the Wadi Rum Protected Area and visit major attractions during their routes. On the longer journeys, guests have the opportunity to stay with nomadic herding families that still live within the Protected Area. The primary objective of these experiences is to provide an opportunity for guests to travel back in time and experience the lifestyle that was prevalent in the region up until the previous century.

These are incredibly unique experiences for guests to travel through the desert on camelback for several days and experience the most significant and common transport of the Middle East and Central Asia. Each day will revolve around the preparation of the group for transport. Mornings will begin with breakfast, followed by preparation and loading of the camels. The group will ride until the hottest part of the day, where a break is necessary to ensure the camels can rest and rehydrate. The Bedouin and guests will also have a chance to rest, share tea, socialise and take lunch, until the peak heat of the day passes.

Following this interval, the second half of the day will continue until dusk, where camp will be prepared each night. Various locations and elements will form each itinerary and will determine the length of the journey, but these experiences are primarily intended to allow guests to gain a deep understanding and appreciation for the camel caravans that were an integral element of world trade for the past millenia.

What’s included:

All Meals
Camping and sleeping equipment
Camels, saddle, and riding equipment
Local Bedouin camel handler and guide

Price: from JOD70* per riding day p/p
plus JOD30* per overnight p/p
*Please note: minimum 2 people required for multiday tours.

Things to do in Wadi Rum

Wondering what to do in Wadi Rum?

Wadi Rum 4x4 Jeep Tour

Wadi Rum is famous for its landscapes and unique rock formations that boast a myriad of colours that change with the sunlight throughout the day. The soft sand means difficult terrain, therefore the best and most popular way to access all parts of the Protected Area is by 4WD. Each vehicle has been modified to include comfortable seating on the rear tray, allowing visitors panoramic views of the impressive scenery as they travel through it. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy adventure packed tours, with numerous great photo opportunities.

Wadi Rum Camel Experiences

Trekking, Hiking & Scrambling

There are a variety of hiking opportunities in the Wadi Rum region which include short walks through canyons, multi-day walks through the valley and ascents to one of the many peaks in the area. Depending on the time of year, the timing of these journeys is important, but we can assist in helping you customise your journey to suit your preferences. In addition to simple walking trails, there are also more complicated routes which require more technical scrambling.

Sunrise and Sunset time

Wadi Rum is often referred to as ‘Mars-like’ or unearthly, as the landscape mirrors that of another planet. The desert features a wonderful variety of red and yellow sands, combined with the dark tones of the gradient base of the surrounding mountains. Together, these colours create a magical scene, and is most impressive during the times of sunrise and sunset.

Wadi Rum Hot Air Ballooning

Our hot air balloon trips depart from the launch site each morning at sunrise. This requires guests to stay the previous night in the camp to ensure arrival at the launch site in time for sunrise. The balloon tours last approximately 2 hours, depending on the wind speed. Guests will return to the camp in the late morning for breakfast.

Petroglyph Tours

We offer a number of special tours, or add on activities, to maximise our guests experience in Wadi Rum. Our tours include local guides that have extensive knowledge on the history of the petroglyphs and inscriptions in the area, and who have worked on identifying, preserving and documenting these precious landmarks.

Wadi Rum Nomad Tour

Bedouins are famous throughout the world for their unique cultures and their abilities to survive in some of the world’s most extreme environments. Bedouin communities have inhabited Wadi Rum for centuries and have retained autonomy for much of that time. For this reason, Wadi Rum is the perfect place to gain exposure to the hospitality of the Bedouins. By staying in our camp, you will experience much of what it means to be a Bedouin in the modern world. To further enhance your experience, we offer tours that allow you to visit some of the remaining nomadic groups who live within the Wadi Rum Protected Area and continue to live like our ancestors.

Sandboarding

Sandboarding uses the same equipment as snowboarding and involves riding down a sand dune whilst either sitting or standing. The desert offers thrills as you carve a path down a sand dune. Wad Rum has several large, soft sand dunes that offer great opportunities for thrill seekers to get their fix while visiting the desert! The red sand provides opportunities for great photos, as riders kick up sand, while turning sharply in the soft sand.

Desert of a Million Stars!

Wadi Rum is elevated at 1,000 metres with clear nights skies majority of the year. This combination provides visibility for one of the best stargazing experiences in the world. By night, you get a clear view of the Milky Way streaking across the sky, and will recognise shooting stars and satellites passing overhead, plus an endless number of stars. We can help you spot planets and different constellations and provide you with the significance of different stars and their relevance in the Arab world.