Best Things to Do:
Exploring Wadi Rum Desert
The desert fascinates me. I should say the deserts, as I have discovered that it can take many forms: salt, sand, ice... These vast spaces have drawn me in since a young age, and when the opportunity arose to discover the desert of Jordan, my heart said yes.
Jordan: Feet in the Sand
After encountering the magnificent Petra, we took the road to the Wadi Rum desert. The landscapes flash before my eyes, my thoughts wander...
and I understand.
I understand this attraction the desert has. This emptiness, this fullness... These powerful landscapes leave no one indifferent. Is there a more powerful place to (self)explore?
Draw Me a Desert
Like something out of nowhere, large rocks form small mountains scattered throughout a lunar landscape. Kind giants, these large stones color the desert with shades of red, yellow, and orange. Here, it is water and wind that have sculpted these imposing stones, described by T.E. Lawrence as:
.
Canyons, cliffs, natural arches, caves... make Wadi Rum a rich ensemble where the monotony of emptiness does not belong.
Wadi Rum: A Mystic Setting
The desolate landscapes of Wadi Rum take on fantastic appearances... Unknowingly, images of this place have already marked our subconscious: for this desert has attracted many artists and filmmakers.
Lawrence of Arabia, of course, made the region famous, but the film telling his story is not the only work of art that has used Wadi Rum as a backdrop. There are among others:
- Red Planet (2000) - as the surface of the planet Mars
- Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) - for the scenes set in Egypt
- Prometheus (2012) - for the scenes on the Alien planet
Desert Expeditions
To explore the desert, several paths are available to travelers. We test two: the 4X4 and the camel. While the latter has more charm, the former allows for further adventures quickly, thus discovering some of the famous Wadi Rum's attractions.
In a 4X4
The vehicle speeds along, the wind blows. Hidden under the fabric stretched at the back of the 4X4, I attempt the impossible: avoiding the blazing midday sun. Thrilled by the speed, I smile seeing the mountains that seem to rush around us. The camels we encounter on the road, on the other hand, wait, indifferent.
Of all the places discovered, three especially mark my memory.
- The ancient camels Hidden under the benevolent shadow of a rock, we observe bits of history etched in the stone. These inscriptions are a testament to 120 centuries of human occupation in the region. Indeed, over 25,000 petroglyphs have been found! These archaeological remains trace the early days of alphabetic writing and the evolution of desert people over time. Just like in Petra, these marks reflect the importance of the camel to these nomadic peoples, who transported their goods across the desert.
- The canyon One of the most beautiful viewpoints in the desert: a stop between two stone mountains with the valley beneath our feet... The atmosphere was particular, with the guide introducing soap and natural > to lifestyle bloggers on one side, and a group of Italian pilgrims busy praying while reading a Bible excerpt on the other. This desert attracts travelers of very different styles!
- At Lawrence's source Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, profoundly marked this region. One of the tourist points, called > is an ancient campsite, hidden in the desert and protected from sights and winds by tall mountains. Like a pilgrimage, the visitor discovers the features of Lawrence carved in the stone.
On a Camel
The sun is about to set, and we embark on a new tour in the desert. We leave the motorized vehicles behind to ride camels. Like desert men, we progress toward the glowing red sun, at the leisurely pace of our mounts. I let myself be rocked, amused by the undulating movement of our desert steeds, who seem indifferent to the surrounding commotion.
The desert, so conducive to meditation, is even more so in the softened light of early and late day: shadows stretch, and the landscape adorns itself with its warmest colors... It would have been perfect if this place in the desert were not also frequented by tourists and locals seeking thrills, riding in a 4X4 speeding by...
The Luxury Bedouin Tent
We leave our camels to settle into a >. Far from the mystical and intimate experience of a nomadic campsite, we discover a luxury camping experience (some tents even having conventional doors, with a toilet and private bathroom). An experience > between a luxury hotel and a night under the stars...
What a pleasure to sit after a long day on these cushions and be entranced by the music while sipping tea. While the atmosphere is not the most typical, it is nonetheless warm, and it is in this camp that I had my best meal in Jordan (and that sets the bar very high!). For food lovers, I will talk more about Jordanian cuisine in a future article.
The night would have been perfect if the camp were not so close to the main road of the desert, and if we weren't there on a Friday night... The cursed night when young people come out to party: the noise was continuous all night, punctuated by the sound of cars skidding on the dry, arid desert floor.
Things to Do in the Desert?
When we return to Jordan, we will spend well more than a day in the desert: there is so much to see and do! Plus, I would like to venture further for a more intimate experience closer to nature.
Among the tourist sites in Wadi Rum that we have not yet seen and which I would like to discover, there are for example:
- the Nabataean temple
- the Khazali canyon
- the Burdah Rock Bridge
- the Seven Pillars of Wisdom
A very popular activity for climbers and thrill-seekers is mountain climbing, to reach the top of the cliffs.
And to get a general view, what better way than to rise up in the air? For those looking to elevate themselves, several options are available to the (fortunate) traveler: hot air balloon, ultralight...
A Desert with Many Faces
One day was far too short to take the time to tame this immense desert. Under its sultry character, it holds many surprises and promises of adventures for those who dare to venture deep into its lands.
I thank the Jordan Tourism Board for allowing us to experience this day in the desert. I invite you to visit the Jordan Tourism Board's website (Visit Jordan) to plan your trip to this beautiful country.
To go further:
Petra: a wonder carved in stone and sand Discovering Jordanian cuisine:
Jordanian culinary specialties to not miss Jordanian cuisine: 6 easy and tasty recipes!
Other deserts in the world:
Peru: Paracas, elongated skulls, Pisco, and ceviche Bolivia: Beloved destination: Salar de Uyuni Tunisia: Discovering southern Tunisia (and good addresses)