On the western edge of the Arabian desert, in the spectacular wilderness of southern Jordan lies the otherworldly Wadi Rum desert. Whilst you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to another planet, this awe-inspiring region is just an hour and a half drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, and less than an hour’s drive from the Red Sea town of Aqaba. 

Wadi Rum can be visited year-round, though for the sunniest days and warmer weather it is best visited between March and November, with the hottest months being July and August. I visited in March when it was a beautifully clear, t-shirt-weather day, although after the sun went down it got fairly chilly so layers were key! 

With its sublime red rock canyons, narrow ravines, and rolling dunes, there is no other place in the world which bears a closer resemblance to Mars. This has led to Wadi Rum becoming a favourite location for film-makers with many award winning films being shot here, including The Martian, Dune, Indiana Jones, Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars – just to name a few!

After an exhilarating jeep safari discovering the most scenic and iconic areas, I travelled into the very heart of the desert to stay overnight at the magnificent Memories Aicha Camp which was a truly magical experience. Witnessing the stillness of the desert at sunset and seeing the stars come out is something I will always remember. 

Drag yourself out of bed for sunrise! As much as you won’t want to when your alarm goes off in the dark, it will be 100% worth it. For something truly special, opt to add a sunrise Hot Air Balloon flight over the vast desertscapes, soaring over the towering arid canyons and naturally formed rock bridges.

For more inspiration, take a look at our Jordan Holidays pages.