The Real Wadi Rum: Full-Day Private Desert Tour with Bedouin Guide Majed
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; expect short hikes of 30–60 minutes over uneven sand and rock.
Overview
Spend a day with a Bedouin guide in Wadi Rum—hike canyons, sandboard, ride a camel if you like, and watch a desert sunset from a high viewpoint. This private full-day tour blends archaeology, geology and culture with a personalized pace.
The Real Wadi Rum: Full-Day Private Desert Tour with Bedouin Guide Majed
Select participants and date
The sun is a hard, patient carpenter here—filing the sandstone into ridges that catch the afternoon like a harp. You meet Majed in Wadi Rum Village, a man whose shadow is nearly as long as his family’s history in the valley. He speaks clear English, points to carved faces on a boulder, and offers a cup of intensely sweet Bedouin tea that tastes of smoke and hospitality. From that first sip the desert begins to rearrange: tracks appear, cliffs open like pages, and a single track of 4x4 prints promises a full day of discovery.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring plenty of water
Bottled water is provided, but carry an extra 1–2 liters for the hike segments and to stay hydrated in the sun.
Sun protection is critical
Wide-brim hat, sunscreen, and UV sunglasses are necessary—the desert sun is relentless even in cooler months.
Budget for optional activities
Camel rides are not included and start from ~15 JOD; have small bills or Jordanian dinars on hand for local vendors.
Time your photo stop for sunset
The best colors arrive in the last 30–45 minutes before sunset—plan to be at the viewpoint early to secure a spot.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert fox (Vulpes rueppelli)
- Sand-colored lizards and spiny-toed geckos
History
Wadi Rum has been inhabited and traversed for millennia; Nabataean roads and temples date to the late first century BC and Hellenistic eras.
Conservation
The area is protected under Jordanian park regulations; visitors should stay on marked tracks, carry out waste, and avoid disturbing archaeological inscriptions.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Aqaba
Recommended Gear
Closed-toe hiking shoes
Protects feet on rocky approaches, canyon floors and when walking on compacted desert surfaces.
Sun hat and sunglasses
Keeps you comfortable during midday heat and improves visibility during bright conditions.
summer specific
Light layers
Temperatures swing between hot days and cool mornings/evenings—layers help manage comfort.
fall specific
Small daypack with water and snacks
Keeps essentials handy during canyon walks and viewpoint stops.
spring specific