Wadi Rum Horseback Ride: 2-Hour Desert Tour to Lawrence's Sites & Red Sand Dune
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; riders should be comfortable sitting in a saddle for up to three hours and able to mount/dismount with guidance.
Overview
Mount up for a two‑hour horseback loop through Wadi Rum’s red dunes, petroglyph canyons and Lawrence‑linked ruins. This guided ride pairs Bedouin hospitality with easy pacing for first‑time riders and photographers.
Wadi Rum Horseback Ride: 2-Hour Desert Tour to Lawrence's Sites & Red Sand Dune
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You mount at the Wadi Rum Rest House with hot Bedouin tea still steaming in your palm and the horns of the desert already in view. The horses breathe slow and sure; their hooves whisper on compacted sand as a line of sandstone towers rises from the plain like ancient ships. For the next two hours the desert sets the pace — a soft, steady lope across red dunes and stony plains punctuated by narrow canyons and Nabataean scars in the rock.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Meet at Wadi Rum Rest House
All tours start at the Rest House about 7 km from the Visitor Center — arrive 15 minutes early for tea and a safety briefing.
Protect from sun and sand
Wear long sleeves, a wide-brim hat or keffiyeh, and high‑SPF sunscreen; sand can reflect heat off the ridge faces.
Footwear and stirrups
Use closed‑toe shoes with a low heel and keep heels below the stirrups to avoid slipping during the trot.
Hydration and light snacks
Bring at least 1 liter of water and a small snack — rides cross arid terrain with limited shade.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert fox
- Nubian ibex
History
Wadi Rum contains Nabataean inscriptions and Thamudic petroglyphs; the area is also associated with T.E. Lawrence and the Arab Revolt.
Conservation
Wadi Rum is a protected area; visitors are asked to stay on established routes, limit water use and avoid disturbing archaeological sites.
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Adventure Hotspots in Wadi Rum Village
Recommended Gear
Closed‑toe riding shoes or boots
Protects feet in stirrups and on rocky approaches to viewpoints.
Sun protection (hat, SPF 30+, sunglasses)
Midday desert sun is intense; sunscreen and a hat reduce heat stress and sand exposure.
summer specific
Light long-sleeve shirt and scarf/keffiyeh
Shields skin from sun and drifting sand while keeping you cool.
Small daypack with water and camera
Keeps essentials handy; a compact camera captures dunes and petroglyphs without bulky gear.