Located in the Middle East, specifically in the Southern part of Jordan, Wadi Rum is a desert valley with a scenic landscape.
The area is isolated and mostly uninhabited, making it the perfect escape when city life becomes hectic and crowded.
Wadi Rum features a protected area that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inside which many historical and natural sites lie. Here are five sights you should consider seeing on your trip to Wadi Rum, Jordan.
1. Petroglyphs and inscriptions
The inscriptions found in Wadi Rum show the very early development of alphabetical writing in North-Arabian scripts. They testify to 12,000 years of human occupation. These petroglyphs shown in the photo below depict a camel caravan carved into a mountain.
2. Umm Fruth Rock Bridge
The smaller of the main rock bridges in Wadi Rum, Umm Fruth is easily accessible and takes only about 5-15 minutes to climb.
3. Burdah Rock Bridge
This rock bridge is more prominent and can be seen from a distance; climbing it provides a view unlike any other. The only catch is that it takes about 4-7 hours to climb, thus requiring an all-day tour.
4. Lawrence’s Spring
This stagnant spring sits near a breathtaking view of the desert, a little over a mile away from the village of Rum. It was named for British officer and author T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) who served as a military advisor to Bedouin forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire of 1916-1918.
5. Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the title of T. E. Lawrence’s memoir of his experiences in Wadi Rum. It comes from the Book of Proverbs; “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars.” (Proverbs 9:1 King James Version) The modern name of this rock formation was taken from Lawrence’s memoir.
You’ll also want to try the cuisine while in Wadi Rum. The traditional dishes there include chicken and goat which feature lots of spices and vibrant flavors. You should also try Bedouin tea.
Do you want to visit Wadi Rum, Jordan?
I can help! I can also help you find the right escorted tour of Wadi Rum. Read about how my services work here. If you think we might be a good fit for each other, send me an email at terri@bigrocktravel.com. We’ll schedule a Zoom call for a complimentary consultation.
