How many days should I spend in Wadi Rum?

The main sights can be experienced in one full day, but for those who like hiking and exploring off the beaten track, two to three days is ideal. If you want to plan and make the most of your time in the desert, I'm sharing all the details from our two-day adventure trip in Wadi Rum below.



To truly experience the majesty of the "Valley of the Moon" in Jordan, you should spend at least two days and one night in Wadi Rum. A single-day "jeep tour" (lasting 4–6 hours) will show you the major sites like the Lawrence of Arabia spring and the Khazali Canyon, but it misses the most magical part of the desert: the transition of light during sunset and the incredible stargazing in a dark-sky environment. Spending a night in a Bedouin camp—or one of the famous "Martian Domes"—allows you to experience the profound silence and ancient hospitality of the desert. If you are an adventure seeker or a hiker, a three-day stay is even better, as it allows time for a guided trek to the summit of Jabal Umm ad Dami (the highest point in Jordan) or more remote camel treks away from the standard tourist tracks. For most travelers in 2026, a 2-day/1-night excursion provides the perfect balance of seeing the iconic sights and feeling the deep, spiritual tranquility that makes Wadi Rum a world-class destination.

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Our Petra & Wadi Rum Day Trip gives travelers staying in Amman and the Dead Sea the opportunity to see the wondrous sites of Jordan all in one day. This adventure will take you to two of the world's most impressive and unforgettable sites.

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In my opinion, spending 2 days in Petra will give you plenty of time to explore this beautiful ancient city and world wonder. By entering Petra through the Siq on day 1, while taking the back entrance on day 2, there is plenty of variation during your visit.

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Wadi Rum is also about a day's worth of touring, and because of the desert heat it is better to be able to get an early start. An itinerary I would recommend is (3 nights): Arrive in Jordan and go straight to Petra, spend the night in Petra. Spend a full day exploring Petra, spend the night in Petra.

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While there is certainly enough to occupy yourself for five or more days, two to three days is sufficient to visit all of the highlights in and around the park. One day--or worse yet a morning or afternoon--is likely to bring some disappointment to those who have traveled a great distance.

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Part of the reason that camping in Wadi Rum is so affordable during the initial booking process is that the guides running the camps make a good chunk of their money selling Jeep tours and camel rides. This is simply part of the process, and nothing to be worried about at all–but it helps to know what to expect.

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Yes, the Milky Way is visible from Wadi Rum, especially during the summer months when the sky is darkest.

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Taxi from Petra to Wadi Rum This should be somewhere between 35-40 JOD (after you've haggled) and since Petra welcomes many independent visitors, it's also possible to split the cost with other solo travellers.

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Alcohol is legal, but heavily taxed For example, it's illegal to sell alcohol anywhere in the country during Ramadan (with the exception of some high-end hotels), and most camps in Wadi Rum don't serve alcohol at all (but you can often bring your own).

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Although there's no malaria in Petra and Wadi Rum there are mosquitoes so spray and cover up accordingly, especially after dark, to avoid becoming a midnight snack.

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It's a 4 hour drive from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea is lowest point on earth at 420m below sea level.

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Spring and autumn are the most popular times to visit Wadi Rum, so expect to see many tourists at the popular sites. In March and November the nights can still be pretty cold with a minimum temperature of 5 °C (41 °F), but in the other months night temperatures rise up to 13 °C (55 °F).

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The distance between Petra and Wadi Rum is about 110km, more or less 2 hours. Be careful as some parts of the road are damaged and dangerous. There are several transportation options between Petra and Wadi Rum. All transportations are direct, so it is pretty easy and fast.

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You can book a half day tour, full day tour, or multi-day tour. On a full day tour you will see all of Wadi Rum's highlights, and spend a good amount of time out of the jeep, exploring sites on foot. If you have time for it, a multi-day tour will give you a slower, in-depth experience in Wadi Rum.

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wadi rum protected area Only drive on the designated tracks. Protect nature: no hunting or collecting plants, animals, rocks, artifacts or firewood. Camp and climb in the official sites only. For fires, use gas stoves or charcoal.

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