Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum, often called the “Valley of the Moon,” is a spectacular desert valley in southern Jordan renowned for its red-hued sands, towering sandstone and granite rock formations, and millennia-old petroglyphs. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Wadi Rum has served as the backdrop for blockbuster films and offers unparalleled experiences in Bedouin-led desert adventure.
- Location – Southern Jordan, near the Saudi border.
- Geology – Sandstone and granite mountains shaped by wind erosion.
- Heritage – UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011.
- Culture – Inhabited by the Bedouin for 4,000+ years, with rock engravings dating back to prehistoric times.
- Cinema – Featured in Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, and Dune.
Top Activities
• Jeep and camel treks through desert canyons
• Rock climbing on iconic sandstone towers
• Stargazing beneath clear desert skies
• Overnight stays in Bedouin camps with traditional hospitality
Learn More
• Jordan Tourism Board: visitjordan.com
• UNESCO listing: Wadi Rum UNESCO
• Glossary: /glossary/wadi-rum/
Wadi Rum (Arabic: وادي رم Wādī Ramm, also Wādī al-Ramm), known also as the Valley of the Moon (Arabic: وادي القمر Wādī al-Qamar), is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia and about 60 km (37 mi) to the east of the city of Aqaba. With an area of 720 km2 (280 sq mi) it is the largest wadi (river valley) in Jordan.
| Wadi Rum | |
|---|---|
 A Wadi Rum vista | |
 | |
| Location | Aqaba, Jordan |
| Coordinates | 29°35′35″N 35°25′12″E / 29.59306°N 35.42000°E |
| Area | 721 km2 (278 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,750 m (5,740 ft) |
| Named for | Arabic for "Valley of (light, airborne) sand" |
| Operator | Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority |
| Website | Wadi Rum |
| Official name | Wadi Rum Protected Area |
| Type | Mixed |
| Criteria | iii, v, vii |
| Designated | 2011 |
| Reference no. | 1377 |
| Region | Arab States |
Several prehistoric civilizations left petroglyphs, rock inscriptions and ruins in Wadi Rum. Today it is a tourist attraction, offering guided tours, hiking and rock climbing. The Wadi Rum Protected Area has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011.