Wadi Rum Nomads Review – An Honest Review of the Tour
I recently did the 1 Day and 1 Night tour with Wadi Rum Nomads in the Wadi Rum National Park in Jordan.
After much travel research I concluded that the best way to see all the highlights of Wadi Rum was through a tour. In fact tour groups the only way to access the Wadi Rum desert, due to restrictions on vehicles allowed in the desert.
Wadi Rum Nomads was my tour of choice and I’ll outline below why. This post is my honest review of the 1 Day and 1 Night Wadi Rum Nomads tour which I hope you find useful in planning your own visit to the Wadi Rum Desert!
Wadi Rum Nomads Tour
Wadi Rum Nomads offers a variety of tours which features a full day of exploring famous sites like Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon, and Um Fruth Rock Bridge, followed by a night under the stars at their Bedouin camp. This tour includes a traditional Bedouin lunch and opportunities for hiking and scrambling followed by camp or cave accommodation at night along with a traditional Bedouin dinner and entertainment.
Wadi Rum Escape
Wadi Rum Escape provides several options for overnight stays. One popular choice is their “1D/1N Jeep Tour,” which includes meals, a full day of exploring Wadi Rum by jeep, and an overnight stay at a Bedouin camp. They also offer combination tours like the “2D/1N Jeep Tour & Camel Tour” for those looking to extend their adventure.
Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp & Tours
Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp & Tours offers personalized tours where guests can experience Bedouin hospitality. Their overnight tours typically include a full day of desert exploration, a night at the camp with traditional Bedouin food, and activities like stargazing and cultural exchanges with local Bedouins.
Why I chose Wadi Rum Nomads
I have to say upon reading various Wadi Rum tripadvisor reviews and comparing different Wadi Rum tours, I realized that itineraries were pretty similar across the board. As such the ultimate difference came down to the ratings and tour experience of others. This is where I think Wadi Rum Nomads stood out. However I think I can say having done the tour, this reviews were absolutely right!
Tours offered by Wadi Rum Nomads
Wadi Rum nomads offers many different types tours in the Wadi Rum desert. These range from Ia 1 day and 1 night camping tour to a comprehensive five day and night stay in the desert.
It best to check their website directly, however I have noted some of the main ones below:
- Full day jeep tour
- 1 day 1 night Wadi Rum Jeep Tour
- 1 Day 1 Night Sabet tour
- 1 day 1 night camel ride
- 2D2N Burdah bridge tour
- 3D3N Al-Hash & Sabet tour
- 3D3N trekking
- 4D4N explorer tour
- 5D5N trekking
What is the Best Tour to Book with Wadi Rum Nomads?
How much time you need i Wadi Rum really depends what you want to get out of your experience. We chose to go with a 1 day and 1 night tour with Wadi Rum Nomads. We did this because we realized that most of the itinerary can be covered in a day to a day and a half at most. More,so we were already spending an additional night before our wadi rum nomad tour in the desert at Wadi Rum Bubble Camp.
However, if you are looking to get the most out of the desert however if you do have more time and are doing an extensive holiday across Jordan then definitely consider a longer tour.
Wadi Rum Nomads Review of Jeep Tour – Day 1
Day one early morning we arrived at our tour starting point. We were immediately greeted by our host as well as tour operator with hot cups of Jordanian Bedouin tea.
The guide as well as the tour operator introduced themselves to us the itinerary and what to expect for the day as well as our plans for the evening camp site.
After our initial brief, we were off in the four-wheel drive into desert with our guide. The four-wheel drives are open vehicles and therefore this is something to be aware of if you are wearing any loose items of clothing or cap as the wind can be quite strong as you jet off across the desert!
Wadi Rum Sites: Morning Stops
The day is broken up into morning and afternoon stops, with a nice lunch break at Mushroom rock. The sites visited in the morning were:
- Lawrence Spring
- Red Sand Dun
- Khazali Canyon
- Mushroom Rock
Wadi Rum Sites: Afternoon Stops
One thing I really appreciated about our tour guide at Wadi Rum Nomads was that he adivsed the order of sites visited was desgined such to avoid us arriving there at the same time as a lot of other tour groups. This meant we had more time at each site for ourselves without many other groups present. Allowing us to take in the surroundings and landscapes even more. Our afternoon stops were:
- Little Bridge
- Burdah Rock Bridge
- Abu Khashaba Canyon
- Um Fruth Rock Bridge
My personal highlights was climbing the to reach the top of Um Fruth Rock Bridge. What honestly seemed extremely challenging from afar was actually not so bad once you saw teh slop benign climbed by others up close. Getting to the top and standing on the arch, you are rewarded with beautiful views of the Wadi Rum National Park, making the climb up totally worthwhile!
We ended our day of exploring Wadi Rum national Park at our final stop at Um Sabatah to catch the sunset.
Sunset in Wadi Rum
Sunsets are meant to be magical in Wadi Rum National Park, and this was no exception! We sat there with our phones and camera set up, watching as the sky and sand turned shades of gold and red. It was the perfect, peaceful end to an epic day. As soon as the sun set though, the desert definitely gets cold! A lot colder than you would expect! I highly recommend packing some warm layers and chapstick to brave the cool winds, especially if you are going in the winter months.
Wadi Rum Base camp
Upon sunset, our guide drove us directly to the base camp at the Wadi Rum Village. Here we were shown our bedouin style accommodation which was in Bedouin. As we were there in winter, the camping in the cave option was not feasible due to cold weather, however I would highly recommend trying this if you are visiting Wadi Rum in the winter months.
These tents are made from goat or camel hair and designed to blend with the desert environment. The interiors are basic but often decorated with colorful rugs and cushions as our were. Visiting in December, we were also provided extra thick warm blankets as winters can get especially cold at night. The average nighttime temperatures can range from 3 to 5 degrees Celsius (37 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit) but can feel even colder due to the wind chill.
Bedouin Dinner and Stargazing
Once we had refreshed ourselves, we made our way to the main tent where our gracious guides and cook awaited us. We were treated to captivating stories about the Bedouin people, their families, and their rich history. As we enjoyed our traditional Jordanian dinner, there were a few other local towns people who joined the evening festivities, playing enchanting Bedouin music and songs, creating a truly unforgettable evening.
We then then learned a few card games from the locals and enjoyed spending time with a few rounds of card games, before heading out for some stargazing.
The sky is beautiful and clear most nights in Wadi Rum and depending on where you are, star gazing is an absolute treat in desert landscape away from the light pollution of the cities and highways. We downloaded a few star gaznig apps to assist us and had the guide point out a few difference parts of the sky.
Unfortunately due to it being extremely cold in december, we couldn’t spend too much time outside without freezing in the desert! Nonetheless I was extremely grateful to have had the chance to do some stargazing in Wadi Rum!
Wadi Rum Sunrise and Camel Ride – Day 2
Our guide was really helpful in telling us the optimal spots to check out the sunrise the night before, so we set out firs thing to capture a much anticipated sunrise in Wadi Rum.
After breakfast, it was finally time for our camel rides, as we said goodbye to our camp guides and set forth our our camels led by our tour guide.
This was the perfect end to our Wadi rum tour as we took in the desert landscapes all around us, sitting on nour camels, slowly heading back towards the start of the desert in the early morning sun.
Overall Review of Wadi Rum Nomads Tour
Having done the tour with wadi rum nomads I can confidently say that they definitely not only met but exceeded my expectations. Here is a breakdown of how I rate my experience:
- Wadi Rum Safari/ Sites covered 10/10
- Accommodation provided 9/10
- Food 10/10
- Guides 10/10
Wadi Rum Nomads Tour Cost
The cost can vary significantly spending on the size of your booking. As I booked for 2 people, the price of the Wadi Rum 1 day and 1 night jeep tour for JOD 70 per person, coming to about USD $100.
What do you need to pack for the Wadi Rum Nomads Tour?
The below is a packing list based on my own experience.
The weather in the Wadi Rum desert can change a lot across different times of the year. Having traveled there in winter (December) I was surprised between the temperatures even between the day and night! No matter when you’re visiting, the temperature dips significantly once the sun sets, so its important to make sure you pack adequately for a comfortable night in the desert!
Here’s a quick checklist I used:
- Sunscreen: A high SPF for skin protection in the desert.
- Wide-brimmed hat: For added shade and sun protection.
- Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated and eco-friendly.
- Sturdy hiking boots: Essential for navigating rocky terrains.
- Breathable clothes: Lightweight fabrics for summer visits.
- Lightweight scarf: Useful for protection against sun and sand.
- Sunglasses: To shield your eyes from the bright sun.
- Long-sleeve shirt: Offers extra protection from the sun, even in summer
- Windproof jacket: With an added layer for winter
For winter trips, add:
- Thermal underwear: Keeps you warm during cold nights.
- Fleece jacket for an added layer: For layering up against the cold.
- Warm socks, hat, and gloves: Essential for Wadi Rum weather at night.
- Camera and tripod: Camera is a given, however a tripod is extremely useful if you’re looking capture the stunning scenery and starry skies at night.
- Chapstick: The dry desert air can be harsh on your lips.
- Spare slippers or sandals: Great for relaxing at camp.
- Headlamp or flashlight: Handy for nighttime navigation.
There you have it, I hope your Wadi Rum experience is unforgettable!
Are you heading to Jordan?
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Wadi Rum National Park for what to expect and everything else you need to know!
