Wadi Rum: Full Day Jeep Tour, Canyon Hike & Bedouin Lunch

Summary

Jeep through Wadi Rum’s wild canyons, hike arches, share tea

You’ll ride deep into Wadi Rum by jeep with a Bedouin guide, scramble up red sand dunes for wild views, wander ancient canyons marked by rock art, and share a fresh picnic lunch in total silence. Expect smoky tea brewed over fire and stories you’ll remember long after you brush off the last grains of sand.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day Wadi Rum Jeep tour

• Start at Wadi Rum Rest House parking
• Visit Lawrence spring for water and camels
• Hike Red Sand Dunes and drink Bedouin tea
• Explore ancient inscriptions in Khazali Canyon
• Scramble on top of Small Arch
• Walk Abu Khasaba Canyon and sandboard
• Enjoy traditional Bedouin lunch at canyon end
• Climb Um Frouth Rock Arch for photos
• Take pictures at Mushroom Rock
• Visit Lawrence's supposed house and climb rock
• View Burdah Rock Bridge from below
• Watch sunset and drink Bedouin tea at Um Sabatah
• Return to Wadi Rum Rest House parking

Top questions

How long is the full day jeep tour in Wadi Rum?

The tour lasts most of the day with multiple stops from morning until sunset before returning to the starting point.

Is lunch included during the Wadi Rum jeep tour?

Yes, a freshly prepared Bedouin picnic lunch with stew, hummus, cheese and salad is included.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour begins and finishes at the parking lot next to Wadi Rum Rest House.

Can I add a camel ride to this tour?

You can choose to start or finish your tour with a camel ride for an extra fee (15-35 JD depending on duration).

Are there bathroom facilities during the tour?

Bathrooms are available at camp if you stay overnight; during the day expect basic conditions in nature.

What sites are visited on this Wadi Rum jeep tour?

You’ll see Lawrence Spring, Red Sand Dunes, Khazali Canyon, Small Arch, Abu Khasaba Canyon, Um Frouth Rock Arch, Mushroom Rock and more.

Is this jeep tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but some scrambling or hiking is involved at certain stops.

Will I have time to take photos?

Yes—there’s plenty of time to wander around each site and take photos or just soak it in.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Wadi Rum Rest House parking lot by 4x4 jeep with a local Bedouin guide leading you through famous sights like Lawrence Spring and Khazali Canyon. Bottled water is provided throughout plus unlimited freshly brewed Bedouin tea or coffee at stops along the way. Lunch is a traditional picnic served right in the desert—expect warm stew alongside hummus, cheese and salad before heading back as evening falls.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect the sand to feel so cool under my fingers at Lawrence Spring. We’d just bumped along in the back of the jeep from the Wadi Rum Rest House parking lot — wind in my face, that dry desert smell everywhere — and suddenly there was water trickling down rocks and camels just… hanging out. Our guide, Khaled, showed us how they collect water here. He handed me a cup and I tried not to spill it all over myself (failed). The silence is real out here. You hear your own breath.

The red sand dunes came next. Climbing up was harder than I thought — every step slides back a little — but at the top you get this wild 360 view of Wadi Rum that makes you want to just sit for a while. Khaled brewed tea right there; it tasted smoky and sweet at once. He laughed at how sweaty we were already (“desert gym!” he said). At Khazali Canyon we squeezed between cool stone walls covered in old inscriptions, some faded almost invisible unless you squint.

I loved scrambling up the Small Arch (my knees weren’t sure about it though), then walking Abu Khasaba Canyon solo for half an hour — just me, shifting light on the rocks, one tiny lizard darting away. At the end, Khaled had set out a picnic: warm stew, hummus, cheese, salad. Eating with my hands felt right somehow. We talked about what it’s like growing up Bedouin here; he joked that his kids know more about TikTok than camels now.

There were more stops after lunch: Um Frouth Rock Arch (photos mandatory), mushroom rock (looks exactly like it sounds), even “Lawrence’s house” — though Khaled shrugged and said nobody really knows if he stayed there or not. Sunset at Um Sabatah was quiet except for tea cups clinking and someone’s ringtone echoing off the rocks (we all laughed). Driving back felt slower somehow; I kept glancing back at those shapes in the fading light. Still think about that view sometimes.