Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: Lawrence’s House, Rock Bridges & Bedouin Tea

Summary

Jeep Adventure in Wadi Rum: Nabataean Ruins & Desert Wonders

You’ll ride through Wadi Rum’s wildest corners in a jeep—climb natural rock bridges, walk ancient canyons filled with carvings, sip tea with Bedouin locals and eat lunch surrounded by desert silence. If you want real stories and hidden spots beyond just photos, this is your tour.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the silence—just the crunch of tires on sand as we rolled out from Rum village. Our guide, Sami, pointed to a pile of weathered stones on a low hill. Turns out, those are the remains of a 2,000-year-old Nabataean temple. Not much left but you can still see the old foundation lines if you look close. He said it was dedicated to Lat, an ancient goddess. The sun was already warming up the rocks and I could smell dust and wild herbs in the air.

A little further on, we stopped at a spring tucked into the cliffs. Sami quoted Lawrence of Arabia—something about echoes turning into music—and honestly, I got it. There were birds calling somewhere above us and the sound bounced off the stone walls. You could see why people have watered camels here for centuries. The water tasted faintly metallic but cold and refreshing after the drive.

Next up was Khazali Canyon—a narrow crack in Jebel Khazali that feels like stepping into another world. It’s cool inside, almost chilly compared to outside. We walked maybe 150 meters in; along the walls are old carvings—ostriches, feet, even a woman giving birth. Sami explained some were Thamudic script from ancient traders passing through.

The rock bridges are something else entirely. The first one took a bit of scrambling to get up (nothing too crazy), but standing on top with nothing but red sand below is wild. The second bridge is bigger but easier to climb—good spot for photos if you’re not great with heights like me.

We pulled up at what’s called Lawrence’s House—not really a house anymore but some crumbling walls and stones scattered around. Still, thinking about T.E. Lawrence camping here during the Arab Revolt gave me goosebumps. Sami shared stories he’d heard from his grandfather about British officers riding through these parts.

Lunch came next—a simple spread under a canvas awning: flatbread, grilled chicken, tomatoes that tasted like sunshine, and sweet Bedouin tea brewed over hot coals. There was this faint smell of smoke mixed with cardamom that stuck to my clothes all afternoon.

Before heading back, we stopped at Anfeshyah to check out more inscriptions—camels, hunters, old Arabic letters scratched deep into stone by people long gone. Last stop was climbing up a soft red dune; sand got everywhere but the view from the top made it worth it—just endless mountains fading into haze.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wadi Rum Jeep Tour Highlights

• Visit ancient Nabataean temple ruins
• See Lawrence's spring and camel watering site
• Explore Jebel Khazali siq and ancient inscriptions
• Climb and photograph natural rock bridge
• Climb second largest rock bridge in Wadi Rum
• Visit Lawrence of Arabia's house ruins
• View Anfeshyah Thamudic and Nabatean inscriptions
• Walk up soft silk dune for desert views
• See Wadi Rum ancient map

Top questions

Is this Wadi Rum jeep tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes! The tour is designed for all fitness levels—kids just need to sit with an adult in the jeep and there’s plenty of breaks along the way.

What should I bring for this desert trip?

I’d recommend sunglasses, sunscreen, comfy shoes (for climbing dunes or rocks), and maybe a light jacket—the shade in canyons can be cool even when it’s hot outside.

Will we meet local Bedouin people during this experience?

Definitely—you’ll share tea and lunch prepared by Bedouin hosts who live in Wadi Rum year-round. They love sharing stories if you’re curious!

What’s included

Your ride includes bottled water (you’ll need it), lunch cooked fresh in the desert (usually chicken or veggie options), plus as much sweet Bedouin tea or coffee as you want along the way.