Thinking about something different like adventure travel in Jordan and wondering what an active adventure in the Jordanian desert would be like? Why not take a closer look at one of our DuVine days in the desert with a sneak peak at what to expect midweek…

Wadi Rum desert

Welcome to Wadi Rum!

Ok…so what is Wadi Rum, you might ask?  Wadi Rum is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in south-west Jordan. It has been inhabited by many human cultures since prehistoric times and is dotted with massive rock formations. It is virtually untouched by humanity and its destructive forces. Here, it is the weather and winds that have carved the imposing, towering skyscrapers, so elegantly described by T.E. Lawrence as “vast, echoing and god-like”.  Much of David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia was filmed in Wadi Rum.

And it is here on the outskirts of this rock wonderland in Rum Village that we will meet up with our Bedouin host, mount a jeep and begin our journey deep into the Wadi Rum Protected Area to reach our Bedouin campsite. And when I say you should prepare to be impressed…I mean it.

Bedouin campsite

Not only will this momentous landscape fascinate you, but the hospitality you receive will astound you. Bedouins are most famous for their hospitality; it is part of their creed – rooted in the harshness of desert life- that no traveler is turned away. Yes, the hospitality of the Bedouin is legendary and strangers are welcomed into the Bedouin home with wonderful shows of courtesy and respect. The dangers and hardship of the desert have fostered this approach and, as they are isolated people, encountering others is cause for celebration. A new arrival is often reason enough for a feast which is usually celebrated in Bedouin poetry, sayings and songs.

Hence it is no surprise that upon arrival at our campsite, we meet for a feast - a ‘Zarb’ – the traditional Bedouin dish of meat and vegetables cooked underneath the desert sand. Oh, and did I mention that it is also a great location to watch a truly magical sunset?!

Bedoiuin 'zarb' feast

As we gather around the campfire and get to know our Bedouin hosts (with music being played and traditional songs being sung) we begin to learn something about their exceptional culture.

If you are wondering how such a mystical evening might end…the choice is yours: spend the night inside your Bedouin goat-hair tent or take your mattress out to sleep under a canopy of twinkling stars.  Whatever you decide, you’ll need to rest up…as you have an exciting day in the desert ahead! (And honestly, that shouldn’t be a problem – unless of course, you are uncomfortable with the sound of silence!)

Now imagine waking up to the silent desert….peaceful, quiet…truly another world! What a way to let the day begin!

Breakfast will usually be served by 7 a.m. After breakfast, we head out on a short drive to Jebel Burda – passing through a wide valley with magnificent cliffs and sand dunes. Reaching the trailhead by the foot of Burda we start our mountain trek towards the famous rock bridge of Burda. (This route involves some relatively easy scrambling across open rock slabs and through a maze of alleys.)  But there is no need to worry, as your guide will lead you on the best route to a small plateau and into a hidden gulley which offers an awesome view of the bridge above. We will then climb a short steep wall (safeguarded by a climbing rope ) and walk over the rock bridge to enjoy awe-inspiring views across the whole desert region. And, like my aforementioned statement, prepare to be impressed!

Rock bridge

Descending back down, we will cross wonderful open slabs and scramble down in a steep groove. Once back at the foot of the mountain after our 3-hour round-trip, we’ll meet in a shaded spot for lunch (and a siesta?) before we proceed with our jeep tour of Wadi Rum – exploring some of the desert’s attraction sites such as Lawrence Spring, Lawrence House remains, and Al Khazaali Canyon.  Oh,and even better…we’ll stop at one of the big sand dunes for an opportunity to kick off your shoes and embrace your inner child when we climb up and then run down…carefree in the soft sand.

How could the day get any better? Well…we could always find a perfect spot to watch another enchanting sunset before heading back to the camp, gathering around the campfire, and enjoy another wonderful Bedouin dinner cooked in the ember of fire and spend another peaceful night in the desert…

By the campfire

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