Wadi Rum is an Entirely Different Planet

If you know me even a little bit, you’ll know I’m a sucker for the outdoors. And if you don’t know me, then my consistent wardrobe of patterned “hippie pants,” bohemian headbands, and National Park merchandise probably gives you a hint.

So, getting the chance to explore Wadi Rum, which is one of, if not the most, beautiful deserts in the world, was a thrilling and unforgettable adventure.

Wadi Rum is one of the most diverse deserts on the planet. As you drive through the desert, you’ll see the sands changing color from deep scarlet to bright orange and sparking yellow. The rock formations transform from smooth crimson boulders to vibrant orange cliffs with patterned holes like cheese, to dark, jagged rock faces with ripples sticking out like veins.

Movies such as the Star Wars Franchise, Dune, The Martian, and many others were filmed in this out-of-world location for that exact reason. I got the chance to not only explore this spectacular landscape, but fully immerse in it by spending the night in an iconic Wadi Rum desert camp. If you ever make the trip to Jordan, this experience is something you don’t want to miss.

Rum Princess Desert Camp

Waking up to this view was absolutely unreal. I felt like I was on vacation in Mars.

We stayed in one of many desert camps scattered throughout the desert. Many are family-run businesses. Basel, the 19-year-old Jordanian who ran our camp, told us he and his uncles manage 4 desert camps. He was an excellent host; he helped us arrange transportation and tours throughout our stay at Wadi Rum, including a night tour where we got to stargaze!

The shooting location of "The Martian"

After breakfast at our camp, we hopped onto a truck bed with three other tourists, and a guide drove us into the desert. Our guide “Mr. M,” as we called him, took us to the spot where the sci-fi movie starring Matt Damon was filmed. I was ecstatic - I love sci-fi films, and The Martian is among my favorites. As I walked on the scarlet sand and admired the rugged red cliffs, it was hard to believe I was still on Earth. But the sharp sting of the wind and warmth from the sun served as a reminder.

Photo by MK Riley.

An Ever-Changing Landscape

Next, we went to a slanted rock that served as a lookout point. We hiked a short ways to the top, and got to see an incredible view of the desert. It was so cool to see how the clouds drifted through the sky, their shadows reflecting on the sand in a similar pattern to the spots on a cow.

I loved sitting on the edge of the cliff and watching the landscape move and change as time passed. Wadi Rum is truly unlike any other place on Earth.

Photo by MK Riley.

Ancient Art

Our next stop was a red and orange striped tent hugging the side of a cliff. We stopped for tea and got to see engravings etched the side of the cliff by the ancient indigenous peoples of Wadi Rum.

How do you get around the desert?

We rode on the backs of pick-up trucks, converted with chairs and shaded coverings for desert tours. Still, there were no seatbelts in the trucks, and the desert paths could get bumpy!

Don’t be fooled, the desert may look boiling hot in these photos, but it was actually quite chilly! We bundled up in scarves and jackets to escape the bitter wind as we drove, and really only stripped layers for short hikes. The temperature was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Photo by MK Riley.

Camel Riding

Some opted to tour the desert on camel-back rather than trucks. We didn’t do this, but we still spotted some at the stops we made, lounging in the sand outside the tent.

Photo by MK Riley.

An Immersive Experience

The rest of the tour consisted of long drives through the desert, quietly admiring the stunning landscape and stopping at different photo spots. Mr. M, like many tour guides I’ve have throughout this voyage, knew how to grab the best photos!

The Face

More ancient engravings from indigenous peoples.

Mr. M

Mr. M, adorned in his long, brown parka. This camel-fur lined jacket is a common accessory among locals in Wadi Rum. Lots of SASers actually bought their own parkas and wear them around the ship now.

The Bridge

The bridge was roughly three hours from our camp, and the final destination on our tour before we began making our way back to camp. MK and I took the liberty to make the semi-difficult climb to the top - the view was spectacular, and it made for an amazing photo spot!

The granola girl in me absolutely loved exploring the hidden nooks and crannies in the cliffs, or bouldering my way on top of rocks to “sit in cool places.”

Makeup

Mr. M brought us to the edge of a curved cliff, where the red sand was powdery and fine. He told us he was going to “do our makeup” and drew hearts on our cheeks with the red sand. It made for some cute photos!

Photo by MK Riley.

The "Kissing" Face

There’s a cliff that famously looks like a “giant kissing face” that Mr. M took us to. He didn’t explain much at first, but instructed me how to pose for this picture. We had a good laugh after seeing the photos!

Photo by Mr. M.

Only on Earth

Wadi Rum was truly unlike anywhere else I’d ever been, even compared to the desert in Dubai, UAE. I’d never seen anything like it. I’ve always loved the idea of going to space and traveling to another planet, however I probably won’t ever do that. But experiencing Wadi Rum showed me that I don’t need to travel to another planet - Earth itself is already home to entirely different worlds.