The trickiest part of organising our 2 week trip to Jordan was visiting Wadi Rum. I didn't know where to begin. I wanted to explore the desert, but knew our rental car would immediately get stuck. How would I eat, what camps were good. After hours of researching, I found a Bedouin family who offered an almost all-inclusive package of guide, transport, 3 meals a day, unlimited water, accommodation and the opportunity to explore lots in the desert. I've put together this video of my tips if you plan to visit Wadi Rum as I'd have loved it if I'd come across something similar when I planned our trip. My hope is that it will be helpful you.
@Funkteon Жыл бұрын
Do you think there would be a way for me to be dropped off at the edge of the desert and have transport/tour guide meet me on the other side a few days later? I grew up in the red centre of Australia, so Wadi Rum is like a cute little version of home, and I'd love to walk from one side/end of it to the other the same way I walked 220km into the desert from Alice Springs a few years ago (Larapinta Trail).
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
@@Funkteon Your best bet would be to reach out to a desert camp and see if it's a service they can offer you. Certainly the guides at our camp were brilliant and nothing seemed like too much of an ask. They have prices detailing how much it costs for certain types of permits to visit the area at the visitors centre, and if you don't have accommodation/guides pre-booked, there's plenty of guides waiting here too. But whilst I'd say to chance doing this to stay in a desert camp, I'd try and pre-organise what you're asking for. When we got to the dead sea, someone who worked at a dive/snorkel company we used said they wild camp in Wadi Rum so it's possible by the sounds of things.
@TheKiltedAdventurer2 жыл бұрын
Good shoes are so important while traveling. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip Caroline!
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
Ah yes, very much so - yet they take up so much space in a backpack so when on a trip like this one with the need for nice shoes in cities, pretty evening shoes and then practical ones for deserts and hikes, the big backpack has to come out!
@stellasqueak5 ай бұрын
I went to Jordan last year amazing country, looking at going again 2025 and cannot wait, Petra was my highlight and I only did a day, but going back for 2 this time at least. Best tip I got for Petra is try your hardest to ignore the amazing scenery and walk straight to the top first thing and work your way back, was great advice as me and my friend got to top and nobody was around and was so quiet and we got amazing photos, within couple off hours it was so busy getting good photos became very hard without other tourists being in background or walking in front off your pic.
@ONdorch Жыл бұрын
I booked a five night stay due to your recommendation with multiple tours and can only back up that it's a great place to stay in Wadi Run and that they're all great guides and people.
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Hi ONdorch. Am I right to understand you've both booked, and also visited? If so, what tours did you do and which were your favourites? I'm so pleased this video has been helpful
@ONdorch Жыл бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox I was royally influenced haha went to Jordan for ten days last month and did the full day jeep ride, Jebel Al Hash and Jebel Um Adaami. Also had a day just relaxing at the camp as needed it after too many 6am buses and hiking the previous days! Would go back for sure
@MARBOUHABDO Жыл бұрын
really i like this is place thank you so much 🤝
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Thank you, I too loved Wadi Rum - it was the highlight of our trip to Jordan!
@Love_rainy_days2 жыл бұрын
Caroline, thanks for sharing. I would love to go hiking at Wadi Rum. Thanks for helping the local economy. Stay safe and happy adventuring. Cheers ☕☕🧔🏻
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
You're most welcome 🙏 I feel like when I travel, a big challenge is trying to find a balance between staying in budget, taking opportunities of good deals (often with bigger companies) and also supporting the local economy by using local guides and family owned accommodations. A very first world problem for me to have I know, but Wadi Rum made it easy for me to go with something that supported the local community!
@iancooper51652 жыл бұрын
Some helpful tips in your video Caroline, really looking for your next travels,yes KZbin are messing around with some of my comments and they are getting on my nerves.anyway as always keep up with the good job your are doing with your channel and stay safe sweet
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
So pleased you find these helpful. That's so frustrating of KZbin, but thankfully I now know to drop into my 'held for review' comments box to see if you've left a comment 🙏 Thank you for all of your support and kind words.
@MattWhitingsEurope2 жыл бұрын
Some good tips Caroline, I'm sure they'll be helpful to anyone thinking of travelling out that way. You're right about hiking shoes, it always amazes me how hard it is to walk on sand for long periods. Glad you had an enjoyable trip!
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
Hi Matt, I just wish a company could come up with a pair of hiking shoes that were less bulky from a packing perspective! Thank you for the kind words - it was my hope that this will be more of a helpful rather than entertaining video. Who knows, when you're done with Europe, maybe this will be on the cards for you! Fully appreciate your goal to visit every country in Europe is rather insignificant in comparison to everything else going on, but I was thinking about how fortunate you are that you've already visited the Ukraine as that would have put quite the spanner in the works for you!
@MattWhitingsEurope2 жыл бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox Yes I consider myself very lucky to have visited Ukraine, Kyiv is such a beautiful and interesting city - everyone was so friendly and helpful. I almost can't believe what Putin and Russia are doing, unfortunately it looks like Europe has another Hitler. I'm hoping that once the Ukrainians send the Russians packing I'll be able to return.
@no_soy_rubio Жыл бұрын
I totally agree that booking the tour as a priority! I did feel as I was a little unorganised, there was a lot of time spent drinking tea when I could've been exploring. I think I stayed at the same accommodation as you by the looks of it! Thanks for this video 😁
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Whilst the feeling of sitting around and drinking tea didn't come about in Jordan, I've certainly had that on previous trips and learnt from it to be a little more organised. I think it's different when you're travelling long term, but a short holiday like this, I wanted to pack it all in!
@no_soy_rubio Жыл бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox absolutely! It was nice to sit with the Bedouins drinking tea but I wanted to get out there and explore! I only did one night, will check out your other videos later to see what I missed!
@hisham63polaris17 Жыл бұрын
Thanks you so much for this amazing video
@jamalet-taheri52212 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for all the hard work you do Love to do the tour one day Inshaa allah 🌻jamal
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
Hi Jamal, thank you so much for your kind words 🙏 I hope you get the opportunity to get out to the Wadi Rum desert as it really was spectacular!
@jdpkhome2 жыл бұрын
This is very helpful thank you! I am planning a last minute trip (departing on Saturday July 9). Ive booked Amman and Petra but am really challenged with Wadi Rum!
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
I feel like Wadi Rum is the location that stumps most independent travellers as it was the biggest head scratcher for me too which I think is why I made this video in the end. I'm pleased you've found it helpful and I hope you love your trip as much as I did!
@pabakmondal56479 ай бұрын
wow
@user-pr8wq9zr6b2 ай бұрын
I visited Wadi Rum may years ago when all that were there was one restaurant with toilets and common showers, a Beduin tent and a few one/two man tents. We would sit at night in the Beduin tents with torches all around being served lamb and tea. Sleep in the small tents and then dare a dash into the open showers (no doors) for both men & women. The night sky held you in awe in its starry view. In the morning, we would climb into the back of trucks driven by 12 year old kids. If the trucks got stuck (coz of sand in the engine) these genius kid drivers knew what to do and off we went again on our bumpy road. The beauty of the Wadi was the colourful rock formation. I felt like I was in the best cathedral in the world. I remember collecting sand as it was so red you could use it in place of rouge. There is a sense of peace and freedom then which I doubt you will find now with so much civilization encroaching the place.
@mahmoudmirri94135 ай бұрын
❤
@michelelawrence7588 Жыл бұрын
Hi Caroline I like to say how much, I enjoyed your video, im looking to come out next year with Tui on either a cruise or a tour, it is a shame but are going away in June time this year ❤️
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Hi Michele, thank you for you kind comments about the video. The nice thing about visiting in June is that you'll have more daylight hours than we did for longer explorations! Will you have the opportunity to stay overnight in the desert?
@michelelawrence7588 Жыл бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox Hi Caroline, thank you so much for your reply, if it is a tour with Tui it is a defo yes staying overnight in Wadi Rum, then travelling back up for our final day to the dead sea Petra is also part of the package too so im pretty excited, im popping by tomorrow to see the girls from the Tui shop so will ask lots of questions then, may I ask you do you dress up for evening meals out in Jordan? 🙈thank you x
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
I took a couple of dresses with me which were certainly on the more casual side of things and just worre a pair of leather flat sandals with them, and I only really wore these at the resort hotels we stayed in at the Red Sea and Dead Sea. For Wadi Rum, I usually stayed in jeans and t-shirt. For Petra, I remember being really rushed between dinner and getting into Petra for Petra by night so there was no time to change back into clothes suitable for trekking back to the treasury. In Amman, I wore jeans and t-shirts. I hope this helps.
@michelelawrence7588 Жыл бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox Hi Caroline thank you for getting back to me about my question on clothes it has really helped me there I have already subscribed to your channel so will let you know when I booked to Jordan and I know it will not be available until this September coming at the earliest x
@waseqsami3252 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. After watching this video I just booked exactly same tour with Wadi rum quiet village. We will be there in May. Other than tips your mentioned in this video any other advice you would have for us?
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
Hi Waseq - so pleased you'll be doing the tour with them as we really did have the best time. If you're going in May, I expect it will be hotter than it was for us, so I'd recommend starting as early as possible to beat the heat when hiking Jabal Al Hash. But if you're going with Quiet Village, you can sit back and let your guide organise it all as they really do think of everything for you!
@joezada3681 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for all the tips, Heading there in June of 2023, but why you so sweet for got sake?
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Hi Zoe, I hope you have lots of fun whilst you're there - very envious as I'd love to go back. As for the sweetness, I don't know - maybe it just comes naturally 🤷♀️🤣
@imaneelghoudani5000 Жыл бұрын
Do you have any names for recommendation in terms of guides and how did u get to arrange the travel from and to Amman and Petra and wadi rum please
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Hi Imane. We rented a car from Amman airport and drove to Petra and the Wadi Rum village ourselves, but there's a JETT bus that serves Petra, Wadi Rum and Amman too. I understand you want to book the bus tickets a day or two in advance and not turn up to the bus station on the day as it gets sold out. I booked our 2 night stay and tour at the Wadi Rum Quiet Village through their website: wadirumquietvillage.camp/ We did the 'Jabal Al-Hash with overnight two days' trip which began at the Wadi Rum visitor centre. I'm afraid it was such a while back when we did the tour, our guide's name has escaped me, but it was the brother of the owner - Saleem, but there were plenty of guides on an evening at the camp for other guests staying there and all of them seemed just as great! I hope this is helpful for you.
@kimlarsen388810 ай бұрын
Were both nights at the camp or one night in Rum village? Thanks for an informative video.
@WhenAdventureKnox10 ай бұрын
Hi Kim, both nights were at the camp. The camp we stayed at really wasn't far from the village as some people choose to ride a camel back on their last day. We drove from Petra to get there so arrived around 10.00am and when we departed went to the Red Sea and left around 10.00am too. Hope this helps.
@kimlarsen388810 ай бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox Thanks a lot. Did you go by puclic bus or rental car to and fro Wadi Rum?
@WhenAdventureKnox10 ай бұрын
We had a rental car. I'm afraid I don't know what the bus situation is like now, but certainly when we visited as we were just coming out of COVID, it wasn't possible without a car.@@kimlarsen3888
@alanmack302 жыл бұрын
Hi Caroline i just stumbled across your video and subscribed to your channel. I am due to go to Jordan in a couple of weeks. Trying to book a package like you suggested as private tour companies are costing a fortune. Is there a way to travel to Wadi Rum from Petra or amman do you know. I dont feel confident driving a car there. I also wondered what tours you did and did you stay in the basic or more luxurious tents.
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
Hi Alan Ah, you're going to have such an amazing time, I'm very envious!! Unfortunately post COVID restrictions easing, it doesn't look like Jett bus operates either of the routes you've asked about (though I'm sure they used to!) You could get the Jett bus to Petra (it leaves Amman early morning) and then get a private driver to take you the last 2 hours from Petra to Wadi Musa to keep costs down. I think 35-40JD's is what was being thrown around when researching for this trip. The only 'tour' we did when in Jordan was in Wadi Rum as it's very difficult to visit the desert properly without doing it as a tour. We booked ours through wadirumquietvillage.camp/ and couldn't recommend them more highly. Family/Bedouin owned and run, they take immense pride in everything they did and offered us. We'd wanted an early start on day 2 to beat the heat, so assumed we'd be brought back to camp earlier so our guide wasn't doing a 'longer day' - but we weren't, and still paid the same price quoted on their website just as an example (and had we asked to go back earlier, they'd have taken us back no problem!) Whilst the camp was what is classed as a 'basic' one, we loved it. It had a proper bed, electricity for light and charging things, the food was divine, and whilst we had a shared bathroom, I can see that some tents have en-suites so I'm sure you could ask them for a quote for an upgrade to one of those if you wanted. I do a little camp/tent tour at the end of this video if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnqrhoRjes1qjdU For reference, we booked their hiking tour, 2 days called Jabal Al-Hash which is on their website. Please just ask if you have any other questions. So pleased you liked the video enough to subscribe - welcome aboard!
@alanmack302 жыл бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox thanks for your great advice caroline. I have a full week in jordan and really want to do the same tour you did in Wadi Rum. I did consider one of them glass dome tents but they are very expensive. I hear what you say about Jett bus i have been informed there are minivans but they dont leave until full. I think i will stay in amman a couple of days and go to petra first and stay overnight and then get the taxi to wadi rum and do the two days at the place you mentioned. I imagine you had a jordan pass which saves money in the long run so im getting one too. The all inclusive 2 day tourslisted on tripadvisor are too expensive for single travellers. Ive already seen the dead sea when i was in palestine a few years ago but am starting the accomodation booking now. Thanks for your advice your channel is great and ive subscribed.
@alanmack302 жыл бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox Caroline i did my trip to Wadi rum and it was amazing. I did it with Nomads as yours was fully booked. It was an amazing experience and on the bus from Petra to Wadi Rum (private bus that hotel arranged) the driver asked if anyone was going to Amman the next day and i got booked on a bus coming from the camp for 20 JD so everything worked out. I loved the whole Jordan experience, just back yesterday. Thanks for your info. I got to see all the sights you saw.
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
@@alanmack30 Hi Alan, I'm so pleased you had a great time out there and seem to have found a love for Jordan much like I did. That's fantastic that you were able to get the bus from Petra AND the bus back to Amman, and not having to transfer or pay for expensive taxis! Hopefully this information will prove helpful for others wanting to visit now things are getting back to normal.
@dishaparwani4705 Жыл бұрын
Loved the video i am planning too was the tour included? How much is it for seperately??
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Hi Disha. I'm afraid I'm not sure of the separate costs as we booked everything as a package with a 1 off cost. This is their website: wadirumquietvillage.camp/ If you want to have a look on it to get a feel for the tours they offer and if you scroll to the bottom of the page for each excursion, the prices are on the left. I can't see accommodation only prices on there, maybe it's because it's difficult to do much without the guides so they pre-package everything? I hope that's helpful.
@jasonyoung2121 Жыл бұрын
Book up for space village
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Hi Jason. I think I'd looked at this camp, but it was sadly out of my budget, but it looked lovely!
@shinertom142 Жыл бұрын
Loved the video, can I just ask .. did you book you excursions with the campsite prior or was it separately booked .. 🙏
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Heya, thank you for your kind words 🙏 We booked with the campsite ahead of flying out there. The campsite has a website: wadirumquietvillage.camp/jabal-al-hash/ and on there they have a range of tours. We picked one of the hiking tours called Jabal Al Hash. I organised everything via email and we paid in cash at the very end of our stay. I hope this is helpful.
@shinertom142 Жыл бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox super .. many thanks 🙏
@teamadam62342 жыл бұрын
Hey Caroline. We're travelling in December. Do you think wadi rumi is OK with a 2.5 Yr old toddler ?
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
Hi Team Adam, we were really happy to see just how welcoming Jordanians were to families and children in general, I think far more so than many places I see and visit in London (sadly!) Just before I went to Jordan, a fellow KZbin channel called 'TheNewbys' were releasing videos, and they travelled Jordan with a baby (I appreciate younger than your toddler) but their videos may be helpful for you. We found the guides in Wadi Rum to be incredibly flexible and worked to what we wanted, and I'm sure you'll find the same, once they understand you're travelling with a 2.5 year old, they'll cater for all of your needs. I hope this helps.
@atoknenekko Жыл бұрын
Hi, may i know the transportation from the airport? How do i get there?
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Hi Sea weed. You'd need to get from Aqaba Airport to Aqaba bus station where you can catch a JETT bus at 8.00am, costing 15JD's. If you fly into Amman, there's no direct bus I'm afraid. I assume you'd visit Petra as part of your visit, so you'd take the JETT bus from 7th Circle in Amman (taxis from Amman Airport are fixed price) to Petra. Bus leaves at 7.00am and costs 10JD's. After Petra, you catch the Jett bus from there to Wadi Rum, leaving at 17.00, costing 15JD's. To get back, either go back via Petra, or continue to Aqaba for a night or 2, then take a bus from Aqaba back to Amman. That last route is very popular with several options/times, some on VIP bus services and others on normal. Have a look at the website here: www.jett.com.jo/en/schedule Hope this helps.
@mixanikos2 Жыл бұрын
How did you went there? Rent a car or the pick you up from airport?
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Hi Orestis. We rented a car from the airport in Amman and drove around Jordan ourselves with just a couple of exceptions. For Wadi Rum, we drove to the village right on the edge of the desert (all tarmac roads) and parked the car in a tarmac car park designed for tourists to leave cars in whilst they go into the desert with a guide in a 4x4. The car park didn't cost us anything, and our guide was there at the entrance waiting for us. There are JETT buses that will take you here too if you prefer not to drive yourself. The other place we didn't drive was Amman and returned the car and took a taxi into the city as we'd heard traffic could be bad, and as we arrived on a Thursday evening, 'bad' was an understatement. Everywhere else though it was easy to drive. I hope this helps :)
@8989shopper2 жыл бұрын
Do they drop the luggage at the camp room before the tour? And is it 1 guide per group? Are there toilets during the hike?
@WhenAdventureKnox2 жыл бұрын
Hi GG. They popped the luggage in the back seats of the truck so there wasn't the need to go via the camp first. In our case it was a private guide for ourselves and on a morning could see it was the same for everyone else. I've heard of budget or solo travellers buddying up to keep costs lower, but believe this would be your choice. For us,the only times nature called was when we were very isolated and I'm used to just going behind a rock or Bush as I hike so much (doing this in Petra is not allowed but our guide said because Wadi Rum is so big, its fine!) But that said, I got the impression the guides at all the camps know one another so I think if you ask for a proper toilet, they'd take you to the closest camp.
@FireDancerR10 ай бұрын
You speak funny.
@WhenAdventureKnox9 ай бұрын
Not going to deny it!
@Trendkanal11 ай бұрын
Saudi Arabian border? 😅🙈
@annapattanaro568 Жыл бұрын
Ma quanto parlaaaaa
@kopynd1 Жыл бұрын
last time a was at wadi rum in 1950s land rover years ago not be the same anymore now spoilt it, now be like Butlin's
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Sorry to hear its changed so much. I guess when you visit a place for the 1st time, it's all you know so I loved my experience, but fully appreciate where you're coming from!
@vrdhmnbhndnkr Жыл бұрын
Hey Caroline, thanks for an amazing and informative video. I am planning to travel solo to Jordan and wanted to know how did you book the tour guide. Was it through quietvillagecamp?
@WhenAdventureKnox Жыл бұрын
Hi Vardhaman. You're correct, I booked direct through Quiet Village Camp. On their website, they list the different packages they offer. We chose the 2 day one with the hike on the 2nd day and all meals and water included. But they do have the options for just accommodation too. I corresponded with them a few times via email after the initial booking, and we paid at the very end - I couldn't get over how trusting they were with the payment - I remember asking if they needed a deposit before hand, but it's not how they operate. It is however cash and there's no ATM near Wadi Rum so ensure you have enough before you set off there.
@vrdhmnbhndnkr Жыл бұрын
@@WhenAdventureKnox thanks a lot Caroline for a detailed response. Really appreciate it.