Discover our unforgettable adventure exploring Wadi Rum with our baby. Tips, insights, and breathtaking desert views await.
Table of Contents
- Main Journey
- Events
- Tips for Traveling with a Baby
- Local Travel Tips
- Travel Reflections
Main Journey
Leaving Petra for Wadi Rum
Our Petra adventure ended early this morning as we packed up before sunrise. With our bags ready and Sweetie clutching a little flower I gave her, we boarded a 6:00 AM minibus bound for Wadi Rum, Jordan’s iconic desert landscape.
Our hotel had kindly packed a breakfast box for us since we were leaving too early for their usual service. The sandwiches, fruit, and juice looked promising, but honestly, the taste didn’t quite match the presentation. Still, we were grateful.
Understanding Wadi Rum Tours
If you’re planning a Wadi Rum adventure, booking in advance is essential. Our minibus driver explained it perfectly:
- Pre-booked Tour: 35 JD per adult for a 3-hour Jeep tour, dinner, and breakfast at a desert camp.
- Walk-in Rate at the Visitor Center: 65 JD for the same tour — almost double the price.
We had pre-booked our tour for 35 JD per adult. Sweetie was free. It’s worth noting that some travelers get overcharged by local tour operators, so it’s best to arrange your tour directly with your camp in advance.
Arriving at Wadi Rum Visitor Center
By 9:00 AM, we reached Wadi Rum Visitor Center. We paid the entrance fee (5 JD per adult, free for Sweetie). The towering red cliffs and vast desert landscape welcomed us. This place was a world away from Petra — rugged, vast, and silent.
From the Visitor Center, our minibus driver dropped us at our pre-booked camp, where we met Madala, our host. After a brief rest, we met our guide and hopped into the back of an open Jeep, ready to explore Wadi Rum.
Our Wadi Rum Jeep Tour
1. A Desert Oasis: The First Stop
Our guide took us to a small spring nestled among towering rocks. Initially, I thought, “All this just for a small puddle?” But as I turned around, the harsh, dry landscape stretched endlessly.
This tiny spring, insignificant to us, was a lifeline for those who once crossed this desert. Even today, water means life in Wadi Rum.
2. The Red Sand Dunes
Next, we arrived at Wadi Rum’s famous red sand dunes. With the midday sun heating the sand, Julie decided to climb up the dune alone, while I stayed below with Sweetie.
Sweetie and I tried sandboarding. The steep incline made for an exhilarating ride down, but climbing back up was exhausting. I couldn’t help but laugh — it was so much harder than it looked.
3. The Ancient Writings and Another Spring
Our Jeep bumped along the desert trail to a rocky canyon, famous for its ancient petroglyphs and another spring. Winter rains fill this spring, providing a brief source of water.
The canyon walls were decorated with carvings made by the Nabateans and other ancient travelers. It was like a history book carved in stone.
We took a break at a shaded tent, where our guide offered us sweet Bedouin tea. Nothing felt better than escaping the sun, even for a few minutes.
4. Rock Bridges of Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is famous for its natural rock bridges. We visited two of them:
- The Small Rock Bridge: We skipped climbing this one, choosing instead to rest in the shade.
- The Large Rock Bridge: Julie attempted the climb but turned back when the ascent became too steep. Our guide assured us it had stood for thousands of years.
5. Lunch in a Shaded Canyon
By early afternoon, we stopped in a quiet canyon for lunch. Our guide laid out a mat, and we shared simple but delicious food — flatbread, hummus, and fresh veggies. It reminded me of Egyptian bread but tasted even better.
6. Final Stop: Chicken Rock
Our last stop was Chicken Rock, a strange boulder that, with a bit of imagination, looked like a chicken laying an egg.
“Daddy, it looks like Se-kong!” Sweetie laughed, referring to a character from her favorite show, Cocomong. She spent the next few minutes singing Cocomong songs, her excitement filling the desert air.
Heading to Our Desert Camp
With the tour complete, our guide drove us toward the camp, where we would spend the night. As the Jeep sped across the desert, the jagged mountains and endless sand seemed to glow in the setting sun.
Our Wadi Rum adventure wasn’t over — the night in the desert awaited.
Events
Waking up before dawn, we checked out of our Petra hotel, holding breakfast boxes the staff had kindly prepared for us. The minibus to Wadi Rum left right at 6:00 AM, and we watched the first light of day touch the red cliffs of Petra as we drove south.
By 9:00 AM, we reached Wadi Rum Visitor Center, paid the entrance fee (5 JD per adult, free for Sweetie), and met Madala, our host at the camp. A quick rest later, we hopped onto a Jeep with our guide and began exploring the desert.
Our Jeep tour led us from a small desert spring to the famous red sand dunes, through ancient canyons marked with Nabatean carvings, across towering rock bridges, and finally to the playful Chicken Rock.
After a full day of adventure, we watched the desert landscape glow under the setting sun as we headed to our desert camp.
Tips for Traveling with a Baby
1. Book Your Wadi Rum Tour in Advance
We paid 35 JD per adult for our pre-booked Jeep tour, much cheaper than the walk-in rate of 65 JD.
2. Bring Snacks and Plenty of Water
Desert tours can be long, and food isn’t always readily available. Pack baby-friendly snacks and lots of water.
3. Use a Baby Carrier Wisely
We decided not to take Sweetie up the steep and rocky trails. Sometimes, it’s safer to enjoy the view from below.
4. Protect Against the Sun
The desert sun is intense. Use a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for both you and your baby.
5. Embrace Flexibility
Wadi Rum is unpredictable. Sometimes, plans change depending on the heat or terrain. Stay adaptable for your baby’s comfort.
Local Travel Tips
1. Use a Reputable Tour Operator
Book your Jeep tour directly with a camp or through a trusted operator. Avoid last-minute bookings at the Visitor Center for the best prices.
2. Don’t Skip the Red Sand Dunes
Even if you don’t climb, the view is worth it. Sandboarding is also a fun option.
3. Try the Bedouin Tea
Almost every rest stop offers sweet Bedouin tea. It’s a cultural experience you shouldn’t miss.
4. Carry Cash (Jordanian Dinars)
Small purchases like bottled water or tips for guides are easier with cash.
5. Respect the Desert Ecosystem
Wadi Rum is a fragile environment. Don’t leave any trash, and avoid climbing on delicate rock formations.
Travel Reflections
- Watching Sweetie laugh and play in the desert felt magical. Her joy made the harsh landscape come alive.
- Wadi Rum’s silence is powerful. In a place so vast, the quiet is almost sacred.
- From the tiny spring to the towering cliffs, Wadi Rum is a place of contrasts.
- I felt grateful for our little family — adventuring together, finding joy in simple moments.
- As the sun set on the desert, I wondered what the starry night would bring.
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