Lawrence of Arabia spent a significant amount of time here during the course of the British-inspired Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War (1914-1918). Fans of the 1962 film ''Lawrence of Arabia'' will be familiar with the landscape, which is not so much sand dunes as it is a mass of soaring cliffs and sandstone and granite mountains (''jubaal'' in Arabic). The area is quite isolated and largely inhospitable to settled life. The only permanent inhabitants are several thousand Bedouin nomads and a few villagers. There is no real infrastructure, leaving the area quite unspoilt. Apart from the Bedouin goat hair tents, the only structures are a few concrete shops and houses and the fort headquarters of the Desert Patrol Corps.
Wadi Rum is a short detour from the Desert Highway between Amman and Aqaba. A side road leads to the entrance where you will find a visitor centre, a police office and lots of would-be guides offering camel and 4x4 treks. The cost to enter into Wadi Rum is 2 Jordanian Dinars (JD) per person. (This fee is waved if you enter with a tour operator). There is currently one bus per day from Petra that leaves at 6:30am and costs 5JD. The trip generally takes 1.5 hours and tickets should be booked through your hotel at Petra. Taxis to and from Petra cost 25-30JD.
Private vehicles are prohibited past of the village of Wadi Rum. If you want to experience the grandeur that the Wadi has to offer, you will need to hire a guided camel or 4-wheel-drive tour. The costs may vary based on the guide, the length of the trip, and your willingness and ability to bargain.
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The genuine attraction of the Wadi Rum is the desert itself, best accessed in a hired four wheel drive or on a camel. Some visitors only do a few hours in the Wadi, but it's definitely worth doing a guided trip of several days duration, staying overnight with Bedouin families or camping in the desert.
Picking up a guide at the gate is a hit and miss affair, and many of the best guides rely exclusively on advance bookings; for example Saleh Musa http://wadirumtours.com. [http://www.jordantracks.com/ Jordan Tracks] and [http://www.wadirumsunset.com/ Wadi Rum Sunset Camp] are reputable Rum-based family operations (Just make sure you agree on the price in advance - speaking of experience as they might try to dupe you). You will pay a small premium for their services, but you will know for certain that you will have good meals, and an English speaking guide, both of which will greatly enhance your experience. Additionally, if you were planning on taking a taxi to get there, they will be able to arrange a better rate than would normally be offered to a foreigner.
Climbing is another popular activity: [http://www.wadirum.net/ Wadi Rum Rock Page]
The Distant Heat Festival is held every summer on the last Thursday of July which features trance and electronica music.
Go on ' a Behind the Veil tour'. [http://www.wadirumtours.com]
The closest thing to a hotel in Wadi Rum is the resthouse in Rum village. It offers very basic accommodation - a matress on the roof - as well as selling food and water. There are several camping options, from a more formal camp ground, to riding out into the desert with a Bedouin guide and staying in a somewhat traditional Bedouin tent. Expect to pay 25-40 JD for accommodation, transportation and food. The [http://www.wadirumsunset.com/ Sunset Camp] and the Palm Camp are reccommended suggestions for campgrounds. Their ammenities include tents, running water, shower and restroom facilities, a snack and drink stand,and buffet-style meals. While staying at the camps it is possible to take jeep, camel, or horse tours around the desert, or have a guide take you to sleep under the stars.