Updated: May 2026
Of all the extraordinary places I visited in Jordan, Wadi Rum was the one that completely took my breath away.
The vast red desert, towering rock formations and endless silence made me feel as though I had stepped onto another planet. And honestly, for a few hours, it really did feel like Mars on Earth.
Wadi Rum is a protected desert valley and UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Jordan, close to Aqaba. The name means Valley of the Moon, and once you arrive, you immediately understand why. The red sand, dramatic mountains and unusual rock formations create a landscape unlike anywhere I had ever seen before.
The deep red colour of the sand and mountains comes from iron oxide, giving the entire landscape an almost unreal glow especially in the late afternoon sun.
First Sight of Wadi Rum
One of the first landmarks we saw was the magnificent rock formation known as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, named after the famous book written by T. E. Lawrence.
Even from a distance, the scale of the desert was astonishing. The mountains seemed to rise straight out of the sand, surrounded by complete stillness and silence.
I remember thinking that photographs simply could not capture how vast and dramatic it felt standing there in person.
Exploring the Desert by Jeep
The best way to experience Wadi Rum was by travelling through the desert in a 4×4 jeep.
Racing across the sand dunes while surrounded by towering sandstone and granite mountains was exhilarating. At times it felt like a real adventure film scene unfolding around us.
It was actually difficult to take photographs while moving because I didn’t want to miss a single second of the experience itself. The landscape kept changing around every corner — red dunes, rocky valleys, enormous cliffs and endless open desert stretching into the distance.
I absolutely loved every minute of it.
Sand Dunes and Towering Rock Formations
Some visitors couldn’t resist climbing the steep sand dunes, while I was perfectly content simply standing still and admiring the incredible scenery around me.
The contrast between the soft red sand and the enormous rock formations was breathtaking. As the sunlight reflected against the sandstone mountains, the entire desert seemed to glow in shades of red, orange and gold.
It was one of the most visually stunning places I have ever experienced.
Why Wadi Rum Is Called “Mars on Earth”
Wadi Rum is often referred to as “Mars on Earth” because of its extraordinary lunar landscape.
Several films have been shot there because the scenery looks so otherworldly. One of the most famous was The Martian, which used Wadi Rum to recreate the surface of Mars.
Standing there myself, I completely understood why filmmakers choose this location. It genuinely felt as though we had left Earth behind for the day.
Tea With the Bedouins
At one point during the journey, we stopped for tea in a traditional Bedouin tent at an area known as Lawrence’s Spring.
After the excitement of speeding through the desert, the stop felt wonderfully peaceful and calm. Sitting quietly with tea while surrounded by mountains and desert silence became one of those simple travel moments that stayed with me long afterwards.
Naturally, there were also opportunities to buy scarves and souvenirs from local traders passing through the camp.
Sunset in the Desert
As evening approached, we were taken to a rocky viewpoint to watch the sunset over the desert.
We all sat quietly on the rocks as the sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains. The colours across the sand and cliffs changed by the minute, becoming softer and deeper as daylight faded.
It was peaceful, beautiful and unforgettable.
Sleeping Under the Stars
That evening, we stayed in a desert camp though thankfully we didn’t exactly have to rough it.
The accommodation was surprisingly comfortable, with hot showers, proper beds, air conditioning and all the facilities we needed after a long day exploring the desert.
After dinner, we were treated to music, singing and dancing around the campsite following a delicious traditional meal of rice, meat and vegetables cooked underground beneath the sand.
Later that night, I looked up at one of the clearest night skies I had ever seen.
I had experienced stargazing before in Callosa d’en Sarrià, but Wadi Rum felt completely different. The desert sky seemed endless. With almost no light pollution, the stars appeared brighter than I had ever seen before.
I could have sworn that I saw the Milky Way stretching across the sky.
Even now, years later, I can still remember the colour of the sand, the silence of the desert, and the feeling of travelling through Wadi Rum beneath those towering red mountains.
Some places are beautiful.
Others stay with you forever.
Wadi Rum was one of those places for me.
This post is part of my travels in Jordan. You can read more about :
Walking into Petra – and Standing in Awe
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