Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Wadi Rum, the largest valley in Jordan, presents a dramatic landscape of sandstone and gran-
ite interspersed with vistas of flat stony desert.
There wasn't much evidence, but it seems the region has been inhabited by numerous cul-
tures since prehistoric times, with many said to have left their mark in the form of rock paint-
ings, graffiti, and temples.
It was in this area that Lawrence of Arabia based his operations during the Arab Revolt of
1917. His connection to the area led to one of the impressive rock formations being named
the 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom', in memory of Lawrence's book of the same name, (although
the topic has no actual connection to the site).
Today there are several Bedouin tribes inhabiting the area and Wadi Rum (the main valley),
is home to the Zalabia Bedouin who have made a success of developing eco-adventure tour-
ism, which is now their main source of income.
Jabal Rum (1754 metres above sea level) is the second highest peak in Jordan and the highest
peak in the Rum Valley. The highest peak, at 1840 metres, is Jebel um Adaami located south
of Rum and closer to the Saudi border.
The village of Wadi Rum consisted of several hundred Bedouin inhabitants with their goat-
hair tents and concrete houses, a school, a few shops, and the headquarters of the Desert
Patrol. It was a small, dispirited place.
In contrast, the visitors centre was well set up, with an detailed video presentation and a well
maintained museum that traced the history and geology of the area.
The scenery was simply extraordinary. Sheer mountains, of every shape and size jutting out
of the desert plain that seemed to go on for ever until it merged with the Arabian Desert to
the East.
