Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
if you are short of water in midsummer or ill-clothed in winter. Furthermore, it can be highly disorienting trying to
navigate through the labyrinthine passages. Make sure you have a compass, map and water before attempting even a
simple route on your own.
4WD Excursions
The easiest way to see the largest number of sights in the least amount of time is to ar-
range a 4WD trip. This is easily done through the excursion office at the visitor centre on
arrival.
Rates for 4WD excursions are fixed and listed on a board outside the excursion office at
the visitor centre. The prices are per vehicle, not per person, so it can help with costs if
you put together a group in Wadi Musa or Aqaba (not easy to do on arrival at Wadi Rum).
Most 4WDs seat six people; some have bench seats in the back offering better views than
the closed-in cabs but they are fearfully cold or boiling hot in extreme seasons.
If you take the vehicle for a day, don't forget to pack food and water for you and your
driver. You can buy the basics of a rudimentary picnic in Rum village on your way into
the desert.
It's unlikely that anything will go wrong with your trip as the drivers are highly experi-
enced in the desert terrain. Some of the vehicles, however, have seen better days so if you
are involved in a breakdown try to avoid heated confrontation: the Bedouin take their re-
sponsibility towards the visitor very seriously and they will quickly arrange for a replace-
ment - if everyone remains amicable!
You may be approached by the odd freelance guide in Rum village. Prices may be
cheaper but there are no guarantees regarding the safety or quality of the trip and, more
importantly, it cheats the lads waiting patiently in line for a fare. In addition, 60% of the
profit from excursions goes back to the cooperative: someone who jumps the queue robs
the community of that revenue. Rangers tour the Wadi Rum area, checking people have
tickets. Entering without one is not only unethical, it is also illegal.
You can easily add on an overnight stay at a Bedouin camp (ask at the visitor centre
when booking your vehicle). Your driver will simply drop you off in the afternoon and
pick you up the next morning.
