Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sunset sites
8km
2 hours JD15
Siq Lawrence
9km
3 hours JD20
Full-day tour
unlimitedovernight JD60
Luggage Camel
8 hours JD30
Horse Trekking
An alternative and memorable mode of four-legged transport through Wadi Rum and sur-
rounding areas is by horse. A hack costs around JD25 per hour. These trips are for people
who have riding experience - novices should not underestimate the challenge of riding
high-spirited Arab horses in open country. The highly recommended and long-established
Rum Horses
Offline map
( 2033508, 079-5802108;
www.wadirumhorses.com
)
is the
most professional trekking, camel- and horse-trekking agency. The owner, Atallah Swill-
heen, trained and qualified in horse management and endurance racing in Europe. One of
his horses, Sasha, is a five-time winner of the FEI endurance race in Jordan. Day trips
from Rum Horses cost JD90 (JD140 including overnight camping). The stables are loc-
ated on the approach road to Wadi Rum visitor centre, about 10km from the Desert High-
way. Look for a signboard beside the road.
Hiking
For those who prefer 'Shank's pony' to the real thing, there are many wonderful places to
explore on foot and you can walk unguided to several of the main sights.
There is only space in this chapter to highlight a couple of routes but if you're serious
about hiking (or scrambling and climbing), invest in one of the excellent books by Tony
Howard and Di Taylor (
Click here
)
.
Avoid the extreme heat of summer (May to September). Remember that it's very easy
to get disoriented amid the dozens of craggy peaks; temperatures (cold as well as hot) can
be extreme; natural water supplies are not common and sometimes undrinkable; passing
traffic is rare; and maps are often inaccurate. Walking in sand is particularly exhausting.
MAKHARAS CANYON HIKE
One excellent do-it-yourself option is to hike southeast across the plain from the visitor
centre towards the Seven Pillars of Wisdom and then head up Makharas Canyon (take the
left-hand wadi when it branches). The wadi narrows after about an hour from the visitor
centre and then emerges onto a patch of gorgeous red sand with fabulous views of Jebel
Barrah and Umm Nfoos to the east. From here cut north over the sand dunes and plod
