The first time you stand inside a Martian Dome at SunCity Camp, two things happen at once. You look up — and the curved panoramic window frames a sky so wide it looks like a planetarium ceiling. You look down — and there's a queen bed, an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, slippers, bathrobes, coffee, a kettle. The desert outside, the comfort inside. That contrast is what the Martian Dome is built for.

SunCity Camp introduced the Martian Dome to Wadi Rum. This is the original.

Why "Martian"?

Wadi Rum is one of the most Mars-like landscapes on Earth. NASA has used these sandstone canyons and red dunes to test rovers. Hollywood has shot films here for the same reason — The Martian, Dune, Rogue One. When you wake up at dawn and watch the sun crest over the canyon walls, the red dust catches the light and the whole valley glows. You feel like you're somewhere else entirely.

The Martian Dome is designed to lean into that. The geodesic shape echoes the rover habitats from science-fiction films. The curved front window is the largest you'll find in any desert accommodation in Wadi Rum — your panoramic view is wider than a movie screen.

What's actually inside a Martian Dome

Practical, not poetic:

  • Queen bed (king available on request)
  • Private en-suite bathroom — hot shower, full plumbing, hairdryer
  • Air conditioning — essential summer comfort, the desert hits 40°C
  • Heating — winter desert nights drop below freezing
  • Mini-fridge and coffee maker
  • Slippers, bathrobes, towels — luxury hotel standard
  • Wi-Fi — in reception and common areas; the dome itself stays disconnected for the experience
  • Bean bags in front of the panoramic window
  • Max occupancy: 3 guests

The bathroom matters. Most desert camps in Wadi Rum still use shared facilities — you walk to a central bathroom block. The Martian Dome puts a real bathroom inside the dome itself. No 3 AM walks across the sand.

The view — what you actually wake up to

The dome is oriented so the panoramic window faces east. Dawn breaks across the dunes and the canyon walls turn copper, then gold, then white. You watch it from the bed.

At night, the window becomes a stargazing portal. Wadi Rum has Bortle 2 dark skies — one of the darkest places left in the northern hemisphere. The Milky Way is visible most clear nights. No light pollution, no neighbors, no city glow.

If you want to step outside, you can. Each dome has a small private terrace facing the valley.

What it costs

Martian Dome rates at SunCity Camp typically range JOD 210–245 per night (≈ $295–345 USD), depending on season. Includes traditional Bedouin breakfast and Zarb dinner cooked underground in our communal dining hall. Book direct via our website to save the OTA commission and lock in our best-rate guarantee.

The full SunCity Camp experience

The Martian Dome is the headline accommodation, but it's a piece of a complete camp. SunCity sits at the base of the canyon walls inside the Wadi Rum Protected Area. Check-in starts at 14:00. Most guests arrive in the afternoon, head out for a sunset jeep tour, return for Zarb dinner around the fire, then spend the night under the stars before sunrise the next morning.

You can pair the dome with:

  • 4x4 desert tours — half-day or full-day routes through the canyons
  • Camel treks — sunrise or sunset, real Bedouin guides
  • Hiking — Lawrence's Spring, Khazali canyon, the Burdah arch
  • Stargazing sessions — with our local astronomy guide on clear nights
  • Zarb dinner — included with every stay, slow-cooked underground

FAQ

Q: Can a family fit in a Martian Dome?
A: Maximum 3 guests per dome. For families of 4+, look at our Grande Suite or Family Suite. Or book two adjacent domes.

Q: Is the dome heated in winter?
A: Yes. Every dome has both AC and heating. December–February nights drop below 5°C; we keep the dome at 22°C.

Q: How dark does it get at night?
A: Bortle class 2 — fully dark sky. You'll see the Milky Way from your window on a clear night.

Q: Is there Wi-Fi?
A: Wi-Fi is available in reception and the dining hall, not in the dome. This is intentional — guests come for the desert, not the inbox.

Q: How do I get to SunCity Camp?
A: We're located inside the Wadi Rum Protected Area near the village. Drive to the Wadi Rum visitor centre (2.5 hours from Amman, 1 hour from Aqaba, 1.5 hours from Petra). Park there. Our 4x4 picks you up.

Q: Can I book the Martian Dome direct?
A: Yes — and you should. Book direct at suncitycamp.com to skip OTA commissions and get our best rate, every time.

Ready to stay in the original Martian Dome? Check live availability and rates at suncitycamp.com. Best-rate guarantee on direct bookings.