A jeep tour is how you actually see Wadi Rum. The protected area is 720 square kilometers — you cannot walk it. You cannot drive your own car inside. A 4x4 driven by a Bedouin guide is the only way to reach the rock arches, the canyons, the rock art, the sand dunes. Here's how the tours actually work.
The five standard tour formats
1. Sunset tour (2 hours)
The classic. Pickup at 16:00 from camp, return at sunset. You see 3-4 stops including a dune climb and a rock-art site. Best for: anyone arriving in the afternoon. Included in most premium camp packages. Standalone: 20-30 JOD per person.
2. Sunrise tour (2 hours)
Pickup at 05:30 in winter / 04:30 in summer. You sit on a dune as the sun rises over the canyon walls. The light is the cleanest of the day. Best for: photographers and anyone serious about the desert. Standalone: 20-30 JOD per person.
3. Half-day tour (3-4 hours)
Morning or afternoon. 6-8 stops. Major rock arches (Burdah, Khazali canyon), Lawrence Spring, rock inscriptions. Best for: 1-night travelers who want the full experience. 35-50 JOD per person.
4. Full-day tour (6-8 hours)
10-12 stops, lunch in a Bedouin tent included. Covers the southern routes the half-day skips. Best for: 2+ night travelers. 60-80 JOD per person.
5. Multi-day expedition (2-4 days)
Deep desert with overnight under the stars in a remote camp. Camel + jeep combinations. Best for: experienced adventure travelers. 150+ JOD per day.
What's actually on a Wadi Rum jeep tour
Standard stops on a half-day or full-day route:
- Lawrence Spring — water spring named after T.E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia")
- Khazali canyon — narrow canyon with Nabatean rock inscriptions on the walls
- Red sand dunes — climb to the top for the panorama
- Burdah Rock Bridge — natural sandstone arch you can hike up to
- Um Fruth Rock Bridge — smaller arch, climbable
- Rock art sites — pre-historic carvings of camels and human figures
- Anfishieh inscriptions — Nabatean and Thamudic writing carved into the cliffs
- Tea break in a Bedouin tent — fresh-brewed sage tea on full-day tours
What it should cost
| Tour | Per person (JOD) | Per 4x4 (private, JOD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset (2h) | 20-30 | 50-80 |
| Sunrise (2h) | 20-30 | 50-80 |
| Half-day (3-4h) | 35-50 | 90-120 |
| Full-day (6-8h) | 60-80 | 150-200 |
A 4x4 fits 6-8 passengers. If you're a couple traveling alone, per-person rates are higher because you're splitting the vehicle with strangers.
What to look for in a guide
Real Bedouin staff guides (not freelance drivers) give you stories: which canyon hosted a battle, why a specific rock is sacred, where Lawrence camped. Generic drivers stop at the stops and wait in the car. Always ask: "Is the guide a staff member of the camp or hired for the day?"
What to bring
- Sunglasses + wide-brim hat (sun is brutal even in winter)
- Closed shoes — sand inside sandals will ruin your day
- Light scarf or shemagh (camp will lend you one)
- Sweater for sunrise/sunset (temps drop fast)
- 1.5L water per person minimum
- Camera with charged battery — there is nowhere to charge in the desert
SunCity tours — what we include
Every SunCity Camp stay includes a 2-hour sunset jeep tour. Add the full-day tour for an extra 60 JOD/person. All tours led by our own Bedouin guides — born in this valley, trained by their fathers and grandfathers.
Ready to plan your tour? Book your stay direct at suncitycamp.com and the sunset tour is included.