Jordan - Wadi Rum Desert Day: Tent Camping × Desert Sunset × Starry Sky
【5/27|Wadi Rum Desert Diary|Tent Camping × Desert Sunset × Starry Sky】
In the afternoon, we departed from Petra and drove for about two hours to reach the long-awaited Wadi Rum Desert—Jordan's red treasure and a popular filming location for many movies (like "Star Wars," "Mission to Mars," and "Dune"!).
Originally, we planned to stay in a cave guesthouse, but the strong wind and sand made it impossible to keep our eyes open outside, and the air was filled with a hazy mist. We immediately started to reconsider: Is this weather really suitable for staying in a cave? Would the sand blow in and make it impossible to sleep all night?
⸻
Emergency Change of Plans|Switching from Cave to Tent Camp
We asked our driver for his opinion, and he cautiously mentioned that staying in a cave tonight "might be quite challenging." Luckily, we had only prepaid for the accommodation at the cave, and the meals and activities hadn't been paid for yet, making it easier to adjust our plans.
The driver suggested a fixed tent camp for us: 50 JD for four people, which is only 12.5 JD per person.
✅ Air conditioning
✅ Private bathroom and toilet
✅ Breakfast and dinner included
✅ Jeep tour for 9 JD (35 JD for four people) and camel sunrise ride for 15 JD per person, totaling 24 JD per person!
So, each person only needed 36.5 JD.
⸻
I messaged the original host to inform him that we wouldn't be staying, and he immediately turned hostile, sending messages about "tourist police," asking us to report our location to him, and insisting we check the place first.
Honestly, we've heard these tactics before. The desert isn't the city, and we didn't want to risk putting ourselves in the hands of strangers in a remote area.
We didn't even ask him to refund the Airbnb accommodation fee, but he kept threatening me, claiming I had also booked dinner, breakfast, and activities, so he had already arranged everything and couldn't refund. He demanded full payment for these additional costs, which was incredibly frustrating. He even said he knew all my information and sent photos claiming he had filed a report with the tourist police.
In the end, we decided to trust our instincts and prioritize safety, avoiding further contact and focusing on enjoying the desert experience ahead.
Reflecting on the Airbnb cave accommodation: It was indeed cheap (only 1,700 TWD for four people), but it didn't include meals or activities. If we added a 4-hour jeep tour (75 JD), camel sunrise ride (40 JD), and breakfast and dinner, each person would need to spend an additional 115 JD, making the total cost per person 125 JD. In comparison, the tent camp introduced by the driver saved us 88 JD per person (about 3,700 TWD)!
⸻
Wadi Rum Hassan Zawaideh Camp Tent Experience:
This isn't a simple camping tent but a fixed, comfortable tent with air conditioning and no need to queue for showers. The facilities are perfect for desert beginners who want a bit of adventure but also a hot shower! However, for someone like me who has visited the Sahara Desert and Egypt's White and Black Deserts, this type of desert experience feels less authentic. In those places, reaching the desert required long journeys and a bit of hardship. For the same price, camping in Morocco or Egypt would only offer tents without bathrooms.
⸻
5:30–7:30 Jeep Desert Tour|Chasing the Sunset on the Red Planet
The two-hour jeep tour didn't venture deep into the desert, but with today's strong winds, even the outskirts provided a great desert atmosphere for photos! The driver was incredibly enthusiastic, constantly helping us pose, find angles, and create backlighting effects. However, our group of four was too chaotic, so we ended up having more fun taking photos ourselves 😂.
The highlight was the last stop of the tour: the desert sunset. Sitting on a high slope amidst red soil and unique rock formations, we watched the sun slowly sink into the golden sand dunes, painting the sky in orange-red gradients. The scene was so stunning that even the blowing sand didn't bother us.
⸻
Also in our jeep was an 80+ year-old couple from Singapore, on their second round-the-world trip. They said, "There are many places you have to visit now; once you can't walk, it's too late." This really struck a chord with me—traveling isn't just about enjoying the scenery; it's a reminder to seize every moment.
⸻
Dinner Time × Desert Entertainment:
After watching the sunset, we returned to the camp for dinner. The dining area was packed, resembling a mini battlefield with people scrambling for food 🤣. Thankfully, we had a strategic plan and perfect teamwork, managing to fill our table with delicious dishes and conquer our hunger!
There was live music, drumming, and dancing, creating a fantastic atmosphere as we sat outside the tent, chatting, listening to music, and stargazing.
I even ordered a hookah for just 5 JD, with customizable flavors. Although the taste was mild, it was incredibly enjoyable to smoke.
⸻
10 PM|Desert Stargazing and Relaxation
We brought blankets and ventured into the dark sand dunes, finding a secluded spot to lie down and gaze at the starry sky. The desert stars are truly unique. Despite some light pollution from the tents, the stars were still clearly visible, like tiny pinholes in a black cloth scattering light.
We quietly chatted, took photos, and admired the stars, ending the day on a bright note. (We had to gather at 5:15 AM the next morning for a camel ride to watch the sunrise ☀️).
⸻
Summary:
Although the day started off a bit "rough," it turned into one of the most memorable nights. Not only did we save money, but we also experienced the romance and breathtaking beauty of the desert in comfort.
That night, we weren't just tourists passing through; we truly breathed in the wind, light, and tranquility of Wadi Rum.