Mars on Earth — Jordan's red desert valley
Wadi Rum is a vast protected desert wilderness of towering sandstone mountains, narrow canyons, and rose-red dunes that has served as the backdrop for Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, Dune, and Rogue One. Bedouin-guided jeep tours, camel treks, and bubble-tent camps under a galaxy of stars make it the most unforgettable night of any Jordan trip.
Wadi Rum has been inhabited since prehistoric times — its canyon walls are covered in Nabataean inscriptions, petroglyphs, and ancient rock art spanning thousands of years. T.E. Lawrence used the valley as a base during the Arab Revolt of 1917–18, describing it as 'vast, echoing and God-like' in Seven Pillars of Wisdom. The valley was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 for its outstanding natural and cultural landscapes.