We took in more of Amman the next day, and it was time for an even more exciting adventure at Saraya Rum Luxury Camp. It was off to Wadi Rum, which took about 4 hours. Wadi Rum, also known as The Valley of the Moon, is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia and east of the city of Aqaba. With an area of 280 square miles, it is Jordan’s most significant river (wadi) valley. Several prehistoric civilizations left petroglyphs, rock inscriptions, and ruins in Wadi Rum. Today, Wadi Rum is one of Jordan’s biggest tourist attractions, offering guided tours, hiking, and rock climbing.
The Wadi Rum Protected Area has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011. There is no simple way to describe Wadi Rum. It’s something that you must experience for yourself. But to give you an idea of what it looks like, I’ll start with where I stayed for a night. I stayed at a camp known as Saraya Rum. If you click on the image below, it will take you to YouTube to give you an aerial view of this magical camp in the Wadi Rum Valley. Now, here are some images that I wanted to share.
On our way to the camp.
Wadi Rum in Jordan. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
My arrival at the camp.
Arriving at Saraya Rum Private Luxury Camp. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
Some views…
An Entrance to Saraya Rum Private Luxury Camp. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
Sumptuous furnishings at Saraya Rum Private Luxury Camp. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
Magnificent carpets at Saraya Rum Private Luxury Camp. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
Refreshments for weary travelers at Saraya Rum Private Luxury Camp. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
My Place…Loved. Loved. Loved it.
Lodging at Saraya Rum Private Luxury Camp. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
My porch…
Outdoor seating at Saraya Rum Private Luxury Camp. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
What I saw outside my window. Total visual detox. I loved, loved, loved it.
Luxury and the desert at Saraya Rum Private Luxury Camp. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
That evening, we had dinner and then had a tea ceremony.
Dinner and a tea ceremony at Saraya Rum Private Luxury Camp. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
The next day, we took a tour of Wadi Rum. Meeting the Bedouin souvenir guys and seeing how they lived was fun.
Bedouin vendors selling goods. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
We visit where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed and lately where John Wick 4 was filmed.
A location where movies like Lawrence of Arabia and John Wick 4 were filmed. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
A desert scene. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
People went sandboarding, and let’s not forget a ride on the camels!
Riding camels in Jordan. Photo by Sora Vernikoff
I did not want to leave Wadi Rum or the camp at which we were staying. I needed another 24 hours to detox, and if I could holograph myself there weekly, I would do it. An experience in Wadi Rum with no Wi-Fi and nature stripped to its barest is just a no words experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to “escape” and reconnect more authentically with who they are most uniquely in a marvelous place.
Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Morroco and the Sahara, A New Yorker’s Long Weekend in London, African Lion Safari and Niagara Falls, and Amman, Jordan.
