Hey guys,
The LP states that you should not even think about visiting Wadi Rum during August because of the extreme heat. Has anyone visited at this time and is this just an exaggeration?
Worst case scenario, a nice 4WD with a/c should do the job right?
Any suggested itineraries for a day trip to the region?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.
dw13 By the time you have trucked around Syria and acclimatized. The trip down to Wadi Rum will be worth doing for the scenery and the clear night skies alone. I expect a nice 4WD with a/c does exist. Most people seem to be in the back of a long wheel based Land Cruiser bouncing about, dressed up with a shmutter on there heads doing favorable impressions of Lawrence of Arabia, having a ball. The top tip, is buy plenty of water (2 or 3 liters per day), before you leave. It’s a great experience. For more info tap in ''Wadi Rum'' in the Thorn Trees' search engine. As for the itineraries, -your trusty native Bedouin guide will take care of that. I am not sure that you are allowed into what is after all a National Park in your own (hire) car. But I am happy to be corrected on that.
In fact there is no 4x4 available for desert driving in Wadi Rum. The dust there is too prevalent, and even when some of the Bedouin have AC in their private cars, they don't use it in the desert when by themselves.
You can take a private car into Wadi Rum by paying 5JD/day but an ordinary car wouldn't get very far. The price of hiring a 4x4 in Jordan is very high, forget this option!
Otherwise, yes of course I agree, check on the Wadi Rum pages on [http://www.jordanjubilee.com]
If you take your own or a rented 4x4 you should be prepared for the worst and prepare for possible problems. 2-3 liters of water is not a safe quantity. Minimal 5 liters per person and even that I would consider on the low end.
Most likely you will not use it, but better safe than sorry.
I went about the same time of year. Damn hot, but if you've traveled to other deserts, then it's not much different. As poster 3 said, bring lots of water. Since you'll be in a vehicle, figure out the max that you will need for the day, and double it. I got a truck rented (arranged by my hotel in Petra) and did a day-trip. Since I wanted to photograph the sunrise, we left Petra around 3 or 4, as I recall. Saw a lot in the one day, but it was full and tiring. I'd definitely have enjoyed spending an overnight there as well. Maybe next time...
-josh
visit as early (from 6am to 10am) and late (from 5pm until closure) as possible, avoiding both the crowds and the midday heat. bring plenty of water (it's possible to buy water within the petra site fences, but it's expensive), sun cream, sunglasses, and salty snacks (you lose a lot of salt when sweating), and you'll be fine. it's a fantastic place. you can do pretty much everything on foot in two-three days.