Barrah canyon is a 5-kilometre long corridor of rock that splits the Barrah massif into two parts. This yellow sand canyon is considered to be one of the most beautiful canyons in Wadi Rum. Flat sandy sections, greener plant-rich areas, and sand dunes are flanked by impressive vast multi-coloured cliffs and towers. This canyon offers excellent opportunities for hiking, climbing and camel trekking. Hiking the canyon takes about 1,5 to 2 hours.
Natural water resources in Wadi Rum desert are limited to a few springs. Bedouin tending animal herds need water to be available in more places. Therefore they constructed dams in hollow parts in the lower sections of mountains around the desert. In these hollows, they collect the water which is running from the mountains during rainfall. During winter and spring, most reservoirs pretty much fill up. Parts are protected from the heat slowing down the inevitable evaporation. If needed, footholds were built to make reaching the pools easier.
Wadi Rum desert has a couple of famous, solitary, unusual rock formations. Cow rock, also know as chicken rock, is one of them. This photogenic rock, like all other rock formation, over time, was shaped naturally by erosion.
Jabal Al-Qattar is one of the iconic and most impressive mountains in Wadi Rum desert. It kind of looks like a castle with many high towers. Most visitors only see it from a distance when enjoying the sunset in Um Sabatah. Jabal Al-Qattar, like Jabal Rum, has a granite base with limestone in the top. The stone type can absorb water. The water slowly descents until it reaches the granite. As granite cannot hold water, it is pressed out forming little natural springs. These spring are quite easy to find as you will see some plants and trees growing there.
The most visited canyon in Wadi Rum desert is Khazali canyon. From this small canyon, you visit no more than the first 100 meters. The Nabatean and Thamudic petroglyphs and inscriptions on the inside walls are the reason why so many people visit this place. The petroglyphs and inscriptions cover the walls at different heights. Among them are stylize drawings of people, camels, horses, mountain goats, pairs of feet and writings from dating back to the pre-Islamic and Thamudic time. Additionally the Nabateans built water holes to collect the water from the rainfall during winter and spring.
This natural spring is located only three kilometre south-west of Rum village. The spring gives fresh water to the local Bedouin families. It’s named after the British army officer T.E. Lawrence. He crossed Wadi Rum desert during the Arab Revolt in the early 19th century. A scramble over the rock brings you to the fig tree. Next to the tree, you will find the spring. The views of the desert are spectacular. At the foot of the mountain, you see multiple inscriptions of Thamudic origine.
Wadi Rum desert has a couple of famous, solitary, unusual rock formations. Mushroom rock is one of them. This photogenic rock, like all other rock formation, over time, was shaped naturally by erosion.
Wadi Rum desert is dotted with sand dunes. Both yellow and red. Most of our tours include a visit to either the red sand dune near Khazali or the dune near Wadi Um Ishrin. The sand dune near to Khazali is easy to climb. And has a beautiful valley view. More challenging is the dune near Wadi Um Ishrin. But you will be rewarded with impressive views. Um Sabatah has a great sand dune for watching the sunset.
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a stunningly shaped mountain opposite of the Wadi Rum visitor centre. If you look carefully, you will see that there are only six pillars. In fact, the mountain is named after the famous book of T.E. Lawrence back in the 1980’s. Before, it was known as Jabal Al-Mazmar. We still refer to it by its original name. Some believe Lawrence named his book after the mountain, but this is not true. He took the title from a verse in the Bible. In Proverbs, it says, ‘Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars’.
Um Fruth rock bridge is about 15 meters up from the desert floor. From the rock bridge, you have spectacular views over the surrounding area. It is one of the most photographed places in Wadi Rum. Climb the bridge following the directions of your guide. Although steep, the climb is not that difficult. You will be on top of the bridge within 5 minutes. Only for those who suffer from vertigo, it can be a real challenge.