Camping with Bedouins in Wadi Rum

When Greg's dad was visiting us, we took a trip back to Jordan to go camping with the bedouins in Wadi Rum ("The Valley of the Moon"). If you've seen Lawrence of Arabia, this is the place where most of the movie was filmed. Apart from the bedouins and tourists that come to visit, no other inhabitants roam this vast land. We spent the first part of our trip with our guides in the village before riding camels to a natural well.

After our camel ride we transferred to an old pickup. Our guide drove us around to see all the major sites in the wadi for a few hours…

As the sun started to set beyond the peaks, we made our way to the campsite for the eve. Our family shared one of the dark grey canvas tents pictured below. Don't be fooled, though. No glamping here. The accommodations were as minimal as they come. But that is all part of the experience and we didn't mind. The long tent situated away from the smaller ones is where we gathered for hot tea (a bedouin custom) and dinner around the campfire.

Wadi Rum is an absolutely gorgeous landscape. Being able to meet the locals, spend time with them and see their way of doing life made is an experience we will not soon forget. This trip may be the one I'm most excited to share with my son when he gets older. Not every kid gets to say their first camping experience included bedouins and camel rides!