When I travel I love to see the city side and the natural beauty of a country. This led me to camp out in Wadi Rum, the 280
I think its important that I don’t just give you guys pretty pictures of where I have been but share my thoughts on what’s a hit or miss and the best value for your pay check, because as a PTO Nomad we work hard for every cent!!
Let’s start with my camping trip in Jordan. For this adventure, we had the opportunity to be hosted at the Salman Zwaidh Camp.
We began our journey on a wild yet so fun truck ride through the desert. The view of the huge red rock formations are unreal. Pictures, as always in real life, never do them justice.
I arrive at the campgrounds, mouths open in awe. I knew it was right up against the mountain but I had no idea how close, seriously look at this.
It was like the camp was attached to this huge formation. I was greeted by Mohammed or “the little boss” with Bedouin tea and a pastry of honey and nuts, and shown to our tent.
The tent was colorfully crafted out of traditional Jordanian textiles and had an electric socket, a queen and twin bed, and one lightbulb that only came on at night but with the openness of the terrain you didn’t need it.
The sun was one thing that actually was present in this silent place.
Oh how much is this camp, you ask? A night here will run you $49 a night and includes a private tent, breakfast and a traditional Bedouin dinner.
Note: Print out your reservation! There is limited internet access and people that read fluent English. Your reservation will be checked by numerous people, and it felt a little unsettling until it was verified by one of the camp owner’s brother that studied English.
Work Friendly- D
If you plan on working on some projects here for work or checking you inbox, this is not the place. Internet is non-existent and cell signal can be weak. I would not choose this as a location if you are planning to work from “home” on part of your vacation. Yet, this isn’t exactly a negative thing in my eyes. If you are looking for serenity and a peaceful place to recenter your thoughts and minds I would recommend this place completely!
Accomodations: A
The scenery is unbelievable and the ride there is an attraction itself. The tents are clean and warm despite the cold desert nights. The beds are clean and comfortable and warm as well.
The bathroom in a seperate large tent a few steps from your tent, and is shared with other campers. The bathroom has multiple enclosed and private showers and stalls. They keep it well lit and pretty clean and sanitized for a desert. We dont often go for the hostel feel but this wasnt bad. Water pressure is a pretty weak but it is a desert and the camp is especially focused on conservation and the use of solar power.
I need to add that the moon and stars at night are unreal, they look so close and bright. We literally watched the moon zoom across the sky.
The camp offered us free shisha, or hookah as we like to say in the US, and it puts the trash tobacco we have to shame.
I hate smoking hookah in public because I am horrible at it, I cough like I have smoker’s lung. I was never the girl that can look sexy, blowing smoke on her snapchat feed. But this tobacco was as smooth as air, no burn no bitterness.
Meals: B-
Breakfast was filling and standard. Eggs, arbun flatbread with topings of cheese and jams, a breakfast pudding, and hot tea or water
A dinnertime you will partake in Zarb, an underground Bedouin Barbeque.
This delicacy normally includes chicken, carrots, potatoes, eggplant, onion and tomatoes. As for sides, the staff prepares the freshest hummus ever, murabal(an eggplant dip) and Babaganoush that immediately makes me think of this scene in Wedding Crashers)
The also provide cucumber salad, aromatic rice and or course arbud. The meat was tender, not as flavorful as I would expected but filling and an experience. They probably dulled the flavor and spices out for Americans and Europeans, because the food in Aqaba had all the spices!
Ease of Accessibility- B
Depending on where you are coming from the ride can be pricey. From Aqaba it was $40 one way to the Wadi Rum Visitors center. The camp staff picks you up from there. Please if you are a snacker grab some things before you go because there aren’tany 7 Elevens or Quiktrips in the desert. I was so thankful for my Lay’s Potato Chips I brought. It saved my greedy life in between meals.
Fun Level- A
The camp offers jeep and camel tours at an additonal charge ($40-50 each) if you are interested. And they provide transportation to other parts of Jordan like the Dead Sea or Petra for an additional cost. I would say this is a great place to use as a hub to different areas of Jordan if you are the adventurous type.
Price Break Down
Airfare: $54 USD R//T Rome
Transportation: $80 USD Roundtrip Taxi from Aqaba, Jordan to Wadi Rum
Hotel: $49/Night
Food: Included
Activities: Hiking (Free)
I would like to thank Ryanair, Booking.com and Salman Zwaidh Camp for making this AMAZING opportunity accessible for me and someone of my income. I am not rich, I am not a person that works from home every day, but an employee that works for a corporation/institution 8 hours a day, 5 hours a week. This trip proved to be a great investment for me, not only of money but of my most precious commodity, TIME!
Do you have some vacation time that is literally rotting away? Email me at theptonomad@gmail.com to plan out your next itinerary.
Thanks for sharing and providing ratings of your experience. Awesomeđź‘Ť