Hiding deep in the red desert in summer, lying down to watch the Milky Way fall into the canyon is amazing
Who else gets it!! In July, dive into the rose-colored desert in southern Jordan. Baked like a sweet potato under the sun during the day, wrapped in a blanket counting shooting stars at night. This contrast makes the trip so addictive🌌
Today I’m sharing all the essential tips for exploring this Moon Valley in summer, explained one by one—
🗺️ How to plan the itinerary most efficiently
If starting from Amman, I recommend the route Amman → Dead Sea → Petra → Moon Valley → Aqaba, with no backtracking.
Plan 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights in Moon Valley. One day is just enough for a quick visit and photos. Two days lets you explore the deep stone bridges and canyons.
Three days 2 nights is the most comfortable pace: enter the desert in the afternoon on day 1 to catch the sunset, spend day 2 exploring deeply, then watch the sunrise and leave on day 3.
💰 Cost breakdown
Half-day jeep tour (4–5 hours): about 35–50 JD per vehicle, shared by 4–6 people
Full-day jeep tour (7–8 hours): about 60–80 JD per vehicle
Camel ride: 15–25 JD per hour, prices increase the deeper you go
Camp accommodation with meals: basic 25–40 JD per person, starry bubble tent 70–120 JD per person
These are reference prices. Book early in peak season. In July, many European and American travelers gather here, so last-minute options may only be the most basic.
🌄 Classic 2 days 1 night route breakdown
[DAY 1]
→ Arrive at the visitor center at noon, jeep picks you up at the camp
→ Warm up at the Nabatean temple ruins, the stone pillars left by the Nabateans 2,000 years ago are still standing
→ Head straight to Lawrence’s Spring in the afternoon, about a 20-minute climb to overlook the entire valley entrance
→ Then visit Khazali Canyon to find rock paintings carved over ten thousand years ago in the rift
→ Arrive at the red sand dunes by evening, take off your shoes and run down from the top, then sit on the dunes to watch the sunset
→ After sunset, return to camp for pit-roasted meat, then lie on the sand to stargaze
[DAY 2]
→ Get up at 5 AM and head deeper into the desert
→ Um Fruth stone bridge is the highlight, the double-arch shape is very photogenic. When the light is good, the rock walls turn deep red
→ Continue south to Burdah stone bridge, the highest natural arch in the reserve. It requires some climbing but is definitely worth it
→ Along the way, you’ll pass many small canyons and caves. The guide will take you inside to see the rock paintings
→ In the afternoon, you can choose to ride a camel on a slow-paced route, leisurely wandering between the dunes
→ If staying two nights, the second night features a campfire with Bedouin traditional music and singing, creating a great atmosphere
🧭 Bonus deep-dive activities
✧ Rock climbing — The reserve has several marked hiking trails ranging from easy to professional. The Rakhabat mountain trail suits those with moderate fitness, about 3 hours round trip
✧ Hot air balloon — Take off from the desert edge at dawn to overlook the entire valley. Prices are about 120–150 JD. July’s stable weather is perfect for flying
✧ Desert wild camping — For the hardcore, guides can take you to a light-pollution-free deep spot to camp. Bring your own sleeping bag. Being surrounded 360 degrees by stars is a completely different experience
✧ Rock painting archaeology — The reserve has over 20,000 rock painting sites. Guides can help identify which depict hunting scenes and which are ritual scenes, making it 100 times more interesting than reading books
🌡️ Summer survival tips
The desert in July is no joke, surface temperatures easily exceed 50 degrees Celsius. But! If you manage your schedule well, you can enjoy it comfortably—
The core logic is “early out, late return, rest in between”:
▷ Sunrise and sunset are the golden hours for activities, temperatures around the mid-20s Celsius, and the light is softest
▷ Stay in the shade from 10 AM to 3 PM, read, daydream, or nap
▷ Head out again after 4 PM, when the desert turns a rich rust red in the slanting sun
▷ Night temperatures drop to just above 20 degrees Celsius, with a cool breeze, a completely different world from daytime
Hydration is a must-do task. Drink at least 200 ml every hour. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
🎒 Pre-trip checklist
❶ Buy the Jordan Pass in advance on the official website. Use it to enter at Amman airport
❷ Download offline maps. 90% of the desert has no cell signal
❸ Exchange Jordanian dinar cash, at least 200 JD. There are no ATMs in the desert
❹ Confirm pickup time and place with the camp in advance. The visitor center is the only meeting point
❺ Bring a copy of your passport. You need to register your ID to enter the reserve
❻ Prepare sealed bags for your phone and camera. Fine sand gets everywhere and can damage equipment
👗 What to wear
Light-colored, loose long sleeves and pants are standard during the day for sun and sand protection. Choose quick-dry, breathable fabrics. Cotton feels stuffy in the desert.
Choose high-top sneakers or lightweight hiking shoes. Sand in low-top shoes is really frustrating.
For photos, white, beige, and ginger colors match the red desert best. Flowing long skirts on the dunes create a cinematic feel.
Bring a fleece jacket for the evening. Don’t be fooled by daytime temperatures. Desert nights are truly cold.
The most magical thing about this desert is that, despite being the most barren environment, it feels incredibly rich. Standing deep in the canyon looking up at a sliver of sky, or lying on the sand at night watching shooting stars cross the Milky Way, the feeling of being completely wrapped by nature really calms you down🏜️