Spend a Day with a Bedouin

Immerse yourself in the ancient culture of the Bedouin people by spending a day with them in Wadi Rum. “Ahlan wa Sahlan,” meaning welcome, is a familiar phrase to all who visit Jordan, and spending time with the Bedouin is an experience that will leave a lasting impression.

The Wadi Rum desert is the perfect destination to escape the modern, civilized world, where the artificial world seems unbelievably far away. The Bedouin have lived in this environment for thousands of years, perfectly adapting their lifestyle to the semi-arid conditions. They breed camels, goats, and sheep on the sand floor and mountain slopes, living in tents or caves. They move their livestock seasonally in search of grazing areas, relying on ancestral knowledge of the desert mountain environment, water management, and the use of wild plants and animals as food and medicine.

Living in the desert is a back-in-time experience, and Bedouin life has always been about surviving in the harsh and inhospitable environment. To survive, they adhere to certain core rules and values, which you can learn about firsthand during your day with the Bedouin.

During the day, you can bake Arboud or Shark Bread with the locals, rub your palms with Ajram, the Bedouin soap, wear Kahl to protect your eyes against the sand and sun, or try Henna. You can also taste the spicy tingle of a Bedouin’s coffee and spend a night in an authentic goat-hair Bedouin tent.

Spend time with the Bedouin and learn about their way of life and culture, gaining insight into the ancient traditions that have sustained them for generations. It is an experience not to be missed while visiting Wadi Rum. To book your day with the Bedouin, contact local tour operators or accommodations, who can provide you with more information about this unforgettable experience.