March 23, 2023 | TRIPS
ROCK CLIMBING IN JORDAN
Wadi Rum is undoubtedly a place we will return to. It has captivated us. Adventure climbing on good rock with extraordinary cracks.
Wadi Rum is undoubtedly a place we will return to. It has captivated us. Adventure climbing on good rock with extraordinary cracks.
We arrived at Wadi Rum around 3am. The night is dark and the sky is cloudy. It had been raining all day, and the sand is wet. We rang the bell, and a few minutes later, Alia opened the door for us. Despite the early hour, she greeted us with a smile. One of her seven children accompanies us to our room, and without many questions, we go to sleep. In the morning, we will have time to get our bearings. We have been traveling for over 24 hours, dealing with canceled flights, delays, layovers, and taxis! This is our first trip to Wadi Rum, and we are definitely paying the price for being novices.
Wadi Rum is a special place. Hundreds of tourists visit this iconic landscape of Jordan every day, but few stay overnight. They hop on a 4x4 taxi to head towards the desert camps and then continue their journey to other attractions in Jordan, such as Petra, the Red Sea, or the Dead Sea. I dare say that only climbers, trekkers, and a few adventurous tourists decide to stay in Wadi Rum.
The guest houses are simple but offer sufficient amenities to stay as long as you want while climbing in the area. Generally, they provide private rooms with a shared kitchen and bathrooms. All the guest houses include half-board or full-board rates in their offerings.
If you have a passport from the European Union, you can obtain a visa at the airports of Amman or Aqaba. The visa fee is 40 JD. Please note that if you fly to Aqaba, you may not be asked for a visa. This is quite random, so you should be prepared to pay the 40 JD upon arrival (credit cards are accepted). Alternatively, you have the option to get the Jordan Pass before your trip, which costs 70 JD. Theoretically, this includes the visa and entry to sites such as Petra, Wadi Rum, etc.
You can fly to Aqaba or Amman. If you choose to fly to Amman, you'll need to take a taxi to Wadi Rum, which takes about 4 hours. The taxi fare from Amman to Wadi Rum is around 100 JD. If you decide to fly to Aqaba, the taxi to Wadi Rum costs 40 JD and takes approximately 1 hour.
We exchanged €300 upon arrival at Amman airport, before getting the visa, so we had some cash to pay for the taxi and have extra for the first few days in Wadi Rum. However, the exchange rate at the airport is not favorable. Once you're in Wadi Rum, you can ask Alia to exchange money for you (they usually go to Aqaba every two or three days), and the exchange rate there is better.
There are several places to stay in Wadi Rum, and they all cost roughly the same, but the comments and experiences can vary greatly. Without a doubt, we are convinced that the best place is Wadi Rum Sunrise Guest House. You can contact Alia on WhatsApp at the following number: +962 7 956 75327.
Alia and her entire family will make your stay unique. Her eldest son, Walid, can take you into the desert and knows where all the climbing routes are. Additionally, Alia's husband, Ali, runs a desert camp where you can spend the night and have a unique experience.
Sunrise offers private rooms for each group. The price is 25 JD per person and includes dinner and breakfast. There is a kitchen area available if you need it, although we didn't use it at all. They also have communal bathrooms and showers.
There are other places to stay, and we have heard all sorts of comments about them, but we haven't personally experienced them. We can only say that where we stayed, we felt at home, and it was essential to our overall experience.
Within a short walking distance from the village of Wadi Rum, there are numerous climbing routes available. There is even a sport climbing area. The large wall near the village offers some classic routes, such as Inferno, Goldfinger, Queen of Desert, or Fight of Fancy.
If you walk a bit further, you can go and climb the fantastic Pillar of Wisdom or The Beauty, the latter being a must-do route during your visit to Jordan.
To climb in the desert, you'll need to book a taxi (70 JD round trip) that can take you to places like Barrah Canyon, where you'll find iconic routes such as Merlin's Wand or Star of Abu Judahia.
Please note that climbing on these walls requires a lot of experience. The routes are generally not equipped, and it is essential to know how to place traditional protection, build anchors, and especially manage rappels, which in many cases may be in poor condition and require careful evaluation. It is an absolute adventure terrain, not suitable for beginners.
Also, keep in mind that if it rains, you should wait at least 48 to 72 hours before climbing. The sandstone is very soft, and when it gets wet, it literally crumbles.
✓ The Beauty, 6b, 185m.
✓ Merlin's Wand, 6b, 235m.
✓ Star of Abu Judahia, 6C, 220m.
✓ Queen of Desert, 7a+, 470m.
✓ Inferno, 6a+, 150m.
✓ Troubador, 6c+, 150m.
✓ Fight of Fancy, 6b+, 130m.
✓ Black Magic, 6a, 365m.
✓ Guerra Santa, 7b, 400m.
✓ Pillar of Wisdom, 6a, 330m.
✓ Lionheart, 6b, 350m.
There are hundreds of routes. This is just a selection of the classics. You can find all the route descriptions at Wadi Rum Sunrise Guest House or online (through an extensive search).
Each route requires specific gear, but generally, the necessary equipment will include:
Wadi Rum is undoubtedly a place we will return to. It has captivated us. Adventure climbing on good rock with extraordinary cracks, and the people of Wadi Rum are incredible! It is a place you must visit at least once in your life if you enjoy climbing on big walls.
Costa Dorada hides some of the most spectacular via ferratas in Catalonia, with views over the Mediterranean and routes for every level. In this guide we cover which ones to try, how hard they are, and how to get ready to enjoy them safely.
LEARN MOREClimb in Siurana, Spain’s sport climbing paradise. Learn about the best walls, routes, and activities for every climber.
LEARN MOREYou can contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone to (+34) 645 432 307, or by filling up the contact form in the following link.
(Translated by Google) Super experience! We have spent a fantastic morning and very comfortable with Santi. Without having any experience it has been very profitable and fun, we have loved it. Great Santi, thank you very much!! A pleasure to have shared this moment with you! Just great!! Highly recommended!!
(Original) Súper experiencia! Hemos pasado una mañana fantástica y muy a gusto con Santi. Sin tener nada de experiencia ha sido muy provechoso y divertido, nos ha encantado. Gran Santi, muchas gracias!! Un placer haber compartido este momento contigo! Simplemente Genial!! Muy recomendable!!
(Translated by Google) A climbing baptism is one of those moments that are not forgotten. Perfect as a gift for my children. Santi has helped us with a lot of patience and professionalism and we have all learned a little. Challenge completed! Thank you!
(Original) Un bautizo de escalada es de esos momentos que no se olvidan. Perfecto como regalo para mis hijos. Santi nos ha ayudado con mucha paciencia y profesionalidad y todos hemos aprendido un poco. Reto superado! Gracias!
(Translated by Google) Climbing course in Via Larga with Santi. It was two days of pure learning and enjoyment. It tests you and corrects you with clear and concise modifications taking into account all kinds of details. Activity very well planned and worked in incredible environments. Great experience!
(Original) Curso de escalada en Via Larga con Santi. Fueron dos días de puro aprendizaje y disfrute. Te pone a prueba y te corrige con modificaciones claras y concisas teniendo en cuenta toda clase de detalles. Actividad muy bien planificada y trabajada en entornos increíbles. Gran experiencia!
(Translated by Google) Our experience has been very good, we enrolled our son in an initiation course, especially to see how he was climbing, since he did it on his own; Excellent treatment with Santi, very professional, good communication and above all, he has given us security about the evolution of our son, he has evaluated the security and protocols part and has given us peace of mind, without a doubt, we will repeat! highly recommended!!
(Original) Nuestra experiencia ha sido muy buena, apuntamos a nuestro hijo a uncurso de iniciación, sobre todo para ver cómo estaba escalando, ya que lo hacía por su cuenta; el trato con Santi excelente, muy profesional, buena comunicación y sobre todo, nos ha dado seguridad sobre la evolución de nuestro hijo, ha evaluado la parte de seguridad y protocolos y nos ha dado tranquilidad, sin duda, repetiremos! muy recomendable!!
(Translated by Google) A great morning of climbing with Mariano for Siurana. Small groups of people, which allows you to hang out and feel safe at all times. Highly recommended!
(Original) Un matí genial d’escalada amb el Mariano per Siurana. Grups reduïts de gent, cosa que permet apendre i sentir-te segura en tot moment. Molt recomenable!
Santi is the best climbing guide you can imagine. As a reference, we two are 6a-7a climbers, but we wanted a local guide to help maximize efficiency in a foreign area. He was highly recommended to us by a friend who Santi guided a few months back, and he was as wonderful as described. He takes his role as Guide seriously and comprehensively, from helping you plan ideas for areas to concentrate on, considerations of weather and season, logistics for where to stay and how to get there (he picked us up one day, and we met him in our car another), as well as making himself available to help with any other questions or needs for the trip as a whole (not just the climbing part). Our long chain of detailed texts show how dedicated and sincere he is in wanting to help plan the best trip possible for you. This was highly unique, unexpected, above and beyond, and much appreciated. Before you've even met, he treats you more like a friend coming to visit Spain than a client that he is just doing business with, and that warmth goes a long way and sets him apart from most any other guide I've experienced (i've had great guides in my life, so this just reinforces Santi's particularly special character). Like I really felt like we were friends, and still feel like we are, as he reaches out and keeps in touch still and I really appreciate that relationship. Humanity, sincerity, and kindness in business--what a crazy (wonderful) concept! As a climbing guide specifically: he is consummately professional, impressively knowledgable and safe, as well as comfortingly sensitive to your climbing abilities and needs, and tailors each day with climbs that are perfect for you--if you want to be comfortable or if you want a little/big challenge, if you want to experience highlights of an area by switching up crags in the same day. He knows the areas so well and of course knows how to choose the walls that are in the shade or in the sun for whatever time of day or season you are climbing. There is so much variety and fun for either multi or single pitch too. In addition, when we were all climbed out for the day, he took the opportunity to show us the beauty of the local areas, playing also a photographer and travel guide. He also went home to let us borrow his guide book to other areas that we were headed to later, and kept in touch to make sure the rest of our trip went smoothly. So nice! Here is a person who treats his job as a climbing guide and ambassador for the area with such deep consideration and earnestness, and who treats his role as a human being with exceptional kindness and faith. We are so grateful that he came into our lives as a climbing guide and as a friend. Thank you Santi for being you, and please everyone call him now for any guiding adventures (he travels to guide too!) Also, his rates are so fair and reasonable. And you will be so happy if he is available to take you on an adventure with him! Cheers!
(Translated by Google) Highly recommended. The explanations were clear, you learn very quickly and the place is perfect for beginners. The day flies by! 👏🏼👏🏼😊😊
(Original) Muy recomendable. Las explicaciones fueron claras, aprendes muy rápido y el lugar es perfecto para principiantes. El día se pasa volando! 👏🏼👏🏼😊😊
Excellent day, great spots for climbing, safe and clear instructions. The views were incredible over the valley.
(Translated by Google) We made a climbing baptism. We had a great time. Santi is super professional. An entertaining day suitable for all ages. It does not require prior knowledge of climbing.
(Original) Realizamos un bautizo de escalada. Lo pasamos genial. Santi es super profesional. Un dia entretenido apto para todas las edades. No requiere conocimiento previo sobre escalada.
We had an amazing experience with Southclimb. Santi, our guide, was friendly, patient and clear throughout our three days together. He kept things moving at a pace that was ideal for our level of experience, and made sure we were able to cover all the things we were looking for help with. We’re looking forward to coming back in the future for the next steps in our climbing journey. Thanks again Santi!
