| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52 | 39 | 2.50 |
| Feb | 55 | 40 | 2.50 |
| Mar | 61 | 44 | 1.70 |
| Apr | 71 | 51 | 0.70 |
| May | 80 | 57 | 0.10 |
| Jun | 85 | 63 | 0 |
| Jul | 88 | 67 | 0 |
| Aug | 88 | 67 | 0 |
| Sep | 85 | 64 | 0 |
| Oct | 79 | 58 | 0.20 |
| Nov | 66 | 49 | 1.10 |
| Dec | 56 | 42 | 1.90 |
Pausing at the entrance to my tent, I realized how little the Eastern desert changes, and that this landscape of rock, sand and sky could be unchanged from the one that T.E. Lawrence saw.
Our Bedouin guide signals for a halt and our camels kneel, then settle with a groan to the ground for us to dismount. In the middle of nowhere, we pitch our tents and gather around the campfire for dinner, recalling the hikes through ancient cities, the 4X4 treks and mountain climbs that have brought us here. Without speaking of it, we all share the same sense of muted awe at this place, the palpable sense that time passes through this desert yet barely seems to touch it.
Our talk gradually subsides, leaving a haunting silence. The moon-like landscape stretches out to the mountains, bannered by multicolored striations in the rock. The smooth reddish sand is devoid of stones, and our camels' toes roused no dust as they thudded in their steady pace. There is no dust here in the valley of Wadi Rum, once a sea basin and later the place T.E. Lawrence found his calling. That is the beauty of the desert: it is nothing and everything.
Since 1997, Raed Omar Saleem has led adventure-seekers on hiking and four-wheel-drive jeep treks through Jordan's deserts. He is trained in first aid, and experienced at handling 4X4 vehicles in challenging desert conditions. In 2004, Saleem received the Jordanian Helm Award for Excellence, and was named guide of the year.
Meet your expedition team members and guide. Relax at the Four Seasons Hotel in preparation for your journey into the desert.
Drive to the Eastern Desert to Azraq Castle, where T. E. Lawrence stayed. Then explore the Amra Castle and Kharraneh Fortress, followed by hiking in the Azraq Wetland Reserve, with its tall stands of bamboo and varied birdlife. Overnight at Azraq Lodge.
Your Bedouin driver motors you south through the desert. Enter Wadi Rum via the remote northern area of Batin Alghoul. Transfer to camel caravan as you follow T.E. Lawrence's route to the first desert camp. Spend the night in the Arabian desert in authentic Bedouin tents.
Trace Lawrence's route on an all-day camel ride over the red Wadi Rum sands, led by local guides. Overnight in Bedouin tents.
Venture deeper into Wadi Rum, heading by Bedouin vehicle or on camelback south, then north on the back road to Bagher Mountain. Climb the mountain to the point where Lawrence monitored the routes connecting the desert, the Aqaba Sea, Saudi land and Eilat. Transfer to Petra for the night.
Hike the Beidah Mountains to the ancient city of Petra, where the ornate buildings are hewn from solid rock. Later, descend Deir Mountain, overlooking the Araba Valley, to reach the Petra's famous Monastery. Spend the night in Petra.
Founded by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, the Dana Nature Reserve spans 145 square miles and four climatic zones. Experience some of the Middle East's most beautiful wildlife scenery in the reserve near Tafila, then visit a local village where women cook and serve lunch this afternoon. Later, continue to the Dead Sea Resort to spend the night.
Spend the day at the Dead Sea, 1,500 feet below sea level, and unwind from a week of exploration. Relax at the beach and float on the warm, salt- and mineral-rich water, or indulge at the spa or hike at Mujib Valley. Overnight at the Dead Sea Resort.
Transfer by vehicle to the airport for flights home.
