Our
Story
For us, Wadi Rum is more than a destination. It is home.
Our story is rooted in the desert, in generations of Bedouin life and in a tradition of welcoming people from around the world into this extraordinary place. For more than 20 years, we have shared Wadi Rum with travellers — guiding them through its mountains and canyons, travelling deep into the desert by jeep and camel, gathering around the fire for tea and food, and welcoming guests to stay at our Bedouin camp.
And somewhere along the way, our story crossed borders. Marianne, a Finnish woman who first came to Wadi Rum as a traveller, eventually became part of our Bedouin family and spent years living among us. Through family, everyday life and a shared history in Wadi Rum, a bridge between two very different cultures began to form — one that continues to be part of our story today.
Over the years, thousands of travellers, countless cups of tea and more than a few unexpected adventures have become part of our story.
Today, we continue to offer desert tours, adventures and stays in Wadi Rum, while occasionally joining forces with independent facilitators and collaborators to create longer, specially designed experiences and retreats.
Some people come for a day. Some stay for a week.
And every now and then, someone comes to Wadi Rum and somehow never quite leaves. ♡
My name is Hussein, and Wadi Rum is my home. I was born and raised here, surrounded by the mountains and desert that I now have the privilege of sharing with travellers from around the world.
I have been working with visitors in Wadi Rum for more than 20 years, guiding everything from small private adventures to large groups across the desert. I know Wadi Rum far beyond the usual tourist routes — from its canyons and mountains to the remote southern desert stretching towards the Saudi border.
Climbing is also a big part of my life. I am one of Wadi Rum’s official climbing guides, working with experienced climbers and organising climbing adventures throughout the area.
Today, I am the owner of the Bedouin camp where we welcome our guests, and I work alongside a trusted team of local Bedouins, each bringing their own knowledge and skills to what we do.
Whether you join us for a jeep tour, a mountain adventure, a night beneath the stars or a longer stay, our job is to take care of you out here — and hopefully show you a little of the Wadi Rum we know and love.
And of course, there will always be tea. Welcome to Wadi Rum.
Meet Hussein
Bedouin Host · Desert Guide · Camp Owner
My name is Marianne. I’m Finnish, but Wadi Rum has been part of my life for a very long time.
I first came to Jordan as a traveller and eventually became part of a local Bedouin family. I lived in Jordan from 2011 to 2016, experiencing Bedouin life not simply as a visitor, but from within the family and everyday culture.
And believe me — when I first arrived, I understood very little of what was actually going on. It probably took me a year just to begin understanding the customs, traditions, family dynamics and all those little unwritten rules that nobody thinks to explain — either because they are so normal to the Bedouins themselves, or sometimes simply because they are too polite to tell you.
Today, that experience allows me to stand somewhere between two worlds. I understand the questions, curiosities and occasional confusion that can come with experiencing Bedouin culture as a Western woman, because I once stood on exactly that side myself. During the retreats I facilitate, I help bridge that gap — offering cultural context, answering the questions you might not know who to ask, helping with communication and translation when needed, and preparing our group before we even arrive in Jordan.
Wadi Rum is also familiar to me from the tourism side. During my years in Jordan, I worked alongside the Bedouins in desert tourism, helping run a camp, guiding guests and joining desert safaris and adventures. Travelling throughout Jordan over the years has also given me an intimate familiarity with the country beyond Wadi Rum.
Today, I return in a different role. I independently facilitate selected retreats and longer experiences in Wadi Rum, while Hussein and his local Bedouin team take care of the accommodation, guiding, desert activities and local services. My role is to help you step into this very different world with a little more understanding, confidence and curiosity — and to let you in on some of the things I wish someone had explained to me all those years ago. Because Wadi Rum is extraordinary to see. But understanding a little of what lies behind it makes the experience something else entirely.
Meet Marianne
Retreat Facilitator · Between Two Worlds
Our Desert Home
Where We Stay in Wadi Rum
During our retreats, the desert becomes home for a while.
Our main Bedouin camp is hidden inside the Wadi Rum Protected Area, surrounded by sandstone mountains and open desert — far from the crowds and curious eyes.
At the heart of camp is a cozy communal tent where mornings begin over breakfast and coffee, meals are shared, evenings stretch out together and there is always time for another glass of Bedouin tea. Traditional tents provide simple, comfortable shared accommodation with shared bathroom facilities and everything we need for life in the desert. Nothing luxurious — and that’s very much part of the charm.
Beyond camp, the desert is ours to wander. Climb the nearby sand dune, find a favourite spot among the rocks, watch the light change across the mountains or simply sit somewhere beautiful and enjoy having nowhere else to be.
And sometimes, we leave the tents behind altogether. Depending on the retreat program, we may spend a night — or two — deeper in the wild desert, sleeping beneath the open sky with little more than mattresses, warm blankets and the mountains around us.
Forget five stars. Out here, we have millions.
Accommodation during our retreats is provided by our local Bedouin hosts. The camp pictured here is the main camp we often use; however, our Bedouin family works with several camps in Wadi Rum. The exact camp, tent or room may therefore vary depending on the retreat, group size and availability, and may differ from the photographs shown.
Off the Beaten Path
This Is How We Experience Wadi Rum
Our retreats are about going beyond simply seeing Wadi Rum. Together with our local Bedouin hosts, we venture deeper into the desert — through hidden canyons and wide-open valleys, along ancient trails, into the mountains and sometimes far beyond the usual tourist routes.
Some days are about hiking, scrambling and pushing ourselves a little further. Others unfold slowly, with camel rides, desert picnics, sunset tea and plenty of time to simply take it all in.
And sometimes the best moments aren’t planned at all. No rushing from one sight to the next. No ticking boxes. Just time, freedom and a very big desert waiting to be explored.
