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Glamping in Wadi Rum, Jordan; Memories Aicha Luxury Camp – A Review

When it comes to traveling to every country in the Middle East, it seems that Jordan is on everyone’s ‘must see’ lists. And for good reason. It’s so easy to plan the perfect 1 week Jordan Itinerary, whether it’s looking at how to visit Petra of course, or backpacking in Jordan on a budget too. It’s all great. But other than Petra, the highlight for me was glamping in Wadi Rum. And with that Memories Aicha Luxury Camp, the best camping in all of Jordan!

Jordan is not just one of the most welcoming countries in the region, but it’s safe, extremely well prepared to handle tourist. And the value for money can’t be beaten. It’s probably the main Middle Eastern country that can safely be described as the tourist hot spot of the region. Due to its history, food, culture, and of course its natural wonders like Wadi Rum.

Let’s have a look at my experience in Wadi Rum with my Memories Aicha Luxury Camp Review, and to decide is it worth it?

What is Wadi Rum?

Wadi Rum is a HUGE desert in the south of Jordan. It’s also known as the Valley of the Moon (Wadi is an Arabic word for Valley). It was made famous in 1962 as the setting, and filming location of Lawrence of Arabia.

Where is Wadi Rum?

It’s about 2 hours south of Petra, and about 45 minutes north of the resort town of Aqaba.

Camping/Glamping in Wadi Rum

Of course, Wadi Rum is an amazing place to go hiking, go dune bashing, and do other adventurous activities, it’s also a great place to go to just kick back under the wide-open sky and experience desert life for a night or two of pure luxury.

Every proper Jordan Itinerary includes a trip to Wadi Rum. And every proper Wadi Rum experience includes spending a night in the desert, with the Bedouin, under the stars.

Camping and glamping in Wadi Rum can come in a number of forms. Starting at $20 for a night in a basic tent, going all the way up to the full Lawrence of Arabia experience with sleeping pods and see-through rooftops.

Budget or luxury?

I’ve done both. My first time in Jordan, I did the budget $20 a night job. And the truth? It’s still amazing. So if you’re on a budget, or on a backpacking trip, go cheap! There’s no need to break the bank, and you still experience the absolute beauty of Wadi Rum regardless of your budget.

The next time I was here I was with my partner, and I wanted to go all out so I chose to treat her to the best glamping in Wadi Rum. Memories Aicha Luxury Camp. Not cheap at $250+ a night. But, oh so worth it.

Found between some beautiful red cliffs. Offering the perfect protection from the wind and sand storms. Probably the best glamping experience of my life (although the glamping in Thailand in Ko Yao Noi was epic too! Tough call)

Memories Aicha Luxury Camp

The location of Memories Aicha Luxury Camp is ideal for those who want a bit of a romantic getaway among the stars.

Set in its own little valley area surrounded by nothing but the wide-open space of Wadi Rum with its rock formations and crisp, clear sky. Away from other camps and the main access road through Wadi Rum, it’s the ideal spot for those who want to get away from it all. And spend those romantic nights around a campfire with only a few others just stargazing.

Memories Aicha Camp basically gives you a 5*+ experience in a place where such a thing has never existed. You get the best of both worlds. The stark but beautiful desert, but with all the luxuries (and more) of a luxury city hotel. But never without the Arabic feel of the desert. It’s unreal.

Getting there is pretty easy. The nearest airport is King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, about an hour away by car. The location is perfect for both those who just want to explore the Wadi Rum natural area but also for those who want to get out of the region and go on a day trip to Petra and the Red or Dead Sea.

Food at Memories Aicha

DELICIOUS! Think arabic tea, endless dates, and full Jordanian spreads for each meal. Hummus for days.

Various food is available at the camp and they really do high-end food perfectly. Especially given what’s available in the desert! Their on-site restaurant provides full meals each mealtime of course. But constant snacks such as chocolate, biscuits, dates, fruit selections, and more.

The onsite coffee house is also a fantastic touch. I really enjoyed a delicious coffee expertly crafted every morning. The perfect way to start a day of exploring. The camp provides the ability to request special meals for vegetarians or vegans which is a brilliant touch.

And the coffee and tea area is nothing short of mind-blowing. Built into the rock, gorgeous.

Whether it was a tasty tagine or other Arabaic and local styled dishes, I have to say that the food provided was absolutely on par with what you’d expect for a luxury Jordanian glamping camp.

Packed lunches were available on request for those who were going out on excursions. An additional bonus and the breakfast was absolutely fantastic with some of the most excellent coffee.

The tents/rooms at Memories Aicha

There are 4 room types at Memories Aicha Luxury Camp (in order of expansiveness!):

• Junior Luxury Tent
• Panormic Luxury Tent
• Executive Luxury Tent (where I stayed)
• Panoramic Luxury Tent

First up, ALL the ‘tents’ are absolutely luxury. Transporting you back in time to Lawrence of Arabia. Luxury beds, air–conditioning (!!) and private hot water showers. All complete luxury in the middle of the desert!

There are more ‘simple’ tents on the outer ring of the camp that have transparent parts to make sky viewing at night possible. Each of the tents has its own modern and fantastically decorated bathroom. Which made me feel like I was in a hotel room and not a tent. I spent an afternoon in this tent, but switched to the Executive Luxury later.

I stayed in the executive luxury tent and it was absolutely phenomenal. You completely forget you’re in a tent, especially with the on-demand hot water! An added bonus was the soap, shampoo and other toiletries they leave for your use in the bathroom. All are made from Dead Sea minerals and mud.

You really get the feeling of stepping back to some nomadic king’s tent when you stay in one of the more luxe tents available. It had all the traditional Jordanian trappings that you’d expect with ambient lighting that really set the mood and transported you to another time.

Top-Tip for rooms at Memories Aicha

I know the glamping pods, with the see-through windows look like the best tents. BUT THEY’RE NOT! They’re super hot, even with the air-conditioning. And they’re not THAT see-through. The sand keeps them kind of opaque, rather than transparent. So better to upgrade to the Executive Suite in my opinion.

Also, 1 night/2 days in Wadi Rum is enough. So, again, splurge and get yourself the Executive Luxury Suit! Just check-in as early as possible on Day 1, and as late as possible on Day 2. Make the most of this amazing place.

Things to do in Wadi Rum

Although Memories Aicha camp is epic, and you’ll be tempted to just stay there and not leave, remember you’re in Wadi Rum to see the place! So make sure your itinerary is full. You can organize activities through the camp:

• 3 hours jeep tour at JOD 60.00 ($85): Nabatean temple • Lawrence spring • Sand Dunes • Khazali Canyon • Little bridge
• JOD 100 ($140) covering the below sites: o Nabatean Temple- o Lawrence Spring o -Sand Dunes o -Khazali Canyon o -Little Bridge o -Um Frouth Rock Bridge o -Lawrence House- o Burdah Rock Bridge/Burdah Arch & more

While your typical trips to the likes of Petra are available, other activities I went on included visiting Wadi Rum village and an excursion to visit the old home of Lawrence of Arabia. A small stone hut that remains preserved as a historical monument to one of the most influential British soldiers who served in the region. Not only this, but the camp itself puts on nightly entertainment as well as campfires and various other types of tours.

The walking tour was also great. And took us around some of the really unique formations near the camp. They also have archery. Which I tried and can safely say I am not very good at, but it was fun nonetheless. Horse riding is also available but I chose the walking tour over horse riding during my stay.

If you’re into astronomy at all, you can use their telescope on-site to explore various stars and planets that are in the sky. I really recommend this as the sky is so clear and dark at the camp. It’s the perfect place for stargazing.

Final thoughts on glamping in Wadi Rum

If you’re considering visiting Jordan, then you can’t miss glamping in Wadi Rum. And as long as the budget allows, then don’t miss the chance to stay at Memories Aicha Luxury Camp. The tents were exquisite and beautifully decorated and with the service, food, and entertainment options. It was one of my most favorite ever travel experiences. Add it to your travel bucket lists ASAP.

My now-wife and I had the most wonderful time here. And in Jordan in general. It was such a great place to travel as a couple, and it was a pure honeymoon destination (although we weren’t on honeymoon!). Luxury, adventure, travel. It has everything you need.