Wadi Rum Desert Adventure, Jordan

In southern Jordan lies a desert so otherworldly that people call it The Valley of the Moon. Wadi Rum is a landscape of red sand dunes, towering rock formations and silence so deep you can hear your own heartbeat.

Film directors come here to shoot alien planets; travellers come to feel small in the best possible way. I came for a day trip and left convinced that no photograph does this place justice.

You do not explore Wadi Rum on your own — and you would not want to. At the Visitor's Center you can hire a local Bedouin guide with a 4x4 jeep, and it is money well spent. The guides know every canyon, every spring and every shortcut through the dunes.

Bouncing across the sand in the open back of a jeep, wind in your face and red cliffs rising on both sides, is half the adventure. The other half is your guide's stories — about the desert, its history and the people who have called it home for centuries.

Dress light and airy — the desert sun is relentless, and loose, breathable clothing will serve you far better than shorts and a tank top. A scarf or hat protects your head, and sturdy shoes make scrambling up the rocks much easier.

Remember also to dress with respect for local customs. Modest clothing is appreciated in Jordan, and it has a practical bonus: covered skin simply burns less. In the desert, tradition and common sense point the same way.

The highlight of the trip was not a viewpoint but a meeting. Deep in the desert we visited nomadic Bedouins, who welcomed us into the shade of their tent and prepared tea over an open fire — sweet, fragrant with herbs, and offered with unhurried generosity.

Sharing tea is a ritual of hospitality here, not a tourist attraction. You sit, you sip, you talk or you simply watch the desert. For a moment, the modern world feels very far away — and you do not miss it at all.

Save your energy for the evening. As the day ends, your guide will take you to a rocky summit where you can watch the sun sink behind the dunes, turning the whole valley from orange to deep crimson to purple.

There is something meditative about the desert, its serenity and breathtaking views. I will keep its red sand dunes and the sunset gazing in my memory forever — and if Jordan is on your travel list, Wadi Rum deserves a full day of your time.