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WADI RUM – Known for its desert landscapes and ancient heritage, Wadi Rum also offers some of the clearest and darkest skies in the region. As interest in astro-tourism grows worldwide, the Kingdom is emerging as an ideal destination for those seeking to reconnect with the stars.
Thanks to its low levels of light pollution, dry air, and high-altitude desert landscapes, Jordan provides excellent conditions for stargazing nearly all year round.
The country’s position along ancient trade routes also gives its night skies cultural depth: for millennia, people have looked upward for navigation. The Nabateans, who built Petra, are believed to have used the stars for navigation and possibly for ritual and calendrical purposes. For centuries, Bedouin tribes have relied on the stars to navigate the desert. Stars like the North Star (Polaris) and constellations like Orion helped them find their way at night across the vast landscapes.
Jordan, like much of the Islamic world, has a rich tradition of astronomy. From the 8th to the 14th centuries, cities such as Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus became global centres of scientific inquiry. Scholars in the Islamic Golden Age pioneered the use of astrolabes, developed star catalogues and built observatories that pushed the boundaries of early astronomy. To this day, over 60% of the brightest stars visible from Earth bear names of Arabic origin.
The Wadi Rum Protected Area, in particular, is internationally recognised for its celestial clarity. Designated an International Dark Sky Reserve, it is one of the few places on Earth where the Milky Way can be seen in full clarity. In recent years, efforts to promote sustainable astro-tourism have grown, often blending scientific engagement with cultural storytelling.
One such initiative is Stargaze Jordan, a local initiative founded by Aya Al Qadi, British-Jordanian hotel developer and project manager. Her work in Wadi Rum aims to offer more than just a glimpse through a telescope.
“I wanted to introduce a new kind of experience in Jordan,” she told The Jordan Times, “One that is not just visual but connecting travellers with nature, heritage, and the sky itself.”
Stargaze Jordan combines Bedouin oral traditions, desert hospitality, and guided astronomy sessions with high-powered telescopes. The experience is hosted in cooperation with eight families from four tribes, and includes traditional farwas (blankets), locally roasted coffee, and live rababa music.
A key part of the experience is the inclusion of the rababa, a string instrument passed down through generations. Its melodies, played live under the stars, carry the rhythm of Bedouin oral storytelling and offer visitors a rare and moving encounter with an ancient tradition.
“Knowledge of the constellations was vital for caravans, trade routes, and Hajj pilgrims,” Al Qadi said. “That history is part of who we are, and it deserves to be remembered and celebrated.”
The initiative invites guests to reflect under Wadi Rum’s vast sky, guided not only by modern science but also by the stars that once led the Nabatean traders and Bedouin nomads across the desert. With a zero-plastic policy and strict “leave no trace” approach, the project also aligns with principles of sustainable tourism, helping preserve both the environment and local livelihoods.
“Our infrastructure is low-impact, and we limit group sizes to keep the experience intimate, preserve the desert’s tranquillity and minimise ecological disruption. Our goal is to create a tourism model that benefits the community as much as the visitor.”
Astrotourism in Jordan is still developing but with initiatives like Stargaze Jordan, the night sky is not something to look at, it is something to learn from.