Conquering Jebel Umm ad Dami: Jordan's Highest Peak

When we read that the highest mountain in Jordan is 1,854 meters above sea level, we thought Jabal Um Adami wasn't that high compared to European mountains like the Tatras in Poland.
However, since it's a famous destination for both locals and tourists, we knew it had something special to offer.
So, we decided to climb it along with my wife’s sister and her husband during their visit to Jordan.

Our adventure began with a drive from Aqaba to Wadi Rum, where we spent the night at our favorite camp, planning to start early the next morning.
We woke up, gathered our gear, and drove to the mountain with our local guide.

As we traveled, the temperature quickly rose, and the sun moved to the center of the sky, making us feel the heat.
Our drinking water was already warm as our camp had no fridge, so it was crucial to stay prepared.

Despite the heat, we were enjoying our drive, the desert landscape and the unique rock formations were amazing.
After an hour and a half of driving, we arrived and parked in front of the mountain.

Looking at the mountain, we thought it wouldn’t be too challenging to reach the top.
We followed our guide on a flat terrain for a while, but soon the trail became steeper and more slippery with unstable sand rocks.
The sudden change in terrain surprised us; what looked easy from below was now quite tough.
Karolina turned to check on her sister and brother-in-law, but couldn’t see him at first, he was off the trail, seeking shade from the burning sun.

Knowing my brother-in-law is an experienced hiker, it was clear that this mountain offers a unique challenge.
Despite the 40-degree temperature, we kept going, feeling increasingly tired as the climb became steeper.
We were sweating, out of breath, and drinking water constantly, while our guide moved effortlessly, singing traditional Bedouin songs!

At the peak, we were rewarded with stunning views.
On a clear day like ours, you can see the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border.
We rested in the shade of large rocks, enjoying the panoramic desert view and sharing stories about our adventure, and met other tourists who had reached the top earlier.

After some time, we regained some energy and started going down to the mountain, heading back to Wadi Rum village.

Before leaving, we wanted to capture this memory forever, so we took photos with the Jordanian flag at the summit.

We wore hiking shoes and clothes, packed with water, light backpacks with snacks and fruits like dates for energy, and brought sunblock and hats, Karolina carried a small first aid kit.
Meanwhile, our guide wore typical local flip-flops and carried only a small water bottle, ready to lead us just like that!

GENERAL INFO

located south of Wadi rum Village Jebel Umm ad Dami rises to an impressive height of 1,854 meters (6,083 feet) above sea level.
This natural wonder captivates tourists with its beauty, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching its peak.

Essential Gear:
Here's what we took with us:
-hiking boots.
-Comfortable clothing.
-Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen).
-Backpack with water bottles. (3 litres per person).
-Snacks and fruits.
-Small first-aid kit.

How to Get There:

We hired a local guide with his 4x4 jeep car to guarantee safety and not to get lost in this big desert.
Local guides are familiar with the trails and can offer assistance in case of emergencies.

We hired a local guide from the same camp where we stayed the night before. This will allow better negotiation, letting you save some money with the total cost.

Cost:
We were a group of four persons, and it cost us 50 Jordanian dinars per person.

Time Frame:
-1.5 hours to reach the mountain by 4x4 jeep car from our camp.
-2 hours to climb up the mountain.
-Half an hour rest and enjoy the top up there.
-1 hour to descend.
-2 hours driving back to the village of Wadi Rum.

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