The Wadi Rum of Saudi Arabia
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Jordan is famous for its Wadi Rum desert but it is less known that its iconic sandstone formations spread across the border with Saudi Arabia as far as 200 kilometers to the south until the grandiose Wadi Qaraqir.
The main part of Jibal Hisma is located between the majestic Jebel Al-Lawz on the west and the plain surrounding the city of Tabuk on the east.
The name "Jibal" which means "ensemble of mountains" designates the fact that Hisma is not about one mount but thousands of rocky formations spreading over hundreds of kilometers, each one of unique size and shape.
Jibal Hisma (photo: Florent Egal)
Wadi Dham
Different types of sandstone formations have created there deep wadis and impressive giant rocks whose silhouettes is a true masterpiece of nature. The most impressive wadi is the famous Wadi Dham on the east of Jibal Hisma whose sandy valley meanders over more than 20 kilometers.
Wadi Dham (photo: Florent Egal)
Jibal Hisma
The western entrance of the Wadi Dham is like a natural threshold of the unreal landscape of Jibal Hisma. Indeed this Saudi desert made of the extraordinary shapes of the sandstone massifs sculpted by the erosion and surrounded by multi-color sand banks not only rivals its Jordanian counterpart but offer unique scenery and out-of-this-world landscapes.
Jibal Hisma (photo: Florent Egal)
Roaming through the maze of sandstones massifs is an outstanding, exciting, and delightful experience. Each location, each time of the day, each luminosity offers a unique viewpoint on this marvel that was given to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The beauty of Jibal Hisma is elegantly emphasized by sand belts of different colors including a nearly blood red tone. These sand banks also offer high view points that can be reached by car.
Jibal Hisma (photo: Florent Egal)
Ancient Rock Art
Jibal Hisma is home of ancient rock art and thousahds of Kufic Arabic inscriptions dating back to the first decades of Islam, proving its exceptional features has attracted humans for millennia, including as pilgrimage road.
Ancient carvings at Jibal Hisma (photo: Florent Egal)
Kufic Arabic inscription at Jibal Hisma (photo: F. Egal)
How to visit Jibal Hisma
If driving through rock parts of Jibal Hisma doesn't present special difficulties some sandy areas are really soft and ravines digged by the wind between sand dunes and rocks can be terrific traps for an inattentive driver!
Tour Operators organizing trips to Jibal Hisma
Jibal Hisma (photo: Florent Egal)
The Wadi Rum of Saudi Arabia (author: Florent Egal)
