Today, we're traveling to my favorite place on the planet: the desert of Wadi Rum in southern Jordan.

We're here to meet Ahmad Mara'yeh, a Bedouin man and co-founder of the traditional desert camp, Rum Planet Camp (read more about it here).

The nearly 300 square miles of this desert hold a vast extraterrestrial terrain: colossal granite and limestone ridges, red, yellow, and white sand dunes, near-vertical cliffs, and whimsical rock formations.

It's nature's playground.

Imagine what it must be like growing up in this landscape, how it can shape a person, a community.

This is what we're covering in today's interview with my friend Ahmad.

🐪 We are returning to Jordan next June 🐪

Join us June 5-14, 2026 on a 10-day trip to this country we love so much. We'll visit the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman, and many off-beaten spots in between. And yes, we will also stay with Ahmad at Rum Planet Camp in the desert.

Save $200 by booking an early-bird spot by Jan 5, 2026.

Get details here

Listen to the Episode

What you’ll hear:

  • What is Bedouin culture?
  • How tourism growth has impacted Bedouin communities
  • Meeting Matt Damon during "The Martian" filming in Wadi Rum
  • How Ahmad thinks about the stereotypes about Arabs and Muslims
  • Rum Panet Camp’s efforts to showcase the real Bedouin identity
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As Bedouins, We Say

Rum Planet Camp's social series builds a bridge between cultures

One more reason why Rum Planet Camp is different lies in its mission. For the camp's founders, it's not about tourism. There is a story behind it.

And the story is that of a culture rich with desert wisdom, relational practices, making a life in a seemingly inhospitable environment, and sharing all of it with the camp's guests.

Ahmad has been posting some of this wisdom on the camp's Instagram account, with reels like this resonating widely.

Check out our interview on YouTube →

➡️
What you can do right now:
• Follow Rum Planet Camp on Instagram
• Check out our upcoming Jordan trip in June 2026
• Read my Conde Nast Traveler story about Wadi Rum
"You're crossing a big distance to come to the desert, and it's worth having the chance to meet its people. If you're coming only to stay at a fancy place, sleep, and listen to music, then why are you even traveling?" – Ahmad Mara'yeh
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