Abu Khashaba Canyon

Abu Khashaba is a narrow canyon in Wadi Rum. It cuts through Jebel Khashaba from north to south and is a popular tourist sight. The canyon is 4 metres wide and has collected large quantities of sand blown by wind during sand storms. As visitors walk through the shaded canyon they will pass desert trees. With the exception of the fig trees that grow along side springs and seasonal water sources, there are very few trees in the area. These desert trees are slow growing and are able to survive with limited water.

Abu Khashaba is not marked on the Wadi Rum tourist map, however it is located centrally near the edge of the red and white deserts. The canyon is sheltered by the sandstone cliffs from both the east and west. Therefore it provides shelter from the summer heat through much of the day. A comfortable resting place!

How to explore Abu Khashaba canyon

The canyon is notable as it is narrow and sandy so it can not be passed with 4×4. As it cuts completely through the sandstone mountain it is possible to enter at one end and exit at the other. During tours your guide will drive the tour vehicle around the mountain while you walk through the canyon. This will provide an opportunity to walk over the sandy rise and meet your guide at the other side. It offers an opportunity to stretch your legs and take some respite from the desert heat. Breaking up the experience on the back of the open top 4×4 tour around the Wadi Rum desert. It takes around 20 minutes to walk through the canyon. This gives your guide enough time to pass around the mountain with the 4×4.

This is a nice location that is visited on the red desert 4×4 tours. However it falls on the edge of the white desert and has yellow sands and rounder formations in the sandstone cliffs overhead.

The GPS coordinates are: 29.493455, 35.470393

FAST FACTS:

  1. Due to the overexploitation of slow growing trees throughout human history, this is one of few locations in Wadi Rum where you will find the slow growing desert trees native to the area.
  2. Abu Khashaba is named after the sandstone mountain which it cuts through.