Ideally set in a spectacular and secluded area of Beidha (also known as Little Petra); 14 km ( about 15 minutes drive ) north of Petra’s archaeological site, The Rock camp is beautifully surrounded by majestic towering rocks and dominates the entrance to “Siq Ba’ja” wonderful canyon. The camp offers an authentic Bedouin experience with a personal insight into their hospitable way of life. Enjoy the serenity of the desert under lamp-lit hand woven tents or relax around the campfire gazing at the starlit skies while sipping Bedouin cardamom-spiced coffee. The camp has captured the beauty and comfort of lodging in hand-made Bedouin tents or regular luxury tents all furnished in a colourful Bedouin rustic touch with remarkable views of the soaring rocks. Each Bedouin tent (3mx3m) can accommodate 2 guests while the spacious luxury tent (5mx5m) can take up to 4; featuring comfortable beds with sheets, pillows & blankets. Towels are provided along with lanterns & complimentary water bottles in tents. Bathrooms for ladies & gents are set up in two separate units; each having two basins, toilets and showers with running hot & cold water (no bathrooms in tents). Guests who book dinner, may share in authentic Shraak bread baking & get adorned with temporary Henna tattooing; traditionally thought to have magical powers & Kohl eyeliner, still popular amongst the Bedouins as a natural protection against the harsh desert sun.
The camp is located on the scenic Wadi Nemelleh road leading to Wadi Araba-Dead Sea, in the heart of the ancient Incense & Spice thriving trade route. Taking advantage of their unique location & protective surroundings the Nabataeans harnessed the rain water, a rare commodity in the arid desert, building dams & rock-carving water channels to create a major caravan station along the route offering water, safe haven to caravans & irrigating fields of various kinds of grapes they grew. A rare & intact rock-carved grape press (winery) & a 2,000 year old dam can be seen today at the campground along with rock-carved Nabatean water channels-lit at night.
Behind the camp in a peaceful and beautiful mountainous area is the narrow winding gorge of Siq Ba’ja which leads to the 7,000 B.C. naturally fortified Ba’ja Neolithic village. The dense terraced stone houses are still well preserved and sheltered from all sides by high rock formations (2hrs. easy-moderate, requires climbing on a rope ladder -provided by camp staff- in certain areas over boulders, offered early hours of the morning, no entrance fee).