03 Days – 02 Nights Petra & Wadi Rum Tour from Eilat Border

Petra and Wadi Rum make a powerful Jordan pairing. This tour takes you from the Eilat border to Petra’s carved monuments and Wadi Rum’s open desert, with transport, visa assistance, meals, lodging, and guides arranged in advance. I especially like the mix of a 4×4 Jeep ride and a Bedouin camp night, plus the useful three-hour guided introduction to Petra.

The main consideration is the pace. You cover a lot of ground in three days, and the border crossing, long drives, walking, and early start can make the trip tiring. The $820 price is high, but it includes major costs that are easy to mishandle on your own, including the Jordan visa, private vehicle transfers, Petra entry, two nights of lodging, and several meals.

Key things to know before booking

• Wadi Rum is more than a photo stop: You spend four to five hours visiting Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon, sand dunes, rock bridges, and other desert sites by Jeep.
• The Bedouin camp is the tour’s cultural heart: Tea, coffee, a visit to the guide’s family home, a BBQ dinner, sunrise, and stargazing give the overnight stay more substance than a basic hotel night.
• Petra gets both guidance and free time: An English-speaking guide leads you for about three hours through the Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, Theatre, and Qasr Al Bint.
• The border timing needs careful attention: The meeting time is listed as 10:00 am, while the first-day instructions allow arrival between 8:00 am and noon or 1:00 pm. Confirm your exact pickup time before departure.
• The second Petra day is optional: You may return to the site for extra trails before driving back to Eilat, but the border closes at 8:00 pm.
• This is a private trip: Only your own group participates, with a minimum booking of two people. That makes the schedule easier to manage than a large coach tour.

From Eilat to the red sands of Wadi Rum

The tour begins at the Eilat border, where a representative helps you enter Jordan and meet your English-speaking driver. The transfer to Wadi Rum takes about one hour, so the first day moves quickly from border formalities to desert scenery.

You need to send passport details in advance so the operator can arrange the free Jordan visa. That is a useful service, especially if you want someone familiar with the crossing to guide you through the process. Still, allow extra time at the border. The stated arrival window stretches from 8:00 am to noon or 1:00 pm, while the meeting point lists 10:00 am as the start time.

This is one detail I would confirm in writing before booking. A clear border plan matters because the Jeep tour, sunset, dinner, and camp stay all depend on arriving in Wadi Rum on schedule.

Once you reach the Wadi Rum Visitors Center, you meet your Bedouin guide. The welcome includes Bedouin tea and coffee, along with a visit to a real Bedouin family at the guide’s home. That small personal touch helps the day feel connected to local life, rather than being only a sequence of desert viewpoints.

Four to five hours by Jeep in Wadi Rum

The Wadi Rum portion is the most active part of day one. You ride in a 4×4 Jeep with an English-speaking Bedouin guide who also serves as your driver. The route includes several of the area’s named sights:

• Nabatean Temple
• Lawrence Spring
• Sand dunes
• Khazali Canyon
• Little Bridge
• Um Frouth Rock Bridge
• Lawrence House
• Burdah Rock Bridge or Burdah Arch

The appeal here is variety. You are not simply driving through the desert and stopping once for photographs. The route combines Nabatean remains, narrow rock formations, high dunes, and natural stone arches associated with the area’s famous desert stories.

The rock bridges are likely to be the memorable part of the ride. The tour is designed to show you the changing shapes of Wadi Rum, from open sand to towering sandstone walls. You may climb some dunes and bridges, so wear shoes that can handle loose sand and uneven ground.

A box lunch and mineral water are included during the Wadi Rum tour. That is practical because the day is spent away from ordinary restaurants. Vegetarian food is also available at the evening BBQ, though you should state your preference when arranging the trip.

Camel riding is optional. The listed rate is 10 Jordanian dinars, or about $15, per hour per camel, with the ride available from Rum Village to Lawrence Spring. You can also do it the next day. Since this cost is not included, bring cash if you want the traditional desert option.

Sunset, Bedouin dinner, and a night under the stars

After the Jeep ride, the day slows down for sunset. The desert setting gives you a chance to stop moving and watch the color change across the sandstone, something that can be hard to appreciate when every stop is rushed.

The camp night includes a BBQ dinner, breakfast, mineral water, and Bedouin hospitality. You may sleep under the stars or in the Bedouin camp, depending on the arrangement. The descriptions point to a campsite at the foot of the mountains, so you should expect a desert stay rather than hotel-style comfort.

This is a good match if you value atmosphere and local contact more than polished facilities. One useful caution comes from the practical feedback about camp conditions: do not assume every campsite detail will match a city hotel. Hot water, bathroom comfort, and other simple facilities may be basic.

The tradeoff is worthwhile for many people. A standard hotel would be easier, but it would remove the quiet evening, BBQ meal, desert sky, and direct connection to Bedouin hosting. If you are sensitive to rustic sleeping conditions, ask exactly what type of tent and facilities are available.

Morning drive from Wadi Rum to Petra

Day two begins with breakfast and the chance to enjoy sunrise. You then return from the camp to the Wadi Rum Visitors Center, meet your driver, and continue to Petra. The drive takes about two hours.

The route includes a short stop for photographs and views along the Kings Highway. Do not expect a long sightseeing tour on this section. The value is mainly the change of setting, from Wadi Rum’s broad desert to the hills and valleys around Petra.

The tour’s private transport is a real advantage here. Your own group travels in a new car with an English-speaking driver, rather than managing public transport connections after a border crossing. Reviews of the company repeatedly praise the drivers for being friendly, flexible, punctual, and helpful. Names praised in the feedback include Mohannad, Mustafa, Mohammed, Mahmoud, and Issam, while guides such as Sammy and Mamoun Al Nawafleh received especially warm comments.

Because the experience is private, you can ask the driver about short photo stops or adjust the pace within the limits of the day. That flexibility is useful for families, older adults, and anyone who does not want to keep up with a large group.

Entering Petra through the Siq

At Petra, you meet your English-speaking guide at the Visitors Center for about three hours. The guided route begins through the Siq, the narrow gorge that leads into the ancient city.

The Siq is important not just as an entrance path, but as part of Petra’s drama. The sandstone walls close around you before the Treasury appears at the end. Your guide can give the monuments context while you walk, which helps turn a quick visit into a more understandable one.

The route continues to the Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the Theatre, and Qasr Al Bint. This is a strong first visit because it covers the central sights without pretending that Petra can be fully seen in a few hours.

A 700-meter horse ride from the main gate is included, but it is not mandatory. The horse handler expects a tip, and a horse-drawn carriage is not included. You should not feel pressured to ride simply because it is offered. If you prefer walking, you can continue on foot.

Petra involves considerable walking, and the return route follows the same way back to the entrance gate. The guide leads for three hours, then you have free time to explore independently. That balance works well. You get an organized introduction, then room to pause at the Treasury, examine the tombs, or set your own pace.

The overnight hotel and a possible second Petra visit

The second night is at a three-star hotel in Petra, with breakfast included. Compared with the camp, this is the comfortable reset in the middle of the trip. You can wash up, sleep in a regular room, and prepare for another morning of walking.

Day three gives you the option of returning to Petra for a second day and trying additional trails. The supplied information does not specify which trails are offered or how much extra time you receive, so ask before departure if a certain route matters to you.

That optional second visit is valuable because Petra is too large to absorb in one short guided walk. On the other hand, it adds more walking to a trip that already includes a long Jeep day and two border transfers. I would choose the extra Petra time if the site is your main reason for coming to Jordan, especially if you want more than the central monuments.

The return drive to the Eilat border takes about one and a half hours. The border closes at 8:00 pm, so you need to leave Petra with enough time for the drive and crossing. The operator may take you back in the morning or after you finish the optional visit, but the final timing should be confirmed in advance.

Is $820 a fair price?

At $820 per person, this is not a budget excursion. The value depends on how much convenience you place on a private, prearranged crossing and transport plan.

The price includes:

• Assistance at the Eilat border
• Jordan visa arrangement
• Private transfers in a new vehicle
• English-speaking driver
• Four to five-hour Wadi Rum Jeep tour
• Bedouin guide
• One camp night with BBQ dinner and breakfast
• Box lunch in Wadi Rum
• One three-star hotel night with breakfast
• Three-hour English-speaking Petra guide
• Petra entrance fees
• Mineral water
• The 700-meter horse ride from Petra’s main gate

You still pay for tips, personal expenses, travel insurance, camel rides, horse-drawn carriages, and a possible Jordan departure tax of 10 Jordanian dinars, about $15. These extras are not huge compared with the total price, but they should be included in your budget.

For two people or a small family group, the private arrangement may justify the cost. You are paying for border assistance, door-to-door transport between multiple sites, two very different kinds of lodging, local guides, and the work of coordinating a short trip across Jordan.

If you are comfortable arranging your own Jordan entry, buses, hotels, site tickets, and guides, you could potentially spend less. The tradeoff would be more planning and less help if border timing changes. I see this tour as a convenience purchase, not a low-cost way to see Petra.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to someone based in Eilat who wants Petra and Wadi Rum in one compact trip. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value private transport and do not want to coordinate the border, drivers, camp, hotel, and guides separately.

The tour also suits first-time visitors to Jordan. The company’s communication and border assistance are frequently praised, and the named drivers and guides receive strong comments for being accommodating and friendly. That support can make a big difference when you are crossing into a new country for only a few days.

You should think twice if you need a slow schedule, dislike early starts, or want a highly polished resort experience. The camp is part of the appeal, but it can be basic. Petra also requires walking, and the final day depends on leaving in time for the 8:00 pm border closing.

The tour requires at least two people per booking. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate, though the supplied details do not provide specific mobility guidance for the Petra route or desert camp.

Should you book the Petra and Wadi Rum tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing the two headline sights with the least planning from Eilat. The best features are the private transfers, border assistance, Bedouin camp night, substantial Wadi Rum Jeep route, and guided Petra visit followed by free time.

Before paying, confirm the exact border meeting time, camp facilities, the second-day Petra schedule, and any departure tax that may apply. I would also decide in advance if you want the optional camel ride or a second Petra visit.

At $820, this is best for you if convenience, local assistance, and a packed private itinerary matter more than saving money. If you want a slower Jordan trip or a lower price, arrange more nights independently. If you have only three days and want Petra plus Wadi Rum without a tangle of logistics, this is a strong and well-supported choice.

FAQ

How long is the Petra and Wadi Rum tour?

The tour is described as three days and two nights, though the overall duration is also listed as approximately three to four days. The schedule includes one night in Wadi Rum and one night at a three-star hotel in Petra.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the Eilat border in Eilat, Israel. The listed meeting point is Eilat, Southern District, with a stated start time of 10:00 am.

What is included in the Jordan visa service?

Meet-and-assist service is provided at the Eilat border, and the operator arranges a free Jordan visa in advance. You must send your passport details before the tour.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transfers are provided in a new car with an English-speaking driver. The route includes the Eilat border, Wadi Rum, Petra, and the return to the Eilat border.

How long is the Wadi Rum Jeep tour?

The Jeep tour lasts approximately four to five hours. It includes an English-speaking Bedouin guide who serves as the driver.

What sights are visited in Wadi Rum?

The listed stops include the Nabatean Temple, Lawrence Spring, sand dunes, Khazali Canyon, Little Bridge, Um Frouth Rock Bridge, Lawrence House, and Burdah Rock Bridge or Burdah Arch.

Is camel riding included?

No. Camel riding is optional and costs 10 Jordanian dinars, about $15, per hour per camel. It may be taken from Rum Village to Lawrence Spring on the first or second day.

How long is the guided tour of Petra?

The English-speaking guided tour lasts about three hours. The route includes the Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, Theatre, and Qasr Al Bint, followed by free time.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted, and the tour may be rescheduled or refunded if its minimum number is not reached.