2-Day Petra and Wadi Rum Tour From Eilat

Petra and desert silence make a fine pair. This two-day trip from Eilat combines a full Petra visit with a 4×4 ride through Wadi Rum, so you see Jordan’s great stone city and its wide desert in one compact journey. I like the simple border-to-border setup and the fact that one Jordanian guide stays with you throughout the trip. The main drawback is the pace: Petra gets only one full day, and the schedule leaves little room for delays.

I also like the overnight Bedouin camp, with dinner, breakfast, warm showers, and a proper bed rather than a bare-bones tent. The 4×4 Wadi Rum safari is another strong point, especially for anyone who wants more than a quick photo stop. You should expect a large group, potentially up to 47 people, and you need cash for both countries’ border charges.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Jordan highlights in 48 hours: You visit Petra and Wadi Rum without arranging separate transport, hotels, guides, or entrance tickets.
• A real desert overnight: The Bedouin campsite offers beds, warm showers, dinner, breakfast, and a night beneath the stars.
• Border costs are extra: Bring cash for the 115 ILS Israeli tax and 50 JOD Jordanian tax.
• Petra begins early: You wake at 6:00 a.m. and reach Petra at about 9:00 a.m., giving you useful morning hours before the heat builds.
• Meals suit different diets: Buffet meals include vegetarian and vegan choices, with a Jordanian brunch in Aqaba, dinner at camp, breakfast, and lunch in Petra.
• The group can be large: A maximum of 47 people keeps the price reasonable but can make movement and communication less personal.

Why this two-day Jordan trip works

At $345, this is not a bargain-basement excursion, but it covers a great deal. You get air-conditioned transport, a guide from your arrival in Jordan until your return to the border, entrance fees, the Wadi Rum jeep ride, one night at a Bedouin camp, dinner, breakfast, and two lunches.

That bundle matters. Petra and Wadi Rum are far enough apart that arranging both independently would mean coordinating transport, accommodation, park access, and border timing. Here, the hard parts are placed into one plan. I especially value the guide coverage because the border crossing can feel confusing when you are switching between two countries and two sets of procedures.

The cost does not include Israeli border taxes, Jordanian border taxes, drinks or other food, or travel insurance. The Israeli charge is listed as 115 ILS, while the Jordanian charge is 50 JOD, payable only in cash. Set this money aside before leaving Eilat. A tour that appears all-inclusive can become surprisingly expensive if you arrive at the border unprepared.

The group size is worth weighing. A group of 47 can help keep the price in check, and the air-conditioned vehicle is useful on long road sections. Yet the experience will not feel like a private guide and driver. At Petra, you will need to stay aware of meeting times and keep track of the group.

Crossing from Eilat into Jordan

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. in Eilat, with transport to the Arava Border Crossing. The Israeli-side staff may not accompany you across, so listen carefully to the instructions you receive before reaching the border. One piece of practical advice is simple: keep your passport, cash, phone, and any required documents easy to reach.

The crossing is described as straightforward when properly organized, but it is still a border, not a hotel lobby. Procedures can take time, and the group must move together once the Jordanian guide meets you. The guide then remains with you for the Jordan portion of the trip, which removes much of the guesswork.

This setup suits you if you want Jordan without renting a car or figuring out local connections. It is less suited to someone who wants to linger at the border, change plans freely, or travel at an entirely personal pace.

Aqaba brunch at 10:30 a.m.

After crossing, the first stop is a local restaurant in Aqaba for a traditional Jordanian brunch. The meal includes hummus, falafel, foul, salads, fresh pita, and other buffet items.

This is a useful introduction to Jordanian food rather than just a quick roadside snack. Hummus brings familiar comfort, while foul gives you a taste of a classic bean dish often served for breakfast or brunch. Fresh pita makes the meal easy to share, and the buffet arrangement gives vegetarians and vegans several choices.

The stop is scheduled for about three hours, including the transition from the border and the meal. That may feel long if you are eager to reach Wadi Rum, but it gives the group time to settle in after the crossing. Drinks and food beyond the included meals are not covered, so budget for anything extra.

Wadi Rum by 4×4, from noon to late afternoon

From Aqaba, the tour heads toward Wadi Rum, reaching the desert at about 1:00 p.m. The 4×4 safari runs until approximately 4:30 p.m., giving you several hours among the red sand, cliffs, and open desert.

This is one of the trip’s most appealing sections. Petra is about carved stone and a defined route. Wadi Rum gives you space, distance, and changing views from the back of a jeep. The desert is best appreciated from a vehicle that can leave the paved road and reach the rocky settings that make the area famous.

Expect a practical, scenic outing rather than a technical off-road adventure. The information provided does not promise a particular route, named rock formation, or sunset stop, so you should avoid booking with a fixed mental checklist of sights. The pleasure is in the broad desert setting and the sense of being far from ordinary roads.

I would bring sun protection, water for the ride, and a layer for the evening. Other food and drinks are not included, and the camp is in the depth of the desert. The tour supplies meals, but you should not assume that every snack or beverage is covered.

A Bedouin camp night beneath the stars

By about 4:30 p.m., you arrive at a traditional Bedouin campsite. Dinner is served there, including an authentic zerb meal. Zerb is a Bedouin-style dish cooked in an underground oven, giving dinner a strong sense of place rather than the feel of a generic hotel buffet.

The camp provides comfortable beds and warm showers. That detail changes the character of the trip. You still get a night in the desert, but you do not have to trade all comfort for the experience. If you have spent the day in heat and dust, a warm shower is not a minor luxury.

The camp also offers a chance to slow down. One useful detail from the experience is that there is no Wi-Fi. I consider that a benefit for a night like this, though you may see it differently if you need regular online contact. Bring a charged phone and treat the evening as a break from constant messages.

The phrase overnight under the stars should be understood in the right way. You sleep at a campsite, not out in the open sand without shelter. The setting gives you desert skies and Bedouin hospitality while retaining beds and showers.

Some people may find the camp schedule has more free time than expected. That is not necessarily a flaw, but it helps to know in advance. If you want a tightly packed evening of activities, bring a book, sit outside, or simply enjoy the quiet.

The early start to Petra

Day two starts at 6:00 a.m., with breakfast at camp around 6:30. The group leaves for Petra at 7:15 and reaches the site at about 9:00.

That early start is one of the smartest parts of the plan. Petra is exposed, and morning conditions are generally easier for walking than the hottest part of the afternoon. You also need the time because Petra is not a quick roadside attraction. The approach through the Siq and the first view of the Treasury take time, and the wider site extends well beyond that famous facade.

The 9:00 arrival gives you a guided visit until noon. Guides named Mahmoud and Mohammed received especially warm praise for being friendly, careful, and good at explaining the site. Your guide is there to provide context and keep the group moving, which is valuable in a place where it is easy to lose track of time.

At the same time, three hours with a guide is not enough to see every corner of Petra. You will get an introduction and a strong look at the main route, but the site rewards longer visits. If your priority is the Monastery, High Place of Sacrifice, or distant trails, the schedule may feel short.

Three guided hours, then personal time in Petra

The guided portion ends at noon, followed by lunch in Petra at about 12:00. After lunch, you have free time until 4:00 p.m., when you gather at the Visitor Center.

This split is helpful. The guide can explain the major parts first, then you can choose how to spend the remaining hours. You might return to a favorite viewpoint, walk at your own pace, take photographs, or sit with the scale of the place. The free afternoon gives the tour more flexibility than a nonstop guided march.

You need to manage that freedom carefully. Petra is large, and the return point is fixed. Do not walk off toward a distant trail without checking how long the route takes. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and remember that the trip has a long ride back to Eilat after the site closes for you.

The tour includes lunch, but other food and drinks are not included. Buffet meals offer vegetarian and vegan options, which makes the food plan easier for mixed groups. If you have strict dietary needs, confirm the details before departure rather than relying only on a general buffet promise.

The long return to Eilat

At 4:15 p.m., the group leaves Petra for the Arava Border Crossing, with arrival back in Eilat planned for 7:00 p.m. You then cross back into Israel and finish at the meeting point.

This final stretch is straightforward but tiring. You have already spent a full day at Petra after an early wake-up, so the return journey will feel like the closing leg of a very full trip. The air-conditioned vehicle helps, but keep your expectations realistic: this is an efficient two-day route, not a relaxed resort holiday.

The timing also depends on border conditions and road progress. The stated schedule is useful for planning, but you should avoid booking a tight evening connection from Eilat. A little flexibility will make the return less stressful.

What the $345 price really covers

The strongest value here is the combination of logistics and access. Your price includes:

• Air-conditioned transportation
• Full guiding in Jordan
• Petra entrance fees
• Wadi Rum entrance and 4×4 jeep touring
• Bedouin campsite accommodation
• Dinner and breakfast
• Two lunches

That is a solid package for someone starting in Eilat and wanting both major sights. The overnight stay is not merely a place to sleep. It lets you experience Wadi Rum after the jeep ride and avoids forcing Petra and the desert into one exhausting day.

The extra charges are important. You pay 115 ILS in Israeli border taxes and 50 JOD in Jordanian border taxes, with the Jordanian amount payable only in cash. Travel insurance is also your responsibility, as are drinks and food outside the listed meals.

I see the tour as good value if convenience matters more than a small-group feel. The price buys simplicity, a guide, transport, and a rare overnight setting. If you already have a car, a hotel in Jordan, and strong border experience, you might prefer an independent plan. For most people based in Eilat, the organized format is the main reason to pay for this trip.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you have only two days, want Petra and Wadi Rum together, and prefer having the route handled from Eilat. It also suits mixed groups because the meals include many vegetarian and vegan choices, and the camp offers more comfort than basic outdoor camping.

The trip can work for older family members, but Petra still requires walking. One family arranged Bedouin guides with mules so an 82-year-old mother could manage the site more easily. That option is not listed as included, so treat it as a possible local arrangement that must be discussed and paid for separately.

I would hesitate if you dislike early mornings, long road transfers, large groups, or fixed meeting times. Petra is not presented as a slow, private exploration, and Wadi Rum camp life includes limited connectivity. Those are not surprises if you know the format, but they matter.

The tour has a 4.6 rating from nine published ratings, with particularly strong praise for the desert stay, careful driving, organization, border convenience, Aqaba meal, and guides such as Mahmoud and Mohammed. One account also praised the Petra light show, though the scheduled program supplied here does not list a light show, so do not assume it is part of this two-day itinerary.

Cancellation terms are strict close to departure. Cancel at least six full days before the start for a full refund, two to six days before for a 50 percent refund, and within two days for no refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book the Petra and Wadi Rum tour?

Book it if you want the cleanest way to combine Jordan’s two biggest attractions from Eilat. The Bedouin overnight, the 4×4 desert ride, and the full Petra day give this trip more substance than a rushed single-day excursion.

Skip it if you need a private pace or several days for Petra alone. For everyone else, I would bring cash for border fees, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a small overnight bag, and patience for the border and return drive. With those expectations in place, $345 buys a well-packed Jordan experience with real desert time, not just a quick photograph at Petra.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Eilat at 9:00 a.m. Transportation takes you to the Arava Border Crossing, and the activity ends back at the meeting point in Eilat.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days. You leave Eilat on day one and return at about 7:00 p.m. on day two, followed by the border crossing into Israel.

What border fees are not included?

The Israeli border tax is 115 ILS. The Jordanian border tax is 50 JOD and must be paid in cash.

Is Petra entrance included?

Yes. Petra entrance fees are included in the tour price.

Is Wadi Rum included?

Yes. The tour includes a 4×4 jeep tour in Wadi Rum and one night at a Bedouin campsite.

What meals are included?

Dinner, breakfast, and two lunches are included. The Aqaba meal includes hummus, falafel, foul, salads, fresh pita, and other buffet items. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available.

Does the Bedouin camp have showers?

Yes. The campsite provides warm showers and comfortable beds.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

Most people can participate, according to the supplied tour information. Petra still involves walking, so you should consider your own comfort with a full day at the site. The tour can have up to 47 participants.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least six full days before departure for a full refund. Cancellation two to six full days before departure receives a 50 percent refund. Cancellation less than two full days before departure receives no refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may result in another date or a full refund.