Petra, Wadi Rum & Aqaba 2-Day Tour from Eilat

Two countries, one very long adventure. This two-day Jordan trip from Eilat packs Aqaba, a Wadi Rum Jeep Safari, a Bedouin camp and Petra into one well-organized route. I like the chance to see both the desert and Nabataean ruins without arranging separate transport, and I like that Petra entry, meals, a Jordanian guide and overnight lodging are included. The main catch is the demanding schedule, plus border and visa charges that can add $65 or $125 in cash.

The strongest part is the overnight stay. The private tents have bathrooms, WiFi and climate control, and you can upgrade to a Martian Bubble Tent for a more unusual night. I also like the range of Aqaba options, from simple free time by the sea to paid snorkeling, boating or a private beach with a pool and Jacuzzi. Petra gets only three to four hours, so you will need to walk with purpose.

• Aqaba opens the trip with a castle, sea time and views across four countries.
• Wadi Rum comes with a Jeep Safari and sunset among rock formations used in Star Wars films.
• The Bedouin glamping camp is more than a place to sleep, with dinner, a bar and a memorable atmosphere.
• Petra’s Siq leads directly to the Treasury, with the Theater, Obelisk Tomb and Colonnaded Street along the route.
• A modern air-conditioned vehicle and a maximum group size of 40 make the long transfers easier.
• The $335 price does not include Jordanian border charges, so budget carefully before booking.

Why This Two-Day Jordan Route Works

This tour suits you if you are based in Eilat and want to add Jordan without planning every border crossing, hotel, meal and transfer yourself. It gives you the major sights in a compact package: Aqaba on the Red Sea, Wadi Rum in the desert and Petra in the mountains.

The route also has a good change of pace. Aqaba offers a short taste of seaside Jordan. Wadi Rum brings open desert and a bumpy Jeep ride. Petra supplies the major archaeological sight. You are not spending both days looking at ruins, which helps the trip feel varied.

The trade-off is time. The tour starts around 7:15 am and includes border procedures, long road transfers and a return to Eilat on the second day. The schedule is practical rather than leisurely. If you want to sit for hours at a beach or spend a full day hiking around Petra, this is not the right format.

A licensed Jordanian guide leads the two days in English. One guide praised by name in the tour feedback is Nizar, who was noted for giving useful advice and bringing the Petra visit to life. Other languages can be arranged for an added cost.

Crossing From Eilat Into Jordan

The border is one of the most important practical details. You need a valid passport, and passport information is required during booking. Israeli passport holders must use their Israeli passports at every border crossing on this tour.

The process can take up to an hour. That time is not wasted sightseeing, but it is part of the trip, so keep your documents easy to reach and avoid planning anything tight for the evening of your return.

Some nationalities need a visa in advance. Check the Jordanian Ministry of Interior before you book, because visa rules depend on nationality and the tour price does not cover every border cost.

Prepare to pay $125 in cash in USD, euros or Israeli new shekels to Jordanian border authorities for visa issuing and border fees. If you already have a valid visa stamp or do not need a visa, the amount is $65. Exact cash is recommended. This can change the true cost of the tour quite a bit.

The advertised price is $335 per person. Add the border payment, and the practical total may be $400 or $460 before drinks and optional Aqaba activities. That is still potentially fair for transport, a guide, Petra admission, dinner, breakfast, lunch and overnight accommodation, but you should compare the full figure rather than the headline price alone.

Aqaba: Castle Views Before the Desert

After the border crossing, the first major stop is Aqaba. The city gives you a brief look at Jordan’s Red Sea coast before the tour heads inland.

Mamluk Castle is the main historical sight here. The 16th-century fortress offers a wide view toward Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. That four-country outlook is the memorable feature, so take a moment to look beyond the walls and orient yourself.

You then get free time in Aqaba. The exact use of that time matters. You can keep things simple with a walk and a look at the sea, or pay extra for an activity. Options include a three-hour boat trip with snorkeling, or entry to a private beach area with a pool and Jacuzzi.

Bring a swimsuit if you might choose one of those options. These activities cost extra, so do not assume they are part of the $335 package.

Aqaba is a useful opening stop, but it is not the main reason to choose this tour. If you care most about Petra and Wadi Rum, treat the seaside time as a pleasant bonus. If you want a serious beach day, the schedule will feel too short.

Wadi Rum by Jeep, With a Sunset Finish

From Aqaba, the route turns toward Wadi Rum, the desert known as the Valley of the Moon. This is not a flat, featureless stretch of sand. The area is marked by huge rock clusters, cliffs and unusual formations that give it the look of another planet.

The Jeep Safari is the heart of the first afternoon. You ride through the desert in an open-style touring vehicle and stop at notable formations, including the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. The tour also points out the area’s geology, giving the scenery some context instead of treating it as a string of photo stops.

Wadi Rum has appeared in films including Rogue One, The Rise of Skywalker and Lawrence of Arabia. The film connection is fun, but the desert works even if you have never seen any of them. The combination of broad horizons and tall reddish rock makes the setting feel very different from Petra.

The Safari ends around sunset, which is smart timing. The changing light gives the cliffs more color and shape, and the desert feels quieter at the end of the day. Bring warm clothing in winter and a hat in summer. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, even though much of the sightseeing is done by Jeep.

The tour description gives only a very short listed duration for the Wadi Rum stop, which appears inconsistent with the broader first-day plan. I would confirm the day’s exact timing with the operator if you need to coordinate meals, private activities or a late arrival at the camp.

Bedouin Glamping: The Trip’s Most Praised Night

The overnight stay is one of the most appealing parts of this trip. You sleep in a genuine Bedouin camp on a half-board basis, with dinner on the first night and breakfast the next morning.

This is called glamping, and the accommodation is more comfortable than a basic desert camp. Private tents include bathrooms, WiFi and climate control. You can also pay for an upgrade to a futuristic Martian Bubble Tent, which gives the overnight stay a more unusual feel.

The regular camp already seems to be a strong choice. The food, bar and atmosphere have received especially warm praise, with the Bedouin grill dinner singled out as part of the experience. That matters because the camp is not simply a functional hotel stop between two sightseeing days. It is the point where you get time to relax after the Jeep ride.

Expect a rustic setting with modern conveniences, not a luxury resort. The private bathroom and climate control reduce the usual discomfort of desert camping, while the camp setting keeps the night connected to Wadi Rum.

The Bubble Tent upgrade is best for the novelty and the setting rather than for extra sightseeing. If you are traveling as a family or want one unusual night to remember, it may be worth considering. If you mainly need a clean bed and a shower, the standard private tent should cover the essentials.

Petra Through the Siq to the Treasury

Day two begins after breakfast, with a drive along the Desert Highway toward Petra. The road trip gives you views of Jordan’s desert and mountain scenery before the main archaeological visit.

Petra is about 2,300 years old and was the capital of the Nabataeans. Much of what makes it remarkable is not just the age of the site, but the way its buildings were cut into red rock cliffs. You are not walking through a conventional city of freestanding stone buildings. The rock itself forms the backdrop, walls and facades.

At the entrance, you can choose to enter on foot or by horseback. The walk into the site leads through the Siq, a narrow, smooth-sided gorge. The route builds anticipation because the Treasury appears at the end of the passage rather than being visible from the entrance.

The Treasury is Petra’s best-known facade, and it deserves time for a careful look. Notice the carved decoration and the scale of the rock walls around it. The approach through the Siq is as important to the first impression as the building itself.

The route continues to the Obelisk Tomb, Petra Theater, decorated shrines and the ancient Colonnaded Street. The guide helps connect these places and gives advice on how to use your limited time. Take comfortable shoes, because even a focused visit involves substantial walking over uneven ground.

You get approximately three to four hours in Petra. That is enough to see the main route and take photographs, but it is not enough for every trail, viewpoint or side monument. You will need to resist trying to cover the entire site. Follow the main route, listen to the guide’s timing advice and save energy for the walk back.

The horseback option may sound tempting after the border crossing and desert ride, but walking through the Siq gives you the most control over your pace. If you choose a horse, confirm what part of the route it covers and any extra cost before setting off.

The Long Ride Back to Eilat

After Petra, you return to Eilat by road. The ride takes about four hours, so the second day is not finished when you leave the ruins.

This final transfer is the price of seeing Petra from an Eilat base in only two days. You avoid arranging a separate hotel and transport in Jordan, but you give up the chance to stay longer at the site or break up the drive.

The air-conditioned vehicle is an important inclusion here. Jordan’s roads cover long distances between the main stops, and climate control makes the journey more manageable, especially in summer. The group can reach up to 40 people, so the vehicle may feel busy rather than intimate.

A group of that size also affects stops and instructions. You gain the ease of a set departure and a licensed guide, but you should not expect the flexibility of a private tour. Group discounts may be available, which could improve the value for families or friends traveling together.

Food, Comfort and What You Need to Pay For

The package includes dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two. It also includes Petra admission, transport, the licensed Jordanian guide and the overnight glamping stay.

Drinks are not included. Carry money for beverages, optional Aqaba activities, the border payment and any personal purchases. The tour does not include health insurance, so arrange your own cover before departure.

The meal plan is useful because the route passes through remote desert areas where you may not want to search for food on your own. The Bedouin grill dinner is part of the appeal, while breakfast and lunch on the second day keep the Petra schedule moving.

You should pack light but prepare for temperature changes. Winter calls for warm layers. Summer calls for a hat. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for Petra, and a swimsuit makes sense if you plan to use the optional Aqaba beach activities.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour?

I would choose this tour if you want the major Jordan highlights with minimal planning from Eilat. It is a strong match for first-time visitors who value an organized border crossing, included admission and a guide who can keep the day moving.

It also suits families and couples looking for a memorable overnight setting. The upgraded Martian Tent adds a special touch, while the regular private tents provide bathrooms, WiFi and climate control.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long road transfers or fixed schedules. Petra deserves more than three to four hours, and Aqaba’s free time can disappear quickly if you add a boat or snorkeling activity.

Children under two cannot join. Most other travelers can participate, but you should be ready for walking, uneven ground and a full two-day schedule.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book the Petra and Wadi Rum Tour?

Book it if you want Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba in one organized trip and you are comfortable paying the border fees on top of the advertised price. The strongest value comes from the combination of transport, guide, Petra entry, meals and a well-equipped desert camp.

The best reason to choose it is the mix of experiences. You get the Siq and Treasury, a Jeep ride beneath Wadi Rum’s rock formations, a Bedouin grill dinner and a short taste of Aqaba’s coast.

Skip it if you want a slow Petra visit or a relaxed beach holiday. For most people based in Eilat, though, this is an efficient and memorable way to add Jordan, provided you budget for the border charges and accept the long travel days.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at approximately 7:15 am.

Is Petra admission included?

Yes. Entrance fees to Petra are included in the tour price.

How much should I prepare for Jordanian border fees?

Prepare $125 in cash in USD, euros or Israeli new shekels. If you have a valid visa stamp or do not need a visa, the charge is $65.

Do I need a passport for this tour?

Yes. A valid passport is essential, and passport details are required for the reservation. Israeli passport holders must use their Israeli passports at every border crossing during the tour.

What is included with the overnight glamping stay?

The stay is on a half-board basis and includes dinner on the first day and breakfast the next morning. Private tents have bathrooms, WiFi and climate control. A Martian Bubble Tent upgrade is available.

Are Aqaba beach activities included?

No. Optional activities such as a boat tour with snorkeling or access to a private beach with a pool and Jacuzzi cost extra.