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

The best part of this trip is the sharp contrast between Wadi Rum’s open red desert and Petra’s carved stone streets. In three days, you move from Bedouin tea and a sunset barbecue to the narrow Siq and Petra’s famous Treasury, without having to arrange Jordanian transport on your own.

I like the practical design of the trip. Border assistance, a Jordan visa arranged in advance, private vehicle transfers, Petra entry, a 4×4 desert ride, meals, and two different types of accommodation are bundled together. I also like the human side: tea with a Bedouin family and time with a local desert guide give the trip more character than a simple point-to-point transfer.

The main drawback is the pace. You have only a few hours for Wadi Rum and roughly three guided hours in Petra, with a second Petra day available only as an option. At $820 per person, the package can be good value for two people who want convenience, but it is not a low-cost way to see Jordan.

Key points to know before booking

• Wadi Rum comes first: Your opening day includes a four to five-hour 4×4 ride with stops at Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon, sand dunes, rock bridges, and other desert sites.
• A real Bedouin stay is included: You sleep at a camp, eat a barbecue dinner, drink Bedouin tea, and can visit your guide’s family home.
• Petra gets one guided block: An English-speaking guide leads you for about three hours, after which you explore independently.
• The trip is private: Only your own group takes part, rather than joining a large shared coach.
• The visa needs advance planning: You must send passport details so the operator can arrange the free Jordan visa before arrival.
• Border hours matter: The Eilat border closes at 8:00 pm, and Petra is about 1.5 hours from the crossing.

From the Eilat border to Wadi Rum

The trip begins at the Eilat border, with arrival accepted from 8:00 am until about noon or 1:00 pm. The published meeting time is 10:00 am, so I would confirm the exact handover time before setting out. Border crossings can involve waiting, and you do not want a loose schedule on the first day.

A representative meets you after the crossing and helps with the Jordan entry process. The operator says the visa is free when arranged in advance, but you must supply your passport details beforehand. A Jordan departure tax of 10 JD, listed as about $15, may apply when you leave.

Once inside Jordan, the drive to Wadi Rum takes about an hour. Transport is provided in a private vehicle with an English-speaking driver, and mineral water is supplied on board. That private setup matters here. You are not trying to find a taxi, negotiate a ride, or piece together transport in a country you have just entered.

The trade-off is that the day depends on a smooth border crossing. If you arrive late, the Wadi Rum schedule may feel compressed. Keep your first day flexible, and do not plan a separate evening commitment in Eilat.

Bedouin tea and the Wadi Rum 4×4 route

At the Wadi Rum Visitors Center, you meet an English-speaking Bedouin guide who also drives the open 4×4. The first welcome includes Bedouin tea and coffee, along with a visit to a real Bedouin family at the guide’s home. This is one of the most appealing details in the whole program because it connects the desert outing with daily life, not only scenery.

The 4×4 ride lasts four to five hours. The route includes:

• Nabatean Temple
• Lawrence Spring
• Sand Dunes
• Khazali Canyon
• Little Bridge
• Um Frouth Rock Bridge
• Lawrence House
• Burdah Rock Bridge, also called Burdah Arch

You follow the broad desert tracks associated with Lawrence of Arabia, stop for views, and climb around selected rock and sand sites. The wording of the program allows for a good amount of movement, but the exact time at each stop will depend on the day and the guide.

A box lunch is included during the Wadi Rum outing. That saves you from having to organize food in a remote area, though you should still mention dietary needs in advance. The evening barbecue includes vegetarian choices.

An optional camel ride costs 10 JD, or about $15, per camel for one hour. You can ride from Rum Village to Lawrence Spring, or save the camel for the next morning. It is not included in the tour price, and the horse ride and other optional rides are separate from the included transport.

Sunset, barbecue, and a night under the stars

At the end of the 4×4 ride, you watch the sunset in the desert before heading to the Bedouin camp. The camp stay is the trip’s rustic counterpoint to the hotel night in Petra. You eat a barbecue dinner, take in the night sky, and sleep at the foot of the large sandstone formations.

The description allows for sleeping at the camp or under the stars, depending on arrangements. You should confirm the exact sleeping setup before booking if this matters to you. The experience is intended to be simple and traditional, not a polished resort stay.

The camp provides breakfast the next morning. The practical issue is comfort. One supplied account praised the camp but raised a concern about hot water, so do not assume hotel-style bathrooms or guaranteed long showers. Pack a small overnight bag, a warm layer for the desert night, and footwear that can handle sand and uneven ground.

This part suits you if you enjoy a little roughness in exchange for atmosphere. If you need private hotel facilities every night, the camp may be the weak link.

The drive from Wadi Rum to Petra

After breakfast and, if you choose, a sunrise over the desert, you return from the camp to the Wadi Rum Visitors Center. Your driver then takes you roughly two hours to Petra.

The route includes a short photo stop and views along the Kings Highway. The details do not promise a full sightseeing tour of the highway, so think of this as a scenic transfer rather than another guided attraction. Still, it breaks up the drive and gives you a look at the terrain between the desert and Petra.

You arrive at Petra’s Visitors Center and meet your English-speaking guide. The guided portion lasts about three hours. After that, you have free time to continue on your own.

Entering Petra through the Siq

Petra is the emotional center of the trip. The ancient Nabatean capital once controlled important Arabian trade routes, and its setting makes the approach as memorable as the monuments themselves.

From the main entrance, the included horse ride covers about 700 meters. It is not mandatory. The handler expects a tip, and the ride should not be confused with the longer horse-drawn carriage or camel options, which are not included.

You then walk into the Siq, a narrow gorge that gradually reveals Petra’s colored sandstone walls. The first view of the Treasury comes at the end of this passage, and the reveal works best if you take your time rather than rushing toward the guide’s next explanation.

The standard guided route continues along the Street of Facades toward the Royal Tombs, the Theatre, and Qasr Al Bint. These stops show different sides of Petra: monumental tomb fronts, a large performance space, and the remains of an important temple complex.

Three hours gives you a useful introduction, but it is not enough for every trail and monument. Petra is physically demanding, and the walk from the entrance through the Siq and onward is only part of the effort. Wear firm shoes, carry water, and treat the free time as valuable rather than an afterthought.

The guide brings the main route into focus, while your independent time lets you set your own pace. Petra guiding teams on Jordan Horizons trips have included Sammy and Mamoun Al Nawafleh. Your assigned guide is not named in the supplied details, so ask for the name before departure if personal planning matters to you.

A second Petra day, if you want more walking

Day three gives you a choice. You can explore Petra independently for a second day, request optional trails, or leave Jordan in the morning.

That flexibility is useful because the first Petra visit concentrates on the classic route. A second day gives you more room for side paths and viewpoints, but the tour details do not specify which optional trails are available or whether any extra fees apply. Ask for the exact trail plan before committing.

You also need to watch the clock. Petra is about 1.5 hours from the Eilat border, and the crossing closes at 8:00 pm. The operator can drive you back in the morning or after you finish sightseeing, but finishing late in Petra leaves less margin for traffic, border procedures, or delays.

I would choose the early return if your priority is a calm crossing. Choose the later return only if you strongly prefer extra Petra time and have confirmed the day’s transport schedule.

One Bedouin camp night and one Petra hotel night

The two-night arrangement gives you two very different stays. The first night is at a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum, with barbecue dinner and breakfast. The second is at a three-star hotel in Petra, with breakfast.

The hotel night is well placed for the Petra portion in practical terms, though the specific hotel is not named. A three-star property means you should expect straightforward accommodation rather than luxury. If room type, bathroom facilities, or exact location are important, ask for those details before paying.

Breakfast is included, and mineral water is provided during transport. The Wadi Rum box lunch is also covered. Other personal spending, insurance, tips, optional camel or carriage rides, and any departure tax are extra.

Tips are not included for guides or drivers. Carry Jordanian dinars for small payments, including the camel ride and gratuities.

What the $820 price really buys you

At $820 per person, this is a convenience-heavy package. You are paying for private transport from the Eilat border, border assistance, visa coordination, the Wadi Rum 4×4, a local desert guide, Petra entry, a Petra guide, two nights of accommodation, breakfast, barbecue dinner, a box lunch, and water.

That bundle can make sense if you are starting in Eilat and want to avoid arranging several separate services. The private format is especially useful for families, couples, and small groups who value flexibility. Group discounts are also available, though the amount is not given.

The price looks less attractive if you are a solo visitor, since the booking requires at least two people. It also covers only a compact taste of southern Jordan. You do not get a long Petra guiding day, a second included Petra tour, luxury camping, or broad sightseeing beyond Wadi Rum and Petra.

Past Jordan Horizons itineraries have been praised for careful border handling, clear communication, friendly drivers, and flexibility for families that included children and older adults. That is useful here because border logistics are one of the harder parts to arrange independently. Still, service quality can vary by driver and guide, so ask who will handle each section of your trip.

Who should book this Eilat to Petra trip?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You are based in Eilat and want Petra and Wadi Rum in one organized package.
• You prefer private transport over public buses or several local bookings.
• You want both a desert camp and a conventional hotel.
• You value help with the Jordan visa and border crossing.
• You can manage long walking days and a fairly brisk schedule.
• You are traveling with family or a small private group.

I would think twice if you want a slow Petra visit, several nights in comfortable hotels, or a low-cost backpacking trip. The schedule gives you the main sights, but it leaves little spare time if the border crossing is slow or you want to explore every trail.

The tour is listed as roughly three to four days, while the daily plan is a three-day itinerary. Confirm the exact departure and return timing before booking. The activity is private, most people can take part, service animals are allowed, and it is near public transportation, but the program does not provide detailed mobility information for Petra’s uneven routes.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A minimum of two people is required, and if the operator cancels because that minimum is not met, you can take another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your goal is to see the two headline sights of southern Jordan without handling the border, visa, transfers, and desert arrangements yourself. The strongest features are the private transport, the personal Bedouin welcome, the long Wadi Rum 4×4 route, and the chance to see Petra with a guide before exploring at your own pace.

Before paying, confirm four things: your exact border meeting time, the name and location of the Petra hotel, the sleeping and bathroom setup at camp, and the plan for your optional second Petra day. If those details suit you, $820 buys a well-organized first taste of Jordan. If you want more time in Petra, ask for a longer custom itinerary instead.

FAQ

How long is the Petra and Wadi Rum tour from Eilat?

The tour is described as three days and two nights, with an overall duration of approximately three to four days. The daily schedule shows three days, so confirm the exact timing before booking.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Is a Jordan visa included?

Visa assistance is included, and the operator says it can arrange a free Jordan visa in advance. You must send your passport details before the trip.

What is included in the Wadi Rum portion?

The package includes a four to five-hour 4×4 Jeep tour with an English-speaking Bedouin guide, mineral water, Bedouin tea, coffee, a family visit, a box lunch, barbecue dinner, breakfast, and one night at a Bedouin camp.

How much time is spent with the Petra guide?

The English-speaking Petra guide leads you for about three hours. You then have free time to explore independently.

Is the camel ride included?

No. A one-hour camel ride costs 10 JD, listed as about $15 per camel. A horse ride of about 700 meters from Petra’s main gate is included but is not mandatory, and the handler expects a tip.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.