2-Day Petra and Wadi Rum Tour From Eilat

Petra and Wadi Rum make a powerful two-day pairing: one is a carved Nabataean city, the other is a huge desert of sandstone cliffs and open sand. From Eilat, this tour handles the transport, Jordanian guide, entrance fees, meals, and overnight camp in one package. I especially like the 4×4 Wadi Rum safari and the chance to spend the night in a Bedouin camp rather than rushing back to the coast.

I also like the full day at Petra, with a guided morning and several free hours afterward. Guides such as Mahmoud and Mohammed have been singled out for friendly, clear service. The catch is the pace: border formalities, long drives, and an early start make this a demanding trip, and the Israeli and Jordanian border charges add to the advertised $345 price.

Key Points at a Glance

• Two Jordan highlights in two days: Combine Petra and Wadi Rum without arranging separate transport or accommodation.
• Aqaba brunch at 10:30: Start with hummus, falafel, foul, salads, fresh pita, and other traditional dishes.
• Wadi Rum by 4×4: The afternoon jeep safari runs from about 1:00 to 4:30, covering the desert’s cliffs and sand.
• Bedouin camp overnight: Dinner, breakfast, comfortable beds, and warm showers are included.
• Petra from 9:00 to 4:00: Enjoy a three-hour guided visit, lunch, then free time to explore on your own.
• Border costs are extra: Budget for 115 ILS in Israeli taxes and 50 JOD in Jordanian taxes, payable in cash on the Jordanian side.

Why This Petra and Wadi Rum Combination Works

The smart idea here is the pairing. Petra gives you Jordan’s great archaeological showpiece, while Wadi Rum gives you a sense of the country beyond monuments and ticket gates. You see both in a short trip, with a guide and air-conditioned vehicle doing the hard work.

At $345, the price covers a lot: transportation in Jordan, full guiding, Petra entrance, the 4×4 safari, dinner, breakfast, two lunches, and a night at the camp. That makes the package easier to judge than a bare tour price. Still, the border charges are not included, and you will need cash for the 50 JOD Jordanian tax. The 115 ILS Israeli charge is separate as well.

I would treat this as a high-value convenience tour, not a budget crossing. If you arranged each piece yourself, you might find cheaper individual elements, but you would also take on the border, transfers, meals, guide, and timing. Here, the main value is having one Jordanian guide with you from arrival in Jordan until departure.

The group can reach up to 47 people. That is a substantial coach group, so do not expect a private tour or a quiet guide beside you at every moment. The larger size helps keep the cost in check, but it can make border movements and meeting times feel more structured.

Crossing from Eilat at the Arava Border

The day begins with pickup in Eilat at 9:00 a.m. You cross through the Arava Border Crossing, then meet the Jordanian side of the operation. The border is close to Eilat, which is one reason this trip is practical for people already staying there.

The crossing is not simply a matter of stepping off one bus and onto another. The tour information indicates that the Israeli representative does not accompany the group across the border. You may need to follow instructions and regroup on the Jordanian side, so pay close attention and keep your documents and cash handy.

One useful point is that the border process has been described as easy when the directions are clear. The weak spot is communication on the Israeli side, where instructions can sometimes be less helpful than you would like. I would arrive prepared, stay with the group, and avoid assuming that someone will personally walk you through every step.

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m., but the first scheduled Jordan stop is at 10:30. Border time can shape the morning, so the schedule should be read as a plan rather than a promise to the minute. Keep your passport accessible, and do not bury the cash for the Jordanian fee in your luggage.

Aqaba Brunch with Hummus and Fresh Pita

Once in Jordan, the first stop is Aqaba for a traditional brunch. The meal includes hummus, falafel, foul, salads, fresh pita bread, and other buffet choices. This is a good opening meal because it gives you familiar Middle Eastern staples in a simple, shared setting before the desert drive.

Vegetarians and vegans have many buffet options, which is useful on a tightly planned trip. Dinner and breakfast at the camp are also buffet style, so you are not limited to one fixed plate. Drinks and other food are not included, so set aside money for anything beyond the listed meals.

The Aqaba stop lasts about three hours in the published schedule, including the transition from the border and the meal. That gives you time to eat without turning the visit into a rushed snack stop. It is not presented as a full sightseeing tour of Aqaba, so think of it as a food and rest stop rather than a city visit.

Wadi Rum by 4×4 from 1:00 to 4:30

After brunch, you head toward Wadi Rum. Around 1:00 p.m., the 4×4 jeep safari begins. This is one of the best parts of the trip because a vehicle gets you beyond a single roadside viewpoint and into the wider desert setting of cliffs, dunes, and open rock.

The scenery is the reason to make this stop. Wadi Rum is not just a sandy plain. Its appeal comes from the contrast between bare desert, towering sandstone formations, and long views across the valley. The afternoon timing should also give you changing light as the day moves toward evening, though the exact feel depends on conditions.

The safari is included, so you do not need to negotiate a separate jeep ride after arriving. You should expect a rougher ride than the air-conditioned coach, with the desert road providing part of the experience. Wear practical shoes and clothing that can handle dust. The supplied information does not specify the exact route or vehicle style beyond a 4×4 jeep, so do not expect a private safari with a custom itinerary.

The timing leaves a stretch between the safari and dinner at the camp. One criticism of the schedule is that there can be a lot of free time at the Bedouin camp. That is either a flaw or a gift, depending on your mood. If you want a packed program, it may feel slow. If you want to sit, talk, watch the desert light, and let the day settle, the pause has value.

A Bedouin Camp Night with Zerb Dinner

By about 4:30 p.m., you arrive at the traditional Bedouin campsite. Dinner is part of the package and includes an authentic Zerb meal, a style of cooking in which food is prepared in an underground oven. It is a fitting dinner for the setting and more memorable than a standard restaurant buffet.

The camp offers comfortable beds and warm showers, which changes the experience from rugged camping to a manageable overnight stay. You still sleep in the desert, with the possibility of seeing stars, but you are not being asked to give up basic comfort. The lack of Wi-Fi is worth noting. I see that as a plus for this particular night, since it gives you a chance to focus on the camp and the people around you.

The phrase Bedouin experience can mean many things in modern tour operations, so keep expectations sensible. You receive a camp stay, buffet meals, warm showers, and Bedouin hospitality. The material provided does not promise a private tent, a particular entertainment program, or a luxury room.

Bring only what you need for the night if possible. You will be moving through a border, a jeep safari, and an early morning departure, so a small overnight bag is easier than hauling a full suitcase through camp. The tour includes bedding, but the information does not specify whether towels or toiletries are supplied.

Petra Begins Early at 6:00 a.m.

Day two starts early. Wake-up is scheduled for 6:00 a.m., breakfast follows at 6:30, and departure for Petra is at 7:15. This early start matters because Petra is large, and the day includes both a guided walk and several free hours.

You reach Petra at about 9:00 a.m. The guided portion ends around noon. Three hours with a guide gives you a structured introduction to the site, useful context for the major monuments, and a clearer sense of how to use the rest of your day. Guides such as Mohammed have been praised for being friendly and well informed, while Mahmoud has been noted for keeping the Jordan portion entertaining and safe.

Petra is best experienced with some orientation. The famous Treasury is the image most people carry home, but the site continues far beyond that first reveal. A guide helps prevent the visit from becoming a single-photo stop and gives meaning to the carved facades, routes, and remains you pass.

You should also prepare for walking. The tour data says most people can participate, but it does not promise a short or step-free visit. One family arranged Bedouin guides with mules for an 82-year-old mother, but that arrangement was separate. If you need mobility help, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming it is included.

Lunch and Three Hours to Explore Petra Alone

At noon, the guided tour ends and lunch follows in Petra. Lunch is included, and then you have free time from about 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. This is an important feature because you are not limited to the guide’s route.

Use the free afternoon for the parts that interest you most. You might revisit the Treasury, spend more time around the main valley, or explore farther if your energy and the site’s conditions allow. The schedule gives you freedom, but the return time is firm: gather at the Visitor Center at 4:00 p.m.

That three-hour independent period is also the main reason I would not call this a rushed Petra day. It is still condensed, especially for anyone who wants every major route, but it gives you a guided foundation followed by personal choice. You will need to watch the clock and allow time to return to the meeting point.

A practical warning: Petra can feel tiring after the early wake-up and the previous day’s desert activity. Wear shoes suited to uneven ground, carry water if you have it, and do not spend the entire free period chasing one distant viewpoint if doing so risks missing the coach.

The Long Ride Back to Eilat

The group leaves Petra at approximately 4:15 p.m. and reaches the Arava Border Crossing around 7:00 p.m. After crossing back into Israel, the activity ends at the meeting point in Eilat.

This is a full travel day. The published schedule places the Petra visit, lunch, free time, coach ride, and border crossing into one long block. You should plan a quiet evening after returning, rather than booking an important late-night connection.

The air-conditioned vehicle is a real benefit here. Jordan’s distances and the heat around Petra and Wadi Rum can make independent transfers tiring, while the coach gives you a place to rest between stops. The tradeoff is fixed departure times. If you want to stay at Petra until sunset or alter the order of the sites, this tour will feel restrictive.

What the $345 Price Really Covers

The $345 price is strongest when you value organization. Included are:

• Air-conditioned transport
• Full guiding in Jordan
• Entrance fees
• Wadi Rum 4×4 safari
• Bedouin campsite accommodation
• Dinner and breakfast
• Two lunches

The package also handles the main transitions between Eilat, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra, and the border. For a visitor who wants to see both headline sights without arranging several bookings, that is a serious convenience.

The extra border charges change the final cost. Israeli border taxes are 115 ILS, and Jordanian border taxes are 50 JOD, paid in cash. Travel insurance is not included, and drinks or food beyond the listed meals are extra.

I would compare the total, not just the headline number. Once the border taxes are added, this is a more expensive short trip than the first glance suggests. It can still be good value because Petra admission, the jeep safari, meals, a night’s lodging, and guiding are already bundled together.

Who Should Book This Trip

I would recommend this tour if you are based in Eilat and want the simplest practical route to Petra and Wadi Rum. It suits you especially well if you value a guide, prefer included meals, and like the idea of a desert night without arranging your own camp.

It is also a good choice for first-time visitors to Jordan who want reassurance around the major logistics. The guide stays with you from arrival in Jordan until departure, and the included vehicle removes the need to piece together long transfers.

You may want a different plan if you dislike group schedules, need lots of time at one site, or want a private experience. A maximum of 47 people can join, and the two-day schedule leaves little room for delays or personal detours.

Before booking, confirm the border arrangements, cash requirements, and what you need for the overnight stay. Cancellation terms are strict close to departure: six full days or more gives a full refund, two to six days gives 50 percent, and cancellation within two days is nonrefundable. Bad weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Final Verdict: A Strong Short Jordan Trip with Real Time Pressure

Book this tour if your goal is to see Petra and Wadi Rum from Eilat with meals, guiding, transport, and accommodation arranged in one go. The Aqaba brunch, 4×4 safari, Zerb dinner, and comfortable camp make it more than a simple Petra transfer.

Go in knowing that the trip is busy, the group may be large, and the border adds both cost and uncertainty. Pack lightly, bring the required cash, listen carefully during the crossing, and protect your energy for Petra’s long day. If you can accept those limits, this is a practical and memorable way to fit two of Jordan’s great sights into a single short break.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Eilat, Israel, with pickup at 9:00 a.m. It crosses into Jordan through the Arava Border Crossing.

What is included in the $345 price?

The price includes dinner, breakfast, two lunches, an air-conditioned vehicle, full guiding, entrance fees, the Wadi Rum 4×4 jeep tour, and accommodation at a Bedouin campsite.

Are border taxes included?

No. Israeli border taxes cost 115 ILS, and Jordanian border taxes cost 50 JOD. The Jordanian tax is payable only in cash.

Where do you sleep?

You sleep at a traditional Bedouin campsite in Wadi Rum. The camp provides comfortable beds and warm showers.

How long is the Petra visit?

You arrive at Petra at about 9:00 a.m. The guided tour ends at noon, followed by lunch and free time until about 4:00 p.m.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

The tour information states that most people can participate. The Petra visit involves a substantial scheduled day, and separate Bedouin guides with mules may be arranged for mobility needs, but they are not listed as included.

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, while cancellation within two days is nonrefundable. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may result in another date or a full refund.