Petra and Wadi Rum 2 day tour from Eilat

Petra and Wadi Rum are Jordan’s two headline sights, and this two-day trip from Eilat links them without making you arrange border transfers, hotels, entry tickets, or meals yourself. You see Petra with a guide, then sleep in a Bedouin camp before a sunset jeep ride through Wadi Rum.

I like the practical all-in-one setup, especially the included Petra and Wadi Rum admission fees and the chance to see Wadi Rum at sunset. I also like the route through Aqaba, which gives you a short taste of Jordanian city life before the desert. The main drawback is the tight schedule, plus a border crossing that can take up to an hour.

Key points at a glance

• Two famous Jordanian sights in two days: Petra and Wadi Rum are covered without returning to Eilat between them.
• Sunset by jeep in Wadi Rum: The desert reserve is visited late on the first day, after camp check-in.
• Petra gets the longer visit: A guided tour begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by free time until noon.
• Shared camp lodging is standard: Double tents use shared bathrooms, with a chalet and private bathroom available for an extra charge.
• Aqaba adds a useful city stop: You get time for the market and lunch before heading into the desert.
• Border timing matters: The tour starts early, and the return to Israeli territory is planned for about 7 p.m. on day two.

Why this Eilat to Jordan trip works

From Eilat, Jordan is close on the map, but getting to Petra and Wadi Rum still requires border formalities, transport, admissions, and overnight planning. This tour bundles those moving parts into one booking for $339 per person.

That price is easiest to judge by what it covers. You receive transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, round-trip transfers from Eilat, Petra entry, Wadi Rum entry, a guided Petra visit, a Wadi Rum jeep tour, dinner, breakfast, and one night in camp. If you tried to arrange the same pieces separately, the tour could offer fair value, especially if you prefer not to handle Jordanian transport and border details yourself.

You should not think of this as a slow, leisurely Jordan holiday. It is a compact sightseeing trip built around two major places. You will spend time in vehicles, wait at the border, and follow a fixed schedule. In return, you cover a lot in a short period.

The group limit is 25 people. That is not a private tour, but it is more manageable than a large coach group. The exact guide names are not provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular guide. The quality of the spoken commentary may matter to you, since one poor experience described a guide who spent too much time on political and religious ideas and not enough on the sites themselves.

Crossing from Eilat into Jordan

The first practical challenge is the border. Pickup is arranged from hotels in Eilat, with the transfer going to the Arava Border. The published schedule gives a 7 a.m. pickup, while the meeting information also lists an 8:15 a.m. start time. Confirm your exact pickup time before departure, since the earlier time may apply to hotel collection and the later time to the formal tour start.

Border control and customs can take up to an hour. That is normal planning information, not a minor footnote. A delay here affects lunch, the Aqaba stop, camp arrival, and the sunset jeep ride. Bring patience and avoid planning a separate activity in Eilat for the evening of your return.

Israeli passport holders, including people with dual passports who hold an Israeli passport, must use that Israeli passport at every border crossing. Keep the correct document ready and follow your guide’s instructions. The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border, followed by transportation back to Eilat.

The border process is one reason this tour can be useful. You have a guide helping with the crossing and onward transport instead of trying to connect taxis, buses, and site admissions on your own. The tradeoff is that you lose some control over the pace.

Aqaba gives day one a city pause

After crossing, the route reaches Aqaba at about 9:15 a.m. The plan includes a city tour and free time to explore the market, with lunch arranged during this break at your own expense.

This is a sensible stop after the border. Aqaba gives you a quick introduction to Jordan beyond the desert and ruins. You can walk through the market, get your bearings, and buy lunch before the trip turns inland toward Wadi Rum.

Keep your expectations in check. The Aqaba visit is a short stop, not a full city tour. If you want extensive shopping, a long meal, or time by the water, this schedule will feel rushed. Its value is mainly practical: you pause, eat, and see a little of Aqaba before continuing.

The timing places the transfer to Wadi Rum at about 12:15 p.m. Since the day began early and border timing is outside your control, this part of the trip may feel like a series of transitions. That is the price of fitting three very different Jordanian settings into one day.

Wadi Rum by jeep at sunset

Wadi Rum Protected Area is the emotional high point of day one for many people. After arriving, you check in at the Bedouin camp and have some free time before the sunset jeep tour.

The order is good. You are not rushed straight from the vehicle into the jeep. A short period at camp lets you put down your luggage and settle in before heading into the reserve. The jeep ride is scheduled for about two hours and is included in the price.

Wadi Rum is known for broad desert views, red rock, and dramatic sandstone formations. The supplied details do not promise specific rock arches or named stops, so keep your expectations general. You can expect a scenic ride through the protected area, with the sunset timing adding changing light and cooler temperatures than the middle of the day.

The jeep trip also gives you a different feel from Petra. Petra is a major archaeological site with a guided route and crowds around its famous monuments. Wadi Rum is about open space and desert scenery. Having both on the same trip makes the two-day plan feel varied rather than repetitive.

After the ride, dinner is served as a buffet at the camp. Breakfast is included the next morning. These meals help the $339 price make more sense, though lunch in Aqaba is not listed as included.

What sleeping in the Bedouin camp really means

Standard accommodation is a double tent with shared bathroom facilities. This is important to understand before booking. You are not getting a conventional hotel room in the desert, and the shared facilities may not suit anyone who needs privacy or hotel-style comfort.

A chalet upgrade with an ensuite bathroom is available, but you need to contact the provider for details. The supplied information does not give the upgrade price or the exact chalet features, so ask before committing if the bathroom setup is important to you.

The camp stay is short, but it gives the tour a real overnight rhythm. You arrive in the afternoon, see Wadi Rum in the evening, eat dinner, sleep there, and leave after breakfast. You are not simply passing through the reserve in a vehicle.

Pack a small overnight bag if possible. The information does not specify luggage handling, but a two-day desert trip is easier when you can leave larger bags organized and carry only what you need to camp and Petra.

Petra begins early on day two

After breakfast, you transfer to Petra by the desert route. The road is described as a wide, comfortable highway that follows a scenic mountain route. The schedule puts your arrival and Petra tour start at about 9:30 a.m.

Petra is the archaeological centerpiece of the trip and the reason many people choose this route. It was the Nabatean capital, carved into sandstone cliffs and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The famous approach through the narrow Siq leads to the Treasury, but Petra is much larger than that single view. Your guided portion covers the main highlights, giving you context and a basic route through the site.

The guided start is useful because Petra can feel confusing on a first visit. A guide can help you understand how the monuments fit together and keep you moving toward the key areas. Still, the quality of the explanation matters. One reported complaint focused on political and religious commentary taking up too much time, with too little attention given to Petra’s history. If that happens, politely ask for more site-focused information.

At noon, you receive free time inside Petra until the return journey. That gives you a chance to revisit a favorite viewpoint, walk at your own pace, or explore beyond the main guided stops. Three hours of free time is helpful, but Petra is extensive, and you may feel forced to choose between extra walking and a relaxed lunch or rest.

Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. The supplied tour details do not state what food or drinks are available inside Petra, so do not assume lunch is included or arranged there. The day is long, and comfortable footwear matters more than dressing for photographs.

The return to Eilat is a long finish

The Petra visit ends with a return toward the border. Arrival at the Israeli side is planned for approximately 7 p.m., followed by transportation back to Eilat.

That makes day two a full day. You have breakfast, travel to Petra, tour the site, spend free time there, return by vehicle, cross the border, and continue to Eilat. Border delays could push the schedule later, so keep your evening open.

The return timing is also worth considering if you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another tour booked. Do not schedule anything tight after this experience. A flexible evening is the sensible choice.

The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border rather than at your hotel in Jordan or another destination. Transportation back to Eilat is included after you return to Israeli territory.

What the $339 price includes

At $339 per person, this is not a budget border hop. But it includes several costs that can quickly add up:

• Air-conditioned transport from Eilat and back
• Border transfer assistance
• Petra entry
• Wadi Rum entry
• Petra guiding
• Wadi Rum jeep tour
• One night in a double tent
• Dinner
• Breakfast

The value is strongest if you want a guided, organized trip and do not want to negotiate separate transport in Jordan. It is weaker if you already have your own way to cross the border, prefer independent exploration, or want more time at each place.

The group size of up to 25 people keeps the cost below a private tour while still offering structure. You should expect some waiting and a shared pace. If you value flexibility above all else, a private arrangement may suit you better, though the price would likely be different.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who should book this two-day tour

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Eilat and want to see Petra and Wadi Rum without arranging a complicated Jordan trip. It fits first-time visitors who value a fixed plan, included admissions, and help at the border.

It also suits you if you want contrast: Aqaba’s market, Petra’s carved monuments, and Wadi Rum’s desert ride all appear in one compact trip. The overnight camp is a worthwhile part of the experience if you are comfortable with shared bathrooms.

I would hesitate if you need a relaxed pace, private accommodation, or a highly polished guiding experience. The schedule has little spare time, the border can delay the day, and the standard camp is basic. The low overall score of 3.1 from 21 ratings also suggests that the experience may not be equally consistent for every group, particularly when guide style and planning affect the day.

Should you book the Petra and Wadi Rum tour from Eilat?

Book it if your priority is seeing both Petra and Wadi Rum in two days with transport, entry fees, meals, and border assistance handled for you. The sunset jeep ride and overnight camp add something beyond a standard Petra day trip, and the Aqaba stop breaks up the route.

Before paying, confirm the hotel pickup time, ask about the chalet upgrade if you need a private bathroom, and make sure your passport arrangements are correct. If you can accept long travel days and a shared camp, this is a practical way to fit Jordan’s two biggest attractions into a short stay in Eilat.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts approximately two days. Day one includes the border crossing, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, the jeep tour, dinner, and the overnight camp. Day two includes Petra and the return to Eilat.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting information lists an 8:15 a.m. start time, while the day-one schedule gives a 7 a.m. pickup from Eilat hotels. Confirm the exact pickup time for your hotel before departure.

Is hotel pickup in Eilat included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels in Eilat, followed by transportation to the Arava Border.

Are Petra and Wadi Rum admission fees included?

Yes. Entry fees to both Petra and Wadi Rum are included in the tour price.

Is food included?

Dinner at the Bedouin camp and breakfast the following morning are included. Lunch in Aqaba is not stated as included.

What type of accommodation is provided in Wadi Rum?

Standard lodging is a double tent at a Bedouin camp, with shared bathroom facilities.

Can I get a private bathroom at the camp?

A chalet upgrade with an ensuite bathroom is available. You need to contact the provider for details about the upgrade.

How much time is spent at Petra?

The guided Petra visit begins at about 9:30 a.m. Free time inside the site is scheduled from noon until the return journey.

How large can the group be?

The tour has a maximum of 25 participants.

Can Israeli passport holders use another passport at the border?

Israeli passport holders, including dual-passport holders with an Israeli passport, must use their Israeli passport at every border crossing.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border. Transportation is then provided back to Eilat.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.