2-Day Petra and Wadi Rum Tour From Eilat

Jordan’s big two arrive in one tight trip: Petra’s carved stone city on day two, and Wadi Rum’s red desert on day one. You cross from Eilat, eat in Aqaba, ride a 4×4 into the dunes and cliffs, then sleep in a Bedouin camp before an early start for Petra.

I like the simple route and the fact that one Jordanian guide stays with you after the border. I also like the camp setup: beds, warm showers, dinner, and breakfast, not a bare sleeping mat in the sand. The main drawback is the pace. Petra gets only a morning with a guided walk, followed by a few free hours, and border instructions on the Israeli side may require extra attention.

Key points to know before booking

• Wadi Rum comes first, with a 4×4 jeep safari from about 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Petra gets a guided morning and free afternoon, so you can see the main route and then explore at your own speed.
• The Bedouin camp has beds and warm showers, plus a buffet dinner and breakfast.
• A Jordanian guide stays with you from arrival until departure, with guides named Mahmoud and Mohammed praised for friendly, clear service.
• The $345 price does not include border taxes, which are 115 ILS in Israel and 50 JOD in Jordan, payable in cash for the Jordanian fee.
• The group can reach 47 people, so this is a practical escorted trip, not a small private outing.

Why this two-day route works

This tour links two very different places without asking you to arrange Jordanian transport, entry tickets, meals, and a desert camp on your own. From Eilat, the Arava Border Crossing gives you a direct start, and the route is designed around the short distance between Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Petra.

I like the order. Wadi Rum gives you an open-air afternoon and a relaxed camp evening, while Petra comes after breakfast the next morning. You do not spend your first day rushing through Petra, then face a long transfer to the desert in the dark.

The tradeoff is that this is a packed two-day schedule. The first day begins at 9 a.m. in Eilat, and the second begins at 6 a.m. in the camp. You get a strong taste of Jordan, but not the slow pace of a three or four-day visit.

Crossing from Eilat into Jordan

You meet at 9 a.m. in Eilat and cross through the Arava Border Crossing. The Israeli side of the trip does not include the Israeli border tax, listed as 115 ILS. Jordan also charges a 50 JOD border tax, payable only in cash.

The tour includes border support, but the Israeli representative does not accompany you across the border. This matters because one part of the process may be handled by the group itself. Instructions from the Eilat side have not always been as clear as they should be, so keep your passport and cash ready, read the directions carefully, and allow patience for the crossing.

Once you arrive in Jordan, the local guide takes over. This is one of the stronger practical features of the trip. You are not left to find a taxi, exchange transport, or locate the restaurant on your own.

Aqaba brunch with hummus and falafel

The first Jordanian stop is Aqaba, where you sit down around 10:30 a.m. for a traditional brunch. The buffet includes hummus, falafel, foul, salads, fresh pita, and other dishes.

This meal does useful work beyond filling you up. It gives you an easy first taste of Jordanian food before the desert, and the buffet format makes it simple to choose a full meal or keep things light. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available throughout the tour, which is helpful for a two-day trip with fixed meal stops.

The Aqaba visit is brief. You should think of it as a meal stop rather than a city tour. There is no scheduled time for waterfront wandering or independent sightseeing, so book this trip for Petra and Wadi Rum, not for a detailed look at Aqaba.

Wadi Rum by 4×4 jeep

After Aqaba, you head toward Wadi Rum and begin the jeep safari around 1 p.m. The ride lasts until about 4:30 p.m., giving you several hours among sandstone cliffs, dunes, and broad desert views.

A 4×4 is the right way to see Wadi Rum in this time frame. You cover more ground than you could on foot, and the open desert gives the afternoon a clear sense of space. The scenery changes as the jeep moves between sandy areas and rock formations, so this is not just a transfer to camp.

You should expect a straightforward desert outing rather than a technical off-road adventure. The tour includes the jeep ride and a guide, but the supplied details do not promise a private vehicle or a specific number of stops. With a possible group of up to 47 people, the overall rhythm may feel organized and shared.

The desert section is one of the tour’s best uses of time. Petra demands concentration and walking, while Wadi Rum lets you sit back and look outward. I would bring sun protection, water for personal use, and clothing that works for both warm daylight and a cooler desert evening. Other drinks are not included.

A Bedouin camp with beds and warm showers

You reach the traditional Bedouin campsite around 4:30 p.m. Dinner and overnight accommodation are included. The camp offers comfortable beds and warm showers, a major advantage over a more basic desert night.

Dinner is served buffet style and includes choices for vegetarians and vegans. The meal is described as Bedouin style, including an authentic zerb meal. Zerb is a traditional method in which food is cooked underground, so dinner gives the overnight stop a local character rather than feeling like a standard hotel meal moved outdoors.

The camp is in the desert, and the appeal is the setting. You are sleeping among the dunes and cliffs rather than returning to a city. The night is also a useful social break after the day’s border crossing and jeep ride.

Do not expect hotel-style connectivity. Wi-Fi is not available at the camp, so download anything you need before leaving Eilat and bring a power plan that does not rely on a strong signal. For me, that is part of the point. You can spend the evening talking with the group and looking at the sky instead of checking messages.

The camp is comfortable, but this is still a desert overnight. If you need silence, privacy, or a full range of hotel services, you may find the setup basic. If you want a practical Bedouin stay with a real bed and shower, it is a good middle ground.

The early departure for Petra

The second day starts at 6 a.m. Breakfast is served at the camp at 6:30, and the group leaves for Petra at 7:15. You arrive around 9 a.m.

This early start is necessary. Petra is large, and the route from the visitor entrance to the famous monuments takes time. Leaving Wadi Rum after breakfast gives you a useful morning at the site rather than arriving near midday.

The schedule also means you should prepare your clothes and day bag the night before. You will have an early breakfast, a road transfer, and a long sightseeing day, so avoid bringing anything that slows you down.

Petra from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The guided visit runs from about 9 a.m. until noon. Your guide leads you through the main approach and explains the major sights along the route. Guides named Mahmoud and Mohammed have been singled out for warmth, clear English, and strong explanations, though the guide assigned to your departure may be different.

Petra is worth giving your full attention. The first approach through the Siq builds toward the Treasury, but the site continues well beyond that famous facade. The tour’s guided morning helps you understand what you are seeing before giving you time to choose your own priorities.

At noon, the guided portion ends and lunch follows in Petra. After lunch, you have free time until 4 p.m. This split is smart for independent visitors. You get the structure of a guided walk, then several hours to revisit a favorite area, take photographs, or continue farther if your energy allows.

The limitation is duration. Petra is not a small monument you can finish in an hour. A half-day guided route plus a free afternoon gives you a solid first visit, but it does not offer the leisurely pace of staying nearby for two nights.

Walking ability also matters. Petra involves substantial time on foot, uneven ground, and exposure to sun. One older participant, aged 82, used Bedouin guides with mules to help with the route. That arrangement was hired separately, so do not assume it is included in the tour price. If you need help with mobility, ask about available options before booking.

At 4 p.m., you gather at the visitor center. The bus leaves at 4:15 for the Arava Border Crossing and reaches Eilat around 7 p.m. The timing leaves little room for an unplanned extension, so return promptly to the meeting point.

What the $345 price really covers

At $345, this is not a cheap border hop, but it covers many costs that add up quickly in Jordan. The price includes air-conditioned transport, guiding, Petra entrance fees, the Wadi Rum 4×4 safari, camp accommodation, dinner, breakfast, and two lunches as described in the inclusions.

That package gives you a fair amount of value if you want convenience. You avoid arranging a private driver between Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Petra, and you do not need to find separate entry tickets or a desert camp.

The price does not include other food and drinks, travel insurance, or border taxes. Add 115 ILS for the Israeli fee and 50 JOD in cash for the Jordanian fee. Since the border charges are substantial, include them in your real budget rather than treating the advertised price as the final cost.

The group limit of 47 is also important to the value question. A large group can keep the price lower and make transport easy, but it may feel less personal. If you want a private guide, flexible meal timing, or long stops at less-visited spots, a private Jordan itinerary may suit you better.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you are based in Eilat and want the simplest practical way to see Petra and Wadi Rum in one trip. It suits first-time visitors who value a guide, organized transport, included meals, and clear sightseeing blocks.

It also works well if you want a desert night but do not want to camp without a bed or shower. The Bedouin camp gives you the atmosphere of Wadi Rum with a reasonable level of comfort.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, fixed departure times, or shared transport. Petra rewards time, and this schedule gives you a useful visit rather than a complete exploration. People with mobility concerns should ask in advance about the route and any separate mule arrangements.

The tour is also a good match for solo visitors. The guide is with you from arrival in Jordan until departure, and the shared camp and meals make the trip easier than handling the border and desert transport alone.

Booking details and cancellation terms

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. The activity is near public transport, begins at 9 a.m., and returns to the original meeting point in Eilat.

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least six full days before the start time. Cancellation two to six days ahead brings a 50 percent refund, while cancellation within two days is nonrefundable. Cutoff times use local time.

The trip requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Petra and Wadi Rum tour?

Book it if you want two major Jordan sights in two days and value an organized border crossing, a steady guide, included entry fees, and a comfortable desert camp. The Petra and Wadi Rum combination is strong, and the 4×4 ride plus Bedouin dinner gives the trip more range than a Petra-only day tour.

Skip it if you want a slow Petra visit, a small private group, or a flexible Jordan itinerary. The border taxes, early second morning, large possible group, and fixed return time are real considerations.

For most visitors staying in Eilat, this is a practical way to get a first look at Jordan. Pack light, carry the required cash, prepare for an early start, and treat the free afternoon in Petra as valuable time rather than spare time.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts in Eilat at 9 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point around 7 p.m. on the second day.

Which border crossing does the tour use?

The tour crosses between Israel and Jordan through the Arava Border Crossing.

Are border taxes included in the tour price?

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

What meals are included?

The tour includes the Aqaba brunch, lunch in Petra, dinner at the Bedouin camp, and breakfast at the camp. Buffet meals include vegetarian and vegan choices.

Does the tour include accommodation?

Yes. You stay overnight at a Bedouin campsite in Wadi Rum, with comfortable beds and warm showers.

How much time do I get in Petra?

You arrive around 9 a.m. and have a guided visit until noon. After lunch, you have free time until 4 p.m., when you gather at the visitor center for the return journey.