Reviewed · PETRA TOURS

2 Days Jordan Private Tour:Petra,Wadi Rum,and Dead Sea from Amman

★ 5.0 · 3 reviews From $376 Operated by Zaid Tours and Travel · Bookable on Viator
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Three Jordan icons, two busy days. This private tour links Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea with air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup, and a local guide in Petra. I like the private vehicle, which saves you from piecing together Jordan’s long-distance transport, and I like the chance to sleep in a Bedouin-style camp beneath the desert sky.

The main drawback is the pace. Petra receives only about two hours with a guide, and the Dead Sea visit comes late in the day after a long drive. Also, the advertised $376 price does not cover Jordan Pass fees, Petra and Wadi Rum entrance costs, the classic Jeep tour, lunch, or Dead Sea lodging, so check the final total carefully.

Key Points to Know Before Booking

  • Wadi Rum comes with a two-hour local 4×4 ride, but the Jeep and entrance fees are extra.
  • Petra includes a two-hour local guide, with Spanish and French guides available on request if space allows.
  • Your overnight stay is flexible, with a Wadi Rum camp included or Petra accommodation available for an added charge.
  • The Dead Sea hotel is not included, so you can arrange your own stay or request one through the operator.
  • The private format gives your group its own vehicle, English-speaking driver, hotel transfers, and onboard Wi-Fi.
  • The schedule is demanding, with an 8:00 a.m. start and several hours of road travel on the second day.

Why This Two-Day Route Works

Southern Jordan is not hard to understand, but it is hard to cover without a car. Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea sit far apart, and public transport does not make a short visit simple. This tour solves the basic problem: you get a driver, a private air-conditioned vehicle, planned stops, and help arranging the main sights.

The private setup matters most on a two-day schedule. You are not waiting for a large group at every hotel or stopping at places that do not interest you. Your driver can also help you organize pickup details after booking, since the exact hotel names and arrangements are confirmed later, subject to availability.

I would think of this as a highlights tour, not a slow examination of Jordan. You will see three major attractions, but you will not have much time for long walks, quiet corners, or extra archaeological sites. For a first visit with limited time, that tradeoff can be worthwhile.

The tour begins with an 8:00 a.m. pickup in Amman. You travel south in a private vehicle with an English-speaking driver, and Wi-Fi is provided onboard. Breakfast and dinner are included, but lunch is not, and drinks and gratuities are also your responsibility.

More Dead Sea floats and spa days:

Wadi Rum: Red Sand, Rock Walls, and a Desert Camp

Your first major stop is Wadi Rum, the broad red desert often called the Valley of the Moon. Its appeal is not one single monument. It is the combination of wide sand, tall rock formations, narrow canyons, and changing color as the sun moves across the stone.

The included overnight stay is in a Wadi Rum camp, with a Bedouin-style dinner. This gives the tour a welcome change of rhythm after the road from Amman. Instead of returning to a standard city hotel, you spend the night in the desert and begin the next morning with breakfast there.

The camp choice deserves attention when you book. The package includes one night in Wadi Rum, but that night can be exchanged for Petra accommodation if you prefer, with an additional charge possible. I would keep the Wadi Rum night if desert scenery and a more distinctive stay matter to you. I would consider Petra instead if you value extra rest before the ruins or want to reach the site early.

The following morning includes a two-hour Jeep trip in a local 4×4. This is not a private luxury safari with a polished resort feel. It is a practical way to reach parts of the desert that would be difficult to see on foot. You can expect open views, rock walls, sand tracks, and stops connected with the area’s links to T.E. Lawrence and the Bedouin forces during World War I.

Wadi Rum has also provided settings for films including The Martian and Star Wars. That detail adds a fun bit of context, but the real pleasure is the scale of the place. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and shoes that can handle sand and uneven ground. The sun can be strong even when the air feels pleasant.

There is one important price warning here. The classic two-hour Jeep tour and Wadi Rum entrance fees are not included in the advertised package. Confirm those costs before you commit, because this is one of the tour’s central activities.

Petra: Your First Look Through the Siq

After breakfast and the Jeep ride, you continue to Petra. The route takes about three hours, followed by a guided visit lasting around two hours. That schedule gives you an introduction to the site, but it does not allow time to see every major path.

Petra was carved into sandstone more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans, who controlled trade routes through ancient Arabia. The approach begins at the Siq, a narrow passage between high rock walls. The walk through this fissure builds suspense naturally. Then the Treasury appears at the far end, framed by the stone walls.

The Treasury is Petra’s familiar face, but it is only one part of the ancient city. You will also see ornate tombs cut into the rock and other remains along the main route. Your local English-speaking guide explains the site during the two-hour visit, giving structure to a place that can otherwise feel like a series of impressive façades without a clear story.

Guides are a major part of this experience. Hassan is praised for being friendly, kind, and helpful during the drives, while Bassam is noted for his patience, good manners, and strong command of Petra’s past. Spanish and French guides can be requested, although availability is not guaranteed.

The practical issue is walking time. Petra requires a fair amount of movement, and the Siq, Treasury area, tombs, and paths are not covered from a single viewpoint. Wear comfortable walking shoes, use sun protection, and be realistic about what two hours can provide. Clients with mobility concerns should contact the operator before booking so the route can be discussed.

A stop at the Petra Museum may be possible if time allows. Treat this as a bonus, not a firm part of the day. The priority is the outdoor site, and lunch after the visit is at your own expense.

You may also hear about Petra by Night. It is not part of the main program, and the available feedback describes it as expensive, short, and dull. I would not build your plans around it. Put your time and money into the daytime ruins.

The Dead Sea: A Short Float at Jordan’s Lowest Point

After Petra, the vehicle continues toward the Dead Sea region. The Dead Sea sits about 430 meters below sea level and contains an unusually high concentration of salt and minerals. The famous result is simple: you float rather than swim.

The scheduled visit is brief. You arrive, go to the beach, and have free time for a short floating session if time permits. Pool and beach access may also be available that day or the next day, depending on the schedule and your accommodation.

This stop is best viewed as a memorable finish, not a full resort break. The day already includes the morning Jeep ride, the drive to Petra, several hours at the ruins, lunch, and another long drive. You may reach the Dead Sea ready for a quick float and shower rather than a long afternoon beside the water.

A swimsuit is required. Bring it where you can reach it, rather than burying it in your main luggage. You should also avoid getting the salty water in your eyes and follow the beach’s local guidance. The tour does not include the Dead Sea hotel, dinner, or overnight stay, so you need to arrange those separately or request accommodation through the operator.

That omission changes the value calculation. If you want to stay at the Dead Sea, the $376 base price is only part of your budget. If you already have a hotel booked or plan to continue elsewhere, the arrangement gives you more control.

What the $376 Price Really Covers

At $376 per person, the price is easiest to justify for two people or a small private group that values convenience. You are paying for a private air-conditioned vehicle, hotel transfers, an English-speaking driver, one night of accommodation, breakfast, dinner, the Petra guide, and Wi-Fi in the vehicle.

The included dinner at Wadi Rum is especially useful because the camp is not a place where you simply wander into a range of restaurants. Breakfast the next morning also keeps the early start straightforward.

Still, you must add the costs that are left out:

  • Jordan Pass and visa entry
  • Entrance fees for the attractions
  • The classic two-hour Wadi Rum Jeep tour
  • Lunches
  • Dead Sea accommodation
  • Drinks and gratuities
  • Personal expenses

The tour can be a good value if you want a private driver and a fixed plan without hiring a car. It is less attractive if you compare only the headline figure with a simple self-guided trip. Ask for a full estimate that includes entrance fees, the Jeep ride, and your Dead Sea hotel before making a decision.

Group discounts may be available, and the private format means only your own party participates. Child pricing applies when children share with paying adults, with a maximum of two children per room.

The Pace, Comfort, and Small Practical Details

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters after time in direct sun at Wadi Rum and Petra. Wi-Fi onboard is another useful touch during the longer road sections. The driver handles the route while you watch Jordan pass by, rather than concentrating on unfamiliar roads.

The second day is the demanding one. It begins with breakfast, includes the Jeep trip, a three-hour transfer to Petra, a guided walk, lunch at your own expense, and the drive to the Dead Sea. The order of visits may change, so do not schedule a tight independent flight or appointment around the published sequence.

Most people can take part, but mobility issues should be discussed in advance. Petra’s paths require walking, and Wadi Rum involves a Jeep ride over desert tracks. Special dietary needs should be given at booking.

Alcohol may not be available at most local hotels in Jordan, apart from many five-star international properties. If that matters to you, tell the operator before accommodation is arranged. Also note that confirmation can take 48 to 72 hours when hotel names and availability are being finalized. Bookings made within four days of departure may receive confirmation within 48 hours, subject to space.

Cancellation is allowed for a full refund up to three full days before the local start time. A weather cancellation can result in a different date or a full refund.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour

I would recommend this tour to a first-time visitor with only two days for southern Jordan. It is also a good fit if you do not want to rent a car, prefer a private vehicle, and like having a guide explain Petra rather than finding your own way through the site.

It suits couples, families, and small groups that want to combine a desert night with famous archaeological and natural sights. The camp option adds character, while the Petra guide and driver reduce the work of planning.

I would hesitate if you want a leisurely Petra visit. Two hours is enough for the main approach and key monuments, but not enough for the site’s longer trails. I would also hesitate if you want a long Dead Sea resort stay, since the visit is short and the hotel is not included.

Should You Book the Two-Day Jordan Tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing Jordan’s three biggest southern attractions with minimal transport planning. The private vehicle, camp dinner, Petra guide, and local Jeep ride create a strong short itinerary, and the personal service associated with drivers such as Hassan and guides such as Bassam is a real advantage.

Before paying, ask for the exact accommodation, total entrance fees, Jeep charge, and Dead Sea hotel cost. Keep your expectations in check: this is a fast introduction, not a slow, restful tour.

If you can spare only two days, I think the route is well chosen. If you can add time, give Petra a longer visit and the Dead Sea a proper overnight stay. That extra breathing room would make an already impressive trip far more comfortable.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m. Hotel pickup is offered, and you should contact the local operator after booking to organize the pickup details shown on your voucher.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity, with private transportation provided.

What accommodation is included?

One night of accommodation is included, normally at a Wadi Rum camp. You can ask to exchange this for Petra accommodation, but an additional cost may apply.

Is the Dead Sea hotel included?

No. Dead Sea accommodation is not included in the package. You can request it from the operator or arrange it separately.

Are entrance fees and the Wadi Rum Jeep ride included?

No. Jordan Pass and visa entry, attraction entrance fees, and the classic two-hour Wadi Rum Jeep tour are not included.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and dinner are included. Lunches, beverages, and personal expenses are not included. You should also provide any special dietary requirements when booking.

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Where Jordan sends you

Pick a ruin, a stretch of desert or a piece of reef.