2 Days Private Tour to Wadi Rum and Petra from Eilat

Desert skies and carved stone await. This private Jordan tour packs Wadi Rum and Petra into one long overnight trip, beginning at the Eilat border and ending at a different location, usually arranged through Amman, Queen Alia Airport, or the King Hussein Bridge. I like the efficient pairing of Jordan’s two big sights, and I like that transport, entrance fees, a Bedouin jeep driver, Petra guide, meals, and an overnight stay are bundled together.

The main catch is the schedule. You must reach the Eilat border by noon at the latest, then handle the Israeli side of the crossing yourself. The tour also demands a moderate level of fitness, includes several hours in a vehicle, and may not suit you if you want a slow, flexible visit to either Petra or Wadi Rum.

Key points to know before booking

• Wadi Rum comes first: This version is designed for a late-morning arrival at the Eilat border, with a transfer of about one hour to Wadi Rum.
• Four to five hours by jeep: The Bedouin-led ride includes Lawrence Spring, sand dunes, Khazali Canyon, a Nabatean Temple, and rock bridges.
• Petra gets a guided introduction: You spend about two and a half to three hours with a guide, then have free time before walking back to the entrance.
• The price covers a lot: At $682.06 per person, the package includes border-side assistance, visa on arrival for eligible nationalities, transport, admissions, food listed in the plan, and lodging.
• The border details matter: You complete the Israeli side independently, then meet a representative on the Jordanian side holding a sign with your name.
• It is truly private: Only your own group participates, and group discounts are available.

Why this two-day route works

This is not a leisurely Jordan circuit. It is a tightly arranged introduction to two major places, useful if you are based in Eilat and have only one overnight available. The route makes practical sense: arrive at the border by noon, visit Wadi Rum first, sleep overnight, then spend the next day at Petra.

I like this order because Wadi Rum is a broad outdoor experience that works well after the border crossing. Petra then gets the next morning, when you can approach the site with a guide and enough time to see its best-known monuments.

The tour lasts about one day and 12 hours, though the exact rhythm depends on the border crossing, road conditions, and your onward transfer. You should not treat the stated hours as a guarantee that every part will run to the minute. Border formalities can affect the start, and the end point is different from the meeting point.

The private format is useful here. You are not waiting for a large coach group to gather, and the Jordanian operator can coordinate the driver, Bedouin representative, Petra guide, and onward transfer around your own party. Past customers also used the company for wider arrangements, including pickup in Tel Aviv and transfer from Aqaba to Amman Airport, so it is worth asking about your full route if Jordan is only one part of your trip.

Crossing from Eilat into Jordan

Your first fixed deadline is arrival at the Eilat border by 12:00 pm. You handle the Israeli side of the crossing on your own. Once you reach Jordan, a representative meets you with a sign showing your name and helps begin the Jordanian portion of the trip.

That meeting arrangement is simple, but it is important. Keep your booking details and the local operator’s contact information easy to reach. Communication by email and WhatsApp was praised in the supplied customer feedback, with questions answered clearly and promptly. That kind of contact is especially helpful when you are dealing with an international border and several separate transfers.

The tour includes a Jordanian visa on arrival costing 40 Jordanian dinars per person for non-restricted nationalities. Eligibility matters, so confirm that your nationality qualifies before you book. The inclusion does not remove the need to carry the required travel documents or meet border rules.

After meeting the representative, you transfer by modern vehicle with an English-speaking driver, or an assistant driver when needed. Mineral water is provided on board. Since the drive to Wadi Rum takes about one hour, you should expect the first afternoon to begin soon after reaching Jordan.

Wadi Rum by jeep, from Lawrence Spring to Khazali Canyon

Wadi Rum is the first major stop, and the heart of the visit is a four to five-hour jeep tour. A local English-speaking Bedouin driver takes you across the desert, with stops at several named sites rather than a simple scenic drive.

The route includes the Nabatean Temple, Lawrence Spring, sand dunes, Khazali Canyon, and rock bridges. The selection gives you a useful mix of archaeology, desert views, and short activity stops. You can expect open stretches of red and sandy terrain, weathered cliffs, and the kind of wide horizon that makes a four-wheel-drive vehicle feel like the right tool.

The Lawrence of Arabia connection adds a familiar thread to the outing, but the stronger appeal is the local Bedouin setting. Tea, coffee, and Bedouin hospitality are included, along with a box lunch and mineral water. Those small provisions matter because this is a long outdoor block with limited shelter described in the program.

The sand dunes and rock bridges may involve walking, climbing, or uneven ground. The operator asks for a moderate fitness level, so wear practical shoes and be ready for heat, dust, and rough surfaces. The supplied information does not promise specific temperatures or accessibility arrangements, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask before booking.

The jeep tour is also the point where this experience feels least like a standard sightseeing transfer. Your driver is not just taking you from one ticketed attraction to another. The Bedouin representative introduces the setting through local hospitality and a vehicle suited to the desert.

Still, four to five hours is a substantial amount of time. If you prefer short stops and air-conditioned museums, Wadi Rum may feel demanding. If you like open spaces, simple food, and a day shaped by the terrain, it is likely to be the strongest part of the first day.

Overnight choices: camp or hotel

The tour is sold as two days and one night. The information gives two possible overnight arrangements at the same rate: a three-star hotel in Petra, or a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum. The included details specifically list one night at a Bedouin camp with dinner and breakfast, so confirm your selected option before finalizing the reservation.

That clarification is worth making in writing. The choice changes the mood of the evening and the logistics of the next morning. A Wadi Rum camp keeps you in the desert setting and pairs naturally with the jeep tour. A hotel in Petra, or Wadi Musa, may place you closer to the next day’s site visit.

Dinner and breakfast are included for the camp arrangement. The plan also includes Bedouin tea and coffee in Wadi Rum. Other food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated, and personal expenses remain your responsibility.

The camp option is best for you if the overnight setting is part of the appeal, not just a place to sleep. Do not expect the same setup as a conventional hotel unless the operator confirms the facilities. The listing calls it a Bedouin camp, but it does not provide details about room style or bathroom arrangements.

Entering Petra through the Siq

The second day centers on Petra, the Nabatean capital carved into rose-colored sandstone. You meet your guide at the Visitor Centre and begin with a guided walk of roughly two and a half to three hours.

The approach matters. You enter through the Siq, a narrow gorge that gradually frames the sandstone walls and leads to the Treasury. That first close view of the Treasury is one of Petra’s great reveals, and having a guide at the start helps you understand what you are seeing rather than simply following the crowd through the canyon.

The route continues along the Street of Facades to the Royal Tombs, Theatre, and Qasr Al Bint. This is a sensible introduction to Petra’s central sights. You get the major monuments, a guide to orient you, and then free time to look around at your own pace before returning to the entrance.

The guided portion is not an all-day exploration of Petra. The plan does not include the Monastery, and it does not promise time for every trail or viewpoint. If you want to climb to the Monastery or explore remote corners, you should ask whether extra time is possible before booking. On this schedule, the priority is the Siq, Treasury, main facades, tombs, theatre, and Qasr Al Bint.

You should also prepare for a lot of walking. The route goes into the site and returns by the same general approach. Uneven ground, heat, and the distance between monuments make comfortable footwear essential. A 700-meter horse ride from the main gate is included, but it is not mandatory, and the handler expects a tip. The tour does not include a horse-drawn carriage or camel ride.

After the guided visit, lunch is served at a local restaurant in Wadi Musa, listed as Al Qantara or a similar restaurant. You can also choose a box lunch. That flexibility is handy if you want to use your limited time efficiently, but lunch is still part of a long day, so keep your expectations focused on a practical meal rather than a culinary tour.

What the $682.06 price really covers

The cost is $682.06 per person, with group discounts available. That is a serious price, but it includes more than a simple transfer and entry ticket.

Included items are:

• Assistance on the Jordanian side of the border
• Jordanian visa on arrival for eligible nationalities
• Transfers in a modern vehicle with an English-speaking driver
• Petra and Wadi Rum entrance fees
• A four to five-hour Wadi Rum jeep tour
• An English-speaking Bedouin jeep driver
• Wadi Rum box lunch
• Mineral water, tea, coffee, dinner, and breakfast as specified
• One night at the Bedouin camp, or the confirmed alternative
• A guided Petra visit of about two and a half hours
• Lunch in Wadi Musa or a box lunch
• The optional 700-meter horse ride from Petra’s main gate

The value improves if you are a small private group that wants one company handling the moving parts. You are paying for coordination across a border, two major attractions, private transport, local desert guiding, admission fees, food, and lodging. Group discounts may make the per-person price more appealing for families or friends.

The value is weaker if you already have lodging, transport, or a guide arranged independently. You also need to budget for tips to the driver and guides, a tip for the optional horse handler, travel insurance, unlisted drinks and meals, and personal purchases.

The tour received a perfect overall rating from three supplied customer ratings, and the strongest praise focused on organization, communication, and professional drivers and guides. One party used the company more than once, including a trip with children. That repeat use is a useful sign for anyone who values dependable logistics, though the small number of ratings means you should still confirm current arrangements directly.

Who should book this Jordan trip?

I would consider this tour for you if you are staying in Eilat, have only one night for Jordan, and want Petra and Wadi Rum without arranging each transfer yourself. It also fits families or friends who prefer a private vehicle and a plan built around their own group.

The itinerary suits people who enjoy a full day outdoors, can manage extended walking, and do not mind an early, tightly scheduled sightseeing program. The local Bedouin component gives Wadi Rum a more personal feel than simply driving through the desert with no contact beyond a standard guide.

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed Petra visit, a long stay in Wadi Rum, or control over every stop. I would also pause if your border arrival is later than noon, since the first day is built around reaching the crossing by that deadline.

The departure plan deserves attention. The activity ends somewhere different from the border meeting point, and the stated onward options include Queen Alia Airport, Amman, or the King Hussein Bridge. Confirm exactly where you will be dropped off before you commit, especially if you have a flight or another border crossing to catch.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour requires a minimum number of participants even though it is private for your own group, so the operator may need to confirm that the departure can run.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted or refunded. Poor weather can also affect the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if your priority is efficient access to Petra and Wadi Rum from Eilat, with private transport and the major costs bundled together. The border representative, Bedouin jeep driver, Petra guide, meals, admissions, and overnight stay remove much of the planning work.

Before paying, confirm three points: your visa eligibility, the exact overnight location, and the final drop-off point. If those details match your plans, this is a strong short Jordan itinerary. If you want more time in Petra or a quieter desert stay, arrange a longer trip instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is on the Jordanian side near the Wadi Araba Border Road in Aqaba, after you cross from Eilat.

What time must I reach the Eilat border?

You must arrive at the Eilat border by 12:00 pm at the latest on the first day.

Do I complete the Israeli side of the border crossing myself?

Yes. You complete the Israeli side independently, then meet the Jordanian representative after crossing into Jordan.

Is a Jordanian visa included?

Yes, a visa on arrival costing 40 Jordanian dinars per person is included for non-restricted nationalities.

How long is the Wadi Rum jeep tour?

The jeep tour lasts approximately four to five hours and includes an English-speaking Bedouin driver.

What places are visited in Wadi Rum?

The stated stops include the Nabatean Temple, Lawrence Spring, sand dunes, Khazali Canyon, and rock bridges.

How long is the guided Petra visit?

The guided Petra tour lasts approximately two and a half to three hours, followed by free time.

Is the horse ride in Petra required?

No. The 700-meter horse ride from the main gate is optional. The horse handler expects a tip, and horse-drawn carriages or camel rides are not included.