From Eilat: 2-Day Petra & Wadi Rum Tour with Camp Stay

Jordan packs a lot into two days. This tour links Petra’s carved sandstone monuments with a night in Wadi Rum, giving you both a major archaeological site and a Bedouin desert stay. I especially like the three-hour guided visit at Petra, which gives the ancient city some needed context, and the overnight camp, where the desert becomes more than a quick photo stop. The main concern is the border crossing and the extra $140 border fee per person, which can make the total cost much higher than the advertised $372.

You begin with pickup in Eilat at 8:30 AM, cross into Jordan, visit Petra, eat lunch, and continue to Wadi Rum. The next day brings a Jeep ride through the desert before the return journey. I like the clear mix of walking, history, local culture, and open-air adventure, but this is not a relaxed trip: border delays, long drives, heat, and a lot of time on your feet can test your patience.

Key Points At A Glance

• Petra gets the main historical focus: You have a three-hour guided tour and access to a site containing more than 800 recorded objects, including the Treasury, temples, tombs, and caves.
• The $140 border fee matters: It is not included in the $372 tour price and is non-refundable once paid, even if weather cancels the trip.
• Wadi Rum includes a real overnight stay: The standard tent has shared bathroom facilities outside, while the upgraded 4-star tent includes a private shower and toilet.
• The desert Jeep ride is a major highlight: The experience is advertised as a two-hour tour, though actual timing can vary.
• Expect a physically demanding trip: Petra requires substantial walking, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
• Timing may not run like a Swiss watch: Pickup and departure times have not always matched the schedule, so keep your plans flexible.

The Real Cost From Eilat

The listed price is $372 per person. That sounds like a large but understandable fee for two days in Jordan, especially since it includes transportation, Petra admission, a guided visit, lunch, the camp, breakfast, and a Jeep tour.

The catch is the border charge. You must budget an additional $140 per person for Jordanian border fees. That brings the basic total to about $512 per person before extra drinks, additional food, tips, or an accommodation upgrade.

That border fee is not a small footnote. For two people, it adds $280 to the trip. It is also non-refundable after payment, including in some cases where the tour is cancelled because of poor weather. Ask the local partner to explain exactly what you will pay and request clear confirmation before you leave Eilat.

The package can still offer fair value if you want convenience. Organizing Petra tickets, transport across the border, a guide, a camp, breakfast, and a desert excursion on your own would take more planning. The value falls if delays reduce your sightseeing time or if you expect a polished, tightly managed package from start to finish.

Leaving Eilat And Crossing Into Jordan

Pickup is scheduled for 8:30 AM from your Eilat hotel, with Retamim St 133 listed as the pickup point. Confirm the exact location with the local partner before departure, even if you are staying at a different hotel. Pickup arrangements deserve attention because all hotels in Eilat are described as eligible, while a specific meeting point is also supplied.

Bring your passport or ID card, and send passport details for every person in your party when requested. Visa rules differ by nationality. People from restricted nationalities may need to arrange visas through the relevant embassy, so do not assume that the border process will be identical for everyone.

The journey begins at the Arava border. You should expect formalities, waiting, and some uncertainty. One account of the trip described a 30-minute late pickup, a wait before the bus moved toward Aqaba, and a long stop at a shop. That does not prove every departure will follow the same pattern, but it is a useful warning: do not schedule a flight, ferry, or important appointment immediately after returning.

Bring your own drinking water for the journey. Water, drinks, and meals beyond the specified lunch and breakfast are not included.

Petra: Three Hours Among Nabataean Stone

Petra is the reason most people take this tour. The Nabataeans carved, built, and adapted much of this city into the surrounding sandstone, creating temples, tombs, caves, ceremonial spaces, and public structures. The Treasury is the famous first prize, but it is only one part of a site with more than 800 recorded objects.

Your three-hour guided visit should help you understand what you are seeing rather than simply walk from one dramatic facade to the next. English is the tour language, and the guide is included. That matters at Petra, where the scale can be hard to grasp without some explanation of the Nabataean people, their gods, their art, and their trading culture.

You will need comfortable closed shoes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed, and that rule makes practical sense here. Petra involves uneven ground and plenty of walking, so light clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are sensible choices. The tour is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Three hours is enough for a strong introduction, but it is not enough to see every corner at a leisurely pace. Petra is much larger than its famous Treasury photograph suggests. If your dream is to explore every trail, climb to every viewpoint, and linger at each tomb, this schedule may feel tight.

A reported version of the trip gave only about two and a half hours at Petra after a late departure and a long stop on the road. The guide and tickets were also arranged close to arrival. Again, conditions can change, but you should understand the risk. A tour that looks generous on paper can feel rushed if the border crossing or road transfers run late.

Lunch In Petra And The Road To Wadi Rum

Lunch in Petra is included, which keeps the first day moving. Additional meals and drinks are not included, so check what is provided before ordering anything extra. The supplied information does not specify the restaurant, menu, or dietary options, so bring snacks if you need something particular.

After Petra, you transfer toward Wadi Rum. This is a long sightseeing day, and the road time is part of the trade-off for visiting both places in one short trip. You will not be spending two full days exploring each destination. Instead, you get a concentrated taste of Petra followed by a desert night.

That combination works well for first-time visitors who want variety. You see monumental stonework in the afternoon, then trade it for broad desert views and Bedouin hospitality. It is less suited to you if you prefer slow travel, long museum visits, or a schedule with plenty of spare time.

Sleeping In A Bedouin Camp

The overnight camp is the part that gives this tour its sense of place. Rather than returning to a city hotel, you spend the night in Wadi Rum, where the desert setting is central to the experience. Camp activities and breakfast are included, and the stay is described as an authentic Bedouin camp.

Be realistic about the word authentic. Camp comfort varies by tent category. The standard tent has its shower and toilet outside. If you want a private bathroom, choose the upgrade to the 4-star tent, which includes a shower and toilet inside the tent.

That upgrade is worth considering if you dislike shared facilities or want a more comfortable night after Petra’s long walking day. The standard option may suit you if the desert setting matters more than privacy and you are comfortable with simpler arrangements.

Winter needs special planning. Wadi Rum can be extremely cold at night, even when the day feels pleasant. Pack warm clothes, not just a light jacket. Summer brings the opposite problem, with powerful heat and little forgiveness for poor sun protection. Comfortable clothing, a change of clothes, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses belong in your day bag.

One booking described a camp hotel with a swimming pool, good food, and an impressive night sky. Those features sound appealing, but they should not be treated as guaranteed details for every departure or tent category. Ask what camp and room type you are receiving if those extras matter to you.

Wadi Rum By Jeep

The desert Jeep ride is advertised as a two-hour excursion and is included in the price. It gives you a faster, wider look at Wadi Rum than walking around the camp would provide. The appeal is simple: open sand, carved rock formations, canyons, and the changing light that makes this desert look different from hour to hour.

The Jeep ride also gives the trip its adventure element. Petra asks for steady walking and attention to detail. Wadi Rum asks you to sit back, hold on, and watch the desert open around you.

Actual timing may vary. One reported trip included about 90 minutes in the Jeep with two stops. That is shorter than the advertised two hours, so I would treat the duration as a target rather than a guarantee. Ask your guide at the start how long the ride will last and what stops are planned.

The desert can be harsh. Summer heat can be severe, and winter temperatures can drop sharply. Keep water with you, protect your skin, and do not wear open sandals. The tour specifically excludes pets and does not allow open-toed shoes.

Guides, Transport, And The Human Factor

The tour includes round-trip transportation and an English-speaking guide at Petra. It also includes the transfer from Petra to Wadi Rum and the Jeep ride. That removes much of the transport planning that can make a short Jordan trip complicated.

Still, the service may involve several people rather than one guide managing every stage. A reported departure involved joining another group at the border and waiting for transport toward Aqaba. Group changes can happen, especially on cross-border trips, and they may affect the rhythm of the day.

The most positive account described the trip as a safe option for a solo visitor, with friendly service, a pleasant desert camp, good food, and a swimming pool. That is important if you are nervous about handling Jordan independently. The mixed score of 4.2 from 45 ratings suggests a generally worthwhile experience, but not one with perfectly consistent timing.

I would choose this tour for its route and inclusions, not because every handoff is guaranteed to be smooth. Keep your documents handy, confirm the pickup details, and expect some waiting. A calm attitude will improve the experience.

What To Pack For Two Days

Pack light, but do not pack too little. You will want:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable closed shoes
• Warm clothing for winter nights
• A change of clothes
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Your own drinking water
• Comfortable clothing for walking and the desert

A small day bag is useful for Petra. Keep your passport, water, sunscreen, and any personal medicine close to you rather than buried in luggage.

Do not bring open-toed shoes. They are specifically prohibited, and Petra’s uneven paths make sturdy footwear the better choice anyway.

Who Should Book This Tour?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Eilat and want the simplest practical route to Petra and Wadi Rum in one trip. It suits first-time visitors, solo travelers who prefer organized transport, and active people who want history followed by a desert adventure.

It is also a good fit if you care about seeing both sides of Jordan: the Nabataean city at Petra and the Bedouin desert setting at Wadi Rum. The overnight camp makes the trip feel more memorable than a quick Petra day trip.

I would hesitate if you need predictable timing, dislike border procedures, or want long, quiet hours at Petra. People with mobility impairments should not book this experience, and anyone visiting during winter should be ready for cold nights.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you value convenience, variety, and the chance to sleep in Wadi Rum more than you value a slow schedule. The Petra guide, entrance ticket, lunch, camp, breakfast, and Jeep ride create a useful package, but the extra $140 border fee changes the price sharply.

Before paying, confirm the pickup point, visa requirements, border charges, tent category, private bathroom upgrade, and expected Jeep duration. If you can accept delays and a busy first day, this is a strong two-day introduction to Jordan’s two headline sights. If you want more time at Petra or tighter control over your schedule, arrange a longer private trip instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is included from hotels in Eilat. Retamim St 133 is listed as the pickup location, so confirm the exact meeting point with the local partner before departure.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup is scheduled for 8:30 AM. Actual departure can vary, so keep some flexibility in your morning plans.

Is the Petra entrance ticket included?

Yes. The tour includes one day of entrance to Petra and a three-hour guided tour in English.

How long is the Petra visit?

The planned guided visit lasts three hours. Delays on the road or at the border can reduce the time available at the site.

Is the border fee included in the tour price?

No. Jordanian border fees are listed separately at $140 per person. They are non-refundable after payment, including if the tour is cancelled because of weather or another circumstance.

Does the camp tent have a private bathroom?

The standard Bedouin tent has the shower and toilet outside. You can upgrade to a 4-star tent with a private shower and toilet.

Is the Wadi Rum Jeep ride included?

Yes. A Jeep tour is included, and the experience is advertised as a two-hour ride. Actual duration may vary.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Border fees are not refundable after they have been paid.