From Eilat: 2-Day Tour of Petra, Wadi Rum & Aqaba

Two days bring three very different Jordans. This tour links Aqaba’s Red Sea coast, Wadi Rum’s red desert, and Petra’s carved stone monuments in one compact trip from Eilat. I like the comfortable, air-conditioned transport and the fact that a Jordanian guide helps with the border crossing, a real benefit on a short visit.

I also like the overnight Bedouin glamping, with private tents, bathrooms, WiFi, and climate control. The main drawback is cost: $335 per person is only the starting point, since border and visa fees can add $125, while boating and private beach time in Aqaba cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Wadi Rum is the visual star: A Jeep safari visits the Seven Pillars of Wisdom and ends with a desert sunset.
• Petra gets one focused visit: You enter through the Siq and see the Treasury, Theater, Obelisk Tomb, and Colonnaded Street.
• Aqaba adds a seaside pause: You may choose three hours of boating and snorkeling or a private beach with a pool and Jacuzzi.
• Glamping is more comfortable than basic camping: Private tents include bathrooms, climate control, and WiFi, with a Martian bubble tent available as an upgrade.
• The border needs patience and cash: Customs and passport control may take up to an hour, and fees must be paid directly to Jordanian authorities.
• The tour suits independent visitors who want structure: The driver and guide simplify a complicated border crossing, but Petra explanations may be limited unless you ask questions.

A compact route from Eilat into Jordan

This is an ambitious two-day trip. From Eilat, you cross into Jordan, visit Aqaba, head south to Wadi Rum, spend the night in a Bedouin camp, and then continue to Petra the next day before returning.

That tight schedule is the appeal. You can see Jordan’s most famous sights without arranging separate hotels, transfers, entrance tickets, and desert transport. It is also the challenge. Each stop gets a taste rather than a leisurely visit, and border delays can affect the order or length of the day.

Pickup from your hotel is included. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters in Jordan’s heat and after long hours on the road. The driver has been praised for being safe and helpful, while the Jordanian guide adds local context and practical support.

The tour is offered in English or Spanish. Departure is guaranteed, so you are not left wondering if the trip will run. Still, confirm the day’s order before setting out. One past booking had Aqaba removed when Petra was moved to the first day, so the advertised sequence should not be treated as immovable.

Aqaba begins with borders and big views

Aqaba is Jordan’s only coastal city, and the opening visit gives you a quick taste of its character. The colorful alleys are a gentle change from Eilat’s polished resort feel, with a more local, everyday atmosphere.

The Mamluk Castle is the key historical stop. This 16th-century fortress sits above the city and offers a remarkable view across Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The exact view depends on weather and visibility, but the location makes the stop worthwhile even if you are not a castle enthusiast.

After the castle, you get free time for the Red Sea. This part is optional, and that is important when comparing the price. You can pay $75 for three hours of boating and snorkeling, or $25 for access to a private beach with a pool and Jacuzzi. Drinks are not included.

I would decide in advance which kind of afternoon you want. The boat option adds activity and time on the water. The private beach is better if you want shade, a swim, and a break after the border crossing. If Aqaba is not a priority, you may prefer to ask whether the time can be used for Petra or Wadi Rum instead.

Wadi Rum by Jeep, from rock towers to sunset

Wadi Rum is the most unusual setting on this trip. The desert is known as the Valley of the Moon, and the name fits its broad sandy spaces, isolated cliffs, and huge rock formations.

A local Jeep tour takes you across the desert. This is not a sightseeing drive from a paved road. The rougher track and open views are part of the experience, though conditions can be dusty and bumpy. Wear shoes that can handle sand, and keep a scarf or light layer handy for sun and wind.

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is one of the named stops. The formation is linked with the title of T. E. Lawrence’s famous book and gives you a useful point of reference in a very large desert. Your guide also explains some of the area’s geology, helping you see how wind and erosion shaped the cliffs.

Film fans may recognize Wadi Rum from Rogue One, The Rise of Skywalker, and Lawrence of Arabia. The movie connection is fun, but the desert is more than a film set. Its appeal comes from the silence, the scale, and the sudden change between open sand and towering stone.

The Jeep safari finishes with sunset. This is likely to be the day’s most memorable moment, as the cliffs and sand change color in the low light. Sunset timing can be affected by the day’s border and Aqaba schedule, so do not assume you will have a long, private viewing period.

Bedouin glamping with useful comforts

The overnight camp is not bare-bones desert camping. The standard glamping setup includes a private tent, bathroom, WiFi, and climate control. That makes a major difference after a hot day in the desert.

Dinner is included on the first night, and the overnight stay is full board. The exact food is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. The value is in having accommodation and meals arranged in a remote place where independent planning would take more effort.

You can upgrade to a futuristic Martian bubble tent. That option suits anyone who wants a more unusual room and a wider view of the desert, but it is an upgrade rather than part of the advertised base price. Ask for the added cost before booking.

The camp is also where the pace slows. You can enjoy the setting without rushing from monument to monument. WiFi and private bathrooms soften the rustic setting, though you should still pack for outdoor conditions and bring any personal items you need for the night.

The road to Petra and the first glimpse of the Siq

The second day follows the Desert Highway toward Petra. The drive offers broad desert and mountain views, but the route is also a reminder that this is a transport-heavy trip. You spend a fair amount of time moving between major sites.

Petra dates back about 2,300 years and was the capital of the Nabateans. The city was carved into red and rose-colored cliffs, and its setting is as important as its individual buildings. You are not simply walking through ruins on open ground. The stone walls surround the ancient city and make the approach feel dramatic.

At the entrance, you can choose to go in on foot or horseback. The horseback option may appeal if you want to reduce walking at the start, but ask about all terms and costs before accepting it. Entrance to Petra is included, while the tour information does not state that a horse ride is included.

The approach through the Siq is the essential Petra experience. This smooth-sided gorge narrows between tall rock walls before opening toward the Treasury. The first view of the carved facade is carefully framed by the passage, so keep your camera ready, but also allow yourself a moment without it.

Petra’s Treasury is only the beginning

The Treasury gets the attention, but it is just the opening scene. Its detailed facade was carved into the cliff, and the scale becomes clearer as you move closer.

The guide is meant to lead you through the site and explain its past. Yet the amount of detail you receive may depend on how actively you ask questions. One past visitor found the guide kind but felt the Petra commentary was thin unless prompted. I would arrive with a short list of questions about Nabatean trade, tombs, water systems, and the purpose of each major building.

The Obelisk Tomb is another important stop. Its unusual upper section and lower burial chambers show that Petra was not built around one grand monument. The site contains tombs, religious spaces, public buildings, and roads, all cut into or built against the cliffs.

Petra Theater gives you a sense of public life in the ancient city. Farther along, the Colonnaded Street brings together columns, shrines, and the remains of civic buildings. The walk helps you understand Petra as a functioning city rather than a single photo stop.

Bring sun protection and comfortable shoes. You will be walking over uneven surfaces, and the two-day schedule leaves little room for a slow, exploratory visit beyond the main route. The tour is best for seeing Petra’s major highlights, not for covering every trail and high viewpoint.

What the $335 price really covers

The base price is $335 per person. It includes a licensed Jordanian guide, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, Petra’s entrance fee, dinner on the first day, lunch on the second, and full-board glamping.

That package has real value if you are starting in Eilat and want a ready-made trip. The border crossing, desert Jeep arrangement, camp, guide, and Petra entrance would otherwise require several separate bookings. Solo visitors may find the support especially useful, since the driver and guide help reduce the stress of crossing into Jordan.

The headline price does not include Jordanian visa issuing and border fees. Prepare $125 in cash in USD, euros, or Israeli new shekels. Those with a valid visa stamp or those who do not need a visa pay $65 instead. Have the exact amount ready, and check your own nationality requirements with the Jordanian Ministry of Interior before departure.

Ask the operator to spell out every border charge. An additional unexplained payment has been reported, and that is exactly the sort of surprise that can turn an already expensive tour into poor value.

Aqaba activities also add to the bill: $75 for boating and snorkeling or $25 for the private beach. Drinks are extra. Once you add the likely border fee and perhaps a beach activity, the total can move well above $400 per person.

The people and pacing matter

The guide is a major part of the experience. The strongest feedback has been for kind, welcoming service and clear explanations, while the weaker point has been the amount of historical detail at Petra. You can improve the experience by asking direct questions instead of waiting for a long lecture.

The driver also matters on this route. You spend long hours in the vehicle, and safe driving makes the trip feel much easier. Help with the border crossing is another practical advantage, especially if this is your first visit to Jordan.

The pace is not designed for children under two, pregnant women, or wheelchair users. Petra and Wadi Rum both involve uneven ground, and the border and road schedule can be tiring. English and Spanish are available, but you should select the language that lets you ask questions comfortably.

Bring your passport and provide complete passport details when booking: number, date of birth, issue date, expiration date, and nationality. Israeli passport holders must use their Israeli passports at every border crossing during the tour.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your wider Israel plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to check visa rules and border costs early.

Who should book this Jordan trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want Petra and Wadi Rum in a single, organized trip from Eilat. It is particularly useful for solo visitors, first-time Jordan visitors, and anyone who does not want to arrange cross-border transport, a desert Jeep, camp accommodation, and site tickets separately.

It is less suitable if you want a slow Petra visit, detailed archaeology at every stop, or a full day on the Red Sea. The route is tightly packed, and Aqaba may be shortened or rearranged. You should also think twice if the final cost feels high once border fees and optional activities are added.

Ask these questions before paying: Is Aqaba definitely included on your date? What exact border charges will you pay? How long will the Petra visit last? Is the horse option extra? What is the cost of the Martian bubble tent?

Should you book it?

Book this tour if convenience is your priority and you want the big three: Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Petra. The best parts are the Wadi Rum Jeep ride, the sunset, the comfortable private tent, and the relief of having a guide and driver handle a complicated border journey.

Skip it if you want maximum time at Petra or a lower total price. For the best experience, budget beyond the advertised $335, carry exact cash for the border, confirm the route in writing, and prepare questions for Petra. With those precautions, this is a practical two-day introduction to Jordan, not a leisurely archaeological study.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two days and includes one overnight stay in a Bedouin glamping camp.

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is included from your hotel in Eilat before crossing into Jordan.

Which languages are available?

The live guide is available in English or Spanish.

Is departure guaranteed?

Yes. The tour includes guaranteed departure.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a licensed Jordanian guide, Petra entrance fees, air-conditioned transportation, dinner on the first day, lunch on the second day, and full-board glamping.

How much are the Jordanian border and visa fees?

Prepare $125 in cash in USD, euros, or Israeli new shekels. People with a valid visa stamp or those who do not require a visa pay $65.

Are Aqaba beach activities included?

No. Boating and snorkeling cost $75, while private beach access costs $25. Drinks are also not included.

What are the glamping tents like?

Private tents include bathrooms, WiFi, and climate control. A futuristic Martian bubble tent is available as an upgrade.

What should I bring?

You must bring your passport. Provide the required passport details during reservation, and check in advance if your nationality requires a Jordanian visa.