2-Day Petra and Wadi Rum Tour From Eilat

Jordan packs its best sights into two days. This guided trip from Eilat combines Petra, a full day of ancient stonework and canyon paths, with a 4×4 ride and overnight stay in Wadi Rum. I like the simple border-to-border arrangement and the fact that one Jordanian guide stays with you from arrival until departure. I also like that dinner, breakfast, two lunches, transport, entrance fees, and the desert camp are included.

The main drawback is the pace. Day two begins at 6:00 a.m. and runs until your return to Eilat around 7:00 p.m. You also need to budget for Israeli and Jordanian border taxes, paid separately, and the group can include up to 47 people.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour covers two major Jordan sights in one trip: You get Wadi Rum on day one and Petra on day two, without arranging separate transport, guides, and accommodation.
• The Arava Border Crossing is part of the adventure: The tour begins with a 9:00 a.m. pickup in Eilat, but you should expect to handle the crossing with the group after being taken to the border.
• A Bedouin camp replaces a standard hotel: You sleep in a desert campsite with beds and warm showers, plus dinner and breakfast.
• Wadi Rum includes a proper 4×4 safari: The jeep ride runs from about 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., giving you time among the cliffs and open desert.
• Petra gets both a guided visit and free time: The guided portion ends at noon, followed by lunch and several hours to explore on your own.
• Extra border costs matter: The listed price is $345, but Israeli border taxes of 115 ILS and Jordanian border taxes of 50 JOD are not included.

Why this two-day Jordan trip works

Petra and Wadi Rum are close enough to combine, but the journey still asks a lot from you. This is not a relaxed hotel break. It is a tightly planned overland trip with an early morning, a long second day, and a border crossing in each direction.

I see the design as practical rather than luxurious. You do not waste time moving between several hotels or trying to arrange a taxi from Aqaba to Petra. The same general tour structure handles the transport, meals, entrance fees, guides, and overnight stay.

That convenience is the big selling point. From Eilat, you can see two of Jordan’s headline sights with one booking. The price also makes more sense when you count the included Petra admission, Wadi Rum jeep safari, air-conditioned vehicle, three listed meals plus breakfast, and Bedouin camp.

The less obvious cost is the border process. You must pay 115 ILS in Israeli border taxes and 50 JOD in Jordanian border taxes, both outside the $345 price. The Jordanian tax is payable in cash, so you should arrange that before leaving Eilat. Travel insurance is also your responsibility.

The group limit is 47 people. That is a substantial coach group, so this will not feel like a private desert outing. The guide system helps keep things organized, but you should expect set meeting times and less freedom than on a small group tour.

Crossing from Eilat into Aqaba

Pickup is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. in Eilat, followed by the Arava Border Crossing into Jordan. The border is close to Eilat, which keeps the first morning manageable, but the crossing is still a formal international procedure.

The tour takes you to the Jordanian side, where your Jordanian guide joins you. One practical point matters here: the Israeli side representative does not accompany the group through the whole crossing. Clear instructions are important, and one person who took the tour found the guidance at departure less helpful than expected.

I would arrive ready with your passport, border-tax money, and patience. Keep your group in sight and follow the instructions you receive. The crossing has been described as simple when the arrangements are clear, but it is not the sort of place where you want to wander off to solve a problem alone.

Once in Jordan, you continue toward Aqaba for a traditional brunch. The meal includes hummus, falafel, foul, salads, fresh pita, and other buffet-style choices. This is a pleasant introduction to Jordanian food, and the vegetarian and vegan options are a real advantage.

The food is part of the value here, not just a quick stop to fill time. You get a proper meal before heading into the desert, and the buffet format lets you choose how much you want after the border crossing.

Wadi Rum from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.

After brunch, the group heads to Wadi Rum, reaching the desert around 1:00 p.m. The 4×4 safari is one of the strongest parts of the trip because it lets you cover large stretches of desert that would be impractical on foot.

Wadi Rum is known for its broad red sands, cliffs, and rock formations. The tour description promises beautiful desert scenery, and the timing gives you roughly three and a half hours for the jeep outing and arrival at camp.

A 4×4 ride also changes the feel of the day. Instead of simply looking at the desert from a bus window, you get into the open country and move between different parts of the area. The exact stops can depend on the guide and local conditions, so you should think of it as a scenic desert safari rather than a fixed list of named sites.

The desert portion has received some of the strongest praise attached to this trip. The combination of open views, a capable driver, and the Bedouin camp gives the first day a clear sense of place. You are not simply passing through Jordan on the way to Petra.

There is one caution. The schedule places you at the camp by about 4:30 p.m., with dinner and the overnight stay afterward. That can leave a fair amount of unstructured time before the meal. I would bring a book, a small game, or simply expect to sit outside and watch the desert change color.

Sleeping at the Bedouin camp

The overnight stop is a traditional Bedouin campsite in the heart of Wadi Rum. You sleep in a proper bed, not on a bare floor, and warm showers are available. That makes the camp more comfortable than the phrase desert camping might suggest.

The camp is still a camp, so set your expectations correctly. The attraction is the setting and the hospitality, not hotel-style service or constant entertainment. There is no Wi-Fi, which some people may find inconvenient, but it also gives you a welcome reason to put the phone away and talk with the group.

Dinner is served in buffet style and includes a Bedouin-style meal. The tour specifically highlights an authentic Zerb meal, a traditional cooking method in which food is prepared underground. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available across the included buffet meals.

This is the part of the trip that feels most distinct from a standard sightseeing package. Petra is a famous archaeological site visited through established paths and visitor facilities. Wadi Rum gives you a night in a desert setting, with local food and Bedouin hospitality built into the experience.

The camp does not mean you get an evening under a perfectly guaranteed starry sky. Weather and conditions can affect what you see. Still, the overnight arrangement gives you something a day trip to Wadi Rum cannot: time to slow down after the jeep ride and experience the desert after the vehicles stop.

The early departure for Petra

The second day starts at 6:00 a.m., with breakfast at the camp at 6:30 and departure at 7:15. The early start is necessary if you want meaningful time at Petra and a return to Eilat the same evening.

You will reach Petra at about 9:00 a.m. and begin the guided visit. The official guided portion ends around noon, giving you roughly three hours with the guide before lunch.

That format is useful because Petra is not a simple monument beside a parking lot. You need orientation to understand how the site is laid out and where the major sights fit into the wider city. A good guide can also help you use your limited hours wisely.

Mohammed and Mahmoud are two guide names associated with particularly positive experiences on this tour. Mohammed was praised for being friendly and well informed, while Mahmoud was remembered for keeping the Jordan portion entertaining and comfortable. Guide assignments can change, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise.

The three-hour guided period is also a firm limit. Petra is large, and you cannot see every path and viewpoint in a single visit. If you want to make the most of the site, wear sturdy walking shoes, listen carefully to the meeting instructions, and avoid spending too long at the first major viewpoint.

What three hours at Petra can give you

Petra is the reason many people accept the early start and long return journey. The ancient city is reached through a dramatic approach, followed by carved stone façades, open courtyards, and routes cut into the surrounding rock.

The tour gives you a guided visit until noon, lunch at Petra at 12:00, and free time from about 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. That is a sensible split. You get context first, then several hours to choose your own pace.

Your free time is valuable, but it is not unlimited. You should not assume you can see every part of Petra, climb every viewpoint, and return casually to the bus. The group gathers at the Visitor Center at 4:00 p.m., with departure scheduled for 4:15.

One useful detail comes from a family experience involving an 82-year-old mother. The family hired Bedouin guides with mules to help her manage the second day. That option is not listed as included, and it should be arranged and paid for separately if needed, but it shows that extra local assistance may be available.

I would not count on that option without asking the tour operator first. Petra involves substantial walking, and the experience is much easier if you are honest about your mobility needs before you go. The tour says most people can participate, but that does not mean the site is effortless.

Lunch is included, and the buffet-style meal plan offers choices for vegetarians and vegans. You still need to pay for other food and drinks, so carry water and any snacks you know you will want between scheduled meals.

The long ride back to Eilat

At 4:15 p.m., the bus leaves Petra for the Arava Border Crossing. The planned arrival back in Eilat is around 7:00 p.m., followed by the crossing back into Israel.

By then, you will have had a 4×4 ride, an overnight camp, an early breakfast, several hours at Petra, and another border procedure. The return is not a time for ambitious evening plans in Eilat.

The air-conditioned vehicle is important here. Jordan is hot and dry, and a cool bus makes the long transfers more bearable. You should still carry water, sun protection, and a light layer because desert temperatures can change after sunset.

The route is efficient, but the timing leaves little room for delays. Weather, border procedures, road conditions, or a late group can affect the schedule. The tour requires good weather, and if poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Is $345 a fair price?

At $345, this is not a budget walk across the border. It is also not simply a bus ticket. The package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, full guiding, entrance fees, the Wadi Rum jeep safari, camp accommodation, dinner, breakfast, and two lunches.

The value is strongest if you want convenience. Arranging Petra transport, Wadi Rum transport, a desert camp, a jeep ride, a guide, meals, and border coordination separately would take time and could cost more. You also avoid spending your short Jordan visit figuring out how to connect Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Petra.

The added taxes change the calculation. You must pay 115 ILS in Israeli border taxes and 50 JOD in Jordanian border taxes. Since the Jordanian amount is cash only, include those charges when comparing the total cost with other options.

The tour is a good deal for someone who wants the major sights with few decisions to make. It is less attractive if you prefer a small group, a slower Petra visit, or the freedom to choose your own hotel and restaurant.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this trip to you if you have two days, are based in Eilat, and want Petra and Wadi Rum without building the trip yourself. It suits first-time visitors who value a guide and a clear plan.

It also works well for people who enjoy a mix of famous sites and local atmosphere. Petra supplies the major historical sight, while the camp, jeep ride, buffet meals, and Zerb dinner provide a more personal connection to the desert setting.

You should think twice if you dislike early mornings, long bus rides, group schedules, or basic overnight accommodation. A maximum of 47 people can join, so the trip may feel busy at gathering points and during transfers.

Families and older adults can take the tour, but Petra’s walking demands deserve attention. Ask in advance about mobility help, and remember that any mule or local guide arrangement is not included in the listed price.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience accepts a mobile ticket. The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. in Eilat and finishes back at the meeting point after the return crossing.

Cancellation rules are strict. Cancel at least six full days before departure for a full refund. Cancel two to six full days ahead for a 50 percent refund, while cancellations within two days receive no refund. Changes follow the same deadlines.

The tour also needs a minimum number of participants. If it is canceled because that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Petra and Wadi Rum tour?

I would book it if your priority is seeing Petra and Wadi Rum efficiently from Eilat. The strongest reasons are the well-planned route, the included Petra admission and Wadi Rum safari, the overnight Bedouin camp, and the single guide who remains with you in Jordan.

I would skip it if you want a slow, private, or highly flexible trip. The second day is long, the group may be large, and the extra border taxes add a noticeable cost.

For the right person, this is an excellent two-day introduction to Jordan. Bring cash for the border charge, prepare for a demanding schedule, and treat the desert camp as a real part of the experience rather than just a place to sleep. The reward is a rare combination: Petra by day, Wadi Rum by jeep, and a Bedouin dinner between them.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts with pickup in Eilat at 9:00 a.m. You then cross into Jordan through the Arava Border Crossing.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Eilat after crossing the border from Jordan.

What is included in the $345 price?

The price includes dinner, breakfast, two lunches, an air-conditioned vehicle, full guiding, entrance fees, a 4×4 jeep tour in Wadi Rum, and accommodation at a Bedouin campsite.

Are border taxes included?

No. Israeli border taxes of 115 ILS and Jordanian border taxes of 50 JOD are not included. The Jordanian tax must be paid in cash.

What is the accommodation like?

You stay at a Bedouin campsite in Wadi Rum. The camp provides comfortable beds and warm showers.

How much time is spent at Petra?

The guided visit runs from about 9:00 a.m. until noon. After lunch, you have free time from about 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. before meeting at the Visitor Center.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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