Petra and Wadi Rum 2 day Tour from Eilat

Ancient stone, open desert, and one busy border crossing. This two-day Jordan trip packs Petra, Wadi Rum, meals, transport, and a Bedouin camp stay into a short journey from Eilat. I especially like the guided Petra walk, which covers the Siq, Treasury, tombs, and Roman theater, and the overnight desert camp, where guests can enjoy traditional food, music, and stars far from city lights. The main drawback is the added cost: the $350 tour price does not include the $65 departure tax, a $75 Jordan visa, and other border or Petra charges.

You leave Eilat at about 8:15 a.m. and finish in Aqaba the next day, so this is not a round-trip excursion. I also like that transport is air-conditioned and the group is intended to be small and family-friendly, though the stated maximum is as high as 55 people. Plan for a long first day, three hours of walking in Petra, and a moderate level of fitness.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra gets the main portion of day one: You spend about three hours walking among the Treasury, tombs, Roman theater, and other ancient remains with a guide.
• The Siq provides the big entrance moment: This narrow canyon leads into Petra and makes the first view of the Treasury especially memorable.
• Wadi Rum is more than an overnight stop: A two-hour 4×4 ride takes you among rock formations and gorges while introducing Bedouin life.
• The desert camp is a major part of the appeal: Traditional food, music, new friendships, and a star-filled night have been central to the strongest guest praise.
• The price needs careful calculation: The $350 rate excludes border charges, a $65 departure tax, a $75 Jordan visa, and other stated fees.
• Your trip ends in Aqaba: You return to Jordan’s Aqaba city after the Wadi Rum visit, not to Eilat.

Leaving Eilat and handling the Jordan border

Your day begins with pickup from your Eilat hotel between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. The group then travels to the border for the crossing into Jordan. This early start matters because Petra is the main event of day one, and the schedule already has a lot packed into it.

Border costs deserve attention before you pay. The tour price is $350 per person, but the listed exclusions include a $65 departure tax, a $75 visa to Jordan, border fees connected with Petra, and other visa or departure charges. The information supplied uses slightly different wording for some of these fees, so I would confirm the exact total with Booking-tours.com before departure.

You must provide each participant’s passport name, passport number, expiry date, and country when booking. Bring the same current, valid passport on the day. This is not the sort of trip where you want to discover at the border that a document detail is missing.

The crossing is also why the tour can be a good choice for visitors who want help with the practical side of Jordan. The strongest praise for the operator centers on clear communication, helpful answers before departure, and assistance with visa and crossing payments. That support can save time and worry, especially if you have never crossed this border before.

Petra in three hours: Siq, Treasury, tombs, and theater

Once you enter Jordan, the first major stop is Petra. The ancient Nabataean city is carved and built into rose-colored cliffs, and the route gives you a focused introduction rather than a full-day archaeological expedition.

The walk includes the Siq, a narrow canyon that forms Petra’s dramatic entrance. The stone walls close around you as you move toward the Treasury, the most famous facade in the site. Seeing it at the end of the canyon is the sort of travel moment that needs no sales pitch.

Your guide also points out the tombs, Roman theater, and other key places. The commentary covers the Nabataeans, their trade, art, gods, and way of life. That background helps turn a succession of carved facades into a story about the people who shaped this desert city.

Three hours is enough to see the principal sights and get a useful introduction. It is not enough for every path, viewpoint, or side route in Petra. If you want a slow archaeological study or a long hike beyond the central sights, this tour will feel brisk.

You should also expect real walking. The itinerary specifies about three hours on foot, and the additional information calls for moderate physical fitness. Wear practical shoes and be ready for a long day that combines border formalities, transport, sightseeing, and a restaurant lunch.

Lunch comes after the Petra walk at a local restaurant. The meal is included, and a vegetarian option is available if you request it at booking. That small step matters because food preferences are much easier to handle before the trip than at the table.

A Bedouin camp night in Wadi Rum

After lunch, you transfer to Wadi Rum for the overnight stay. The camp is described as a genuine Bedouin camp, with accommodation in a Bedouin tent. The supplied guest accounts give this part unusually strong attention, especially the stars, music, traditional food, and time spent meeting new people.

I can see why the night is such a draw. Petra gives you ancient stone and monuments. Wadi Rum gives you space, silence, and a very different sense of place. The camp is not just a bed between two sightseeing stops. It is the evening experience that gives the trip its character.

One camp named in the guest feedback is Rum Planet Camp. The exact room setup and facilities are not detailed, so you should ask the operator what type of tent and bedding are included if comfort standards matter to you. The supplied information does confirm overnight accommodation, but it does not promise a particular room category.

Breakfast is provided at the camp the next morning. Since the tour includes lunch and breakfast, you have some important meals covered, though the full food plan beyond those listed meals is not explained. Ask about dinner if you need a precise answer, even though traditional food is praised in the guest accounts.

A night in Wadi Rum can also be a social experience. One account describes music, traditional food, stars, and new friendships at a luxury camp. That sounds appealing if you like shared evenings and local atmosphere. If you prefer private, quiet accommodation with a fixed hotel routine, ask detailed questions before booking.

Wadi Rum by 4×4 on the second morning

After breakfast, you take a two-hour 4×4 tour inside the Wadi Rum Protected Area. The ride visits rock formations and gorges and introduces the Nabataeans’ routes and Bedouin ways of life.

The 4×4 format is a sensible way to see more desert in a short time. You are not spending the morning walking under the sun. Instead, the vehicle carries you between scenic points while your guide or local hosts explain the area.

The schedule gives you around four hours for the Wadi Rum stop, including breakfast and the 4×4 outing. At about 12:30 p.m., a driver transfers you to Aqaba city. That timing makes the second day much easier than the first, but it also leaves limited room for extra activities.

The desert portion is likely to suit you if you want large views, unusual rock shapes, and a direct look at Bedouin culture without arranging a separate Jordan itinerary. It is less suitable if you want a full-day 4×4 expedition, camel ride, or a long desert hike, since none of those are listed.

The tour ends in Aqaba, an important detail for planning. You will need to arrange your next hotel, onward transport, or border plans from there. Do not assume the group returns to Eilat simply because that is where the trip begins.

What the $350 price really covers

At $350 per person, the tour offers a lot in a short period: air-conditioned transport, a professional guide, Petra touring, Wadi Rum touring, overnight accommodation, lunch, and breakfast. The value is strongest if you want one company to organize the major moving parts rather than booking transport, a Petra guide, a camp, and a desert vehicle separately.

The price is not the final amount. Add the stated $65 departure tax and $75 Jordan visa, then clarify the other border fees and Petra-related charges. The total can rise well above the headline figure.

That does not make the tour poor value. It simply means you should compare the complete cost, not the advertised base price. A guided border crossing, transport between Eilat, Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba, accommodation, meals, and two organized sightseeing stops can justify the rate for someone who values convenience.

The group-size information requires a little caution. The tour is described as small-group and personalized, but the maximum listed size is 55 people. That is not a tiny group. The actual departure may be smaller, but you should ask if group size is important to you.

The strongest service praise concerns helpful communication, a clear English-speaking guide, comfortable transport, and an easy transfer process. Those details matter on a cross-border trip, where missed instructions or unclear payment steps can create real trouble.

Who will get the most from this Jordan trip?

I would recommend this experience to you if you are based in Eilat and have only two days for Jordan. It gives you the country’s two headline sights, Petra and Wadi Rum, without requiring you to build a complicated route.

It also suits families, provided children are accompanied by an adult and can manage the walking. The family-friendly description does not remove the need for stamina. Petra involves three hours on foot, and the whole first day is long.

You will probably like it if you want:

• A guided introduction to Petra’s main sights
• A Bedouin camp night instead of a standard hotel
• A 4×4 ride through Wadi Rum
• Air-conditioned transport
• Help with border and visa arrangements
• A social evening with food and music

You may want a different plan if you need a round trip to Eilat, dislike group travel, want luxury accommodation with fully specified facilities, or hope to spend many hours exploring Petra’s less-visited routes.

The tour is also a good fit for visitors who want cultural context, not only photographs. The guide discusses Nabataean art, gods, history, and daily life, while the Wadi Rum portion introduces Bedouin traditions. The experience moves quickly, but it does more than take you to a famous viewpoint and send you back.

Practical advice for a smoother two days

Start by checking the final border cost. The supplied details list several charges in different categories, including a $65 departure tax and a $75 visa. Get a written breakdown so you know what is paid at booking, at check-in, or at the border.

Give your passport details carefully and make sure your current passport is with you. The operator requires passport name, number, expiry, and country for every person.

Tell the company about vegetarian food when you book. Lunch and breakfast are included, but the details do not specify every meal, so ask what is covered if you have dietary needs beyond vegetarian food.

Pack for walking and desert touring. The tour calls for moderate fitness, and Petra includes about three hours of walking. Your day also includes border procedures and transfers, so comfortable footwear and a practical day bag will make the experience easier.

Keep your final destination in mind. The official end point is Aqaba city. If you need to return to Eilat or continue elsewhere, plan that separately and allow enough time for your next transport.

The cancellation terms are strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Book only after confirming your dates, passport details, border eligibility, total costs, and Aqaba arrangements.

Should you book Petra and Wadi Rum from Eilat?

Book this tour if you want the simplest way to combine Petra and Wadi Rum in two days, and if a Bedouin camp night sounds as appealing as the monuments themselves. The stars, traditional food, music, and 4×4 desert ride give the trip a strong sense of place.

Skip it if the extra border charges strain your budget, if you need a return to Eilat, or if you want a relaxed, highly private visit. For the right person, this is a well-packed introduction to Jordan, with Petra’s ancient wonders on day one and Wadi Rum’s wide desert on day two.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Eilat, Israel, with hotel pickup between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in Aqaba city, Jordan.

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts approximately two days and includes one overnight stay in a Bedouin camp.

What is included in the $350 price?

The price includes lunch, breakfast, overnight accommodation, transport, and a professional guide.

Are border fees and visa costs included?

No. The listed exclusions include a $65 departure tax, a $75 Jordan visa, border fees connected with Petra, and other stated visa or departure charges.

What passport information is required?

You must provide each participant’s passport name, passport number, expiry date, and country at booking. A current valid passport is required on the travel day.

How much walking is involved?

The Petra visit includes about three hours of walking. The tour also requires a moderate level of physical fitness.

Is a vegetarian meal available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you must request it when booking.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, children can join, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

How large can the group be?

The stated maximum is 55 participants, although the experience is described as a small-group tour.