Petra and Wadi Rum 2 day tour from Eilat

Two countries, two unforgettable sights. This 2-day Petra and Wadi Rum tour from Eilat packs Jordan’s most famous ancient city and desert reserve into one practical trip, with transport, border assistance, entrance fees, dinner, and breakfast included. I like that you get both a guided introduction to Petra and time to explore it on your own, and I also like the sunset jeep ride in Wadi Rum, which gives the overnight stay a real sense of place.

The main drawback is the schedule. Border formalities can take up to an hour, and the journey back to Eilat is long. Guide quality also deserves attention, since one serious complaint described too much political and religious discussion and not enough useful history. This is a time-efficient tour, not a slow or polished luxury trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra gets the headline treatment: You receive a guided tour of the major sights, followed by free time inside the archaeological site.
• Wadi Rum includes a sunset jeep ride: The desert visit is not just a photo stop, but the exact length and route of the jeep outing are not specified.
• The border crossing shapes the whole trip: Israeli and Jordanian control procedures may take up to an hour, so patience is part of the package.
• You sleep in a Bedouin camp: The standard double tent has shared bathroom facilities, with a chalet and private bathroom available as an upgrade.
• Meals and admission are included: Dinner, breakfast, Petra entry, and Wadi Rum entry help explain the $339 price.
• The group can reach 25 people: That keeps the price below a private tour, but it may limit personal attention at Petra.

What the $339 price really covers

At $339 per person, this is not a cheap border crossing and sightseeing day. It is a two-day package with round-trip transport from Eilat, Jordanian transfers, a night in Wadi Rum, dinner, breakfast, entry to two major sites, and a guided visit to Petra.

I see the value mainly in the logistics. Petra and Wadi Rum are not next door to each other, and arranging the border crossing, drivers, accommodation, meals, and entrance tickets separately can take time. You pay for someone else to connect those pieces.

Still, the price does not buy a relaxed pace. You spend substantial time in vehicles and at border control. The first morning begins early, and the return to Eilat is not expected until about 7:00 p.m. on the second day. If you want long walks, quiet meals, or a detailed archaeological tour, you may prefer a longer Jordan stay.

The maximum group size is 25 people. That is manageable, but it is large enough for the guide’s voice, meeting points, and timing to matter. A strong guide can make the Petra visit useful. A weak one can leave you wishing for more explanation.

Leaving Eilat and crossing into Jordan

The tour begins with pickup from hotels in Eilat, with the stated itinerary placing departure around 7:00 a.m. The general meeting time is also listed as 8:15 a.m., so you should confirm your exact hotel pickup time before the day begins. Those times do not appear identical, and a border tour is not the place to guess.

You are transferred to the Arava Border on the Israeli side. Border control and customs may take up to an hour. The process can feel slow, but that is normal for an international trip and not something the sightseeing schedule can fully control.

Israeli passport holders, including dual nationals carrying an Israeli passport, must use that Israeli passport at every border crossing. Keep your documents ready and follow the guide’s instructions. The return point matters too: the tour ends on the Israeli side of the border, followed by transportation back to Eilat.

You should also expect the day to feel structured from the start. The tour company is moving a group across an international border, not simply driving you to a nearby attraction. Build patience into your morning.

Aqaba gives you a short first taste of Jordan

After the crossing, the schedule takes you to Aqaba at about 9:15 a.m. The plan includes a city tour and free time to explore the market before lunch.

This is a useful pause after the border, since you can get your first look at Jordan before heading farther inland. The market visit gives you a chance to walk around rather than spending the entire day seated in a vehicle.

The time in Aqaba is limited, so treat it as an introduction, not a full city visit. You will not have the freedom of an open afternoon. The schedule calls for departure toward Wadi Rum at about 12:15 p.m., leaving roughly three hours for the city stop, including the tour and lunch.

Lunch is not listed as included, so plan for that cost. The package does include dinner and breakfast, but not every meal. This is a small point that can affect your budget.

Wadi Rum begins with a Bedouin camp stay

The transfer to Wadi Rum follows the Aqaba stop. After reaching the protected area, you check in at the Bedouin camp and have some free time before the sunset jeep tour.

The overnight stay is one of the strongest parts of the package because it gives Wadi Rum more than a quick drive-through visit. You get an evening in the desert, a meal at camp, and a morning departure after breakfast.

The standard accommodation is a double tent with shared bathroom facilities. That wording matters. You should not book this expecting a hotel room or a private bathroom. The camp setup is simple, and the shared facilities may not suit everyone.

A chalet with an ensuite bathroom is available as an upgrade. The tour information does not give the upgrade cost, so you need to ask the provider directly before booking if privacy is important to you.

Dinner is included as a buffet meal. Breakfast is served the next morning before the transfer to Petra. The exact menu is not specified, so I would treat the meals as practical camp dining rather than a reason to choose the tour on their own.

The sunset jeep ride is the desert highlight

The jeep tour takes place around sunset in Wadi Rum Protected Area. This is the part of the trip most likely to give you a strong visual memory of the desert: open red sand, rock formations, and changing light across the reserve.

The information provided describes the outing as a sunset jeep tour but does not state its exact duration, vehicle type, or stops. You should ask about those details if the desert ride is your main reason for booking.

The timing is good. A sunset outing gives the desert more character than a midday transfer, and the camp location means you do not have to rush back across the border after the ride. You can have dinner afterward and sleep nearby.

The main tradeoff is comfort. A jeep ride over rough ground may be bumpy, and the camp is basic by design. I would bring a light layer for the evening and keep your expectations practical. The tour includes an authentic desert overnight, not a high-end resort stay.

Petra on day two, with a guided start

After breakfast, you leave Wadi Rum for Petra. The route follows the Desert Way and passes through scenic mountain country before reaching the archaeological site.

The tour of Petra begins at about 9:30 a.m. and covers the main highlights. A guided start is valuable here because Petra is spread across a large area, and a first visit can otherwise become a march from one famous view to the next without much context.

Petra was built by the Nabataeans and later shaped by Roman influence. Its best-known approach runs through the narrow Siq, leading to the Treasury. The supplied schedule does not promise every corner of the site, so you should listen carefully to the guide’s plan and note where the group will meet afterward.

The guide is a major variable. One serious account described a guide who focused heavily on political and religious ideas while giving too little useful information about Petra. That kind of experience can change the value of the entire day. You cannot choose the guide from the information supplied, so keep your own map or site notes available if you want more historical detail.

The group size can reach 25 people. You may get a clear introduction at the start, but you should not expect the personal attention of a private archaeologist. Stay close enough to hear, and ask about the meeting point before the free period begins.

Three hours of free time inside Petra

At around noon, the guided portion ends and you receive free time inside Petra until the return journey. This is a welcome feature. You can revisit a favorite view, walk at your own speed, or choose a quieter stretch away from the main group.

Three hours is useful, but Petra is a large site. You may need to choose between distance and depth. If you walk slowly, stop often, or hope to reach higher viewpoints, you should plan your route before splitting from the group.

The free time also makes the tour less restrictive than a fully escorted visit. I like that balance: you receive an introduction, then some control over your own visit. The drawback is that the timetable does not leave much room for delays. Returning late to the meeting point could create problems on a long international transfer.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Petra involves walking across uneven ground, and the day continues with a lengthy ride to the border. The tour details do not specify the exact walking distance or terrain, so you should be prepared for more than a short stroll.

The long ride back to Eilat

The return journey brings you back to the border at approximately 7:00 p.m. Your guide assists with the crossing into Israel, and transportation continues to Eilat.

This is an efficient way to finish a two-day visit, but it is also the hardest part of the schedule. After a full day in Petra, you still face the road and another border process. If you have evening plans in Eilat, do not schedule them tightly.

The included transportation is air-conditioned, which matters in Jordan’s dry climate and during long road sections. The vehicle is shared, and the group may include up to 25 people. That is a reasonable compromise for the price, but you should expect a fixed timetable rather than the flexibility of a hired car.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see Petra and Wadi Rum from Eilat without organizing a Jordan itinerary yourself. It is especially useful if you value included entrance tickets, border assistance, camp accommodation, and a simple two-day plan.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a guided orientation at Petra but still want some time alone inside the site. The sunset jeep tour adds a second major experience instead of making the trip only about ancient ruins.

I would be more cautious if you need private bathrooms, a slow pace, or detailed academic commentary. The shared tent option is basic, the border may take time, and the quality of the guiding can affect the Petra visit.

This is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes early starts and long road transfers. The package covers a lot of ground in two days, and that efficiency comes with limited spare time.

Practical advice for making the day easier

Confirm your pickup time in Eilat because the supplied schedule gives both a 7:00 a.m. pickup and an 8:15 a.m. start time. Clarify where you will meet and how the return transfer works before departure.

Ask about the chalet upgrade if a private bathroom matters to you. The standard double tent uses shared bathrooms, and the upgrade price is not included in the available details.

Carry your passport as required for the border crossing. Israeli passport holders and dual nationals with an Israeli passport must use that document at every crossing.

Plan money for lunch in Aqaba, since lunch is not listed among the included meals. Dinner and breakfast are included, along with entrance fees to Petra and Wadi Rum.

Keep the second afternoon open after your return. The tour is expected to reach the border at about 7:00 p.m., and border procedures can affect the final arrival time in Eilat.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. For other cancellations, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.

Should you book the Petra and Wadi Rum tour from Eilat?

I would book this tour if your priority is seeing both Petra and Wadi Rum in two days with the major arrangements handled for you. The combination of Petra entry, Wadi Rum entry, camp lodging, meals, transport, and border assistance gives the $339 price a reasonable practical value.

I would not book it expecting a leisurely Jordan holiday. The schedule is tight, the tent accommodation is simple, and the guide may determine how much you learn at Petra. Confirm the pickup time, ask about the private-bathroom upgrade, and accept that border delays are part of the experience.

For an efficient first visit from Eilat, this tour covers the right places. For comfort, depth, and flexibility, you should plan a longer stay in Jordan instead.

FAQ

How long is the Petra and Wadi Rum tour from Eilat?

The tour lasts approximately two days. The itinerary begins with a pickup in Eilat and returns to the Israeli side of the border at about 7:00 p.m. on the second day.

Is hotel pickup offered in Eilat?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels in Eilat before the transfer to the Arava Border.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Admission to Petra and Wadi Rum is included in the tour price.

Are meals included?

Dinner and breakfast are included. Lunch in Aqaba is not listed as included.

What type of accommodation is provided in Wadi Rum?

The standard accommodation is a double tent at a Bedouin camp with shared bathroom facilities. A chalet with an ensuite bathroom is available as an upgrade.

Are passports required for the border crossing?

Yes. Israeli passport holders, including dual passport holders with an Israeli passport, must use their Israeli passport at every border crossing.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour can include a maximum of 25 travelers.