Petra and Wadi Rum 2 Days 1 Night Tour from Eilat Border

Petra changes the scale of travel. This two-day Jordan trip links the rose-colored Nabatean city with a Bedouin-led jeep ride through Wadi Rum, making it a strong choice if you have limited time and want two major sights in one carefully arranged package. I especially like the three-hour guided visit in Petra and the four to five-hour Wadi Rum jeep tour, which gives you more than a quick photo stop. The main concern is timing: you must reach the Eilat border by about 9:00 to 10:00 in the morning, and the border crossing is something you handle on the Israeli side yourself.

The tour costs $635.90 per person, a serious price for two days, but it covers Petra and Wadi Rum admission, transfers, a hotel night, breakfast, guides, water, and the Jordanian visa for eligible nationalities. You can sleep in Petra or Wadi Rum at the same rate, though the supplied schedule describes a hotel night in Petra. That flexibility is useful, but I would confirm the overnight location before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Early border arrival is essential: You need to reach the Eilat border by 9:00 to 10:00 in the morning on day one.
• Petra gets a proper guided visit: The tour allows about three hours with a guide, including the Siq and the main approach to the ancient city.
• Wadi Rum is explored by open-air jeep: Expect four to five hours with an English-speaking Bedouin driver and stops at rock bridges, canyons, springs, dunes, and Nabatean remains.
• Two overnight choices are offered: You can choose Petra or Wadi Rum at the same rate, although the schedule specifically lists a Petra hotel with breakfast.
• The group is private: Only your own party participates, and group discounts are available.
• The last day is built around an early departure: After Wadi Rum, the transfer takes about 40 minutes to Aqaba or the Eilat border.

Why this two-day Jordan trip works

This is a compact route with a clear purpose. You cross from Israel, go directly to Petra, spend the night, then continue to Wadi Rum before returning toward Aqaba or the border. You are not trying to squeeze Amman, the Dead Sea, Jerash, and southern Jordan into one exhausting loop.

The private format matters. Your group is the only group on the activity, so the driver and guides are not trying to fit unrelated parties into every stop. That can make border timing, meal breaks, and the return transfer easier to manage. Group discounts may also improve the per-person value if you are traveling with family or friends.

Still, this is not a leisurely Jordan holiday. The road transfers take roughly two hours from the border to Petra, 1.5 hours from Petra to Wadi Rum, and about 40 minutes from Wadi Rum toward Aqaba or the Eilat crossing. You spend much of the first day at Petra and much of the second day in the desert, but the driving between them is real.

Crossing from Eilat into Jordan

You begin at the Wadi Araba border road on the Jordanian side, but your first task is on the Israeli side. The tour instructions make this clear: you complete the Israeli border procedures yourself, then cross to Jordan, where a representative waits with a sign bearing your name.

That meeting arrangement is helpful after a border crossing. Look for the named representative rather than wandering around trying to locate a vehicle. Once reunited with the Jordanian side, you are transferred in a modern vehicle with an English-speaking driver or assistant driver.

Arrive early. The tour is designed for people who reach the crossing before 9:00 in the morning, with 10:00 described as the latest acceptable arrival. A late start could shorten your Petra visit or create problems with the rest of the schedule. Keep your passport and booking details easy to reach, and allow extra time for the crossing itself.

Free visa on arrival is included for non-restricted nationalities. That qualification is important. It does not mean every passport holder receives the same treatment, so you should confirm that your nationality qualifies before booking.

Petra: the first major stop

The transfer to Petra takes about two hours. You meet your guide at the Visitor Centre and begin an approximately three-hour guided tour of the ancient Nabatean capital.

The approach is part of the experience. You pass through the Siq, the narrow gorge that leads into Petra. The first close view of the carved stone buildings comes through this confined passage, so the reveal feels gradual rather than immediate. The famous rose-colored stone explains Petra’s familiar nickname, but the site is more than a single monument. It was a major Nabatean center connected to Arabian trade routes, and its position helped it control movement and commerce across the region.

A guide is especially useful here because the stone facades can look like a series of dramatic pictures without context. The tour gives you a structured route and explanations as you move through the site rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

The package includes entry to Petra and a roughly 700-meter horse ride from the main gate. The horse ride is not mandatory, and the handler expects a tip. If you prefer to walk, you can decline it. If you accept, understand that this is a short transport-style ride, not a separate horseback excursion through the full site.

The three-hour guided portion is worthwhile, but Petra can easily fill a full day for someone who wants every trail and viewpoint. This tour gives you an organized introduction, not unlimited time for independent exploration. If Petra is your main reason for visiting Jordan, you may find the schedule brisk. If you want Petra plus Wadi Rum in only two days, the compromise is reasonable.

Wear shoes suitable for uneven ground and expect a moderate level of physical activity. The tour requires moderate fitness, and the long approach through the Siq, walking around the site, and later desert stops can add up.

Choosing the overnight stop

The tour offers an overnight stay in either Petra or Wadi Rum at the same rate. The supplied schedule lists one night at a Petra hotel with breakfast, so confirm the actual choice before booking rather than assuming the desert camp is included.

Sleeping in Petra is practical. You finish the first major sightseeing day near the next morning’s breakfast, then travel toward Wadi Rum. That reduces the need to change locations late at night.

Wadi Rum may appeal more if you want the desert to feel like the centerpiece of the trip. An overnight there can make the second day feel more connected to the Bedouin setting, though the exact accommodation type is not specified. Since both options cost the same, ask which hotel or camp is planned, whether breakfast is served there, and how the morning transfer will work.

The package includes breakfast, specifically listed with the one-night hotel stay. Other meals are not generally included. The Wadi Rum schedule describes a box lunch during the jeep tour, while the inclusions also label lunch as optional. That wording is not fully clear, so confirm whether the box lunch is included in your exact booking or carries an extra charge.

Wadi Rum by Bedouin jeep

After breakfast, the transfer to Wadi Rum takes about 1.5 hours. The desert portion lasts four to five hours in a 4×4 jeep with an English-speaking Bedouin driver.

This is not simply a drive to a viewpoint. The route includes a Nabatean Temple, Lawrence Spring, sand dunes, Khazali Canyon, Little Bridge, Um Frouth Rock Bridge, Lawrence House, and Burdah Rock Bridge or Burdah Arch. The stops mix archaeology, desert scenery, and short walks or climbs around natural rock formations.

The jeep is the right tool for this terrain. You move between broad sandy areas and the large sandstone formations that make Wadi Rum famous. The Bedouin driver adds a local connection that a standard vehicle transfer cannot provide, and the tour specifically emphasizes following the route associated with Lawrence of Arabia.

The rock bridges deserve particular attention. Little Bridge and Um Frouth are included, while Burdah Rock Bridge or Burdah Arch is also listed. The itinerary does not promise a climb to every formation, so your exact activity at each site may depend on conditions and timing.

A box lunch is described during the jeep tour. Mineral water is available on board the vehicle, which is useful in a dry desert setting. Bring practical clothing, sun protection, and shoes you can walk in. The tour does not state that special equipment is provided, so do not expect a technical climbing experience.

You can add one hour of camel riding from Rum Village to Lawrence Spring for 10 Jordanian dinars, listed as about $15 per camel per hour. This is optional and separate from the included jeep tour. If you want the camel ride, arrange it clearly with the operator so it does not interfere with the jeep schedule.

Returning to Aqaba or the Eilat border

When the jeep tour ends, you return to Wadi Rum Village and meet your driver again. The final transfer takes approximately 40 minutes to Aqaba or to the Eilat border crossing.

This timing suits you if you need to leave Jordan in the early afternoon on day two. It is less suitable if you want an unhurried second evening in Aqaba, because the tour is built around completing the desert visit and departing.

The stated end point is back at the meeting point, but the day two description also lists Aqaba or the Eilat border as drop-off choices. Confirm your preferred destination in advance. That small detail matters if you are continuing to a hotel, returning to Israel, or catching another connection.

What the $635.90 price covers

At $635.90 per person, the tour is expensive compared with arranging individual transfers. The value comes from having the major logistics bundled into one private trip.

Included items are:

• One night at a Petra hotel with breakfast
• Petra and Wadi Rum admission fees
• About three hours with a Petra guide
• Four to five hours in a Wadi Rum jeep with an English-speaking Bedouin driver
• Transfers by modern vehicle
• Mineral water on board
• Breakfast
• Visa on arrival for eligible non-restricted nationalities
• The 700-meter horse ride from Petra’s main gate, if you choose it

The package also lists lunch as optional, while the desert schedule describes a box lunch. Meals and drinks not specifically stated are excluded, as are personal expenses, travel insurance, tips, horse-drawn carriages, and camel rides.

The price makes the most sense for a small private group that values convenience and wants both headline sights without arranging several separate suppliers. It is less compelling if you are comfortable handling border transport, hotels, site tickets, and desert arrangements yourself.

Tips are not included for drivers, guides, or horse handlers. The horse handler expects a tip even though the short ride is included. Bring some Jordanian currency for this and for the optional camel ride.

The human side of the experience

The strongest praise attached to this experience centers on the personal service provided by Hasan and his crew. Hasan is described as a guide who quickly became part of the group, helping create a feeling of friendship rather than a purely transactional tour.

That kind of connection can matter on a fast trip. Border crossings and long transfers are easier when one person is keeping track of the moving parts, and local conversation can add a sense of place between the major monuments. Hasan is not guaranteed for every departure, so ask if you specifically want him as your guide.

The tour provider is Jordan Horizons Tours, which specializes in private and custom Jordan trips. The structure here reflects that approach: a private group, an assigned border representative, an English-speaking driver, and a Bedouin guide in Wadi Rum.

The experience is not designed for people who want to disappear into Jordan independently. It is designed for you to hand over much of the coordination while keeping the route focused on Petra and Wadi Rum.

Who should book this tour?

I would consider this trip if you:

• Are already in Eilat and can reach the border early
• Want Petra and Wadi Rum in one short visit
• Prefer a private group over a large shared coach
• Want entrance tickets, transfers, guiding, and a hotel handled together
• Need to return to the Eilat border or reach Aqaba by the early afternoon on day two
• Have moderate physical fitness for walking and desert stops

I would think twice if you want a slow, detailed exploration of Petra. Three hours with a guide gives you a strong introduction, but it leaves less time for extra trails and independent wandering.

I would also avoid booking until you clarify the overnight accommodation and lunch arrangements. The choice between Petra and Wadi Rum is useful, but the written details point more clearly to a Petra hotel than to a named desert camp. The lunch wording also needs confirmation.

Booking confirmation is issued within 48 hours, subject to availability. The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least six full days before the start time. A cancellation two to six full days beforehand receives a 50 percent refund, while cancellation less than two full days beforehand is nonrefundable. The tour also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants, despite the private format.

Final verdict: a strong short route with strict timing

Book this tour if your priority is seeing Petra and Wadi Rum from Eilat with as little logistical guesswork as possible. The private format, included admissions, border representative, Petra guide, and Bedouin jeep driver give the trip real practical value.

The tradeoff is pace. You must reach the border early, accept several road transfers, and fit two enormous sights into roughly 48 hours. Confirm your overnight location, lunch, final drop-off, and guide assignment before booking. If those details suit your plans, this is an efficient and memorable way to experience southern Jordan.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is listed at Wadi Araba Border Road in Aqaba, Jordan. You complete the Israeli side of the border crossing yourself before meeting the Jordanian representative.

What time should I arrive at the Eilat border?

You should arrive by 9:00 to 10:00 in the morning on the first day, with 10:00 described as the maximum arrival time.

How long is the transfer from the border to Petra?

The transfer from the Jordanian side of the border to Petra takes approximately two hours.

Is the Petra entrance fee included?

Yes. The package includes entrance fees and tickets for Petra and Wadi Rum.

Is the horse ride in Petra required?

No. The approximately 700-meter horse ride from the main gate is not mandatory. The horse handler expects a tip if you choose to ride.

Is camel riding in Wadi Rum included?

No. One hour of camel riding from Rum Village to Lawrence Spring is optional and listed at 10 Jordanian dinars, or about $15, per camel per hour.

Where does the tour end?

After the Wadi Rum jeep tour, you can be transferred to Aqaba or the Eilat border crossing. Confirm your preferred drop-off point with the provider.