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

Jordan packs a lot into two days. From Eilat, this guided trip takes you across the border to Aqaba, the red-rock wilderness of Wadi Rum, and Petra, with a night in a private Bedouin glamping tent. I like the easy transport and the chance to visit two major Jordan sights without arranging permits, drivers, desert transport, and border details yourself. The trip also gives you a sunset Jeep ride and a proper night in the desert, not just a quick roadside stop.

The main caution is the cost. The tour price is $335 per person, but most visitors must also pay $125 in cash for Jordanian visa issuing and border fees. Aqaba can also add another $25 to $75, and the schedule has sometimes changed, with Aqaba shortened or skipped when Petra was moved to the first day.

Key points to know before booking

• Aqaba may be the flexible part of the schedule: The plan includes Mamluk Castle and beach time, but the order can change.
• Wadi Rum is the strongest part for many people: A Jeep safari, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and sunset make this more than a simple desert drive.
• Petra requires serious walking: The Siq, Treasury, tombs, theater, and colonnaded street form a long outdoor visit.
• The real price can reach $460: Add the $125 border charge to the $335 tour price, before drinks or optional Aqaba activities.
• The camp is more comfortable than basic camping: Private tents, bathrooms, WiFi, and climate control are included, with a Martian bubble tent available as an upgrade.
• The guide and driver matter: The trip includes a licensed Jordanian guide, and the driver can make border crossings and long road sections much easier.

Crossing from Eilat into Jordan

Your pickup begins at your hotel in Eilat, so you do not need to find your own way to the departure point. That is a real advantage for a short international trip. You are handed over to a planned transport system instead of trying to coordinate taxis, border procedures, and desert transfers on your own.

Bring your passport, and enter every detail carefully when booking. The tour requires each participant’s passport number, birth date, issue date, expiration date, and nationality. Israeli passport holders must use their Israeli passports at every border crossing during the trip.

The border process can take up to an hour. It includes passport control and customs, so do not expect the road journey to begin the moment you arrive. Most nationalities must pay $125 in cash in US dollars, euros, or Israeli new shekels directly to Jordanian border authorities. Have the exact amount ready.

If you already have a valid visa stamp or do not need a visa, the stated charge is $65 instead. Some nationalities require a visa in advance, so check the Jordanian Ministry of Interior before you book. This is one of the least glamorous parts of the trip, but the guide and driver can be especially useful here. That help is a major reason to choose an organized excursion instead of handling the crossing alone.

Aqaba, Mamluk Castle, and the optional beach break

Aqaba gives the first day a gentler start. The route includes time in the colorful alleys of the city and a visit to Mamluk Castle, a 16th-century fortress with a wide view across the region.

From the castle, you may be able to see Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia in one panorama. That is a memorable geography lesson, especially if you have just crossed from Eilat. The fortress itself is not the main reason to spend hours here, but its position gives it a clear purpose.

The Aqaba portion also includes free time for water activities. You can choose three hours of boating and snorkeling for $75, or pay $25 to use a private beach with a pool and Jacuzzi. Those extras are not included in the main price.

I would treat Aqaba as an optional bonus rather than the central reason to book this trip. The beach time could be a welcome break before the desert, especially if you want a slower afternoon. But if your priority is Petra and Wadi Rum, paying extra for a long beach session may feel like a poor use of limited time.

There is another practical issue: the schedule is not always fixed in the exact order described. One published account described Aqaba being skipped after Petra was moved to the first day. That means you should confirm the current plan and accept that the operator may adjust the sequence. On a two-day cross-border trip, road conditions, border timing, and site schedules can force changes.

Wadi Rum by Jeep at sunset

Wadi Rum is the emotional high point for many people on this route. Known as the Valley of the Moon, it is a vast desert area marked by red sand, sheer rock walls, and strange stone formations. The setting has appeared in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Rogue One, as well as Lawrence of Arabia.

A Jeep safari lets you see the desert in the way it deserves. You are not confined to a paved road or a coach window. The ride takes you toward places such as the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, while your local guide explains some of the area’s geology and points out the shapes formed by wind, erosion, and time.

The Seven Pillars are a useful stop because they give the desert a visual marker. You can take photographs, listen to the explanation, and get a sense of how the rock formations dominate the open space. The appeal of Wadi Rum is not a long list of monuments. It is the changing color, scale, and silence between the stops.

The Jeep ride ends around sunset, which is exactly the right time. The rock turns warmer as the light drops, and the desert feels less like a film set and more like a place with its own character. Bring a layer for the evening, since desert temperatures can change quickly, even after a hot day.

This part also shows why the guided format has value. Wadi Rum is not simply a place where you step out, take a photo, and return to the vehicle. A local driver knows the rough tracks and the usual stopping places. You would need to arrange a separate desert vehicle on your own, and that can be awkward when you are also managing an international border and a Petra visit.

A night in a Bedouin glamping camp

After the sunset ride, you spend the night at a Bedouin camp with full-board accommodation. Dinner on the first day is included, and the camp provides private tents, bathrooms, WiFi, and climate control.

That combination is aimed at people who want the desert setting without giving up basic comfort. You get the sense of sleeping in Wadi Rum, but you are not being asked to manage a sleeping bag or share a simple tent. The private bathroom is especially welcome after a dusty Jeep ride.

You can also upgrade to a futuristic Martian bubble tent. The upgrade is not part of the stated base price, so check the additional cost before deciding. The standard glamping tent already covers the practical needs, while the bubble tent is mainly for the unusual setting and photographs.

Full-board overnight glamping makes the two-day schedule possible. You do not lose time searching for dinner or finding a hotel after the desert excursion. The tradeoff is that you are tied to the camp chosen by the tour, rather than selecting your own hotel or restaurant.

The road to Petra on day two

The second day follows the Desert Highway toward Petra. The road section is part of the experience, with broad desert and mountain scenery along the way, but this is also where the trip can feel rushed. You are covering a lot of ground in a short period, and the exact amount of time at each stop depends on border delays and the previous day’s schedule.

The tour includes lunch on the second day. Drinks are not included, so bring extra cash for refreshments. The transport is air-conditioned, which matters in Jordan’s heat and during long drives between major sites.

The vehicle is described as advanced and air-conditioned, but the available information does not state the group size. Ask the provider about the vehicle and maximum number of passengers if personal space is important to you. Comfort on the road can shape your opinion of the whole trip.

Walking through Petra’s Siq to the Treasury

Petra dates back about 2,300 years and was the capital of the Nabateans. Its famous structures were cut directly into red-colored rock, which makes the site feel different from a conventional collection of freestanding ruins.

Your visit begins through the Siq, a smooth gorge that leads toward the Treasury. The approach is part of the magic. Rather than seeing the main monument from a distant viewpoint, you follow a narrow passage and gradually reach the carved facade.

You can enter Petra on foot or choose to go by horseback. Horseback access may sound appealing after a long trip, but ask what is included and what extra charges apply before agreeing. The tour price includes Petra entrance, but it does not state that a horse ride is included.

Once you reach the Treasury, give yourself time to look closely. The facade is not only about its size. Its carved details, columns, and upper decoration show how the Nabateans worked with the cliff itself. This is also one of the busiest points of the site, so your guide may need to position the group around the main viewing area.

The route continues to the Obelisk Tomb, Petra Theater, decorated shrines, and the ancient colonnaded street. These stops help you see more than the Treasury. The theater shows the scale of Petra as a functioning city, while the tombs and shrines reveal how much of the site was devoted to memorials and ritual spaces.

This is where you should manage expectations about guiding. The trip includes a licensed Jordanian guide and the guide can explain the major sites, but the amount of historical detail may vary. One account found the guide kind and the driver excellent, but felt that more explanation at Petra would have helped. If you want a deep archaeological lesson, ask questions as you walk. Do not simply trail behind the group and expect every detail to be volunteered.

Petra is also physically demanding. You will walk through the Siq and across an open archaeological site, often on uneven ground. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, or children under two. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and leave room on your phone for photographs. The site rewards patience, but it is not a quick photo stop.

What the $335 price really buys you

The advertised price is $335 per person. That includes a licensed Jordanian guide, Petra entrance, air-conditioned transportation, dinner, lunch, and full-board glamping. It also covers the main sightseeing structure, including the Wadi Rum Jeep tour and the planned Aqaba stops.

The price looks more reasonable when you consider the number of moving parts. You are paying for cross-border coordination, private transport, an overnight desert stay, a local guide, park access, and meals. A solo visitor would need to arrange those pieces separately, and the border alone can create confusion.

Still, the added fees change the calculation. With the usual $125 border and visa payment, your basic cost reaches $460 before drinks and optional Aqaba activities. Add the $75 boating and snorkeling package, and the total rises to $535. The private beach option brings it to $485.

That is a lot for two days. The package is strongest for solo visitors and first-time visitors who value help with Jordan’s border procedures. It is less attractive if you are comfortable arranging independent transport, or if Aqaba is not important to you and you would rather spend more time at Petra.

The guaranteed departure is useful for planning. You are not waiting for a minimum number of participants before deciding whether the trip will run. The flexible booking terms also allow cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies reduce some risk, but they do not remove the need to confirm border requirements and the current schedule.

Who should book this two-day trip

I would recommend it most strongly to a solo visitor based in Eilat who wants to see Petra and Wadi Rum without building a Jordan itinerary from scratch. The driver, guide, air-conditioned vehicle, and border support are practical advantages.

It also suits you if Wadi Rum is as important as Petra. The sunset Jeep ride and glamping night give the trip a clear character. You are not merely checking Petra off a list and returning to Israel the same day.

You should think twice if your main goal is detailed archaeology. The Petra visit covers several major points, but time is limited, and the guiding may be fairly light unless you ask questions. An independent Petra visit could give you more freedom to set your pace.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, or children under two. You also need a valid passport and, depending on nationality, possibly a visa arranged in advance.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a tightly organized first taste of Jordan and care most about Wadi Rum, Petra, and simple logistics. The desert Jeep ride, comfortable camp, helpful transport setup, and chance to see Petra in a short window give it real value.

Skip it if the full cost feels too high, Aqaba is not a priority, or you want a slow and detailed Petra visit. Before paying, confirm the current route, ask if Aqaba is guaranteed, and budget the border charge in cash. If those conditions work for you, this is an efficient and memorable two-day introduction to southern Jordan.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The tour price is $335 per person. Most people must also pay $125 in cash for Jordanian visa issuing and border fees. Those with a valid visa stamp or who do not need a visa pay $65.

What is included in the tour?

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

Are Aqaba beach activities included?

No. Three hours of boating and snorkeling costs $75, while entry to the private beach with a pool and Jacuzzi costs $25.

What is included in the glamping accommodation?

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

Which languages are available?

Live guiding is available in Spanish and English.

What do I need to bring?

Bring your passport. You must provide passport details during the reservation process, and Israeli passport holders must use their Israeli passports at every border crossing during the tour.