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

Wadi Rum is the star here: a vast red desert of cliffs, arches, and strange rock towers explored by open-sided Jeep before sunset. You then sleep in a private Bedouin glamping tent and reach Petra the next day, making this a practical way to see two of Jordan’s biggest sights from Eilat.

I like the small taste of Aqaba at the start and the fact that transport, a Jordanian guide, Petra admission, dinner, and lunch are bundled together. I also like the private tent with a bathroom, WiFi, and climate control, which takes the edge off a desert night.

The main caution is cost. At $335 per person, the tour can reach $460 before optional Aqaba activities once the $125 border and visa charge is added. The schedule may also change, so Aqaba is not guaranteed in the exact order described.

Key points to know before you book

• Wadi Rum gets its best moment at sunset: The Jeep ride ends with changing desert light across the rock formations.
• Petra is reached through the Siq: You walk the smooth, narrow gorge to the Treasury, then continue to tombs, the theater, and the colonnaded street.
• Glamping is more comfortable than camping: Your private tent includes a bathroom, WiFi, and climate control, with a Martian bubble tent upgrade available.
• Border costs are a serious part of the budget: Prepare $125 in cash for visa issuing and border fees, or $65 if you already have a valid visa stamp or do not need a visa.
• Aqaba may be flexible: Beach time, boating, and the private beach are optional, and the order of stops can change.
• The tour suits active adults: Children under two, pregnant people, and wheelchair users cannot take part.

Why this two-day Jordan trip works from Eilat

From Eilat, Petra and Wadi Rum are close enough to combine, but the border makes independent planning more complicated than a simple day trip. This tour takes care of the Jordanian vehicle, guide, site entry, and overnight stay, so you can focus on the places themselves.

You should think of it as a fast introduction to southern Jordan rather than a slow cultural journey. You get two major sights, a short Aqaba stop, and one night in the desert within two days. That is efficient, but the schedule leaves little room for delays or wandering at your own pace.

The air-conditioned vehicle matters. Jordan’s southern desert can be hot, and the road sections between Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Petra would feel long without cooling and a dedicated driver. The guide also helps at the border, where customs and passport control can take up to an hour.

Guiding is offered in English and Spanish. The service is described as fully guided, but the amount of explanation at Petra may depend on how actively you ask questions. I would arrive ready with a few things you want to understand, especially about the Nabataeans, the tombs, and how the ancient city worked.

Aqaba, from castle views to optional beach time

The first stop is Aqaba, Jordan’s port city on the Red Sea. The plan begins in the colorful alleys before moving to Mamluk Castle, a 16th-century fortress with a remarkably wide view.

From the castle, you may be able to see Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia in one sweep. That is the sort of quick geographic lesson that makes a border trip feel real. You are not simply changing countries; you are looking across a tightly packed corner of the Middle East.

The Aqaba portion also includes free time, but the beach activities are optional and cost extra. You can choose a three-hour boating and snorkeling session for $75, or pay $25 for entry to a private beach with a pool and Jacuzzi. Drinks are not included.

I would treat this part as a bonus, not the main reason to book. If you want Petra and Wadi Rum, Aqaba adds a pleasant coastal pause. If you prefer more time at the archaeological site, the optional beach stop may not be worth the extra money or time.

There is also an important scheduling point. The order can change, and one recorded experience had Aqaba skipped after Petra was moved to the first day. That does not mean Aqaba will always be omitted, but you should not book this expecting a fixed hour-by-hour plan.

Wadi Rum by Jeep, with Star Wars scenery and a sunset finish

Wadi Rum is the emotional center of the trip. Locally known as the Valley of the Moon, it is a desert of red sand, broad open spaces, and huge sandstone formations. A Jeep tour carries you into areas that would be hard to reach on foot during a short visit.

The setting has appeared in Lawrence of Arabia and in Rogue One and The Rise of Skywalker. You may recognize the shapes from the screen, but the real pleasure is seeing how much larger and quieter the place feels in person.

The route includes the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, a famous rock formation named after T. E. Lawrence’s book. The guide can also explain the area’s geology, which gives the unusual cliffs more meaning than simply calling them good photo stops.

I especially like the timing of the Jeep ride. It builds toward sunset, when the hard desert colors soften and the cliffs shift from tan to orange and red. Bring a phone or camera, but do not spend the entire ride looking at a screen. Wadi Rum is one of those places where the wide view matters more than a single landmark.

The Jeep portion is also the least predictable part of the day. Desert roads are rough, and the ride is about the setting rather than comfort. You should expect movement, dust, and sun. The air-conditioned vehicle is useful on the main roads, but the safari itself is a more exposed experience.

A Bedouin glamping night with useful comforts

After the Jeep ride, you stay at a Bedouin camp. This is not bare-bones tent camping. The private tents include bathrooms, WiFi, and climate control, and you can upgrade to a futuristic Martian bubble tent.

That setup gives you the desert atmosphere without asking you to give up every modern convenience. I see it as a good middle ground for people who want to sleep near Wadi Rum but do not want shared facilities or a night of rough camping.

Full-board overnight glamping is included, with dinner on the first day. Lunch is included on the second day. Drinks are not included, so keep that in mind when planning your cash and packing list.

The camp is also where the pace finally slows. After border formalities, Aqaba, and the Jeep ride, you can enjoy the unusual setting instead of rushing straight back onto the road. The private tent makes this more appealing for couples and solo visitors who value privacy.

Do not mistake climate control for a luxury hotel. You are still staying in a desert camp, and the appeal comes from the location and the Bedouin setting. If you want a polished resort stay, this is the wrong product. If you want a comfortable night close to Wadi Rum, it fits well.

Reaching Petra through the Siq

The second day follows the Desert Highway through desert and mountain scenery to Petra. The road journey gives you a sense of southern Jordan’s scale before you reach the archaeological site.

Petra was built roughly 2,300 years ago by the Nabataeans. Much of what you see was cut directly into red sandstone cliffs, so the site feels less like a collection of freestanding ruins and more like a city shaped from the rock itself.

You can enter on foot or on horseback. The horseback option is not part of the stated price, so ask about the cost before choosing it. Walking gives you time to notice the changing walls of the Siq and the carved details along the route.

The Siq is a smooth gorge leading to the Treasury. It is one of Petra’s great reveals: the passage narrows and twists, then opens toward the famous facade. The Treasury is Petra’s best-known sight, but it was not actually a place for storing gold. The name comes from later local tradition, not its original purpose.

Once you reach the Treasury, continue into the wider parts of Petra. The route includes the Obelisk Tomb, Petra Theater, decorated shrines, and the ancient colonnaded street. These stops help you see Petra as a working city, not just a dramatic facade.

The guide’s role can make a big difference here. You will get more from the walk if you ask direct questions and keep the guide nearby. One person described the guide as kind and the explanations as useful when prompted, but felt that the historical detail did not always come without asking. That is a fair warning for anyone who wants a deep archaeological lecture.

How much Petra time will you really have?

The tour gives you a guided visit, but this is still a short trip. Petra is large, and even a focused visit involves plenty of walking over uneven ground. You should wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and expect the day to feel physical.

The good news is that the main route contains several major sights close to the standard visiting path. You can see the Siq, Treasury, tombs, theater, shrines, and colonnaded street without turning the visit into a long expedition.

The tradeoff is freedom. A guide keeps you moving and gives structure, but you may not have much time to linger at every site. If you have already visited Petra and want to explore every side valley, this tour will feel too compressed. If this is your first visit and you want the essential route, the pace is more sensible.

Petra also rewards attention to small details. Look at the carved facades, the color bands in the sandstone, and the way the Nabataeans used the rock. Take pictures, but give yourself moments without the camera. The setting changes as you move from the narrow Siq into the open city.

The real price, including the border

The advertised price is $335 per person. That includes the licensed Jordanian guide, air-conditioned transport, Petra admission, dinner, lunch, and full-board glamping.

The border charge is separate and significant. Prepare $125 in cash in US dollars, euros, or Israeli new shekels for visa issuing and border fees. If you have a valid visa stamp or do not need a visa, the stated charge is $65.

That means many people will pay about $460 before adding drinks or optional Aqaba activities. Add boating and snorkeling, and the total rises by another $75. Add private beach entry instead, and it rises by $25.

For a solo visitor, the price buys something useful: transport, border assistance, a driver, a guide, a room, meals, and entry to Petra. Doing the same trip alone may involve more planning and more uncertainty at the crossing.

For two people who prefer independent travel, the value is less obvious. The Aqaba stop may not be essential, and the Petra guiding may feel light if you want detailed interpretation. You are paying for convenience and access, not a slow, highly specialized archaeological tour.

Who will get the most from this trip?

I would recommend it most to a first-time visitor based in Eilat who wants to see Petra and Wadi Rum without arranging Jordanian transport and accommodation separately. It also makes sense for solo visitors who want help with the crossing and the safety of a planned vehicle and guide.

The tour suits you if you like a full schedule, major sights, desert scenery, and a comfortable camp night. It is also a good match if you want both Petra and Wadi Rum but have only two days available.

You may want another plan if Aqaba is your main goal, since beach activities are optional and the schedule can change. You may also prefer more time in Petra if archaeological detail matters more to you than seeing several places quickly.

The activity is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or wheelchair users. Bring your passport, and make sure the passport information submitted for every participant is accurate, including passport number, date of birth, issue date, expiration date, and nationality.

Israeli passport holders must use their Israeli passports at every border crossing during the tour. Some nationalities need a visa in advance, so check Jordan’s Ministry of Interior requirements before paying.

Should you book this Eilat to Jordan tour?

Book it if you want the simplest practical route to Wadi Rum and Petra in two days, especially if you are traveling alone or do not want to manage the border and Jordanian transport yourself.

I would book with realistic expectations. Wadi Rum is likely to be the strongest part, thanks to the Jeep ride, rock formations, and sunset. Petra supplies the major historical sight, but ask questions if you want more than a basic introduction. Treat Aqaba as a flexible extra, not a guaranteed centerpiece.

The value is fair only after you account for the border charge and optional costs. If the total still fits your budget, this is a useful, well-organized shortcut into southern Jordan. If you want long hours at Petra, a fixed schedule, or a lower total price, independent planning may suit you better.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two days and includes one overnight stay in a Bedouin glamping camp.

What places does the tour visit?

The stated route includes Aqaba, Mamluk Castle, Wadi Rum, and Petra. The order may change during the trip.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A licensed Jordanian tour guide is included. Guiding is available in English and Spanish.

What meals are included?

Dinner on the first day and lunch on the second day are included. Full-board overnight glamping is also provided. Drinks are not included.

What is included in the Petra visit?

Petra entrance fees are included. The visit includes the Siq, Treasury, Obelisk Tomb, Petra Theater, decorated shrines, and the ancient colonnaded street.

How much are the Jordanian visa and border fees?

You should prepare $125 in cash in USD, euros, or Israeli shekels. People with a valid visa stamp or those who do not require a visa pay $65.

Are Aqaba boating and beach activities included?

No. Boating costs $75, and private beach entry costs $25. Both activities are optional.

What should I bring, and who cannot join?

You must bring your passport. The tour is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or wheelchair users.