From Jerusalem: Petra & Wadi Rum 2-Day Tour

Wadi Rum is the star of this two-day Jordan trip. You cross from Israel, pass through Aqaba, then trade the tour bus for a sunset jeep safari among red sand, rock walls, camels, and Bedouin camps. Spending the night beneath the desert sky gives this trip more character than a quick Petra day trip.

I like the Bedouin camp overnight and the fact that entry fees, transport in Jordan, meals, and a Petra guide are bundled together. I also like the chance to see Petra and Wadi Rum in one short trip, rather than choosing between them. The catch is time: delays and souvenir stops can leave you with only about five hours at Petra.

Key points

• Wadi Rum gets the most memorable evening: A local Bedouin guide takes you on a jeep safari before dinner and your night at camp.
• Petra is visited on the second day: You see the Siq, Treasury, Calligraphy, Jabal Madbach, and other major areas with an English-speaking guide.
• Aqaba is a pause, not the main event: You get free time for lunch, coffee, and shopping, but the stop can feel long and exposed in hot weather.
• The price includes useful essentials: Jordanian transport, accommodation, breakfast, dinner, Petra entry fees worth $70, guides, and border assistance are included.
• Budget for border costs: The listed charges are $70 on the Israeli side and $60 for the Jordanian visa, with a note that some stays of two nights or longer may not require the visa fee.
• The pace favors efficient sightseers: You can see both famous sites in two days, but you will not have leisurely time at every Petra trail.

From Jerusalem through the Negev to Jordan

Your pickup is in front of the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. Be ready 15 minutes early, because the trip starts with a long drive through the Negev Desert toward the Jordanian border.

This opening section is mainly about getting to Jordan. You will see the dry Negev on the way, but the real change comes after crossing the border and reaching Aqaba on the Red Sea. Border procedures can take time, and small delays are possible at the crossing or later in the trip.

Bring your passport, and keep cash or a card handy for the border charges. The listed Israeli-side crossing fee is $70, or 230 NIS, payable in cash or by card. A Jordanian visa fee of $60 is also listed, payable in US dollars or Jordanian dinars in cash. The instructions also say no visa fee is required for stays of two nights or longer, which does not neatly match a one-night, two-day itinerary. I would confirm the current rule before departure and carry the stated amount so you are not caught short.

Modest clothing is recommended in Jordan. You do not need a headscarf, but avoid short skirts, low-cut shirts, and clothing that leaves the midriff exposed.

Aqaba gives you a Red Sea pause

Aqaba is included as a stop before Wadi Rum. You get time for lunch, coffee, and shopping, and you may explore on your own rather than joining an optional activity.

This is useful if you need food, an ATM, or a short break after the border. It also gives you a glimpse of Jordan’s Red Sea city, with views toward the water and a chance to stretch your legs.

The timing deserves attention. One participant found the stop too long and uncomfortable during a heat wave, with little shelter available outside the lunch restaurant. Another chose to eat at inexpensive restaurants independently and found the city acceptable, but not a major sightseeing stop. I would treat Aqaba as a practical break, not a highlight that deserves the same anticipation as Petra or Wadi Rum.

If you travel in hot weather, carry water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The itinerary asks you to bring swimwear, but the supplied details do not promise swimming time, so pack it only if you are comfortable carrying an extra item.

Wadi Rum by jeep at sunset

From Aqaba, you continue inland to Wadi Rum and your Bedouin campsite. This is where the trip changes pace and mood.

The included jeep safari is led by a local Bedouin guide. You ride through the desert, stopping at areas identified in the program as the Calligraphy and Jabal Madbach, among other sights. The tour also points to camel views and Bedouin culture, giving you more than a simple drive through open sand.

The word safari may suggest a wild, high-speed ride, but keep your expectations measured. One account found the Toyota jeep trip enjoyable yet fairly quick, with limited time to appreciate each stop. That is a fair description of a short organized visit. You see the desert’s broad shapes and dramatic colors, but you are not signing up for a slow expedition or a full-day hiking program.

The sunset timing is the real prize. Light changes quickly across Wadi Rum, and the rock formations take on different shades as the sun drops. Bring a scarf or light layer for dust and evening air, plus shoes that can handle sand and uneven ground.

A Bedouin camp night under the stars

Your overnight stay is in an authentic-style Bedouin glamping campsite or hotel, depending on the arrangement. Dinner and breakfast are included.

The camp night gives this tour its sense of place. Instead of returning across the border after Petra, you spend an evening in Jordan, eat a Jordanian dinner, and have time to look up at the stars. It is not the same as a full cultural stay with several days in the desert, but it is enough to make Wadi Rum more than a photo stop.

The camp received especially warm attention, and the included food was described as very good. Still, food safety is never something I would ignore on a tightly timed trip. Eat cautiously if you have a sensitive stomach, carry basic personal supplies, and do not assume every meal will suit you.

The morning begins with breakfast at the campsite. That sounds leisurely on paper, but the day ahead is fixed by the drive to Petra and the return journey to the border. Be ready when asked, since a late departure cuts into your time at Jordan’s most famous archaeological site.

Petra begins through the Siq

After breakfast, you travel to Petra, the ancient Nabataean city carved into rose-colored rock. Petra is a UNESCO-recognized archaeological site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The approach through the Siq is one of the great reveals in Jordan. This narrow passage leads toward the Treasury, and the change from a confined canyon to the famous carved facade is the moment many people have been waiting for.

An English-speaking guide leads the main visit. The program names the Siq, Treasury, Calligraphy, Jabal Madbach, and other major parts of the site. You also get time to continue independently, which matters because Petra cannot be understood in a single quick glance.

The guide is most useful for orientation and context. Listen closely at the start, then use your free time according to your interests. You may prefer to stay near the Treasury and main route, while someone else in your group may want to walk farther into the site.

Five hours at Petra means choosing carefully

The most important practical issue is Petra time. The schedule can give you roughly five hours, sometimes a little more, but that window depends on the previous morning’s departure and the drive from Wadi Rum.

One participant felt five hours was too short for such a large site. Another noted that the guide did not accompany the group to the Monastery because it is far away, leaving that portion unguided. This is not a small detail. Petra’s main approach and Treasury are manageable in a short visit, but the Monastery requires extra walking and a larger time commitment.

If the Monastery is your priority, ask at the beginning how much independent time you have and what route is realistic. Do not assume the guided portion covers every major viewpoint. Comfortable shoes are essential, and sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and water will make the long outdoor visit easier.

The good news is that Petra itself was praised as the strongest part of the sightseeing day, and the visit generally runs as described. The less good news is that extra stops on the road can nibble away at your time. If your group leaves Wadi Rum at 8:30 a.m. and reaches Petra around 11:30, the difference between a direct departure and several stops becomes very real.

Lunch, stops, and the cost of a packed schedule

Meals vary in their practical value. Dinner at the camp and breakfast are included, and an additional meal is provided during the Petra day according to the supplied information. The Aqaba lunch is not included, so budget for food there.

The trip costs $489 per person. That is a serious price, but it covers the expensive pieces: pickup and drop-off from Jerusalem, transportation around Jordan, border assistance, a local jeep safari, one night of accommodation, breakfast, dinner, an English-speaking guide, and $70 worth of Petra entry fees.

You still need to add the border crossing fee, possible visa costs, tips, lunch in Aqaba, shopping, and personal insurance. The suggested tip is $5 per person per day for the driver and guide on a group tour. Carry US dollars or Jordanian dinars for tips and small expenses.

The value depends on your alternative. If you tried to arrange the border crossing, Jordanian transport, Petra entry, Wadi Rum jeep ride, and overnight stay alone, the tour would remove a lot of planning work. If you dislike group schedules, sales stops, or fixed meal arrangements, the same bundled format may feel restrictive.

Several comments point to souvenir stops and extra paid activities taking too much time. Ask what is optional, and keep your priorities clear. You are paying to see Petra and Wadi Rum, not to fill every spare minute with shopping.

Guides, border help, and the human side of the trip

The tour uses an English-speaking guide, a local Bedouin guide for Wadi Rum, and border assistance. One Jordanian guide was praised for being excellent and even speaking Spanish, which may help Spanish-speaking visitors if that guide is assigned to your departure. No guide name is provided, so I would not book expecting a particular person.

The border team can make a major difference on a trip like this. Even with assistance, you should expect some waiting and keep your documents close. Do not schedule an important evening commitment in Jerusalem, since the return can be late.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 17 reviews, with strong praise for the beauty of Petra and Wadi Rum. The lower scores focus less on the sites themselves and more on delays, sales pressure, the long Aqaba pause, border behavior, and limited time in Petra. That distinction is useful: the destinations are not the weak link. The schedule and handling of the group can be.

Who should book this two-day Jordan trip?

I would choose this tour if you have only two days, want both Petra and Wadi Rum, and prefer having transport and border logistics arranged for you. It suits active sightseers who can handle early starts, long drives, outdoor heat, and a brisk walking day.

It is also a good match if the desert night matters to you. A one-day Petra trip cannot provide the jeep safari, sunset, and Bedouin campsite experience.

I would hesitate if Petra is your main reason for visiting Jordan and you want to reach the Monastery, explore side routes, or photograph the site at a relaxed pace. A longer Petra-focused plan would give you more freedom. I would also hesitate if you dislike optional sales stops or need a precise return time to Jerusalem.

For most people choosing between one and two days, the two-day plan is the better shape. Wadi Rum adds a distinct experience, and Petra deserves more than a rushed out-and-back. Just accept that this is an efficient introduction, not a slow study of Jordan.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Petra plus Wadi Rum in two days, value organized transport, and can accept a full schedule with border uncertainty. The desert camp and sunset jeep ride are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you want maximum time at Petra, a quiet independent itinerary, or complete control over stops and meals. Before paying, confirm the current visa rule, ask how much time is planned at Petra, and find out which stops are optional. Those three answers will tell you more about the fit than the headline price.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from in Jerusalem?

Pickup is in front of the David Citadel Hotel.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts two days and includes one overnight stay in a Bedouin campsite or hotel.

What languages are available?

The listed tour language is English. A Jordanian guide on one departure also spoke Spanish, but a specific guide cannot be requested from the supplied information.

Is transportation from Jerusalem included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Jerusalem are included, along with transportation to the Jordanian sites and a return transfer from Eilat to the border.

Is the Wadi Rum jeep safari included?

Yes. A jeep safari led by a local Bedouin guide is included.

Are meals included?

Dinner and breakfast at the Bedouin campsite are included. Lunch in Aqaba is not included. The program also provides food on the Petra day.

What border fees should I expect?

The listed Israeli-side border crossing fee is $70, or 230 NIS, payable in cash or by card. A $60 Jordanian visa fee is listed as payable in US dollars or Jordanian dinars in cash. The instructions also state that no visa fee is required for stays of two nights or longer, so confirm the current rule before departure.

How much time is available at Petra?

The schedule can provide about five hours or slightly more, depending on departure times and stops. The Monastery may not be included in the guided walk because it is far away.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a scarf, swimwear, an ATM card or cash, and US dollars or Jordanian dinars for tips. Modest clothing is recommended.