02 Days with 01 overnight Petra and Wadi Rum Tour from Eilat Border

REVIEW · PETRA & WADI RUM TRIPS

02 Days with 01 overnight Petra and Wadi Rum Tour from Eilat Border

5.0 · 12 reviews From $587 Operated by Jordan Horizons Tours · Bookable on Viator
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Petra and Wadi Rum in one easy package. This organized 2 to 3 day trip pairs Petra’s UNESCO ruins with a Wadi Rum overnight so you get the sunset feel and a full day at the rock city. I like the low-stress border setup and the fact that you get real guidance in Petra. The one thing to consider is that you will be sleeping in a desert camp, so if you want a typical hotel bed, this is not that kind of night.

A big plus is how smoothly the tour company communicates, including quick help from Andrea and Mohammed when questions pop up. You’ll also get an English-speaking driver and guide for the desert parts, which matters when you’re crossing into Jordan. If you’re sensitive to a long day or you do not enjoy basic camping conditions, plan for that before you book.

Key Things I’d Pay Attention To

02 Days with 01 overnight Petra and Wadi Rum Tour from Eilat Border - Key Things I’d Pay Attention To

  • Meet-and-assist at the Eilat Border plus transfers handled for you
  • 3 hours with an English-speaking guide in Petra for the best sights in less time
  • Jeep tour in Wadi Rum for 4 to 5 hours with guide and driving together
  • 1 night camping at Our Bedouin Camp with BBQ dinner and breakfast
  • Included Petra horse ride (700 meters) is optional, and tips are expected by the handler

From Eilat to Jordan, This Is Built for People Who Hate Logistics

Crossing from Israel into Jordan can sound simple until you’re standing at the border with a phone battery at 12 percent. What I like about this tour is that it handles the painful parts in advance: you get a meet-and-assist service on arrival at the Eilat Border, then you move through the trip with all transfers included by a brand-new car driven by an English-speaking assistant driver.

That setup is the real value here. You spend your energy on the sights, not on figuring out transport timing and who to ask for what. It also helps that the tour is private, meaning it’s only your group, so you are not waiting around for strangers who are always running late.

One practical note: the tour duration is listed as 2 to 3 days (approx.), so you should expect a schedule that feels full. If you hate being on the move, this is still doable, but be realistic about the pacing.

Entering Petra the Smart Way, Visitors Center to the Rock City

Petra has a way of making you quiet. The colors are part of it, the rose-red rock that turns warm and glowing as light shifts. Before you even start wandering deep into the canyon, you get an organized start at the Petra Visitors Center with your admission ticket included.

Petra is famous for the Nabataeans, who carved tombs into the mountain sides with intricate detail. You also see references to temples and a theater, plus later layers after the Romans annexed the region and when Byzantine influence arrived. If you enjoy learning what you are looking at, that context matters.

Here’s what makes this tour’s Petra time practical: you get 3 hours with an English-speaking guide. That is enough time to orient yourself, pick out key structures, and understand what the ruins represent, without turning your day into a marathon of lectures.

Petra is also UNESCO-listed, designated a World Heritage Site on December 6, 1985, and it has been recognized as one of those once-in-a-lifetime destinations. The point is, Petra is not just pretty rocks. You are walking through a place where settlement and land use can be traced for over 10,000 years, and that long timeline is easier to appreciate when someone helps you connect the dots.

If you have mobility concerns, you should still ask questions. Petra involves a lot of walking on uneven terrain, and while your horse ride option can help some visitors, the tour data does not promise specific accessibility support. Plan accordingly.

Petra Walking Tips, the Included Horse Ride, and Where Lunch Fits

02 Days with 01 overnight Petra and Wadi Rum Tour from Eilat Border - Petra Walking Tips, the Included Horse Ride, and Where Lunch Fits
This tour builds in a 700-meter horse ride in Petra from the main gate. Important detail: it is listed as not mandatory, and the horse handler expects a tip. That means the ride is a convenience option you can choose, but you should also keep some small cash for tips if you take it.

You also get lunch inside Petra, served at Al Qantara Restaurants or similar. The helpful part is that lunch is handled for you, so you do not lose half your day trying to find food with limited time and limited energy. Still, Petra can get crowded, and you may want to pack a water habit and wear shoes you trust on rocky ground.

Another on-site option is a horse-drawn carriage at Petra, listed as $40 USD for a maximum capacity of 2 guests. It is not included, and you can arrange it on arrival at Petra Gate. If you are traveling with a partner, it might be a good compromise, especially if one of you wants the scenery without as much walking.

The big takeaway: Petra can be a choose-your-own-adventure day, but it can also eat your time. With guided time plus a planned lunch and one helpful riding option, you can see meaningful parts of Petra without constantly second-guessing your route.

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Wadi Rum by Jeep, Why This Desert Tour Works

Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, is a valley cut into sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan, about 60 km east of Aqaba. It is the largest wadi in Jordan, and the scenery is all about scale, stone textures, and long desert horizons.

Your Wadi Rum portion includes 4 to 5 hours of Jeep touring with an English-speaking guide who is also your driver. I like this format because it is efficient. You cover more ground than walking, and you get someone guiding you through what you are seeing, not just driving you from one stop to another.

During the desert time you get mineral water, plus Bedouin tea and real Bedouin hospitality at Wadi Rum. Those little comfort details matter because the desert can make you feel dehydrated faster than you expect. The tour also includes a box-lunch during the tour, so you are not chasing meals mid-ride.

Not included, but worth knowing: you can add a camel ride in Wadi Rum and Petra for 10 JD per camel per hour, and you can book it on arrival by asking your guide. If you want that classic desert photo experience, plan it as an add-on rather than assuming it will happen automatically.

Camping at Our Bedouin Camp, BBQ Dinner, Breakfast, and the Real Night

The overnight is where this itinerary really earns its keep. Instead of racing through Petra and then heading back with nothing memorable except tired legs, you sleep in the desert.

The tour includes 1 night camping at Our Bedouin Camp, with a BBQ dinner and breakfast. That means your night is part of the experience, not just downtime. With Petra and then Wadi Rum, you are positioning yourself to enjoy the desert timing that most people miss when they do a strict day trip.

You’ll also get dinner and breakfast included, plus mineral water on board the vehicle. Those inclusions reduce the number of decisions you have to make when you are hungry and dusty and trying to settle in.

A realistic consideration: camping will not feel like a hotel. Even with included meals and a camp setup, you should expect basic conditions. If you like starry night skies and desert quiet, you will likely love it. If you prefer temperature control, this will not match that expectation.

Optional Upgrades: Balloon Time, Early Morning Desert Extras, Camels, and Carriages

This tour lists upgrades, and a couple are worth considering based on your travel style.

Hot air balloon options are available, but your cost and details will depend on what you book. The data also mentions an optional early morning addition in Wadi Rum from 06:00 am to 07:00 am for 130 JD (about $185 USD) per person, with advance booking required. If balloon life is on your bucket list, this is one of those times where booking early makes sense so you are not guessing last minute.

For animal ride add-ons, you have flexibility:

  • Camel ride in Wadi Rum or Petra: optional for 10 JD ($15 USD) per camel per hour, book on arrival by asking your guide
  • Petra carriage: optional for $40 USD, capacity up to 2 guests, book on arrival at Petra Gate
  • The Petra horse ride (700 meters) is included but not mandatory, and the handler expects a tip

My advice: only add the extras you truly care about. In a short trip, it’s easy to turn fun into checklists. If you already know you want one special memory, pick the one that fits your style, then keep the rest simple.

Price and Value, What You Actually Get for $587 Per Person

At $587 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Petra and Wadi Rum. But it is also not trying to be. The value comes from bundling the heavy hitters that would cost you time and money separately.

Here’s what’s included that you would otherwise pay for or manage yourself:

  • Meet-and-assist at Eilat Border
  • All transfers by car with an English-speaking driver and assistant driver
  • Wadi Rum Jeep tour for 4 to 5 hours with an English-speaking guide
  • Wadi Rum hospitality including mineral water, Bedouin tea, and desert meals
  • Overnight camping at Our Bedouin Camp with BBQ dinner and breakfast
  • Petra admission ticket plus 3 hours guided in Petra
  • Lunch in Petra at Al Qantara Restaurants or similar
  • Horse ride (700 meters) in Petra is included, even if it is optional, and tips are separate

Your main extras to budget for are tips for guides and the driver, and potential border-related costs not listed as included. For example, Jordan departure tax (10 JD, about $15 USD) when applied is listed as not included. Also, any balloon add-ons are extra, and camel or carriage rides are optional.

The best way to judge value is not the headline cost. It’s that you are paying for convenience plus structured time. When you are crossing borders and doing two major destinations, a well-run organized plan tends to save more than it costs, especially if you want a guided Petra visit and a real Wadi Rum night.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This itinerary makes the most sense for people who want:

  • A guided Petra day without getting lost or overwhelmed
  • Wadi Rum desert time that includes Jeep driving and Bedouin hospitality
  • One overnight so you get the desert mood, not just day exposure
  • A tour where the hard logistics are handled, especially at the Eilat Border

It also fits well if you like clear inclusions: mineral water, meals, and planned activities. And since it is private for your group, you avoid the chaos that can happen in mixed groups.

It may be less ideal for you if:

  • You strongly prefer hotel accommodations over camping
  • You want zero walking or minimal walking (Petra is demanding on foot)
  • You dislike adding optional costs like tips and ride handler expectations

One more helpful detail: service animals are allowed, and most travelers can participate, so it is generally open to a broad set of visitors as long as you are comfortable with walking and desert conditions.

Should You Book This Petra and Wadi Rum Tour from Eilat?

If you want Petra and Wadi Rum without building a patchwork plan, I think you should seriously consider booking. The core reason is simple: this itinerary combines border help, guided Petra time, a proper Wadi Rum Jeep experience, and an overnight desert camp in a single package.

My strongest reasons are practical. You get Andrea and Mohammed-style responsiveness when you have questions, and you are not stuck figuring out transport while trying to see UNESCO ruins. You also get real included meals, tea, water, and planned timing, which matters when you are moving between two very different environments.

Book it if you are okay with camping conditions and you want a guided, efficient approach. Skip it, or ask more questions before booking, if you need a hotel-only experience or if walking in Petra is a major concern.

One last note on timing: cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, so you have some flexibility if plans shift. And the tour confirmation is sent within 48 hours subject to availability, so you can plan with reasonable confidence once you book.

FAQ

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

The tour is listed as approximately 2 to 3 days.

What is the price per person?

The price is $587.00 per person.

Do I need to buy Petra tickets separately?

No. Petra admission is included, and you’ll also have an English-speaking guide in Petra for 3 hours.

Is transportation included between Eilat, Petra, and Wadi Rum?

Yes. Transfers are included by brand-new car, with an English-speaking driver (assistant driver) and included transport for the itinerary.

What’s included in the Wadi Rum experience?

You get a 4 to 5 hour Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with an English-speaking guide who is also your driver, plus mineral water and Bedouin tea and box-lunch during the tour.

Do you sleep overnight in Wadi Rum?

Yes. The tour includes 1 night camping at Our Bedouin Camp with BBQ dinner and breakfast.

Are meals included?

Yes. The itinerary lists mineral water, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including BBQ dinner at the camp.

Is the horse ride in Petra included, and is it mandatory?

A 700 meter horse ride from the main gate is included, but it is listed as not mandatory. The horse handler expects a tip.

What optional add-ons are available?

Optional upgrades include a hot air balloon tour and an early morning Wadi Rum addition from 06:00 am to 07:00 am for 130 JD ($185 USD) per person with advance booking required. Camel rides and Petra carriage are also optional, with costs listed as 10 JD per camel per hour and $40 USD for a carriage (up to 2 guests), respectively.

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