Petra in the morning, Wadi Rum at night. This 2-day tour from Eilat is a smart, fully guided way to hit Jordan’s two biggest draws, with an overnight Bedouin camp stay for real desert nights. I especially like the clear pacing, plus the fact that your guide sticks with you from arrival in Jordan to the end of the day. One thing to plan for is border-day logistics, including extra taxes that you pay in cash.

What I like most is the Wadi Rum experience, where the 4×4 Jeep safari and Bedouin-style dinner turn the trip from sightseeing into something more personal. I also like Petra with a guide, because you get a structured visit at the best time, then real breathing room later for wandering at your own pace. The only drawback you should expect is that this schedule is tight, so you will move on a set clock and you cannot linger like you might on a longer stay.

If you want a smooth, high-impact Jordan intro from Eilat, this does the job. Just know you’re trading flexibility for convenience, and you’ll want to bring the right cash for border taxes.

Key highlights that make this tour worth your time

• Guided from start to finish on the Jordan side, so you do not have to figure things out between stops
• Wadi Rum 4×4 Jeep safari plus an overnight Bedouin camp stay, including dinner and breakfast
• Full Petra day with a morning guided visit, then a free afternoon to explore on your own
• Buffet meals with options for vegetarians and vegans, plus a traditional Bedouin Zerb meal experience
• Group size capped at 47, which keeps the day from turning into total chaos
• Comfort touches in the desert camp, including comfortable beds and warm showers

Why the Eilat to Petra and Wadi Rum combo feels efficient

Coming from Eilat, you’re basically doing the fastest “greatest hits” route into Jordan. The value here is not just that you see Petra and Wadi Rum, it’s that you get transportation, guidance, and key entry pieces handled in one package.

I like that the tour is built around two very different moods. Day 1 leans into the desert, starting with a brunch stop in Aqaba and then shifting into Wadi Rum by midday. Day 2 starts early for Petra, when the site feels most manageable and the light is better for walking.

Price and what is included, the stuff that actually matters

At $345, the headline number is only useful if you compare it to what you’re getting. This price includes a lot of the hard-to-budget items: air-conditioned vehicle, full guiding, entrance fees, your Wadi Rum 4×4 Jeep tour, and your Bedouin campsite accommodation for one night.

You also get meals that help the day run smoothly: dinner in the camp, breakfast the next morning, and lunch (you’ll have a brunch meal early in the day on Day 1 and a Petra lunch on Day 2). Meals are buffet style, and the tour notes that there are many options for vegetarians or vegans.

What is not included are the extra border taxes. So the real value math is, yes you pay $345, and you may also pay border fees on the day based on the currencies required.

Border-day reality: Arava crossing, added taxes, and cash planning

The itinerary is designed around the Arava Border Crossing. You’re picked up in Eilat in the morning and you cross into Jordan as part of the group plan.

Two things to take seriously. First, there are Israeli border taxes (115 ILS) and Jordanian border taxes (50 JOD). Second, the Jordanian taxes are payable only in cash, so do not assume your card will work at the border.

If you want the day to feel easy, prepare in advance. Have the cash you need separated from your main wallet. Also, keep your passport and essential papers in one easy-to-reach spot, because border days are not the place for digging around.

Aqaba brunch stop: a practical fuel-up before the desert

Aqaba is not just a random stop. It’s your fuel and reset before the long drive and the Jeep safari.

The tour includes a traditional Jordanian brunch with hummus, falafel, foul, salads, fresh pita bread, and more. This matters because Wadi Rum can make you hungry fast once you start walking around the camp area and you’re out in the heat for the Jeep portion.

I also like that this stop gives you a chance to regroup as a group. You can use the time to get water, refill bottles, and confirm who you’re meeting later, which helps when you jump into the desert schedule.

Wadi Rum by Jeep: expect big scenery, plus real time out there

Wadi Rum is the headline for many people, and this tour gives you more than a quick photo stop. You head there after the midday brunch, then you go on a Jeep safari in the region around early afternoon.

What to expect from the Jeep portion is time in motion and constant changing views. The point is to see the desert formations from within the environment, not just from a distance. This is one of those experiences where the ride is part of the deal.

Then you shift from vehicle to camp life. You arrive at the traditional Bedouin campsite for dinner and overnight. The tour notes overnight under the stars, and one review also flagged that there is no Wi-Fi in the camp, which is actually a plus if you want the night to feel unplugged.

The Bedouin camp night: Zerb meal, warm showers, and sleeping in the dunes

The best part of the overnight is that it turns your day into a story you actually remember. A day trip can show you the desert. An overnight makes the desert a backdrop to your whole evening.

You get Bedouin hospitality and a Bedouin-style Zerb meal experience. That dinner is included, and it’s buffet style according to the tour details, with options for vegetarians and vegans. If you have dietary needs, this is one of the reasons to like this tour, because the meal plan is planned rather than improvised.

Comfort-wise, the camp includes comfortable beds and warm showers. That detail matters more than you might think. Desert nights can be cool even when daytime is warm, and a shower can save you from the post-trip feeling of being exhausted and gritty.

The tradeoff is simple. You’re in the desert, so do not expect convenience systems. Plan on going to bed when it’s time, enjoy the calm, and accept that phones might have limited usefulness.

Petra day at first light: guided morning plus a free afternoon

Petra is the kind of place where a tour can make a difference. With guidance, you get to focus on what matters instead of trying to piece together routes while you’re walking under a time crunch.

This tour starts early. You wake up around 06:00, have breakfast at the camp, and depart for Petra soon after. The idea is to arrive and begin your guided visit in the morning, when it feels easier to move and your energy is still intact.

You’ll have a guided portion that runs through the morning, then lunch in Petra, and then a free afternoon for additional exploration. That free time is important because Petra rewards curiosity. You can slow down, choose what you want to see next, and take breaks without feeling like you have to keep up with a constant narration.

One thing to watch for is walking pace. Even with guidance, Petra is not a sit-and-watch attraction. If you know you move slowly, wear comfortable shoes and plan your energy, because the afternoon is optional but walking is still on the table.

Group size and timing: what 47 people feels like

This tour caps at 47 travelers, which is big enough to be lively but small enough to avoid a total herd effect. You’ll be moving together on the bus and in the major guided segments, then splitting into personal choices during free time.

Timing is structured, especially around the border. On Day 2, you gather at the Visitor Center and head back in the late afternoon, arriving back in Eilat in the evening. That means you should treat the free afternoon as the time window to grab anything you still want, rather than assuming you can add more late.

If you like having a plan with some freedom, this format tends to work well. If you prefer total flexibility and you hate schedules, this might feel more like a strict itinerary than a slow travel dream.

Meals and dietary needs: buffet style that tries to include everyone

Food is handled in a way that reduces decision fatigue. You’re not left hunting for places to eat between sites.

On Day 1, you get the Aqaba brunch, and on Day 1 evening you get camp dinner. On Day 2, you get breakfast and then lunch in Petra. The tour also clearly states that meals are buffet style and that there are many options for vegetarians or vegans.

Practical tip: even with options, ask for what you need at the buffet line. Some places handle dietary labels better than others, and buffet items can vary day to day.

Guides and comfort: what “full guiding” means in practice

The tour says one guide is with you from the moment you arrive in Jordan until the moment you leave. That is more than a slogan. It means you are not dealing with transfers where one person disappears and you have to find someone else.

In the feedback you’ll see lots of praise for friendly, well-prepared guides. Names like Mahmmod and Mohammed show up in the experience notes. So if your group is led by someone along those lines, expect a guide who talks clearly and keeps the day moving with confidence.

Also pay attention to driver behavior. The tour includes careful transport by air-conditioned vehicle, and the notes mention careful driving and good English from the driving side as well.

What you should actually pack for this two-day push

You can keep your packing simple, but do not leave the basics out.

• Comfortable walking shoes for Petra
• A light layer for early mornings and desert evenings
• Sun protection, even if you start early
• Water bottle plan, since you’ll be active and outdoors
• Cash for border taxes (Jordanian taxes are cash-only)

Also, charge your phone or power bank before camp. If you’re going off-grid for the evening, you will not want low battery anxiety while you’re under the stars.

Price and logistics: is $345 good value?

For many people, yes, because the tour bundles several expensive friction points into one price. You’re paying for: transport from Eilat, border crossing handling as part of the group flow, guided Petra, 4×4 Jeep safari, and an overnight that includes dinner, breakfast, beds, and warm showers.

If you tried to build this yourself, the “gotchas” would likely eat time and money. Border day alone is enough work that a guided plan can be worth it. Then add Petra access, local desert transport, and the camp overnight, and the package starts to look like a rational deal rather than just a convenience markup.

That said, the extra border taxes are real. Plan for them, and do the math with your currency needs before you decide.

Who this tour suits best, and who might want another option

This tour fits you best if you want Jordan highlights fast from Eilat, with guidance to keep the day stress low. It’s also a solid pick if you don’t want to negotiate desert logistics, and you like the idea of a real overnight rather than a drive-through day.

You might want a different style if you hate early starts. Day 2 begins early for Petra. You also should consider that “free afternoon” still sits inside a fixed return schedule.

If you are traveling with dietary needs, the buffet approach and mention of vegetarian and vegan options makes the plan feel more reliable than searching day-of.

Should you book this Petra and Wadi Rum tour?

Book it if you want a well-paced, guided intro that covers Petra and Wadi Rum in two days, with an overnight camp that includes dinner, breakfast, and basic comfort like warm showers. The tour is also a good value if you factor in the guided pieces and the Jeep safari, not just the attractions.

Think twice if you want lots of flexibility, because the schedule is tight and border taxes require preparation. If you do the cash planning and pack for walking, you’ll likely find this is one of the cleaner ways to see Jordan’s biggest hits without turning your trip into a logistics project.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you care more about Petra walking or Wadi Rum photos, and I’ll help you decide if this pacing matches your style.

FAQ

How much does the 2-Day Petra and Wadi Rum Tour cost?

The tour costs $345.

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 2 days.

What ticket type do I receive?

The tour includes a mobile ticket.

What meals are included?

Dinner, breakfast, and lunch are included. Meals are buffet style, with options for vegetarians or vegans, and the Bedouin dinner is described as a Zerb meal experience.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes, entrance fees are included.

What border taxes are not included?

Israeli border taxes (115 ILS) and Jordanian border taxes (50 JOD) are not included. Jordanian border taxes are payable only in cash.

Is there an overnight stay?

Yes. You spend the night in a Bedouin campsite in Wadi Rum, with comfortable beds and warm showers.