Two Jordan icons in two days. This Petra and Wadi Rum tour links the highlights of UNESCO Petra with a proper sunset jeep tour in the Wadi Rum reserve, all with round-trip transfers from Eilat. The flow is designed to save you from juggling buses, tickets, and border timing on your own.

I also like that you get a guided look at Petra’s major sights before you roam on your own. And I like the included Wadi Rum camp dinner and breakfast, which turns the overnight into a real plan instead of a scramble. One possible drawback: the border process can take up to an hour, and one past review complained about the guide’s political and religious focus during the Jordan day.

Key things to know before you go

• Petra plus Wadi Rum in one package, with entry fees included
• Sunset jeep tour in Wadi Rum after you check into a Bedouin camp
• Overnight in a double tent with shared bathroom facilities, with a chalet upgrade option
• A guided Petra highlights tour plus free time to explore your way
• Small group size (max 25) and air-conditioned transport
• A day that starts early, with border control and customs that may add time

Why this two-day Petra and Wadi Rum trip works from Eilat

If you want both Petra and Wadi Rum but you do not want to manage Jordan logistics from scratch, this format makes sense. You are starting from Eilat, using round-trip transfers, and getting help at the border, which is the part that usually eats time and patience when you travel independently.

The big value is how it packages the most “must-do” pieces. You do not just see Petra for a quick stop. You also spend a night in the Wadi Rum area, which gives you the right timing for a sunset jeep ride. That rhythm is what turns these sites from checkboxes into a story you can remember.

Still, this is not a lazy getaway. It is two full days with travel time built in. If you are expecting a slow-paced cultural weekend, this will feel more like an organized sprint.

Crossing the Arava border, Aqaba stop, and the road to Wadi Rum

The tour begins early, with pickup from Eilat hotels around an 8:15 am start. You transfer to the Arava Border area, and border control and customs can take up to an hour. That timing matters because it shapes everything after it, so plan to stay flexible even if you are eager to get going.

Once you cross, you reach Aqaba around 9:15 am. The plan includes a short city tour plus market time and a chance to grab lunch. Because lunch is not listed as included, treat it as your own expense. The nice part is that it breaks up the long travel stretch, and it gives you a quick taste of day-to-day life beyond the desert views.

After that, you head toward Wadi Rum, arriving around 12:15 pm. From there, it is check-in at the Bedouin camp, followed by free time before your jeep tour at sunset. The midday-to-evening pacing is deliberate: Wadi Rum is at its most photogenic when the light shifts, and sunset is the window you want.

A practical tip: bring patience and a light layer. Border delays and temperature swings are real in this region, and your comfort depends on being ready for both.

Sunset jeep tour plus a Bedouin camp night in Wadi Rum

This is where the tour earns its reputation. You get a jeep tour of the Wadi Rum protected area reserve during sunset, with the camp as your base. That timing is not random. It is the moment when the rock formations and desert terrain change color, and the ride feels like part adventure, part cinema.

Then you settle in for the included buffet dinner. Sleeping arrangements are simple and authentic: standard accommodation is in a double tent with shared bathroom facilities. If you want more comfort, there is an upgrade to a chalet with an ensuite bathroom, but you have to contact the operator for details.

This is also worth thinking about psychologically. If you imagine luxury, a tent-and-shared-bath setup can be a letdown. If you imagine a real desert night, it can be the highlight. Either way, it is good to know what you are signing up for.

What to pack for the camp night:

• A warm layer for evening (desert nights can cool off)
• Something easy for shower time, since facilities are shared
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes for camp areas
• A small headlamp or flashlight option, if you like to move around after dark

Also, the tour includes free time at the camp before the jeep ride. Use it to get your bearings, not to over-plan. You want your head clear for the sunset timing.

Petra with a guided highlights pass, then time to roam

Day two is built around Petra’s first big day-light block. After breakfast, you transfer to Petra, using a “desert way” style highway and a scenic mountain route before you arrive at the site.

The guided tour begins at 9:30 am and covers the highlights of the UNESCO Heritage site. Without getting overly specific about every stop, the key is that you get orientation. Petra is big, and it helps to have a guide set you on the right tracks before you go off on your own.

At 12:00 pm, you get free time inside Petra until it is time to return toward the border. This middle window is important because it lets you choose how you spend your energy. Some people use free time to linger at the big iconic areas. Others focus on side paths, viewpoints, or simply taking in the “you are really here” feeling.

This part of the day is where your expectations should match the reality. You will not do everything at Petra in a half day of free time. But you can do a lot if you go in with a plan: pick the main priorities, then allow time for photos and walking pace.

One thing I appreciate in this tour style is that it gives you both structure and choice. You get the big-picture guidance first, then you control your second act.

Price and logistics: what you actually get for $339

At $339 per person, this is not a budget tour. But it is also not just a bus ticket to Jordan. You are paying for a package that combines several expensive and time-consuming pieces:

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the transfers across long stretches
• Pickup and round-trip transfers from Eilat
• Entry fees for Petra and Wadi Rum
• A guided Petra highlights tour
• A Wadi Rum sunset jeep tour
• Dinner and breakfast (dinner at the camp, breakfast before Petra)

The overnight matters too. One night in the Wadi Rum camp is often the part people underestimate when they try to DIY. You are also including the camp dinner, which saves you time and decision-making after a long travel day.

If you are comparing this to self-booking, the advantage is friction reduction. Border timing, transport between sites, and meal planning are handled. That is the real “value,” even when the headline price feels high at first glance.

On the flip side, you are still bound by schedule. If you are the type who wants maximum flexibility to linger in Petra or change plans last minute, this tour will feel structured.

Group size and comfort: air-conditioned transport, max 25, and real sleeping conditions

The group size is up to 25 travelers. That is big enough to keep costs down, but small enough that the day usually stays manageable. In practice, you tend to get a balance of social energy and not feeling completely lost in a crowd.

Transport is air-conditioned, which is a big deal in the desert sun and on longer road sections. Even when you love travel, you notice comfort on days like these.

Accommodation is the tradeoff: you are sleeping in a double tent with shared bathrooms. The shared aspect is not a minor detail. It affects shower logistics, overnight comfort, and morning routine. The good news is there is an option to upgrade to a chalet with an ensuite bathroom, if that is worth it to you.

If you are sensitive to basic amenities, consider that upgrade before you go. If you are fine with simple camp living, you will likely enjoy the experience more because it feels like you are actually in Wadi Rum, not just visiting it.

Potential red flags: border time, guide style, and planning expectations

A key timing reality: border control and customs may take up to an hour. That is not the tour being difficult. It is the border process itself. If you are the kind of person who hates delays, this is the part to mentally prepare for.

The second possible concern is the tone and focus of the guide experience. The overall rating is 3.1 out of 5 from 21 reviews, and one negative review singled out a guide who felt biased politically and religiously, with less emphasis on the history of the places visited. I cannot verify how often this happens, but it is worth taking seriously if you care a lot about neutral, history-first commentary.

So my advice is simple: go in ready for guidance that may reflect the guide’s viewpoint. If you are sensitive to that, bring your own learning mindset for Petra, and use your free time to focus on what you want to understand visually on site.

Who should book this Petra and Wadi Rum tour, and who should not

This tour is best for you if:

• You want to see Petra and Wadi Rum in one trip from Eilat
• You prefer a guided Petra highlights overview rather than self-navigation
• You like the idea of a sunset jeep ride tied to a real overnight in the desert
• You appreciate the convenience of entry fees, dinner, and breakfast being handled

You might skip it if:

• You hate early starts and long days
• You expect hotel-level comfort in Wadi Rum (the default is tents with shared bathrooms)
• You want maximum control over pacing inside Petra
• You strongly prefer guides who keep commentary strictly neutral and history-only

Should you book this Petra and Wadi Rum tour from Eilat?

I think this is a solid pick if your priority is “two big Jordan experiences in two days” without the headache of building your own transport chain. The included entry fees, the Wadi Rum jeep tour, and the fact that you sleep in the Wadi Rum camp (with dinner and breakfast) make it easier to justify the price than a DIY plan that fragments across multiple bookings.

My main caution is fit. Check whether you are comfortable with a double tent and shared bathrooms, and understand that border delays can stretch the day. Also pay attention to the overall rating being middling, and decide how much you care about the style of commentary.

If you match the tour’s shape, you will likely feel like you got your money’s worth in experiences, not just transportation.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 8:15 am.

Are pickup and transfers included from Eilat?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the tour includes round-trip transfers from Eilat, ending back on the Israeli side of the border and returning you to Eilat.

Does the price include Petra and Wadi Rum entry fees?

Yes. Entry fees for Petra and Wadi Rum are included.

What meals are included?

The tour includes dinner (buffet dinner at the camp) and breakfast. Lunch time in Aqaba is part of free time, but it is not stated as included.

Where do I stay overnight in Wadi Rum?

Overnight is at a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum. Standard accommodation is a double tent with shared bathroom facilities. An upgrade to a chalet with an ensuite bathroom is available by contacting the provider.

How long is the Petra day and when do you get free time?

Petra day includes the guided tour starting at 9:30 am, and free time begins at 12:00 pm. The day ends with return toward the border, with arrival to the border area at about 19:00.

Do Israeli passport holders need to use a specific passport at the border?

Yes. Israeli passport holders, including those with dual passports that include an Israeli passport, must use their Israeli passport at every border crossing.