From Eilat: 2-Day Petra & Wadi Rum Tour with Camp Stay

Petra and Wadi Rum give you two very different views of Jordan in just two days. You walk through a narrow canyon into Petra’s famous Treasury, then sleep under desert skies in an authentic Bedouin camp and ride across Wadi Rum by Jeep. That change of mood is the best reason to book.

I like the included Petra guide and lunch, and I like having transportation arranged from Eilat. The main caution is the $140 border fee, which is extra and non-refundable. Timing can also slip at the border, so this is not the tour for someone who needs every hour planned to the minute.

Key points at a glance

• Petra includes a three-hour guided visit: You see the Treasury, temples, caves, mourning houses, and other Nabataean remains.
• Wadi Rum adds a real change of pace: Your Jeep ride takes you into a desert of sandstone cliffs, canyons, and wide open sand.
• You sleep at a Bedouin camp: Standard tents have shared bathroom facilities outside, while the 4-star upgrade gives you a private shower and toilet.
• The real cost is higher than $372: Add the $140 Jordan border fee per person, plus drinks and any meals not included.
• The border can affect the schedule: Delays have led to long waits and shorter sightseeing time, so keep your plans flexible.
• This is an active trip: Comfortable shoes, sun protection, warm clothes in winter, and your own drinking water are important.

Petra and Wadi Rum in one short Jordan trip

At $372 per person, this is a packed two-day route from Eilat into southern Jordan. You get round-trip transportation, Petra admission for one day, a three-hour English-speaking Petra guide, lunch, a transfer to Wadi Rum, camp accommodation, breakfast, and a desert Jeep tour.

That package covers the big expenses, but the advertised price does not tell the whole story. Border fees are $140 per person, making the known cost $512 before drinks, extra meals, or the private-bathroom tent upgrade. That is a serious addition for solo visitors and couples, so calculate the full amount before booking.

I like the way the trip links Jordan’s two headline sights. Petra is an archaeological site that rewards walking and patience. Wadi Rum is about space, rock, sand, silence, and Bedouin life. You do not have to arrange separate transport between them, which is useful from Eilat.

The tradeoff is time. You cross an international border, drive to Petra, tour the site, eat lunch, continue to Wadi Rum, and return to Eilat the next day. A delay of even an hour can cut into your Petra visit or desert time. Go in expecting a busy trip, not a leisurely Jordan holiday.

Leaving Eilat and crossing into Jordan

Pickup is from your Eilat hotel, with the stated departure at 8:30 AM. One listed pickup point is Retamim St 133, but you should confirm your exact hotel pickup and passport details with the local partner before departure.

The border fee is not included. It is listed as $140 per person, and it is non-refundable once paid, including if weather or another problem later cancels the tour. Restricted nationalities may need to arrange visas through the relevant embassy, so check this before you commit money.

Border crossings are the part of this trip that needs the most patience. The tour may involve joining another group after crossing, and the vehicle or guide arrangement can change on the Jordanian side. One poor experience included a late pickup, a long wait before the bus continued to Aqaba, and a stop at a shop. That does not prove every departure will follow the same pattern, but it shows why you should keep the morning open and confirm the plan clearly.

Ask these simple questions before you leave Eilat:

• Who is meeting you after the border?
• Is lunch in Petra included at the restaurant being used?
• How long is the Petra visit expected to be?
• Is the Jeep ride planned for two hours, or could it be shorter?
• Which tent category have you paid for?

Clear answers will not remove border delays, but they can prevent confusion.

Walking into Petra through the Siq

Petra is the star of the first day. The ancient Nabataeans carved and built much of this city, and the site contains more than 800 known objects, including temples, caves, tombs, mourning houses, and the famous Treasury.

Your visit begins with a guided tour lasting about three hours. That guide matters. Petra is not just a pretty facade at the end of a canyon. The stones, carvings, tombs, religious buildings, and water systems make more sense when someone explains how the Nabataeans used and shaped the city.

The first approach is one of Petra’s great moments. You move through the narrow Siq, a rock passage that opens onto the Treasury. The change from shadowed stone to the broad rose-colored facade is memorable, but do not stop there. The Treasury is the famous photograph, not the whole site.

You should expect plenty of walking over uneven ground. Comfortable shoes are essential, and open-toed shoes are not allowed on this activity. Sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing will make the long visit easier.

The schedule needs careful attention. The planned tour is three hours, but delays have cut some visits down to roughly two and a half hours. In one disrupted departure, the Petra tickets were not ready and a guide had to be arranged at the last minute. Again, this is a warning about possible organization problems, not a promise that your day will unfold that way.

Once inside, stay close enough to hear the guide, but keep track of your own time. If you want to study carvings, walk farther beyond the main Treasury area, or take photographs without rushing, ask how much free time you have.

Lunch before the desert transfer

Lunch in Petra is included, which is a useful break after the walking. Additional meals and drinks are not included, so bring your own drinking water for the journey and budget for anything beyond the stated lunch and camp breakfast.

The meal also marks a practical transition. After Petra, you leave the archaeological site and drive toward Wadi Rum. That transfer is part of the appeal of the two-day plan, since you do not need to find your own way across southern Jordan, but it can make the afternoon feel long if the border or road schedule has already slipped.

Wadi Rum by Jeep and Bedouin camp

Wadi Rum offers a sharp contrast with Petra. Instead of carved facades and crowded paths, you get sandstone formations, canyons, sand, and a desert that changes character with the light. The included Jeep trip is described as about two hours, although one account of a delayed trip received closer to an hour and a half with two stops. Treat the stated duration as the plan, not a guarantee.

The Jeep ride is the most active part of the desert visit. You see the rock formations from ground level, travel across open sand, and stop at selected points. The value is not only transportation to camp. It gives you a taste of Wadi Rum’s scale and the Bedouin way of moving through it.

The desert can be harsh. Summer heat is intense, while winter nights can be very cold. Bring water and sun protection in warm months, but pack warm clothes for winter tours. A change of clothes is also sensible after a day in dust, heat, or wind.

The overnight stay is in a Bedouin camp. This is more than a hotel transfer with a desert view, but you should understand the accommodation before choosing it. The standard tent has the shower and toilet outside. If you want your own facilities, select the 4-star tent upgrade, which includes a private shower and toilet inside the tent.

The upgrade is especially useful if you dislike shared facilities or want more comfort after Petra’s long walk. The standard tent may suit you if the camp atmosphere matters more than privacy. For solo bookings, single accommodation is provided. Bookings for three people receive three-person accommodation, according to the stated arrangements.

Camp activities and breakfast are included. One positive detail from the accommodation experience is the possibility of a swimming pool and clear night skies at the camp, though you should confirm the exact camp facilities when booking rather than assume every departure uses the same setup.

The next morning and the return to Eilat

The second day includes more Wadi Rum sightseeing before the return journey. The exact order can depend on the camp and transport schedule, but you should expect an early start if the group needs to reach Petra or the border on time.

This is where the tour’s tight design becomes most obvious. A reported departure left Wadi Rum at 9 AM instead of 8 AM and then spent two hours stopped on the road, leaving only about two and a half hours at Petra. That kind of delay can make the second day feel rushed. Ask the guide for the day’s plan at breakfast, and keep your own belongings ready for departure.

The return to Eilat includes transportation back to the original pickup area. Since border processing is outside your control, do not schedule a flight, important appointment, or non-refundable evening activity too close to the expected arrival.

What the $372 price really buys

The $372 starting price has real value if you want a simple package. Petra entrance, a private or organized transfer, a three-hour English-speaking guide, lunch, Wadi Rum transport, camp accommodation, breakfast, and a Jeep tour would be expensive and awkward to arrange separately.

The border fee changes the calculation. Add $140 per person, and the known base cost becomes $512. Drinks, extra meals, and the private-bathroom tent upgrade add more. For a couple, the border fees alone add $280 to the booking.

I would judge the value this way:

• Good value for a first Jordan visit: You see Petra and Wadi Rum without arranging several separate transfers.
• Less attractive for a slow-paced visitor: The schedule is tight, and border delays may shorten your time at the sites.
• Worth considering for solo visitors: The package provides transport and a camp stay, but the single supplement or single accommodation terms should be checked.
• Best for active visitors: You will walk at Petra, ride in a desert Jeep, and manage changing temperatures.

The included guide is a major part of the price. Petra has enough history and detail that a good explanation can turn a quick walk into a meaningful visit. The quality of the day can depend heavily on coordination between the Eilat pickup, border staff, Jordanian driver, Petra guide, and camp.

Practical packing and comfort advice

Pack light, but do not pack carelessly. Your useful kit is simple:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable closed shoes
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes
• A change of clothes
• Warm layers for winter
• Your own drinking water

Open-toed shoes and pets are not allowed. Mobility is another serious consideration. This trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because Petra involves substantial walking over uneven ground and the desert portion may be physically demanding.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps, but it does not protect you from the non-refundable border fee after it has been paid. Weather can cancel the tour, so check conditions and understand the financial risk before the border payment is made.

Who should book this two-day Jordan trip?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Eilat, want Petra and Wadi Rum in one short trip, and prefer a planned route to independent border arrangements. It suits an energetic couple, a solo visitor who wants organized transport, or anyone making a first visit to southern Jordan.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed timing, private transport, or a long, quiet visit at Petra. I would also think twice if the total price of $512 plus extras is already stretching your budget.

Should you book it?

Book it for the two major experiences in one package: Petra’s carved city and Wadi Rum’s desert camp. The three-hour Petra guide, included lunch, overnight stay, breakfast, and Jeep ride give the tour a useful structure.

Before paying, confirm your pickup, passport details, border fee, tent type, Petra start time, and Jeep duration. Choose the private-bathroom upgrade if comfort matters to you. If you can accept border delays and a packed schedule, this is a practical way to get a strong first taste of Jordan from Eilat.

FAQ

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is included from all hotels in Eilat. One listed pickup location is Retamim St 133. Confirm the exact location with the local partner before departure.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated pickup time is 8:30 AM. Check availability for the exact departure time on your chosen date.

How much are the Jordan border fees?

Border fees are $140 per person. They are not included in the $372 tour price.

Are border fees refundable?

No. Border fees are non-refundable after payment, including if the tour is cancelled because of weather or another circumstance.

Is a Petra entrance ticket included?

Yes. The tour includes entrance tickets for one day at Petra.

How long is the Petra guided visit?

The planned guided visit lasts three hours and is led in English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch in Petra is included. Additional meals and drinks are not included.

Does the standard Bedouin tent have a private bathroom?

No. The standard tent has the shower and toilet outside. You can upgrade to a 4-star tent with a private shower and toilet.

Is the tour suitable for someone with limited mobility?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Comfortable shoes are required, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.