From Eilat, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv: Petra & Wadi Rum 3-Day Tour

Wadi Rum at sunset is the star here. You ride through red desert valleys in an open jeep, sleep at a Bedouin camp, and eat Jordanian food by the fire before heading to Petra. The next day brings a guided introduction to the Treasury and the ancient Nabatean city, followed by a full day to explore at your own speed.

I like the extra day in Petra, since one day can feel rushed if you want to reach the Monastery. I also like the way the trip joins the two major sights without asking you to arrange Jordanian transport, camps, hotels, or border transfers yourself. The tradeoff is the border crossing, which can take several hours and involves handoffs between staff and vehicles.

Key points at a glance

• Wadi Rum after the afternoon heat: The jeep ride is timed for cooler air and sunset light, with a Bedouin guide showing you the desert.
• A camp night with real comfort: The accommodation may be a solid room styled like a tent rather than a basic fabric tent, so set your expectations accordingly.
• Petra gets two visits: A guide covers the main sights first, then you have a full free day for the Monastery and quieter paths.
• Guides can shape the trip: Nizar, also spelled Nezar in some tour details, is known for detailed explanations, humor, and extra help when plans need adjusting.
• Border time is part of the deal: You cross on foot and change staff and buses, so patience matters, especially from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
• The $399 price covers the big pieces: Transport, admission, two nights, breakfast, camp dinner, water, and the Wadi Rum jeep ride are included, but border and visa charges are extra.

Why three days works better than two

Petra and Wadi Rum are not quick stops. The two-day version may show you the headline sights, but this three-day plan gives Petra room to breathe. You see the city with a guide, sleep nearby, then return for a full day without having to follow a group through every turn.

That extra time matters most if you want to walk to the Monastery. The route is long and includes many steps, so trying to fit it in after a guided visit, lunch, and a return journey can turn a great day into a race. I would choose three days unless your Jordan visit is severely limited.

The trip is also useful for first-time visitors who want the hard parts handled. You do not need to find a desert driver, negotiate a camp transfer, arrange a Petra hotel, or work out the road connection between Wadi Rum and Petra. You do need to accept a group schedule and the uncertainty of an international border.

Starting in Eilat, Jerusalem, or Tel Aviv

Your starting point changes the feel of the first day. From Eilat, you are already close to the Arava border, so the approach is more manageable. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv make for a much earlier pickup and a later return, though the long bus periods can be used for sleep if you are able to rest on the road.

Pickup is available from the Bakery Coffee Market and the Arava Border Crossing Station, depending on the option you book. Be ready at your hotel or meeting point 15 minutes early. Check the exact meeting point carefully, since it varies by departure choice.

The first part of the trip is mainly transport and border procedure. On the Israeli side, the driver may not be your main guide, and the group can include people from many countries. Once you cross into Jordan, a new bus and Jordanian guide take over.

Crossing into Jordan without losing patience

The border is the least polished part of the experience. You leave one vehicle, cross on foot, deal with several handoffs, and eventually meet the Jordanian team. The process can take several hours, with delays caused by border procedures rather than sightseeing.

Staff help coordinate the crossing, which is a major reason to book this trip instead of attempting the route alone. Still, help does not make the wait vanish. Carry water, keep your passport easy to reach, and do not schedule a tight evening plan after the tour returns.

The listed border crossing charge is US$70, or about 230 NIS, paid on the Israeli side by cash or credit card. A separate Jordanian visa charge of US$60 is listed as payable in US dollars or Jordanian dinars. The information also says no visa fee is required for stays of two nights or longer, so confirm the current rule and your own eligibility before departure. Bring cash in case card payment is not available where you need it.

Aqaba: a short pause by the Gulf

After crossing, the route continues toward Aqaba, Jordan’s port city on the Gulf of Aqaba. The stop gives you a chance to relax before heading farther into the desert.

Do not book this tour mainly for Aqaba sightseeing. The amount of free time can be limited, and the group may see the city from the bus or stop at a restaurant rather than spend a long period exploring independently. One past arrangement included a boat cruise and swimming, but those activities are not part of the listed inclusions, so treat them as possible additions only if offered on your departure.

I see Aqaba as a useful pause, not the central attraction. The main rewards come later at Wadi Rum and Petra.

Wadi Rum by jeep at sunset

The first major stop is Wadi Rum, where broad red sand, dark rock formations, and open desert create a setting unlike Petra. The included jeep ride takes place in the afternoon, when the air cools and the sun begins to drop.

This is the part of the tour that feels least like a normal sightseeing circuit. You are not simply looking at the desert from a coach window. A Bedouin driver takes you across the open area, with stops shaped by the route and conditions. The experience is active, dusty, and exposed, so sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and closed shoes are sensible.

The timing is smart. Midday in the desert can be harsh, while late light brings out the color of the sand and rock. You should still expect a basic outdoor experience, even with comfortable camp accommodation. Bring a scarf or other cover if dust bothers you.

Optional extras may include a camel ride at sunrise or a hot-air balloon flight, but they are not included in the $399 price. Ask about cost and timing before committing, since the schedule already has an early start and a full Petra day ahead.

Sleeping at the Bedouin camp

The overnight camp includes dinner and breakfast, with a traditional meal served around the campfire. That evening is one of the strongest parts of the trip because it slows the pace after the border crossing and desert ride.

The word camp can mean different things here. Some accommodation is a solid room with a tent-like exterior or design, sometimes described as glamping. That can be a pleasant surprise if you want a bed and more shelter, but it may disappoint you if you pictured a simple cloth tent under the open sky.

The camp is designed for comfort, yet you remain in a remote desert setting. Pack warm layers for the evening and early morning, even if the daytime is hot. Bring modest clothing and practical shoes, since the trip combines a cultural setting with plenty of walking.

Dinner at the camp is included. Other meals are not clearly listed, so budget for food beyond the included camp dinner and breakfast. Bottled water is provided, but carrying some of your own is still sensible for the long drives and Petra’s exposed paths.

Petra with a guide, starting at the Treasury

On the second day, you travel to Petra for the guided portion. This first visit gives you the basic map and story of the Nabatean city, with the Treasury, or Khazneh, as the main visual payoff.

The approach to the Treasury is part of the magic. The path runs through the Siq, a narrow rock passage that opens suddenly onto the carved facade. You should not expect a quiet, private reveal, but the setting still has force. A guide helps you understand why the Treasury is important and points out the main structures instead of leaving you to guess at the ruins.

Guides named Nizar and Nezar have been singled out for detailed explanations, humor, and steady help throughout the Jordan portion. Guide quality can shape this trip, especially at Petra, where a good explanation helps separate a Nabatean tomb, temple, street, and later addition.

The first guided visit may feel rushed if the group loses time at a souvenir shop or during transfers. That is another reason the third day matters. You can return to places you only saw briefly and set your own pace.

Your free day in Petra

Day three is the reason I would pay for this version of the tour. You can revisit the Treasury early, walk farther into the complex, or make the demanding climb to the Monastery.

The Monastery is not a quick side trip. The route involves a long uphill walk and many steps, so wear shoes with a firm grip and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Once there, the huge facade and the surrounding views reward the effort, but you need enough time and energy to get back down.

You can also use the free day to explore parts of Petra that do not fit neatly into a guided route. The attraction is large, and the main path is only one part of it. Your pace can be relaxed or ambitious, depending on how much walking you want.

The tour is not a good fit for people with mobility impairments. Even visitors who walk regularly should understand that Petra is uneven, exposed, and physically demanding. Comfortable clothes and good shoes matter more here than smart sightseeing outfits.

Hotels, meals, and what the price really covers

At $399 per person, the cost is reasonable for a package that includes transport between the starting point, the border, Wadi Rum, and Petra. You also get entrance fees, a Bedouin camp night, a second night at a three-star Petra hotel, camp dinner, breakfast, bottled water, and the jeep ride.

The value comes from combining services that are awkward to arrange separately. A private trip could offer more control, but it would require you to coordinate border transport, a desert driver, camp accommodation, Petra entry, a guide, and a hotel. This tour removes much of that work.

The weak spot is consistency in the Petra hotel and meals. Accommodation has exceeded expectations for some departures, while other arrangements have felt below standard. One meal-related problem was reported at the hotel buffet, and another assessment found the Petra food and accommodation unacceptable. I would book this for the sites and transport, not for a guaranteed hotel experience.

The Jordanian dinar can also make daily spending feel higher than expected. Set aside money for meals not listed, optional activities, tips, and small purchases. The suggested tip is $5 per person per day for the driver and guide, in US dollars or Jordanian dinars.

What to pack for three demanding days

Keep your passport, money, phone, and basic medication in a small day bag rather than buried in your luggage. You should also bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes with good support
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Comfortable, modest clothing
• A scarf for dust and sun
• Cash or an ATM card
• US dollars or Jordanian dinars for fees and tips
• Swimwear if an Aqaba water stop is offered
• Warm layers for the desert evening

Jordan is welcoming, but modest clothing is the sensible choice. Avoid short skirts, low-cut tops, and clothing that leaves the midriff bare. A headscarf is not required.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this trip to you if you want Jordan’s two headline sights without planning every transfer yourself. It suits active visitors who can handle long bus rides, a slow border crossing, uneven ground, and a full day on foot.

It is especially good for first-time visitors leaving Israel. The handoffs at the border can be confusing, but the staff help connect you with the Jordanian guide and the return vehicle.

I would hesitate if you want a polished luxury trip, lots of independent time in Aqaba, or a carefully controlled hotel and meal experience. The group format keeps the price in check, but it also means waiting for other people and accepting changes when border or transport timing slips.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans are still moving, though you should confirm the exact departure time and meeting point before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this three-day version if Petra and Wadi Rum are priorities and you want the practical pieces handled. The best reasons are the sunset jeep ride, the camp evening, the guided first look at Petra, and the extra day needed for the Monastery.

Do not choose it expecting a perfect border process or a luxury hotel. Go prepared for waiting, modest accommodation, variable meals, and plenty of walking. With those limits in mind, the trip gives you a strong first taste of Jordan and better value than trying to squeeze Petra and Wadi Rum into two rushed days.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts three days, with departures from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Eilat depending on the option selected.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide language is English.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from the Bakery Coffee Market and the Arava Border Crossing Station, depending on the option booked. The exact meeting point may vary.

Is the Wadi Rum jeep ride included?

Yes. A jeep tour in Wadi Rum with a Bedouin guide is included.

Where do I sleep?

You spend one night at a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum and one night at a three-star hotel in Petra.

Are meals included?

Dinner at the Bedouin camp and breakfast are included. Other meals are not listed as included.

What extra border and visa fees should I expect?

The listed Israeli border crossing fee is US$70, or about 230 NIS. A Jordanian visa fee of US$60 is also listed, payable in cash, though the information says no visa fee is required for stays of two nights or longer. Confirm the current rule for your situation before departure.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and Petra includes substantial walking and an optional uphill route to the Monastery.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.