2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea

REVIEW · AMMAN

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea

  • 5.06 reviews
  • From $250.00
Book on Viator →

Operated by Retaj Jordan Tours and transportation · Bookable on Viator

Petra and Wadi Rum in two days. That’s the appeal here. You’ll get a tight, organized Amman-based route that hits Jordan’s headline sights with real time in each place, plus the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle and onboard Wi‑Fi.

What I really like is how this plan gives you a full day around Petra and then shifts gears to the desert mood of Wadi Rum (the Valley of the Moon, Lawrence of Arabia land). If you want the Bedouin-camp night, you’ll do that as a self-booked stay, which keeps the tour flexible but means you’ll need to handle that part yourself.

The main drawback to plan for: site entrance fees and meals aren’t included, and the Petra experience has optional extras (like the horse ride) that cost extra—so your real total will be higher than the $250 tour price.

Key things to know before you go

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea - Key things to know before you go

  • Private, small-group feel (up to 7 people) with only your group in the vehicle
  • English-speaking driver who can help keep the day smooth and flexible
  • A full day at Petra with the Siq entrance plan (and optional horse ride at your cost)
  • Wadi Rum scenery time in the Valley of the Moon area, including a classic sunset look
  • Aqaba and Dead Sea stops on Day 2 so you get both coast and salt-water break
  • Bedouin camp is self-booked, so you control the style, not the tour company

Price and logistics: what the $250 really buys

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea - Price and logistics: what the $250 really buys
At $250 per person, this tour is mostly paying for transportation, timing, and a driver—not for admissions or meals. You’re getting round-trip convenience from Amman (start at 7:00 am), an air-conditioned vehicle, and Wi‑Fi on board, plus an English-speaking driver to handle the driving and keep the schedule moving.

What’s not included is where your budget can change fast: Petra entrance fees, any Wadi Rum admission fees, meals, and a tour guide. The tour also says all fees and taxes aren’t included, so it’s smart to set aside extra money for site entry and food.

Also note the physical side. Petra involves walking, and the tour lists moderate physical fitness as the right baseline. If you’re worried about stamina, plan for slower pacing and don’t treat Petra like a quick photo stop.

A few more Amman tours and experiences worth a look

The 7:00 am start from Amman (why early matters here)

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea - The 7:00 am start from Amman (why early matters here)
You’ll meet around 7:00 am, and that early departure matters because Petra isn’t a “pop in and leave” place. The day is set up for you to arrive, spend meaningful time on foot, then move onward to Wadi Rum in the same overall trip flow.

The driver handles the vehicle and timing, so you’re not stuck figuring out routes by yourself. Having Wi‑Fi onboard is a small luxury, but it helps when you’re coordinating things like entrance tickets, maps, or dinner plans for the night.

Entering Petra: Siq time, optional horse ride, and staying flexible

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea - Entering Petra: Siq time, optional horse ride, and staying flexible
Petra is the big headline, and this tour treats it that way. You’ll have a full day visiting Petra, the rose-red Nabatean city carved into the mountains of Wadi Mousa.

Here’s how Petra feels in this plan:

  • You’ll arrive and start with an optional horse ride that’s at your own expense.
  • You’ll walk through the Siq, Petra’s main narrow entrance route into the site.

That horse ride option can save some energy if your legs want a break, but I treat it as a convenience choice, not a must-do. If you want to keep your pace and stop for photos whenever you want, walking the whole approach can feel more rewarding.

A practical thing: entrance fees aren’t included, so don’t get to Petra thinking the ticket is already handled. And since a tour guide isn’t included, you’ll either need to rely on your own reading/audio at the site or decide on a guide-on-site approach once you’re there (depending on what you prefer).

Petra is famous for a reason, but the real win is time. With a full day, you can build your own priorities—big monuments, quiet viewpoints, or just taking breaks and letting the scale sink in.

Wadi Rum Protected Area: Valley of the Moon views and Lawrence-of-Arabia vibes

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea - Wadi Rum Protected Area: Valley of the Moon views and Lawrence-of-Arabia vibes
After Petra, you’ll head toward Wadi Rum. The drive is listed at about 1.5 hours, and the stop is in the Wadi Rum Protected Area—the setting behind the Valley of the Moon nickname and Lawrence of Arabia’s desert lore.

What makes Wadi Rum work well in a two-day format is that it’s a place where the scenery does a lot of the talking. You’ll see towering cliffs and dunes in brown, red, and golden tones, with that “where did the sky go?” feeling that comes from open desert and high rock walls.

Timing-wise, this tour is set up for the classic desert rhythm. Even if you don’t have every minute accounted for, you’ll still get the big-picture experience: wide views, dramatic rock edges, and color changes as the light shifts.

One thing to be honest about: Wadi Rum is outdoors. Even if temperatures feel fine in Amman, the desert can be a different story. Pack sun protection and plan layers if the evening cools down.

Day 1 overnight: Bedouin camp is self-booked for a reason

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea - Day 1 overnight: Bedouin camp is self-booked for a reason
This is the one piece that’s easy to misunderstand if you’re expecting everything to be arranged for you. The tour includes the concept of an overnight stay in a traditional Bedouin camp, but you self-book that camp.

Why that matters: it can be a good thing if you want control. You can choose the style you like, the level of comfort, and what the night program looks like. It also means you should double-check timing so you’re not scrambling after the desert day.

If you’re the type who hates planning, this part might feel like a chore. If you’re flexible and want to choose your own camp vibe, it’s a fair trade for keeping your package adaptable.

Day 2: Dead Sea photo stop with a quick reset

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea - Day 2: Dead Sea photo stop with a quick reset
On Day 2, the schedule brings you to the Dead Sea for photos and then a return to Amman drop-off. The stop is listed as about 3 minutes, and it notes admission is free for that part.

That’s not a full swim-and-sun session. Think of it as a quick salt-soaked moment for the look, the iconic waterline photos, and the wow factor of the shoreline. If you’re hoping for a long Dead Sea break, this itinerary won’t give you that.

Still, it works as a palate cleanser between desert roads and coastal sights. Even a short stop can be satisfying if you know what it’s designed to do: quick Dead Sea hit, then keep moving.

Aqaba’s 2-hour window: Red Sea coast energy, no time wasted

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea - Aqaba’s 2-hour window: Red Sea coast energy, no time wasted
After the Dead Sea leg, you’ll spend around 2 hours in Aqaba, Jordan’s Red Sea resort city. Then you move onward using the Wadi Araba Road route.

Aqaba in just two hours is about impressions. You’ll get a taste of the coast atmosphere and the change in environment from desert rock and sand to sea air and port-town energy. Since admission here is listed as free, the value is in your time exploring freely—walking, people-watching, and eating if you plan ahead.

If you love slow travel, this will feel short. If you’re building a highlights itinerary and you’d rather spend a little more time in Petra and Wadi Rum, Aqaba’s quick stop is a sensible compromise.

Driver experience: why the best part isn’t the vehicle

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and 3Hour Stop at Aqaba or Dead Sea - Driver experience: why the best part isn’t the vehicle
The transportation is clearly part of the package—air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver, Wi‑Fi—but what really makes days like this feel good is the human flexibility.

One driver name that comes up is Salim, known for being patient, courteous, and offering helpful suggestions that improve the plan. That type of driving partner matters because Jordan road days can feel long. When the driver can adjust to small timing shifts and point you toward practical choices, you spend less time stressed and more time enjoying what’s in front of you.

Even if you arrive armed with a checklist, you’ll appreciate that kind of calm when schedules shift slightly.

What’s included (and what you’ll need to arrange)

Included:

  • English-speaking driver/escort
  • Air-conditioned vehicle transport
  • Wi‑Fi on board
  • Private tour/activity for your group (up to 7 people)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Group discounts (as applicable)

Not included:

  • Any meals & beverages
  • Entrance fees to sites
  • Tour guide
  • All fees and taxes
  • Bedouin camp booking (self-booked)
  • Horse ride (at your own expense)

So the smart move is to budget for:

  • Petra admission (and any optional add-ons you choose)
  • Wadi Rum admission (if required for the area you access)
  • Food for two days
  • Your own Bedouin camp arrangements

Who this tour is best for

This itinerary fits best if you want a structured Jordan highlights route and don’t want to manage intercity driving yourself.

You’ll like it if:

  • You’re short on time and want Petra + Wadi Rum + Dead Sea + Aqaba
  • You prefer private-vehicle comfort with a small group size
  • You can handle moderate walking and the Petra day pace
  • You’re okay handling a self-booked Bedouin camp night

You might not love it if:

  • You want a long Dead Sea soak and full coastal time
  • You want a dedicated on-site guide at Petra (since none is included)
  • You’re looking for meals and site tickets to be fully handled

Should you book this Petra + Wadi Rum + Aqaba + Dead Sea tour?

If your goal is to pack Jordan’s top scenery into a smooth two-day rhythm, I’d say it’s a strong option. The value is in the logistics: pickup from Amman, an air-conditioned private vehicle, an English-speaking driver, and meaningful time at Petra and Wadi Rum—those are the hard parts to organize when you’re traveling on your own.

I’d hesitate only if you need fully included admissions and meals, or if you’re hoping for a long, relaxed Dead Sea day. This is a highlights route with quick stops—not a slow “stay in one place and linger” trip.

If you book, do this to make it painless:

  • Set a realistic budget for entrance fees, food, and the Bedouin camp you’ll book
  • Wear shoes you trust for Petra walking
  • Treat the Dead Sea stop as a quick photo reset, not a main activity
  • Decide how you want to handle Petra history: self-guided, or hire a guide onsite if you want more context

FAQ

What sites are included in this 2-day Jordan tour?

You’ll visit Petra, Wadi Rum Protected Area, Dead Sea (short photo stop), and Aqaba.

What time does the tour start from Amman?

The start time is 7:00 am.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates. It’s designed for up to 7 people.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered.

What’s included in the price?

Transport by air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver/escort, and Wi‑Fi on board are included.

Are meals or entrance tickets included?

No. Meals and beverages aren’t included, and entrance fees to the sites aren’t included either.

Do I need to book the Bedouin camp night myself?

Yes. The overnight stay in a traditional Bedouin camp is self-booked.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and it’s also subject to weather and minimum traveler requirements as stated by the provider.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Amman we have reviewed

Explore Jordan