From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, & Dead Sea 2-Day Trip

Petra and Wadi Rum are the heart of southern Jordan, and this two-day private trip gets you to both without forcing you to arrange several transfers. You walk through Petra’s famous canyon, sleep in the desert, ride in a Bedouin Jeep, then float in the Dead Sea before returning to Amman.

I like the private car and flexible pacing, especially when your driver can stop for rest breaks and answer questions along the way. I also like the overnight camp, which gives you more than a quick photo stop in Wadi Rum. Drivers such as Oday, Ahmad, Zac, and Sa’ad have been praised for friendly service, useful stories, and practical help.

The trade-off is simple: this is a lot of Jordan in only two days. You will spend roughly ten hours on the road, walk several hours at Petra, and pay about $120 per person in listed entrance and Dead Sea charges on top of the tour price.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra comes first: You get a full visit to Jordan’s great Nabataean city, but the site is huge and requires plenty of walking.
• Wadi Rum includes a 2-hour Jeep ride: Bedouin drivers take you across the desert to see the scenery and experience local desert culture.
• You sleep in the desert: Deluxe tents include a private bathroom and air-conditioning or heating. Classic tents use a public bathroom and have no air-conditioning.
• The Dead Sea visit requires an extra payment: Resort beach access and lunch cost $40, paid in cash to the driver.
• The real cost is higher than $349: Petra costs $70 and Wadi Rum $10 on site, unless your Jordan Pass covers eligible fees.
• The route suits active visitors: Limited mobility, pregnancy, and long days in a car make this a poor match for some people.

Why this two-day route works

Jordan’s southern highlights are spread far apart. Petra sits about three hours from Amman, Wadi Rum is another two hours away, and the Dead Sea adds a long return route. A private tour solves the transport problem, which is the main reason to consider it.

You are not joining a large coach group with a fixed script. An English-speaking driver collects you at your address in Amman, drives a modern air-conditioned vehicle, and handles the road connections. You have independent time at Petra, while the Wadi Rum portion includes a separate Bedouin Jeep ride.

I see this as a shortcut for a short Jordan visit, not a slow cultural trip. If you have four or more days, you could spend more time in Petra, stay longer in Wadi Rum, and visit the Dead Sea at a calmer pace. With only two days, this route covers the country’s best-known southern sights in a practical order.

The long drive from Amman to Petra

The first morning starts with hotel pickup in Amman. The drive to Petra takes around three hours, with rest stops arranged by the driver. That sounds manageable on paper, but an early start and a full day on foot make this a demanding opening.

The benefit of a private car is comfort and control. You can ask for a break, adjust the temperature, and talk with the driver during the ride. Ahmad, Oday, Zac, and Sa’ad are among the drivers associated with positive experiences on this route, with particular praise for politeness, helpful explanations, and comfortable cars.

Your driver is not described as a local Petra guide. That matters. You should expect transportation and general help, not a detailed guided walk through every monument. A local site guide is not included, so you can either explore independently or arrange a guide separately.

Walking into Petra and beyond

Petra begins with the walk through the Siq, a narrow passage between sandstone walls. The approach builds suspense, but the main point is practical: this is not a quick roadside monument. Petra is a large archaeological site, and even a highlights visit involves substantial walking.

The Treasury is the first major sight and the image most people associate with Petra. From there, the route continues into a wider valley filled with tombs, carved facades, paths, and ancient remains. Your available time will determine how far you go.

You can use horses, carriages, donkeys, camels, or golf carts in parts of Petra, but walking is generally the better way to understand the site. It lets you stop when you want and take in the changing rock colors and carved details. Still, bring sensible shoes, water, sun protection, and enough energy for uneven ground.

The practical limit is time. This itinerary gives Petra a major place in the first day, but it does not turn the site into a relaxed two-day visit. If Petra is your main reason for visiting Jordan, you may wish for more time. If your goal is to see Petra plus Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, the schedule is a fair compromise.

The Petra entrance fee is listed as $70 per person, paid on site. That is a large addition to the advertised tour price. Check the Jordan Pass before arrival if you are spending two nights or more in Jordan, since it can include visa fees, Petra, and Wadi Rum entry, subject to the pass rules.

From Petra to Wadi Rum

After Petra, you drive about two hours to Wadi Rum. This is where the feel of the trip changes. Petra is about carved stone and ancient urban life. Wadi Rum is about open desert, red rock, silence, and Bedouin traditions.

You do not simply arrive at a camp and wait for dinner. The package includes a two-hour Jeep trip in Bedouin vehicles. The ride gives you time to see the desert from inside it, with stops and views shaped by the local driver and the conditions that day.

Wadi Rum is often called the Valley of the Moon because of its unusual rock formations and wide spaces. You should expect a basic, outdoors-focused outing rather than a polished sightseeing ride. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and warm clothing. Desert temperatures can change sharply, especially after sunset.

The Wadi Rum entry fee is listed separately at $10. Again, a Jordan Pass may cover this cost if you meet the pass requirements. Confirm what your pass includes before you leave home, since the Dead Sea charge is separate.

Spending the night in a Bedouin camp

The overnight stay is one of the strongest reasons to choose this itinerary over a day trip from Petra. You sleep in your own tent in Wadi Rum, with dinner and breakfast included. One tent is provided for up to three people per booking.

There are two stated tent styles. A Deluxe tent has a private bathroom plus air-conditioning or heating. A Classic tent has no air-conditioning and uses a public bathroom. Separate tents may be available for an extra fee, but that depends on availability.

The distinction is important. If you care about privacy, temperature control, or an en-suite bathroom, select Deluxe if offered. The supplied details specifically note that Deluxe means a modern tent, not a Bubble or Martian-style room, so do not book expecting a glass-domed suite.

Camp conditions can vary, but the available information indicates electricity and WiFi at some camps, while also warning that most Wadi Rum camps have no WiFi. I would treat internet access as uncertain and plan to be offline.

Dinner and breakfast are included, but the general information also says meals are not included. The safest reading is that the camp dinner and breakfast are included, while other meals, particularly lunch, are not. Ask for clarification when booking if meal coverage matters to you.

The Dead Sea on day two

The second day moves north toward the Dead Sea, a drive of about four hours from Wadi Rum. This is the longest driving section of the trip, so prepare for a road day with a memorable stop rather than a leisurely beach holiday.

At the Dead Sea, you visit a resort beach and get time to float in the famously salty water. The sensation is unusual because the water supports your body more than ordinary seawater. Do not shave immediately before entering, and avoid getting water in your eyes or any cuts, though those practical cautions are not listed as tour rules.

Resort access and lunch cost $40, paid in cash to the driver. This fee is not included in the $349 booking price. The exact resort is not named in the supplied details, so you should not assume a particular hotel or beach club.

The Dead Sea stop received less enthusiasm than the Petra and Wadi Rum portions in the available feedback, with one visitor finding the resort portion less enjoyable while still describing the rest of the trip positively. That makes sense: after Petra and Wadi Rum, a resort beach can feel more commercial and less distinctive.

You have to decide how much the Dead Sea matters to you. If floating in the salty water is on your Jordan wish list, this stop is convenient. If you would rather spend more time in Petra or Wadi Rum, the long detour may feel costly in time.

What the $349 price really means

The advertised price is $349 per person, but you should budget beyond that figure. The listed extra charges are:

• Petra entry: $70
• Wadi Rum entry: $10
• Dead Sea resort beach and lunch: $40

That adds $120, bringing the practical total to about $469 per person before any other personal spending. The Dead Sea amount is paid in cash to the driver, so carry enough Jordanian currency or confirm the accepted currency before departure.

For that base price, you receive private hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman, an English-speaking driver, a modern air-conditioned vehicle, one night at a Bedouin camp, dinner, and breakfast. The value is strongest for people who would otherwise need to book transport, accommodation, and a desert excursion separately.

It is less attractive if you already have a rental car or prefer to plan your own route. You are paying for convenience, a private vehicle, and a ready-made connection between difficult-to-link places. You are not paying for a local Petra guide, luxury transport, or every meal.

How difficult is the schedule?

The physical demands are moderate at Petra but the overall demands are high because of the driving. The route includes about three hours from Amman to Petra, two hours from Petra to Wadi Rum, four hours from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea, and one hour from the Dead Sea to Amman.

That is roughly ten hours in the car across two days, before counting pickup time, rest stops, sightseeing, and the Jeep ride. You need to be comfortable with long road sections and quick transitions.

The tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility and is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women. Petra’s paths can be uneven, and the site is large. Wear comfortable shoes and expect sun exposure.

The tour runs rain or shine. Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and warm layers. Wadi Rum can feel hot by day and cold at night, so one light outfit will not cover every condition.

Who will get the most from this trip?

I would choose this tour if I had only two days in Jordan and wanted the main southern sights without driving myself. It is especially useful for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who value a private car and a simple hotel pickup.

It also suits people who want a real overnight in Wadi Rum rather than a quick desert photo stop. The included two-hour Jeep ride and camp dinner give the desert portion enough shape to feel like more than a transfer.

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, long drives, or walking. Petra alone deserves more than a rushed visit, and the Dead Sea leg makes the second day particularly road-heavy. Families with young children should also consider the distance and the lack of a slower pace, though the supplied information does not set a child age limit.

The trip is also a good fit if you want some independence. You are not locked into a constant guided explanation. At Petra, you have room to explore on your own, while the driver handles the complicated transport.

Booking details worth knowing

Pickup is available from an address in Amman city, and drop-off is at your Amman hotel. The tour language is English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Drones and pets are not allowed. Bring your passport or ID card, since it is required for the trip and entry arrangements. Confirmation is provided at booking.

Ask about the tent type before finalizing the reservation, especially if a private bathroom matters to you. Also confirm the additional cash charges and check the Jordan Pass rules if you will spend at least two nights in Jordan.

Should you book this Petra and Wadi Rum trip?

Book it if you want maximum coverage in minimum time and accept that the schedule will be busy. Petra, a Bedouin Jeep ride, an overnight desert camp, and the Dead Sea make a strong introduction to Jordan, particularly when private transport would otherwise be difficult to arrange.

Skip it if you want slow mornings, long archaeological walks, or a quiet Dead Sea stay. The best version of this trip comes when you plan for the extra $120, choose the Deluxe tent if available, pack for both heat and cold, and treat the long drives as part of the price of seeing so much in two days.

FAQ

Is the tour private?

Yes. The tour includes a private vehicle and an English-speaking driver for your group. One tent is provided for up to three people per booking.

Does the tour include Petra entrance?

No. Petra entry costs $70 per person and is paid on site, unless your Jordan Pass covers the eligible fee.

Is a Petra guide included?

No. A local site tour guide is not included. You have independent time at Petra with transport provided by the English-speaking driver.

What type of accommodation is provided in Wadi Rum?

You stay for one night in a Bedouin camp. Deluxe tents have a private bathroom and air-conditioning or heating. Classic tents have no air-conditioning and use a public bathroom.

Is the Wadi Rum Jeep ride included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a two-hour Jeep tour in Bedouin vehicles.

How much does the Dead Sea stop cost?

The Dead Sea resort beach and lunch cost $40 per person, paid in cash to the driver. This charge is not included in the tour price.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility and is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Petra involves substantial walking, and the route includes many hours in a vehicle.