Two-day Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea tours: $249, 1,521 reviews
The two-day itinerary
Day 1: Hotel pickup in Amman (or the airport), 225 km drive south on the Desert Highway to Wadi Musa. Arrive at Petra by midday, walk the Siq and the Treasury at your own pace, see the Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, the Roman theatre carved from a single cliff face, and climb the 800 steps to the Monastery (Ad-Deir) if you have the energy. You are not rushed. You set the pace. By 4pm, drive west to Wadi Rum (1–2 hours), a vast desert valley sculpted into red cliffs and golden sand. Climb into a 4WD jeep for a two-hour sunset tour with a Bedouin guide — you see Lawrence of Arabia filming sites, layered rock faces, and the light turning gold. Arrive at a Bedouin camp (one tent sleeps up to 3 people), sit around the fire, eat traditional Bedouin dinner, sleep under the stars. No electricity; flush toilets and running water on site.
Day 2: Sunrise coffee and breakfast at the camp. Two-hour Wadi Rum jeep tour (different routes, different guides). Drive north to the Dead Sea, a shoreline 400 metres below sea level. Float in water so dense with salt you cannot sink. Lunch at a resort restaurant on the shore (you pay $40 cash to the driver, or it is free if you are on the mid-size group option). Shower off the salt, rest. Drive back to Amman by evening. Arrive by 18:00–19:00.
What is included and what is not
Included: transport Amman–Petra–Wadi Rum–Dead Sea–Amman, hotel or airport pickup and drop-off, two-hour Wadi Rum jeep tours (sunset and sunrise), one night in a Bedouin camp (tent, thin mattress, blanket), Bedouin dinner and breakfast, hot coffee and tea at dawn. Not included: entry fees for Petra ($70) and Wadi Rum ($10) — usually paid cash on site; Dead Sea resort beach, showers and lunch ($40 cash to the driver, or free on the mid-size group tour); alcohol and extra drinks; guide tips; personal toiletries (bring your own, including sunscreen, lip balm, wet wipes). Do not expect luxury. The Bedouin camp is basic — you are sleeping in a tent under the stars, not a hotel. It is the point.
1,521 reviews: what travellers say
This tour is the most-reviewed product on this site, and it deserves to be. Reviewer Viorel-Andrei from Romania: "Guide Ja'far Al-Shareef was well organised, attentive, full of stories." Reviewer Mohammed from Australia: "Driver Qutaibah; the activities were well planned, not as busy as you'd think, and plenty of time to enjoy each site." The reviews are consistent: guides are knowledgeable, the timing is good (not rushed), and the Bedouin camp experience is worth the basic accommodation. Read the full two-day review.
The 50 JOD advantage: two nights in Jordan, two cheaper tickets
Here is an angle most people miss: if you spend two nights in Jordan (one in Wadi Musa, one at the Bedouin camp), you pay the 50 JOD entry fee on both days, not the 90 JOD non-accommodated rate. A visitor from Israel or Egypt booking this tour actually solves the entry-fee problem. You pay $249 for the tour, $70 + $10 for the entries, $40 for the Dead Sea — roughly $330 total for two full days. The same itinerary as a same-day rush from Tel Aviv costs $583 for 3 hours at Petra. Staying overnight is not just nicer; it is cheaper.
Private option available
The two-day tour offers a private-vehicle option for small groups. You get your own driver, your own 4WD jeep, no sharing the group schedule. Ask about private pricing at booking. Read the private tours page.
Book 7–14 days ahead in normal season; further out in summer (June–August) and holidays (Christmas–New Year). Bring comfortable walking shoes (you will walk 4–6 km at Petra). Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. The Bedouin camp is cool at night (desert temperature drops at night); bring a jacket or sweater. Toiletries are basic at the camp; bring wet wipes and hand sanitiser. Wear layers — desert sun is intense by day, cool by night.
Still deciding?
Compare all eight Petra tours. Read is a Petra day worth it (yes, and the two-day is better), or what you will actually see in two days.
Can’t make these dates?
Browse more available Petra day tours and find one that fits your schedule — all with instant confirmation and free cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bedouin camp experience comfortable?
No, it is basic. You sleep in a tent on a thin mattress with a blanket under the stars. Flush toilets and running water are on site. It is not a hotel — it is the experience. If you want comfort, book a hotel in Wadi Musa or Amman, not this tour. If you want to sleep under stars in the desert, this is it.
What are the entry fees and what do I pay on site?
Petra entry: $70 (50 JOD). Wadi Rum entry: $10. Both are usually paid in cash on site, not bundled in the $249 tour price. Dead Sea resort beach, lunch and showers: $40 cash to the driver (or free if you are on the mid-size group option). Total extra: roughly $120.
How much walking is there?
Day 1: 4–6 km of walking at Petra, mostly flat canyon walks and some uphill (the 800-step Monastery climb is optional). Day 2: 2–3 km of walking at the Dead Sea (flat). You are walking 2 hours on site both days, not a strenuous full hike. Wear good shoes.
What if I cannot climb the Monastery?
The 800-step climb is optional. You can walk to the foot of it and still see the great rock-cut staircase. Many people skip it. You have a full day to choose your own pace.
Can I book a private version?
Yes, the two-day tour offers a private-vehicle option. You get your own driver, your own 4WD jeep, no group schedule. Ask for private pricing at booking.
What is the 50 vs 90 JOD thing, and why does it matter on this tour?
If you spend two nights in Jordan, you pay 50 JOD for the entry fee on both days. If you cross the border and return the same day (day trip from Israel or Egypt), you pay 90 JOD. The two-day tour solves this: you stay overnight, so you pay the cheaper rate twice. Read the full entry fee explanation.
Can I stay longer than two days?
Ask the operator. Some can arrange three-day versions or help you book extra nights in Wadi Musa or Amman.