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

REVIEW · PETRA TOURS

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

5.0 · 35 reviews 2 days From $349 Operated by Jordan Private Tours and Travel · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Jordan in two days is not calm, it is packed. You get Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea without juggling buses. I like the focus on comfort, a modern air-conditioned vehicle, and an English-speaking driver who can make the drive feel less like transit. The other big win is sleeping in your own Bedouin tent in Wadi Rum, not a hotel room in the next town. One caution: you will do a lot of driving and walking, and Petra in particular is a big place to cover on foot.

This is the kind of trip that works best when you keep expectations practical. You will have a mix of guided and independent time, and you will also get real downtime where it counts, like floating in the Dead Sea. If you prefer slow travel, or you need minimal walking, you might find the pace tiring.

Key Points You’ll Care About

From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, & Dead Sea 2-Day Trip - Key Points You’ll Care About

  • Private, door-to-door Amman pickup in a modern air-conditioned car, with an English-speaking driver
  • One night in Wadi Rum in your own Bedouin tent, with dinner and breakfast included
  • Petra time that rewards sensible shoes, because the site is huge and walking is part of the deal
  • A 2-hour Jeep ride through Wadi Rum with Bedouin-style desert transport
  • Dead Sea floating, plus a note that the resort beach and lunch cost extra in cash

Petra, booked a few different ways

First, Know What You Are Really Buying

From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, & Dead Sea 2-Day Trip - First, Know What You Are Really Buying
This 2-day private tour is designed for people who want southern Jordan highlights in one clean package. You start in Amman, then the trip runs south with long-but-manageable driving blocks: about 3 hours to Petra, 2 hours from Petra to Wadi Rum, then 4 hours from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea, and finally about 1 hour back to Amman.

The value is in what is included, not just the attractions. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation in a modern air-conditioned vehicle, and an English-speaking driver. You also get an overnight Bedouin camp experience in Wadi Rum with dinner and breakfast, plus a tent that is assigned for your group (up to 3 people per booking).

Your main decision is how much comfort you want in the camp. There are two tent styles. Deluxe offers a private bathroom and air-conditioning or a heater on the tent. Classic has no air-conditioning and uses a public bathroom. If you tend to run cold, or you like sleeping in comfort, Deluxe is worth considering.

Day 1 Route: Petra’s Scale, Then Wadi Rum’s Big Sky

From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, & Dead Sea 2-Day Trip - Day 1 Route: Petra’s Scale, Then Wadi Rum’s Big Sky
Day 1 starts with pickup from your address in Amman, then a long drive south. Along the way, your driver makes rest stops, which matters because the schedule is built around those big driving hours.

When you reach Petra, you are stepping into a place that is famous for a reason. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders. Even if you have seen pictures, what hits you in person is the scale, the way the gorge shapes your first views, and how quickly the site can shift from quiet walking paths to major viewpoints.

After Petra, you continue on to Wadi Rum. The experience here is less about monuments and more about atmosphere. This is where the desert feels cinematic: big colors, long shadows, and that quiet that makes you look up instead of at your phone.

By the time you reach camp, you will be ready for the real payoff of the trip, sleeping in the desert. And it is not a rough, throw-away camping night. You are staying inside your own tent, and dinner and breakfast are included.

Entering Petra: Big Walking, Smart Options

From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, & Dead Sea 2-Day Trip - Entering Petra: Big Walking, Smart Options
Petra is huge, and it is the part of the tour most people either love immediately or underestimate. You should plan for moderate walking, and the site itself demands more effort than it looks like in photos.

A helpful reality: you can use options inside Petra if needed, including golf carts and animal transport like donkeys, horse carriages, and camels. That said, the best experience usually comes from walking, because you get more chances to notice details and viewpoints as you move.

A local guide is not included as part of the standard package. Instead, you rely on your English-speaking driver for direction and explanations, and you can decide on the level of on-site interpretation you want. If you are the type who loves context, spending time asking questions during the ride and before you enter can make the visit feel more personal.

Practical tip: wear comfortable shoes. Petra’s walking surfaces and long distances can wear you out faster than you expect, especially if you arrive hungry and try to rush. Bring what the trip calls for, sensible shoes, sunscreen, and a sun hat.

Also note that the tour runs rain or shine, so pack for weather changes. If skies are clear, great. If not, you will still be moving, and you will still need warm layers.

Wadi Rum Camp Overnight: Deluxe vs Classic

Wadi Rum is where this tour feels like more than just “see sights, take photos, move on.” Your overnight is built around the desert setting, and you sleep in a tent in the heart of Wadi Rum.

Here is the comfort breakdown you should use to choose your tent type:

  • Deluxe tent: includes a private bathroom and air-conditioning or a heater on the tent. The key is not just comfort, it is control over your sleep temperature.
  • Classic tent: no air-conditioning, and you use a public bathroom.

Either option is still a desert camp experience. Even if Deluxe sounds like a hotel upgrade, you are still surrounded by open air, sand, and nighttime temperature shifts. Warm clothing is on the packing list for a reason.

WiFi is another detail to manage. The general guidance is no WiFi at most camps in Wadi Rum. That means plan on being offline. Your phone will be for photos and navigation, not for streaming.

One more booking note: separate tents are available for an extra charge, based on availability. If you are a couple, or you want more privacy, that is worth asking about before you lock in your group size.

More of Wadi Rum, from two hours to two nights

The 2-Hour Jeep Ride Through Wadi Rum

From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, & Dead Sea 2-Day Trip - The 2-Hour Jeep Ride Through Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum isn’t just scenic from a viewpoint. The tour includes a 2-hour Jeep tour of the desert with Bedouin-style transport. This is where the desert becomes a moving experience, with off-road routes that help you reach areas most people would not get to on foot.

What I like about this setup is that it keeps the experience active without requiring you to handle a ton of logistics. Your driver handles the timing and transfers, and you get to focus on the scenery and the culture element of the day.

Bedouin culture here is presented as part of the way travel happens in Wadi Rum, not as a staged museum version of life. The emphasis is on spending time in the desert with people who know the terrain.

Because it is a Jeep ride, you will want sun protection. The packing list is solid: sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen. The desert can look gentle and still bake you.

Day 2: The Dead Sea Float, Plus the Extra Cash Detail

The second day focuses on the Dead Sea. This is the easy-to-understand highlight: you swim and float in some of the saltiest water you can find.

You should expect this to be less about walking tours and more about time in the water. It is the kind of break that makes the long driving days feel worth it. Float time is also a good mental reset after Petra and the desert.

One practical note matters for budgeting: the Dead Sea Resort-Beach and lunch are not included. You pay $40 in cash to the driver for that portion. Plan for it so you do not get surprised when the time comes.

Also, this tour is not positioned as an “all meals included” trip beyond what the camp provides. Dinner and breakfast are included at Wadi Rum, but lunch at the Dead Sea area is part of that extra cash payment.

If you are sensitive to time in the sun, schedule your float with breaks. You will likely be outdoors for stretches, and the Dead Sea area can be bright and hot.

Price and Logistics: What It Costs, and What You Get

From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, & Dead Sea 2-Day Trip - Price and Logistics: What It Costs, and What You Get
At $349 per person for 2 days, you are paying for a private, packed route that includes:

  • English-speaking driver
  • Modern air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman
  • 1 night in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum
  • Dinner and breakfast at camp
  • Tent for up to 3 people per booking

What is not included (and can change your final number) is where people often get caught:

  • Petra entry fees: $70 paid on site
  • Wadi Rum entry fees: $10 paid on site
  • Dead Sea resort beach and lunch: $40 cash to the driver
  • Local sites tour guide (not included)
  • Travel insurance (not included)

Here is where the Jordan Pass tip can seriously affect value. It is highly recommended if you are spending 2 nights or more in Jordan. Jordan Pass can include visa fees and Petra and Rum entry fees, except the Dead Sea fee. That means your biggest potential savings are on Petra and Wadi Rum entry.

So for value, ask yourself this:

  • If you already plan to visit Petra and Wadi Rum during your trip, the Jordan Pass can make this tour feel cheaper in the long run.
  • If you do not want extra pre-trip planning, you might pay the entry fees on site and accept it as the convenience cost.

Also consider the style of tour: you are not traveling with a big group. This is private, which usually means fewer scheduling headaches and more flexibility with questions, pace, and comfort.

Guides and Comfort: Where the Details Show

From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, & Dead Sea 2-Day Trip - Guides and Comfort: Where the Details Show
The difference between a good road trip and a frustrating one is often how the driver handles comfort and timing.

You should expect an English-speaking driver in a modern car, with rest stops along the way. In feedback tied to real situations, names like Oday, Zac, Ahmad, and Sa’ad show up as drivers who were professional, friendly, and willing to answer questions. There was even an example of a forgotten phone handled through coordination after a trip, which tells you the service mindset is not only about the drive, it is about problem-solving.

Comfort-wise, the car being air-conditioned matters because these are long hours in warm conditions. And at Wadi Rum, the Deluxe tent can be a big deal if you want to sleep well rather than just survive.

The most frequent type of “complaint” about this kind of itinerary is not the sights, it is the pace. This tour is a fast route with a full second day. If you are the kind of traveler who needs to decompress each evening, you may feel rushed between stops.

Who Should Book This 2-Day Route, and Who Should Skip It

This tour is clearly aimed at travelers who want highlight hopping and do not mind long driving days.

It is not recommended for people with limited mobility, and it is listed as not suitable for pregnant women and people with mobility impairments. That is mainly because the tour involves many driving hours and walking, especially at Petra.

If you are fit enough for moderate walking and you can manage desert conditions, you will likely love the mix:

  • Petra’s scale and views
  • Wadi Rum’s desert atmosphere and Bedouin-style camp
  • The Dead Sea float payoff

If you hate road trips, or you get motion sick, think twice. Even with rest stops, the driving time blocks are substantial. Also remember that Petra is huge, so your day there will include walking over time.

Should You Book This Tour?

I would book this tour if your goal is simple: maximize southern Jordan highlights in two days with private transport and a real desert overnight. It is a good fit if you want the convenience of pickup and drop-off, you are comfortable walking at Petra, and you like the idea of sleeping in a tent where the desert dominates the night sky.

I would pass, or at least reconsider, if you need minimal walking, you have mobility limitations, or you are sensitive to long driving days. Petra and the route pace are the hard parts.

If you do book, do two things that make the experience smoother:

  • Choose your Wadi Rum tent type based on how you sleep in cool or hot temperatures, Deluxe if comfort matters to you.
  • Budget your extra on-the-day cash for the Dead Sea resort-beach and lunch, and consider the Jordan Pass if you qualify based on your length of stay.

FAQ

What’s the total duration and how long are the drives?

The tour runs for 2 days. You drive about 3 hours from Amman to Petra, about 2 hours from Petra to Wadi Rum, about 4 hours from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea, and about 1 hour from the Dead Sea back to Amman.

What’s included in the Wadi Rum overnight?

You get 1 night at a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum for your tent (up to 3 people per booking), plus dinner and breakfast.

What are the differences between the Deluxe and Classic tents?

Deluxe includes a private bathroom and air-conditioning or a heater in the tent. Classic has no air-conditioning and uses a public bathroom.

Are Petra and Wadi Rum entry fees included?

No. Petra entry fees are listed as $70 and Wadi Rum entry fees as $10, paid on site.

Is the Dead Sea resort beach included?

No. Dead Sea resort-beach access and lunch are not included. You pay $40 in cash to the driver for this portion.

Is there WiFi at the Wadi Rum camp?

There is no WiFi at most camps in Wadi Rum, so plan on limited connectivity.