Petra and Wadi Rum feel far away until you see how it’s done. This organized trip takes the hard parts off your plate, with an assisted border crossing, private-style transport, and a real overnight in the desert so you don’t rush past the good moments. I like that you get a guided look at Petra plus a Wadi Rum Jeep tour with an English-speaking guide-driver, not just a bus drop-off. One thing to consider: tips and optional add-ons (like horse, camel, or a hot air balloon) can add up on top of the $587 price.

The value here is about pacing and friction. You’re not trying to figure out timing between borders, cars, and entry lines on your own, and you’re not just passing through Wadi Rum for a photo stop. You’re doing two big “wow” areas with meals and lodging included, which is exactly how I prefer big trips to run.

You’ll meet up in Eilat (southern district) and get meet-and-assist support at the border, then travel with brand-new cars driven by an English-speaking driver/assistant. Expect a mix of guided time and flexible time, plus camping in Wadi Rum at Our Bedouin Camp, with BBQ dinner and breakfast included.

Key things that make this Petra + Wadi Rum tour work

• Assisted border crossing + meet-and-assist in Eilat: less stress at the one part of the trip you don’t want to guess.
• 4–5 hour Wadi Rum Jeep tour with an English-speaking guide-driver: you get storytelling, not just driving.
• Entrance to Petra plus a 3-hour English guide: you’ll know what you’re looking at while you’re looking at it.
• Overnight camping at Our Bedouin Camp: the night sky in Wadi Rum isn’t something you can squeeze into a day trip.
• 700-meter horse ride in Petra is optional: included in the sense that it’s offered, but you still decide, and you’ll likely tip.
• Balloon ride upgrade runs early morning (06:00–07:00): if you want it, plan ahead since it needs advance booking.

From Eilat to Jordan fast: why this route fits real schedules

Getting to Petra and Wadi Rum from Eilat is one of those trips where timing matters more than you think. The distance is manageable, but the border piece can turn into a long, stressful day if you’re not set up. This tour is built around smoothing that out with meet & assist service at the Eilat border and transfers by brand-new car with an English-speaking driver/assistant.

For me, the big win is that it’s not “see both, sleep nowhere.” You get an overnight in Wadi Rum, which is what lets you experience the desert after the day heat and before the crowds. And then Petra happens with guided time and an included lunch, so you’re not scrambling around hungry.

This also helps if you’re traveling with kids, older relatives, or anyone who hates the logistics part of travel. You’re paying for a system that keeps you moving in a sensible way.

Border crossing made simpler: meet-and-assist + English-speaking drivers

You start with meet & assist upon arrival at Eilat Border. That matters because it’s usually the most time-variable part of the whole plan. With that help, you’re not standing around trying to interpret instructions in a hurry.

Once you’re over the border, you stay on a guided transportation rhythm: all transfers are by car with an English-speaking driver/assistant driver. In practice, that means you spend less time asking where to go next and more time enjoying the places you came for.

Also note the tour is private for your group. Only your group participates, which is a plus when you want a smoother pace and fewer coordination headaches.

Petra Visitors Center: your “rose-red city” orientation point

Your Petra day begins at the visitors center. Petra is famous for the rose-red color of the rock where so many buildings were carved, and the tour gives you context before you walk into the ruins. You’ll hear why the Nabataeans made Petra what it became: intricate tombs cut into the mountain sides, plus temples and a theater.

You also get the broader timeline that explains why Petra doesn’t look like one single era. After the Nabataean period, there was a Roman annexation, and later Byzantine influence, which helped shape features like the colonnaded street and churches. It’s the kind of framing that makes the stones feel less random.

One practical detail: you’re given a set chunk of time at the start (4 hours listed for the visitors center segment). That gives you space to get oriented, then continue through the main experience without feeling like you’re sprinting immediately.

Petra with a 3-hour English guide (plus optional horse or carriage)

Petra is huge, and if you go in cold you can end up doing lots of walking with not much meaning. This is where the English-speaking Petra guide for 3 hours becomes the backbone of your day.

During that guided time, you’ll focus on the main things people remember from Petra: the Nabataean remains and the areas that show the later cultural layers. You’ll also get the big-picture fact that Petra was designated a World Heritage Site on December 6, 1985, and that it’s been recognized by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the 28 places you should visit before you die. Those bits of context aren’t trivia for trivia’s sake—they help you understand why this site is protected and why it draws the attention it does.

Now for the animal-ride options, which are often the part people worry about:

• A 700-meter horse ride in Petra is included as an option (it’s not mandatory). You’ll likely need to tip the horse handler.
• A Petra carriage option is available at the gate for $40 USD (max capacity of 2 guests). You don’t need to book it in advance; your guide in Petra can point you to it.

If you want to conserve energy, the horse ride can make sense. If you’d rather keep it simple and walk, you can skip it. Just go in knowing that once you opt for the horse or carriage, small extra costs are normal.

Wadi Rum Village: the Valley of the Moon and the “how” of seeing it

Wadi Rum is known as the Valley of the Moon, cut into sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan. It sits about 60 km (37 miles) east of Aqaba and is described as the largest wadi in Jordan. Those facts help, but the real value is how the tour takes you there.

You’ll spend time around Wadi Rum Village before your desert camp experience really starts, with about 5 hours associated with this segment. The key part is what happens next: the desert driving.

Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: 4–5 hours of real desert time

This is one of the best parts of the package: a 4–5 hour Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with an English-speaking guide who is also your driver. Instead of treating the desert like a backdrop, you get an organized route through the terrain with someone who can explain what you’re seeing.

Expect the driving to be a highlight by itself. Wadi Rum’s rock formations and open desert give you those “I can’t believe this is real” viewpoints—especially when the light starts changing.

Also, you’re not going dry. The tour includes mineral water on board of the vehicle, plus Bedouin tea and real Bedouin hospitality as part of the Wadi Rum experience. Box-lunch is included during the Jeep day, which keeps your energy up without you having to hunt for food in the middle of nowhere.

Our Bedouin Camp overnight: BBQ dinner, breakfast, and the night sky effect

The tour includes one night camping at Our Bedouin Camp, with BBQ dinner and breakfast. That’s the part that turns “a cool day in Jordan” into a trip you remember.

Because the overnight is part of the plan, you’re not stuck doing the desert only during daytime hours. You get time to slow down, eat well, and enjoy the atmosphere that camping brings in Wadi Rum.

One practical note: you’ll want to be comfortable with the idea of camping as the overnight style. The tour is set up for it (with meals included), but it’s still camping.

Meals, water, and the real-world costs you should plan for

Food is included, and that’s a real value lever on this kind of itinerary. You have:

• Box-lunch during the Wadi Rum tour
• Lunch in Petra (at Al Qantara Restaurants or similar)
• Breakfast and dinner at the camp (plus BBQ dinner)

Mineral water is included on board the vehicles, and there’s Bedouin tea as part of the hospitality.

What’s not included is where travelers often get surprised: tips for guides and the driver are not included. Also, there’s a Jordan departure tax (10 JD / about $15 USD) when applied, and it’s not included in the base price.

So the budgeting advice is simple: set aside a little extra for gratuities and possible departure tax. Optional experiences can also change the total.

Optional upgrades: balloon ride, camel ride, and Petra carriage

If you like to add one “extra special” moment, this tour gives options:

• Hot air balloon ride is listed as optional with a booking requirement in advance. It’s priced at 130 JD / about $185 USD per person, and it’s available from 06:00 to 07:00 in Wadi Rum.
• Camel ride in Wadi Rum & Petra is optional and costs 10 JD / about $15 USD per camel per hour. You don’t need to book in advance; you can arrange it when you’re there and ask your guide.
• Petra carriage is $40 USD and can be arranged at Petra Gate, without advance booking.

If you’re trying to keep costs under control, I’d pick just one upgrade. You’ll get plenty of “wow” from the included Jeep time and the overnight camping.

Duration and pacing: 2 to 3 days that actually feel manageable

The itinerary runs about 2 to 3 days. That’s important because Petra and Wadi Rum are both demanding in their own ways—Petra is walking, Wadi Rum is time in the elements and on the move.

The tour’s pacing is designed around giving you:

• A guided Petra chunk (plus included lunch)
• A long Jeep day with box-lunch and water
• An overnight to avoid turning everything into a single rushed day

It also helps that the tour is private for your group. You won’t be squeezed into a giant mixed group schedule.

Value check: does $587 per person make sense?

At $587 per person, this isn’t a budget add-on. But for what’s included, it’s a pretty fair “package price,” especially because three things cost real money and time when you plan them yourself: border coordination, transportation, and overnight accommodation.

Here’s what you’re getting for the price:

• Meet & assist at the border
• Transfers by brand-new car with an English-speaking driver/assistant
• Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with an English-speaking guide-driver (about 4–5 hours)
• Bedouin hospitality elements (tea) plus mineral water
• Box-lunch in Wadi Rum
• One night camping at Our Bedouin Camp with BBQ dinner and breakfast
• English guide in Petra for 3 hours
• Petra admission ticket included
• Lunch in Petra
• A 700-meter horse ride option in Petra (optional, and tips expected)

If you tried to stitch this together yourself, you’d still end up paying for guides, entry fees, and an overnight stay. Paying for the coordination can be worth it when you factor in stress reduction.

So my take: this is best seen as a time-saver and a “get the highlights without the headaches” option, not as a bargain.

Who this tour suits best (and who should reconsider)

This tour fits best if you want:

• Petra and Wadi Rum with a guided structure
• An overnight in Wadi Rum (not just a drive-through)
• English-speaking guidance for understanding what you’re seeing
• Fewer moving parts for border and transportation

It’s less ideal if you prefer fully independent travel with no set schedule, or if you’re the type who loves negotiating and improvising every segment.

Also, keep in mind that “optional” often means “extra cost.” The horse ride, camel ride, Petra carriage, and balloon upgrade are all add-ons in different ways.

Should you book this Petra and Wadi Rum tour?

I’d book it if you want Petra to feel meaningful and Wadi Rum to feel like an actual experience, not a rushed stop. The combination of an overnight desert night, a proper Jeep day, and a guided Petra block is a strong mix for most first-timers from Eilat.

I’d think twice if you’re extremely price-sensitive or if you don’t want camping as your overnight style. Also, if you hate extra costs for tips or optional rides, make sure you’re comfortable with that reality up front.

One more confidence boost: the tour company’s contacts, including Andrea and Mohammed, are known for being very responsive and helpful when questions come up. That kind of communication matters when you’re crossing into a different country.

FAQ

How long is the Petra and Wadi Rum tour?

The tour is listed as 2 to 3 days.

What’s included in the Wadi Rum part of the trip?

You get a 4–5 hour Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with an English-speaking guide who drives, plus mineral water, Bedouin tea, Bedouin hospitality, and a box-lunch. You also get one night camping at Our Bedouin Camp with BBQ dinner and breakfast.

Is Petra entrance included?

Yes. Petra admission ticket is included.

Do I get a guide in Petra?

Yes. There is an English-speaking guide in Petra for about 3 hours.

Is the horse ride in Petra mandatory?

No. A 700-meter horse ride in Petra is offered as optional and is not mandatory. The horse handler expects a tip.

Can I arrange a camel ride or Petra carriage on the spot?

Yes. Camel ride in Wadi Rum & Petra is optional and can be booked upon arrival by asking your guide. Petra carriage can be booked upon arrival at Petra Gate; it costs $40 USD and holds a maximum of 2 guests.

Is the hot air balloon ride included?

No. The hot air balloon ride is optional. It costs 130 JD (about $185 USD) per person, requires advance booking, and is available from 06:00–07:00.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.

When will I receive confirmation and what ticket do I get?

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. You receive a mobile ticket.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you’re the type who would do the balloon or just stick to the included plan—I can help you decide what’s worth paying extra for.