From Jerusalem: Petra, Wadi Rum & Aqaba 2-Day Glamping Tour

The best part of this trip is the sharp change of scenery: one morning you are leaving Jerusalem, and soon you are crossing into Jordan for red desert cliffs, Bedouin camp life, and Petra’s carved stone monuments. I especially like the combination of Wadi Rum and Petra in one short trip, and I like that transport, guiding, meals, lodging, and Petra admission are bundled together.

The main drawback is time. Border formalities and shared transport can eat into the first day, while Petra may receive only about three and a half hours. You should book this tour for a fast, well-organized taste of Jordan, not for a slow archaeological visit.

Key points before you book

• Wadi Rum after dark: Spend the night in a private glamping tent with a private bathroom and WiFi, with an upgrade available to a Martian Bubble Tent.
• Petra in a short window: The route includes the Siq, Treasury, Obelisk Tomb, Theater, shrines, and Colonnaded Street, but your time on site may be limited.
• Aqaba adds a coastal break: You get time for a private beach, pool, and Jacuzzi, with boating and snorkeling available at extra cost.
• Border costs are separate: Budget $125 per person in cash for visa issuing and border fees, or $65 if you already hold a valid visa stamp or do not need a visa.
• Strict Jerusalem departure: Meet at the entrance to the David Citadel Hotel and arrive at least 15 minutes early. The bus will not wait for late arrivals.
• Two languages are offered: The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

What this two-day Jordan trip is really like

At $399 per person, this is not a bargain-basement day trip. Once you add the usual $125 border charge, the basic cost can reach $524 per person. Still, that price covers a great deal: air-conditioned bus transport, a local guide, border assistance, Petra entry, one night of accommodation, dinner, and lunch.

You are paying for convenience across an international border, not just for a ride to an attraction. Planning Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, a Jeep tour, accommodation, and return transport on your own would take more work. The value is strongest if you want Jordan’s major sights without arranging several separate bookings.

I would be careful if your main goal is Petra. The site is large, and the classic walk from the Siq to the Treasury is only the beginning. If border delays push the schedule back, you may have to choose between walking farther into the ruins and taking time for photographs near the main monuments.

Leaving Jerusalem for the southern border

The meeting point is the entrance to the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. You need to get there on your own, and the departure time and location are strict. Arrive 15 minutes early with your passport in hand.

The bus is air-conditioned, which matters on a long two-day route through hot, dry parts of the region. The trip description does not give a fixed group size, so expect a shared tour rather than a private outing. The border crossing can take up to an hour, but the total wait may be longer if several groups are being combined on the Jordanian side.

One practical issue deserves special attention. The outbound pickup has been as early as 3:30 in the morning for a 7:30 border arrival. The exact start time depends on the date, so check availability carefully before booking. You may spend a large part of the first morning on the road or waiting at the crossing.

Bring the same valid passport used for the reservation. Israeli passport holders must use their Israeli passports at every border crossing during the tour. You also need to provide each participant’s passport number, birth date, issue date, expiration date, and nationality when booking.

Visa rules vary by nationality. Some people need a visa in advance, and the Jordanian Ministry of Interior is the authority to check. If you need the border-issued visa and fees, prepare $125 in cash in US dollars, euros, or Israeli new shekels. Exact cash is the sensible choice. Those who already have a valid visa stamp or do not need a visa pay $65.

Aqaba, the Red Sea, and Mamluk Castle

Once you reach Aqaba, the tour gives you a look at Jordan’s main Red Sea port. The city portion includes time in its alleys and a visit to Mamluk Castle, a 16th-century fortress.

The castle is a good short stop because its position gives you a remarkable four-country view. From the panoramic lookout, you can see Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia at once. That makes this more than a quick photo stop. It gives you a clear sense of how tightly packed the northern Red Sea region is.

You also get free time for beach activities. Boating costs $75, while entry to the private beach costs $25. The private beach includes access to a pool and Jacuzzi, so you can choose a swim and rest period instead of paying for a boat outing.

I like this pause in the schedule because it breaks up a long border and road day. The catch is timing. The tour may not reach its first planned activity until around 2 p.m. on some departures, so the Aqaba section can feel more like a brief stop than a full coastal day. If you want snorkeling, boating, or a long pool visit, ask how much free time is available before paying for an extra activity.

A Jeep ride through Wadi Rum

From Aqaba, you continue to Wadi Rum, the desert area often called the Valley of the Moon. Here, the tour switches from bus travel to a Jeep safari through a wilderness of sandstone formations, open sand, and dramatic rock walls.

The setting has a strong film connection. Wadi Rum was used for Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars, and you can see why filmmakers use it. The rock shapes and broad desert spaces feel far removed from city life. The tour also points out the area’s geology and visits the Seven Pillars of Wisdom rock formation.

The Jeep ride is the most active part of the first day. You get a closer view of the desert than you would from the main road, and the changing light makes the route especially appealing near sunset. The safari ends with a Wadi Rum sunset, one of the clearest reasons to keep this tour on your shortlist.

The word glamping sets the right expectation. This is not a basic tent sleep. You receive a private tent, private bathroom, and WiFi, with the option to upgrade to a Martian Bubble Tent. The camp is described as a genuine Bedouin camp, so you get a more comfortable night without giving up the desert setting.

Dinner is included. Food quality is one of the strongest parts of the experience, and the camp’s comfort makes the long first day easier to handle. Still, you should remember that this is a two-day tour with a lot of road time. The camp is a pleasant stop, but you will not have an entire day to wander through Wadi Rum.

The drive to Petra and the red stone city

The next day follows the Desert Highway toward Petra. The bus ride gives you more desert and mountain views before reaching the archaeological site.

Petra was the capital of the Nabateans and dates back roughly 2,300 years. Its fame is deserved, but the first sight is also carefully staged by nature. You walk through the Siq, a narrow gorge with colorful rock walls, and the Treasury appears at the far end.

That first view is one of the great reveals in the region. The Treasury’s carved facade is the image most people associate with Petra, but it was not a storehouse for gold. It is a monumental tomb, and the wider site contains tombs, shrines, a theater, streets, and other structures cut into the stone.

The route includes the Obelisk Tomb, Petra Theater, decorated shrines, and the ancient Colonnaded Street. You can explore on foot or on horseback, depending on what is available and what you choose. The site is uneven and involves walking, so comfortable shoes are important.

The biggest question is how much time you actually receive inside Petra. A three-and-a-half-hour visit has been reported on this schedule, and that is enough for the Siq, Treasury, and several central sights. It is not enough for a relaxed examination of every major area. If you want a longer walk beyond the central route, you may need to skip some stops or move quickly.

I would treat the horse ride as an optional way to reduce walking, not as the reason to book the tour. The core experience is the approach through the Siq and the carved monuments. Keep your attention on the stonework and the geography of the city rather than trying to check every possible site off a list.

The guide and the pace of the day

A local professional guide leads both days, with English and Spanish available. A guide is especially useful at Petra, where a quick explanation can help you understand the difference between tombs, shrines, public buildings, and later additions.

Guide quality can vary by departure. On one trip, the guide was described as friendly and clear, while the commentary sometimes moved into personal political and religious opinions rather than staying focused on local history. That is a fair reason to set expectations. You are booking a guided tour, but you should still feel free to ask direct questions about the monuments and the route.

The pace is the more consistent issue. The border crossing, waiting for other tour groups, and shared Jordanian transport can reduce sightseeing time. You may leave Jerusalem very early, reach the border in the morning, and still not begin the first major activity until the afternoon.

That does not make the tour poor value. It does mean you should think of the trip as a transport-heavy sampler. The guaranteed departure is useful if you have limited dates in Israel and want reassurance that the trip will run, but it cannot remove border delays.

What the $399 price covers

The advertised price is $399 per person. Included are:

• Air-conditioned bus transport
• A live guide
• Border crossing assistance
• Petra entry
• One night of glamping accommodation
• One dinner
• One lunch

The visa and border charges are not included. Add $125 in cash if that applies to you, or $65 if you already hold a valid visa stamp or do not need a visa. You also pay separately for drinks, health insurance, and optional Aqaba activities.

The beach choices can add another $25 for private beach access or $75 for boating. I would not book these extras in advance without first understanding the day’s timing. The desert and Petra are the main reasons for taking this trip, and border delays may leave less time at Aqaba than expected.

For the full package, the price is reasonable for someone who values a single booking and organized border support. It is less attractive if you are comfortable arranging your own Jordan transport and want more time at Petra. The tour’s value comes from covering many difficult pieces in two days, not from giving you a leisurely schedule.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you are staying in Jerusalem, have only two days for Jordan, and want to see both Petra and Wadi Rum. It suits active adults who can handle an early start, long bus stretches, a border crossing, and plenty of walking.

It also works well if you like variety. You get a fortress, coastal time, a desert Jeep ride, a sunset, glamping, and an ancient city. Few short tours fit that many distinct settings into one package.

I would hesitate if you dislike early departures, shared transport, or uncertain border timing. Pregnant women, wheelchair users, and children under two are not suited to this activity according to the stated restrictions. You should also think twice if you want a full day at Petra or a serious snorkeling excursion in Aqaba.

Pack your passport, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and cash for the border. Since drinks are not included, carry money for refreshments. Arrive early at the David Citadel Hotel and keep your schedule after the tour flexible, since the return to Jerusalem follows a full day at Petra.

Should you book the Petra and Wadi Rum tour?

Book it if you want the major Jordan highlights in a tightly planned two-day trip and accept that border delays may shorten your time at Aqaba or Petra. The Wadi Rum sunset and private glamping tent are strong additions, and the package removes much of the stress of arranging Jordan transport and entry.

Skip it if Petra is your once-in-a-lifetime priority and you want to explore at a slow pace. In that case, a longer Petra stay would serve you better. For everyone else, this is a demanding but rewarding sampler, with excellent variety and a clear warning attached: the schedule is ambitious, and the border decides how much of it you get.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

Meet at the entrance to the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. The departure time and location are strict, so arrive at least 15 minutes early.

What documents do I need?

You need a valid passport. Israeli passport holders must use their Israeli passports at every border crossing during the tour. Passport details are required for every participant during booking.

How much are the visa and border fees?

Prepare $125 per person in cash in US dollars, euros, or Israeli new shekels if you need visa issuing and border fees. If you already have a valid visa stamp or do not require a visa, the stated charge is $65.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes air-conditioned bus transport, a live guide, border crossing assistance, Petra entry, overnight accommodation, one dinner, and one lunch.

What type of accommodation is provided in Wadi Rum?

The glamping stay includes a private tent, private bathroom, and WiFi in a Bedouin camp. You can upgrade to a Martian Bubble Tent.

Are Aqaba beach activities included?

No. Boating costs $75, and private beach entrance costs $25. Drinks and health insurance are also not included.