Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea 2-Day Jordan Highlights Tour from Amman
Jordan has three destinations that every visitor puts on their list: Petra's rose-red carved city, the Martian red desert of Wadi Rum, and the hyper-salty waters of the Dead Sea. Most travelers try to piece together these three sites independently — which means renting a car, navigating Jordanian highways, booking two nights of accommodation, and making sure the logistics line up. This 2-day tour from Amman handles everything in one booking: transportation, Bedouin overnight in Wadi Rum, meals, and a guided walk through Petra. With 1,512 verified reviews at 4.9 stars, it is one of the most-reviewed Jordan tours on GetYourGuide. For a closer look at the Wadi Rum portion of this trip and other jeep tour options in the desert, see our Wadi Rum jeep tour guide.
About This Activity
Up to 24 hours before departure — full refund
Confirm your place today with no upfront payment
2 full days — departs 07:00 Day 1, returns ~18:00 Day 2 to Amman
Your hotel in Amman — pickup included (most central Amman hotels)
Petra, Wadi Rum jeep safari, Bedouin overnight, Dead Sea float
4.9 from 1,512 verified reviews — one of the top-rated Jordan tours on GYG
Check Live Availability & Prices
Real-time departure dates and prices for the Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea 2-day tour from Amman — book through GetYourGuide with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Why Book the Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Tour from Amman
Jordan's geography requires planning. Petra is in the south, 3 hours from Amman by road. Wadi Rum is 1.5 hours further south from Petra. The Dead Sea is north of Amman, between the capital and the West Bank border. Connecting these three points independently means a rental car, at least two hotel bookings, and a route that doubles back on itself. The alternative — and the reason this tour exists — is to let a single operator handle all of it in a logical two-day loop.
Day 1 heads south: Amman → Petra (3 hours) → drive to Wadi Rum (1.5 hours) → jeep safari → Bedouin camp overnight. Day 2 comes back north: camp breakfast → drive north past Amman to the Dead Sea (3 hours) → float → drive back to Amman. The distances are long but the tour operator accounts for this, and the minivan journey gives you time to decompress between high-intensity activity stops.
The 1,512-review count at 4.9 stars is the most significant data point about this tour. That volume of reviews at near-perfect rating is exceptionally rare for a multi-day itinerary, where the margin for something to go wrong is much higher than a single-activity tour. The consistency across that many reviews is a strong signal that the operator executes this itinerary reliably.
For travelers staying in Amman on a layover, a business trip extension, or a short Jordan add-on between international flights, this 2-day structure is the most efficient way to see all three sites without wasting a day on transfers. Many guests fly into Amman's Queen Alia International Airport, take this tour immediately, and fly out on Day 3 having seen Jordan's three most iconic destinations.
What You'll See: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea
The tour covers Jordan's three UNESCO-associated destinations in sequence:
- Petra — The Siq: a 1.2-kilometre narrow slot canyon that functions as the dramatic entrance to Petra, with canyon walls rising 80 metres overhead in places; the walk takes approximately 20–30 minutes and ends at the Treasury reveal
- Petra — Al-Khazneh (The Treasury): the most photographed monument in Jordan, a 40-metre-tall Nabataean temple facade carved directly into the rose-red sandstone cliff in the 1st century BCE; the guide explains the Nabataean civilisation and the purpose of the structure
- Petra — Rose-Red City walking tour: the guide takes you through the Colonnaded Street, the Royal Tombs, and the Theatre area; most tours allow 2–3 hours inside Petra depending on pacing
- Wadi Rum — 4x4 jeep safari: an afternoon jeep tour through the wadi rum desert hitting the key viewpoints — Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon inscriptions, red sand dunes, and Mushroom Rock — as golden-hour light floods the desert
- Wadi Rum — Bedouin camp overnight: dinner and overnight stay in a traditional bedouin tent in the heart of the protected area; stargazing after dinner; sunrise on Day 2
- Dead Sea — floating experience: the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth (430 metres below sea level) and contains approximately 34% salt — ten times saltier than ocean water; floating is effortless and involuntary; mud from the lakebed is applied as a mineral treatment
- Dead Sea — shoreline: views across the water toward the West Bank hills of Palestine; the dramatically receding shoreline is a powerful visual reminder of the lake's rapid evaporation
Time at each site
Petra receives approximately 3–4 hours — enough to walk The Siq, see the Treasury, and explore the main Colonnaded Street and Royal Tombs area. The jeep tour in Wadi Rum takes approximately 3 hours, covering the main landmarks before arriving at camp for sunset. The Dead Sea stop is typically 2 hours.
Given the driving distances involved, this is a well-calibrated itinerary — you see each site properly rather than sprinting through. Travelers who want more than 2 hours at Petra specifically should consider a separate Petra-only day or extending their Jordan itinerary.
What's Included & Not Included
Included
The $249 per-person price covers:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman (most central hotels — confirm your address at booking)
- Private or shared minivan transfers throughout: Amman → Petra → Wadi Rum → Dead Sea → Amman
- English-speaking licensed guide for Petra walking tour
- Petra entrance fees
- Wadi Rum protected area entry fees
- 4x4 jeep safari in Wadi Rum (afternoon of Day 1)
- 1 night in a traditional Bedouin tent at a Wadi Rum desert camp
- Dinner at the Bedouin camp (Day 1 evening)
- Breakfast at the camp (Day 2 morning)
- Dead Sea entrance and use of beach facilities
- Bottled water throughout both days
Not included
- Lunch on Day 1 (Petra) — eat before departure or buy food at the Petra visitor centre
- Lunch on Day 2 (Dead Sea) — most tours stop at a Dead Sea resort restaurant, additional cost
- Towel for the Dead Sea — bring your own or rent on-site
- Petra-specific additional sites (Monastery, High Place of Sacrifice) — these require extra walking time beyond the standard tour
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guide, driver, and Bedouin hosts
2-Day Jordan Highlights Itinerary
-
Day 1 — 07:00
Pickup from your Amman hotel
The minivan collects you from your Amman hotel at 07:00. Coordinate your exact pickup point at booking. The drive south to Petra takes approximately 3 hours via the Desert Highway.
-
10:00
Arrive at Petra visitor centre
Entrance tickets are collected by the guide. Meet your licensed Petra guide at the visitor centre.
-
10:15
Walk The Siq to The Treasury
Enter the 1.2-kilometre Siq — a natural geological fault that formed the main entrance to the Nabataean city. The canyon walls narrow to 3 metres in places and rise 80 metres overhead. The walk ends with a sudden view of Al-Khazneh, the 2,000-year-old Treasury carved into the rose-red cliff face.
-
11:00
Rose-Red City walking tour
Continue through Petra's main archaeological zone: the Colonnaded Street, the royal tombs carved into the eastern cliff face, the Roman Theatre, and the Temple of the Winged Lions. Your guide explains the Nabataean civilisation — one of the ancient world's most sophisticated trading cultures — and the city's eventual incorporation into the Roman Empire.
-
13:30
Depart Petra for Wadi Rum
Exit through the visitor centre. Lunch break available (own expense) at the restaurants near the entrance before boarding the minivan for the 1.5-hour drive south to Wadi Rum Village.
-
15:30
Arrive Wadi Rum Village — board jeep
Transfer to 4x4 open-back jeep in Wadi Rum Village. Afternoon timing is deliberate — the next 2.5 hours of daylight are the most photogenic of the day as low-angle sun deepens the desert's colours.
-
16:00
Wadi Rum jeep safari
Drive into the protected area visiting Lawrence Spring, Khazali Canyon Nabataean inscriptions, Mushroom Rock, and the red sand dunes. The bedouin guide narrates at each stop. The late afternoon timing means you are at the viewpoints as the desert light turns golden.
-
18:30
Arrive Bedouin camp — sunset
The jeep brings you to the overnight camp in a remote part of Wadi Rum. Arrive in time for the full sunset over the desert — the canyon walls glow copper and orange as daylight fades.
-
20:00
Bedouin dinner under the stars
Traditional Bedouin dinner prepared by the camp hosts — grilled meat or chicken, rice, salads, flatbread, and sweet tea. After dinner, the sky is dark enough for stargazing. The Milky Way is visible on clear nights from approximately 21:00.
-
Day 2 — 06:30
Sunrise at the camp
Wake before sunrise to watch the eastern plateau light up. Complete silence. The temperature at this hour ranges from very cold (winter) to pleasantly cool (spring/autumn/summer).
-
07:30
Bedouin breakfast
Breakfast at the camp: flatbread, labneh, eggs, honey, olives, and hot tea. Pack your bags and prepare for departure.
-
09:00
Depart Wadi Rum — drive north to Dead Sea
The drive from Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea takes approximately 3 hours via the Desert Highway. The route passes through the Jordan Rift Valley with views of the Arab desert escarpment.
-
12:00
Dead Sea — float and mud treatment
Arrive at a Dead Sea beach resort on the eastern (Jordanian) shore. Enter the water — floating is completely effortless due to the extreme salt concentration. Apply Dead Sea mud from the lakebed to skin. The minerals in the mud are particularly high in magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Shower facilities are available on-site.
-
14:00
Lunch at Dead Sea (own expense)
Most groups eat at the resort restaurant near the Dead Sea beach before the drive back to Amman. Cost is not included in the tour price.
-
15:00
Drive back to Amman
Approximately 1 hour north to Amman along the western highway past the King Hussein Bridge border crossing.
-
16:00–18:00
Return to Amman hotel
Drop-off at your hotel or at a central Amman point depending on traffic. Arrival time varies but is typically between 16:00 and 18:00.
Important Things to Know Before You Book
This is a physically active 2-day itinerary with significant walking at Petra and a full day in and out of transport. A few things to prepare for.
What to pack for 2 days
- Comfortable walking shoes with ankle support — Petra involves 5–7km over cobbled and uneven terrain; do not wear flip-flops or dress shoes
- Swimwear for the Dead Sea — bring it on Day 1 packed in your overnight bag so it is ready on Day 2
- Old swimwear or clothes you don't mind staining: Dead Sea mud and salt water leave marks
- Towel for the Dead Sea — bring your own or rent at the resort
- Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen for Petra (open sky throughout) and the Dead Sea shore
- Small overnight bag for the Bedouin camp: leave large luggage in Amman or in the minivan
- Warm layer for the desert camp overnight — temperature-dependent on season
- Water bottle: the guide provides bottled water but a personal bottle reduces plastic
- Cash in Jordanian Dinars for lunch (both days), gratuities, and any optional extras at Petra or the Dead Sea
Petra — what to know
- The walk from the Petra visitor centre through The Siq to the Treasury is approximately 2km round trip
- The main archaeological zone involves significantly more walking — a full tour can reach 5–7km total depending on how far you go
- Horse-drawn carriages operate in The Siq for an additional fee; many visitors choose to walk in but take a carriage out
- The Monastery (Ad-Deir), one of Petra's other great monuments, requires an additional 800 steps and is not typically included in this tour's standard route due to time constraints
Insider Tips for the Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Tour
- Book the earliest available departure: the tour departs at 07:00 and arrives at Petra around 10:00. Petra is cooler and less crowded early in the day — the midday heat in summer (June–August) makes extended walking difficult, and you want to reach the Treasury before the peak tour-group crowds arrive around 10:30–11:00.
- Don't wash the Dead Sea mud off too quickly: the standard advice is to leave the mineral mud on for 10–15 minutes before rinsing. The magnesium absorbs through the skin. Many guests apply it, photograph it, and rinse immediately — slow down and let it work.
- The Dead Sea water stings open cuts badly: if you have any fresh cuts or scratches, cover them with waterproof tape before entering. The salt concentration is extreme.
- Don't splash your face in the Dead Sea: the water is not safe to get in your eyes or swallow. Float on your back and keep your head up. Most tour guides brief you on this, but it is worth knowing in advance.
- Plan meals in advance: the tour includes dinner at the Bedouin camp (Day 1) and breakfast at camp (Day 2) but no lunches. Budget approximately 7–10 JOD ($10–14) for lunch at the Petra visitor area and again at the Dead Sea resort. The Dead Sea resort lunch is typically a buffet.
- If Petra impresses you and you want more time there, the tour operator may be able to advise on extending your stay in Petra separately after the tour — it is a 2-day destination in its own right with the Monastery, High Place of Sacrifice, and Little Petra all worth a return visit.
Who This Tour Is For
The Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea 2-day tour from Amman is built specifically for travelers who have limited time in Jordan and want to see all three major destinations without the complexity of independent logistics. It is the right tour for:
- First-time visitors to Jordan arriving in Amman with 2–3 days before or after an international connection — this itinerary maximises every available hour
- Travelers who are not comfortable driving independently in Jordan or do not want to navigate unfamiliar roads between southern Jordan and the Dead Sea
- Couples and small groups wanting a seamless all-in-one experience with accommodation, meals, and guides handled centrally
- Business travelers or conference attendees based in Amman who want a short structured escape that covers Jordan's headline destinations without planning time
- Cruise passengers arriving in Aqaba with extra days who want a guided overland loop before heading to Amman
Not ideal for:
- Travelers with mobility limitations: Petra involves 5–7km of walking over cobbled and uneven ancient terrain; it is not accessible by wheelchair and is difficult for guests with knee or hip problems
- Visitors who want more than approximately 3–4 hours at Petra — the Monastery, the High Place of Sacrifice, and other major sites require a full day minimum; for dedicated Petra exploration, book a separate Petra-only tour
- Travelers staying in Aqaba rather than Amman: the tour departs from and returns to Amman; if you are based in Aqaba you are geographically better positioned to book individual jeep tours in Wadi Rum directly
- Guests who prefer slow, immersive travel with extended time at each location — this is an efficient overview tour, not a deep-dive
Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Tour — FAQ
Is Petra worth visiting or is it overhyped?
Petra is consistently described by visitors as exceeding expectations — which is unusual for one of the world's most photographed ancient sites. The reason is the Siq approach: the 1.2km walk through the narrow canyon builds genuine anticipation, and the Treasury reveal at the end is a moment almost everyone describes as breathtaking regardless of how many photographs they have seen beforehand. The scale of the city — over 800 monuments carved into 264 square kilometres of desert — means the Treasury is just the beginning. Most visitors leave wishing they had booked more time.
How long do we actually spend at Petra?
This tour allocates approximately 3–4 hours inside Petra, including The Siq walk, the Treasury, and the main Colonnaded Street and Royal Tombs area. This covers the essential highlights. To reach the Monastery (Ad-Deir) — one of Petra's other great monuments — you would need at least 6–7 hours total inside the site. The Monastery involves an additional 800 steps each way and is a separate excursion. If Petra is the main reason for your Jordan visit, consider booking a full standalone Petra day tour instead.
What is there to do at the Dead Sea beyond floating?
The main activities are floating, applying Dead Sea mud, and enjoying the views across the water. The resort beach typically has sun loungers and towels for rent, showers for rinsing off the salt, and a restaurant. Some resorts have pools with regular (non-salt) water for swimming. The Dead Sea shore itself is stark and dramatic — the high salt concentration creates natural salt crystals along the waterline. Most guests spend 1.5–2 hours before the drive back to Amman.
Is the tour crowded or do we travel as a private group?
This is a small-group tour — most departures use a minivan with a maximum of 12–16 passengers. It is not a private tour (private options are available at a higher price). In practice, small-group format means you are travelling with other independent travellers from various countries, which most guests find adds to the experience. At Petra, the guide operates at a pace set by the group. At the Dead Sea, time is fully free.
Can the tour be extended if I want more time at Petra?
The standard itinerary is fixed for logistical reasons — the afternoon jeep timing in Wadi Rum and the subsequent camp overnight require leaving Petra by approximately 13:30. If you want a full day at Petra, the better approach is to book a separate Petra-only day tour from Amman or stay overnight in Petra and then take the Wadi Rum jeep tour from there.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Jordan's weather is reliably good for most of the year. Petra and Wadi Rum rarely see rain — the region is desert. The Dead Sea is also consistently dry. If a rare rain event coincides with your tour, most operators continue the itinerary with minor adjustments. Flash floods occasionally affect Wadi Rum and the Petra Siq (the canyon floods quickly in heavy rain) — in those rare cases the operator will advise on route alternatives. Check the cancellation policy at booking: free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure applies.
How does the $249 price compare to arranging the same trip independently?
Independently: Petra entrance is approximately $75 JD (c. $106 USD) per person. A private taxi Amman–Petra costs $60–80 USD. A Wadi Rum jeep tour is $45–70 per person. Overnight camp accommodation and dinner: $40–70 per person. Dead Sea resort entrance and facilities: $20–40 per person. Taxi or bus Dead Sea–Amman: $30–50 per person. Total independent estimate: $300–$380 per person, excluding guide costs and with more planning effort. The $249 all-in tour is meaningfully cheaper once transfers and guide are factored in.
What Travelers Are Saying
I had 2 days in Amman before my flight home and was not sure I could fit Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea without a car. This tour made it completely seamless. Our guide at Petra was excellent — he explained the Nabataean history in a way that made the ruins feel alive, not just old. Sleeping in the Bedouin tent with the Milky Way overhead was something I will remember for the rest of my life. The Dead Sea on Day 2 was surreal. All three destinations in 48 hours — impossible to believe this is possible.
We were a couple on our honeymoon with only 3 days in Jordan. This tour took care of two of them perfectly. The walk through The Siq toward the Treasury is one of the most remarkable things I have ever done. Wadi Rum at sunset from the Bedouin camp took my breath away. The Dead Sea is bizarre and wonderful — floating without any effort at all. Our guide for the whole trip was professional, warm, and funny. Cannot recommend this highly enough.
I was sceptical about fitting three major sites into 2 days but the pacing is genuinely well-designed. You don't feel rushed at Petra, the jeep in Wadi Rum hits everything important, and the Dead Sea is a perfect final stop before driving back. The Bedouin dinner under the stars was the highlight — the camp hosts were incredibly hospitable and the food was far better than I expected. Book it. You won't regret it.