Petra and Wadi Rum are Jordan’s two southern icons, and touring them together from Amman is the most popular itinerary in the country. Operators run everything from dawn-to-midnight day trips to leisurely three-day journeys with a night under the desert stars. This guide compares the formats, explains what to expect at each destination, and covers how to book well.
Choosing the Right Tour Format
| Format | Nights | Pace | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-day tour | 0 | Very fast | Tight schedules, highlights only |
| 2-day tour | 1 (Wadi Rum camp) | Balanced | Most travellers |
| 3-day tour | 2 (Wadi Musa + Wadi Rum) | Relaxed | Full Petra day plus desert immersion |
One-Day Tours
The single-day format departs Amman around 6:00 AM, spends four or more hours in Petra, continues to Wadi Rum for a sunset jeep tour, and returns late. It suits travellers with only one free day and covers the essential sights of both places. For a full hour-by-hour breakdown, see our guide to a day trip to Petra and Wadi Rum.
Two-Day Tours
The two-day version is the sweet spot for most visitors. Day one covers Petra at a fuller pace, with time for the Monastery climb or the Royal Tombs, before continuing to Wadi Rum in the evening. The night is spent in a Bedouin camp: dinner cooked in a zarb, tea by the fire, and the desert sky overhead. Day two brings a longer jeep tour through the protected wilderness before the return to Amman. Camps range from simple goat-hair tents through comfortable mid-range camps to luxury bubble tents with panoramic domes, and most tours offer a choice of tier.
Three-Day Tours
Three days removes all compromise: a full day inside Petra (often with Petra by Night, which runs Sunday through Thursday evenings), a complete Wadi Rum day with sunset and sunrise in the desert, and a relaxed return, frequently with a Dead Sea stop or a detour to Little Petra and the Dana viewpoints. Our 3 Days Jordan Itinerary from Amman sets out how the southern route compares with Jordan’s other three-day options.
What to Expect in Petra
Tours include the entrance (or use your Jordan Pass) and usually a licensed guide for the main trail: the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Façades, and the Theatre. Expect eight or more kilometres on foot. Guides bring the Nabataean city to life, and the rock-cut capital deserves every minute you can give it.
What to Expect in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is explored by 4x4 with local Bedouin drivers, following routes between the sandstone massifs to rock bridges, ancient inscriptions, and dune fields. The protected desert wilderness is the landscape T. E. Lawrence wrote about in Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and film crews from Lawrence of Arabia to The Martian and Dune have used it as their backdrop. Overnight guests get the desert’s finest hours: sunset, the night sky, and dawn.
Booking Tips
Book through licensed Jordanian operators, confirm exactly what is included (entrance fees, guide hours, camp tier, meals), and buy the Jordan Pass before arrival so the tour price can exclude entries you have already covered. Spring and autumn departures sell out earliest; reserve camps well ahead for those seasons. Pack layers year-round: desert evenings are cool even in summer.
FAQs
How long is the drive from Amman to Petra?
About three hours via the Desert Highway. Wadi Rum is roughly 1.5 hours beyond Petra.
Do tours from Amman include Wadi Rum?
Many do. Combined Petra and Wadi Rum tours are the most popular multi-day format in Jordan; confirm the jeep tour duration and camp tier when booking.
Can I visit Petra and Wadi Rum in one day?
Yes, on a long day tour departing around 6:00 AM. Two days is the more comfortable format.
Are group or private tours better?
Group tours win on price; private tours win on flexibility. For four or more people travelling together, private often becomes the better value.
What should I pack for these tours?
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a refillable water bottle, layers for desert evenings, and a camera. For overnight camps, a small overnight bag; main luggage can usually stay in the vehicle.
Ready to Plan Your Trip
Petra and Wadi Rum together are the heart of southern Jordan, and the country keeps giving beyond them. Plan the rest with our full guide to things to do in Jordan.
