Petra & Dead Sea Day Trip: Private Back Road Tour with Resort Lunch

Petra’s stone passageways to Dead Sea’s salt shores with local stories

You’ll start before sunrise in Amman and follow ancient paths through Petra’s rose-red canyons with a local guide, then wind down mountain roads to float in the Dead Sea’s salty calm. Includes pickup, private driver, entry fees, use of resort facilities with pools and towels, plus an open buffet lunch—leaving you sun-warmed and full of stories by day’s end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Petra and Dead Sea resort

• Depart Amman early morning
• Drive 3 hours to Petra
• Arrive Petra Visitor Center
• Tour Petra site 3-4 hours
• Drive to Dead Sea via Namalel road
• Stop for panoramic photos
• Visit Prophet Lot's cave area
• Photo stop at Dead Sea salt corals
• Arrive Dead Sea resort hotel
• Use pools, beach, mud, and cold water
• Enjoy open lunch buffet
• Swim and relax 2-3 hours
• Drive back to Amman
• Arrive Amman city evening

The Experience

We were already half-awake when our driver pulled up outside our Amman hotel—5:30 am, that sleepy time when the city is just a whisper. The road south stretched out empty and pale under the sky, and I tried not to doze off so I wouldn’t miss the first glimpse of those red cliffs. Our guide, Sami, kept us company with stories about the Nabateans—he pointed out how even the highway follows old trade routes. It was three hours before we finally stepped onto the gravel at Petra’s entrance, legs stiff but buzzing with that weird travel energy you get after a long drive.

The Siq felt cooler than I expected—shadows sliding along pink stone walls that almost glowed in places. Sami showed us where ancient water channels ran, tracing them with his finger. There was this moment when we turned a corner and suddenly there it was—the Treasury, sunlight catching on every carved detail. I remember someone nearby gasping (not me this time), and honestly it just made me grin. We wandered further than most groups, up rough steps to see the Monastery—my calves still remind me of that climb—and then sat for a minute on warm rocks eating dates from Sami’s pocket. Petra is all dust and echoes and somehow feels alive even when it’s quiet.

Around noon we piled back into the car, windows down as we took the Namaleh back road toward the Dead Sea. The switchbacks were wild—sometimes you could see all the way down to that impossible blue stretch of water below. We stopped for photos at a spot where you could smell salt in the air already; Sami laughed when I asked if anyone ever gets used to these views (he said no). Quick stop at Prophet Lot’s cave—honestly didn’t expect much but there was something peaceful about it—and then on past little roadside stands selling figs and coffee.

Arriving at the Dead Sea resort felt like stepping into another world—suddenly everything was bright sun and laughter echoing off pools. We got towels and slathered on that famous black mud (I probably put too much on my face… my partner has photos as evidence). Floating in the Dead Sea is strange—the water holds you up whether you want it or not—and I caught myself just drifting, staring at Jordan’s hazy mountains across the water. Lunch was a buffet with more food than we could handle; I still think about those fresh tomatoes slicked with olive oil. By late afternoon we were sun-warmed and salty, piling back into the van for one last sleepy ride to Amman. Not sure if it was all real or if I dreamed some of it on those winding roads home.

What’s included

• Your day includes early morning pickup anywhere in Amman or at the airport, bottled mineral water onboard a modern air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi, an English-speaking driver who shares local insights along desert highways and mountain roads.
• entry to Petra (with Jordan Pass accepted).
• stops for photos along Namaleh road including Prophet Lot's cave.
• full access to a 5-star Dead Sea resort with pools, beach facilities, towels, showers, signature black mud treatments, plus an open buffet lunch before your return drop-off in Amman by evening.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Jordan Visit Tour

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Top questions

How long does this Petra & Dead Sea day trip take?

The tour lasts around 14 hours including driving from Amman to Petra (3 hours), exploring Petra (3-4 hours), driving to the Dead Sea via Namaleh road (3 hours), relaxing at the resort (2-3 hours), then returning to Amman (1 hour).

Is hotel pickup included for this private tour?

Yes, pickup is included from any point in Amman or even from Queen Alia Airport.

Do I need a Jordan Pass for Petra entry?

If you have a Jordan Pass, show your printed pass or barcode at Petra’s Visitor Center for entry without buying an extra ticket.

What do I need to bring for swimming in the Dead Sea?

The resort provides towels and access to showers; bring your swimsuit and maybe flip-flops for comfort on salty ground.

Is lunch included during this day trip?

Yes, an open buffet lunch at a 5-star Dead Sea resort is included—with vegetarian options available.

Are guides or drivers English-speaking?

Your driver speaks English; guides inside Petra are available if requested but not always included by default.

Can infants or people using wheelchairs join this tour?

The vehicle is wheelchair accessible; infant seats are available; all areas are accessible for most mobility levels.

Does this tour include stops at Prophet Lot's Cave or other sites?

The route includes photo stops at Prophet Lot's Cave, panoramic viewpoints over Wadi Arabah, and salt coral formations near the Dead Sea.