Petra & Wadi Rum Day Tour from Aqaba: Guided Visit & Jeep Safari

Summary

Full-Day Petra and Wadi Rum Adventure with Local Guide

You’ll walk through Petra’s ancient city with a local guide, see hidden tombs and temples, then ride Jeeps across Wadi Rum’s wild desert at sunset—all in one day. It’s a chance to see two of Jordan’s most famous places without rushing or missing those little moments that make travel special.

What’s the experience like?

It’s early when we leave Aqaba—just enough time to grab a coffee from the corner shop before our driver pulls up. The road north is quiet, and the desert air feels cool against the window. After about two hours, those first pink cliffs of Petra show up on the horizon. Our guide meets us at the visitor center, reminding us to use the bathroom here (trust me, you’ll want to). Tickets in hand, we start down towards the Siq—the narrow gorge that hides Petra’s secrets. You can hear your own footsteps echo off the stone walls, and sometimes you catch a whiff of wild sage growing along the path.

The first real “wow” moment hits as we squeeze through the last bend and suddenly, there’s the Treasury—carved right into the rock, just like in every photo but somehow bigger and quieter in real life. We hang around for photos and just to take it in; our guide points out little details in the stonework I’d never have noticed. From there, we wander down Facades Street, past tombs and caves with ceilings streaked in reds and yellows. There’s a bit of climbing if you want to check out the Royal Tombs or hike up to the High Place of Sacrifice—worth it for the views if you’ve got time. The Roman ruins come next: colonnaded streets, old temples, even some mosaic floors left from Byzantine days. If you’re feeling ambitious (and have good shoes), there’s a longer hike up to the Monastery—takes about two hours round-trip but it’s quieter than the Treasury and just as impressive.

Lunch is at a local spot outside Petra—buffet style, with plenty of fresh bread and salads. Then it’s back in the car for Wadi Rum. The drive south is peaceful; sometimes you see herds of goats or camels off in the distance. At Wadi Rum’s visitor center, we climb into open Jeeps with our Bedouin drivers. The desert here is unreal: red sand under your shoes, huge rock arches, and cliffs that change color as the sun drops lower. Our driver stops at a quiet spot so we can watch sunset—there’s this hush that falls over everything except for the wind and maybe a distant call to prayer drifting over from a camp. After dark, we head back to Aqaba, tired but honestly kind of amazed at how much we fit into one day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Petra Guided Tour and Lunch

• Pickup and transfer to Petra
• Guided tour of Petra visitor center, Siq, Treasury, Facades Street, High Place of Sacrifice, Theater, Royal Tombs, Roman area
• Optional hike to The Monastery and return
• Transfer to restaurant for lunch

Day 2 — Wadi Rum Jeep Tour and Sunset

• Drive from Petra to Wadi Rum, Jeep tour, watch sunset
• Drive back to Aqaba

Top questions

How much walking is involved in Petra?

You’ll walk several kilometers inside Petra—expect at least 2-3 hours on foot. There are some uneven paths and optional hikes if you want to see more.

Is lunch included and what kind of food is served?

Yes, lunch is included at a local restaurant near Petra. It’s usually an open buffet with salads, bread, rice dishes, grilled meats, and vegetarian options.

Can I join this tour if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, transportation and most areas are wheelchair accessible. Some parts of Petra have rough terrain but guides can help plan your route.

What should I bring for Wadi Rum?

Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen), water, comfortable shoes, and a light jacket—it can get cool after sunset in the desert.

What’s included

Your entry tickets for both Petra and Wadi Rum are covered, plus private transport with an English-speaking driver. You’ll have a licensed local guide inside Petra and a 2-hour Jeep tour in Wadi Rum led by Bedouin drivers. Lunch is included (buffet style), and there’s flexibility for pickups from hotels, ports, borders or even the airport. If you’re traveling in winter, we might swap the order to make sure you get enough daylight at each site.