Petra & Wadi Rum Day Trip from Amman with Jeep Safari

Summary

Petra’s rose-red cliffs and Wadi Rum’s silent sands in one day

You’ll walk ancient paths at Petra, hear stories from your local guide, and feel the quiet vastness of Wadi Rum on a jeep safari. From hotel pickup in Amman to that first glimpse of rose-red cliffs and sunset over desert sands—this day trip leaves you with more questions than answers (in a good way).

What’s the experience like?

I never thought I’d smell cardamom drifting from a roadside café before sunrise, but that’s how our day started heading out of Amman. Our driver, Sami, had this easy way of pointing out things — like the way the hills shift from green to this dusty pink as you get closer to Petra. I kept sticking my head out the window just to catch it all. When we finally walked through the Siq and saw the Treasury at Petra for the first time…honestly, I just stood there with my mouth open for a second. It’s so much bigger than any photo makes it look. Some local kids were selling postcards near the entrance; one of them tried to teach me how to say “thank you” in Arabic (I’m still not sure I got it right).

The air inside Petra felt cooler than outside — almost damp against your skin, even though you’re surrounded by stone. Our guide told us stories about the Nabateans carving their city here over 2,000 years ago. There was this moment where he paused under some carved tombs and let us just listen: wind moving through cracks, someone laughing far off. You don’t really expect silence to feel heavy until you’re standing in a place like that.

After Petra we drove south for what felt like forever (it was about two hours but I lost track watching goats wander along the road). Wadi Rum is another world — red sand everywhere, huge rocks jutting up like something from Mars. We climbed into a battered jeep with a Bedouin driver who barely spoke English but smiled every time we hit a bump. The sun started dropping fast and everything turned gold; I tried taking photos but honestly none of them do it justice. The sand gets cold quick after sunset — something nobody warns you about.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Petra and Wadi Rum full day tour

• Travel from Amman to Petra
• Explore Petra's highlights and landmarks
• Drive to Wadi Rum desert valley
• Enjoy 2-hour jeep tour in Wadi Rum
• Return drive back to Amman hotel

Top questions

How long does the day trip from Amman to Petra & Wadi Rum take?

The tour lasts a full day with early pickup in Amman or at the airport and returns after visiting both Petra and Wadi Rum—expect 12-14 hours total including drives.

Is hotel pickup included for this Petra & Wadi Rum tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman or at the airport are included in your booking.

How far is Petra from Amman?

Petra is about three hours’ drive south of Amman by car or tour vehicle.

What language does the driver speak?

The driver speaks English.

How long do you spend at Wadi Rum?

You’ll have around two hours for a jeep safari inside Wadi Rum before heading back to Amman.

Are meals or drinks provided on this day trip?

Bottled water is provided during transport; meals are not specifically included.

Is this tour suitable for families or children?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman or at the airport, bottled water for the journey, WiFi onboard your air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver who knows all the best stops along the way, plus a two-hour jeep safari through Wadi Rum’s wild desert valleys before returning home in the evening.