Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea: 4-Day Private Tour with Pickup

Summary

Petra’s rose stones, Wadi Rum nights & Dead Sea silence in four days

You’ll walk through Petra’s ancient rose-colored canyons with a local guide, sleep beneath Wadi Rum’s star-filled sky after sharing zarb dinner by the fire, float in the salty calm of the Dead Sea, and let someone else handle all your pickups along the way. Every stop feels different — sometimes quiet awe, sometimes laughter around food or music — but always real.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect when we left Amman that morning — I’d seen photos of Petra but nothing quite prepares you for seeing that color up close. Our driver, Khaled, had this way of pointing things out without making it feel like a lecture. He slowed down as we neared the Siq and just said, “Wait for it.” The walk through was quiet except for our footsteps and a few birds. When the Treasury appeared, I actually laughed — it felt surreal, almost fake. We stayed overnight in Petra and I kept thinking about how the rocks changed color at sunset; it’s not something you can really capture on your phone.

The next day was Wadi Rum. The drive out there is longer than I thought (maybe two hours from Petra?), but Khaled had bottled water ready and told us stories about his grandfather living near the desert. When we got to the camp, the sand was cool under my shoes — not hot like I imagined. Dinner was cooked underground (I think they call it zarb?) and tasted smoky and soft; honestly, I still dream about that lamb. The sky at night was so full of stars it made me dizzy if I stared too long. One of the guides played oud by the fire and tried to teach us a song — I definitely butchered every word but nobody cared.

On day three we drove to the Dead Sea. The air gets heavier as you go down — someone said it’s the lowest place on earth, which is wild. Floating there is… weirdly peaceful? The water stings any little cut but you get used to it fast. There were families slathering mud on each other and laughing; I tried some too (it smells a bit earthy). We spent that night at a hotel right by the shore — slept like a rock after all that sun.

The last morning was just a slow drive back to Amman. Not much talking — everyone was kind of lost in their own thoughts or maybe just tired from all the moving around. It’s funny how quickly four days can feel both long and short at once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to and explore Petra

• Pick up from Amman hotel
• Travel to Petra
• Explore Petra
• Overnight stay in Petra

Day 2 — Travel to and stay in Wadi Rum

• Pick up from Petra hotel
• Travel to Wadi Rum
• Overnight stay in Wadi Rum

Day 3 — Travel to and stay at Dead Sea

• Pick up from Wadi Rum hotel
• Travel to Dead Sea
• Overnight stay at Dead Sea

Day 4 — Return to Amman

• Pick up from Dead Sea hotel
• Travel back to Amman hotel

Top questions

How long is the drive from Amman to Petra?

It takes roughly 3 hours by private vehicle from Amman to Petra.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included at each stage: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea.

Do I need to be very fit for this trip?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness for walking in Petra and exploring sites.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

An English-speaking driver is included throughout your private tour.

Are meals included during overnight stays?

Dinners such as zarb are typically provided in Wadi Rum camps; check with your operator for other meals.

How many nights do we stay in each location?

You spend one night each in Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea hotels or camps.

What should I bring for swimming in the Dead Sea?

Bring swimwear and sandals; towels are usually provided at hotels by the shore.

Is bottled water available during transfers?

Bottled water is included during all private transfers between destinations.

What’s included

Your journey includes private air-conditioned transport with an English-speaking driver throughout all four days, bottled water during transfers, plus convenient hotel pickups at every stop so you never have to worry about logistics along the way.