Petra & Wadi Rum: Private day tour from Amman

Summary

One long day from Amman: Petra’s carved city & Wadi Rum’s wild silence

You’ll walk through Petra’s ancient rose-red canyons with a local guide, ride across Wadi Rum’s wild sands by 4x4 jeep, and watch sunset paint the desert gold. With private pickup from Amman and stories from locals along the way, it’s a day trip you’ll remember long after you’ve washed off the dust.

What’s the experience like?

Hands covered in red dust, I reached out to touch the stone — cooler than I expected, even with the sun already high. Our driver, Firas, had picked us up in Amman before sunrise (I barely remember getting in the car), and by the time we reached Petra, the world felt different. The Siq was quiet except for our footsteps and a few birds darting overhead. Firas explained how the Nabateans carved their city into these rocks more than two thousand years ago — he pointed out little details I’d never have noticed alone, like channels for water running along the walls. There was this faint smell of earth and something sweet — maybe wild herbs? My shoes filled with sand before we even saw the Treasury. Worth it.

After Petra, there was that sleepy drive south — I dozed off for a bit, woke up to endless desert outside my window. Wadi Rum is just… huge. You know how people say “Mars on Earth”? It actually does feel like that, but warmer and with more goats (we passed a herd right at the entrance). Our local guide hopped into the 4x4 with us and grinned when I tried to say “shukran” properly — he laughed and said it was close enough. The jeep ride bounced us over red sand and past rock arches; wind in my face, hair full of grit. We stopped somewhere quiet where you could hear nothing but wind whistling between rocks — no cars, no voices, just space.

The sunset at Wadi Rum is hard to describe without sounding dramatic — everything went gold then pink then dark so fast. Some people stayed for Bedouin dinner around a campfire (smelled amazing: smoky lamb and spices), but we headed back toward Amman under a sky full of stars. Still thinking about that silence in the desert — kind of sticks with you after all the noise of cities.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Petra and Wadi Rum Tour

• Explore Petra ancient city
• 4x4 jeep tour in Wadi Rum desert

Top questions

How long does this private day tour from Amman to Petra & Wadi Rum take?

The tour lasts one full day including travel time between Amman, Petra, and Wadi Rum.

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

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup is included in Amman.

Do I need to book lunch or dinner separately?

No meals are included; you can add a Bedouin dinner at Wadi Rum for an extra fee paid locally.

Is there a guide during both Petra and Wadi Rum visits?

A local guide joins you for the 4x4 jeep tour in Wadi Rum; your driver provides info throughout.

Are infants or children allowed on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome; infant seats are available if requested when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with air conditioning from Amman (with hotel pickup), bottled water on board, WiFi during drives, a professional English-speaking driver throughout, plus a local guide for your 4x4 jeep tour in Wadi Rum before returning to your hotel at night.