Petra & Wadi Rum: Private Day Trip with Jeep Tour & Pickup

Summary

Petra’s carved facades then Wadi Rum’s silence in one wild day

You’ll start your private day trip from Amman with a friendly local driver, exploring Petra’s hidden corners before crossing into the vast silence of Wadi Rum by jeep. Sip Bedouin tea under sandstone cliffs, hear stories from your guides, and watch the colors shift across desert rock — it’s a day that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

It started with our driver, Khaled, grinning as he handed us tiny cups of cardamom coffee outside our Amman hotel. He joked about the “desert highway playlist” (mostly Fairuz and some 80s pop), and honestly, that set the tone — warm, a little unpredictable. The drive south felt like watching Jordan slowly wake up: camels chewing by the roadside, sunlight catching on dust, and Khaled pointing out villages I’d never heard of. He knew every shortcut. We reached Petra early enough that the Siq was still cool and half-shadowed — I could hear my own footsteps echoing off the pink stone.

Our guide at Petra (I think his name was Mahmoud?) led us through the narrow gorge, pausing to let us touch the smooth rock walls. He told us stories about Nabatean traders — I tried to imagine what it smelled like here two thousand years ago. The Treasury appeared suddenly; I actually stopped mid-sentence. It’s huge but also delicate in a way photos don’t really show. Later we wandered past tombs and climbed up for a view over the Royal Tombs — my legs are still sore thinking about it. At one point we sat with a Bedouin woman selling tea; she laughed when I tried to say “shukran” properly. The cinnamon in her tea stuck with me all afternoon.

The switch from Petra to Wadi Rum was almost too much for my brain — so much color and then suddenly just silence and red sand stretching forever. Our jeep bounced across dunes while our Bedouin driver, Saleh, pointed out shapes in the rocks (“That’s Mushroom Rock — see?”). There was this moment at Lawrence’s Spring where everyone just went quiet except for wind and distant goats. I didn’t expect to feel so small out there, or so calm. We ended up drinking more tea under canvas while Saleh told stories about his grandfather guiding explorers through these canyons.

I keep thinking about how different Petra and Wadi Rum felt but also how both places kind of sneak up on you emotionally. By sunset my shoes were full of sand and my phone battery was dead but honestly that felt right — maybe even necessary.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Petra and Wadi Rum

• Pick up from Amman or airport
• Drive to Petra via desert highway
• Walk through the Siq to Petra
• Visit the Treasury in Petra
• See the Street of Facades
• Explore the Royal Tombs
• Take camel or horse ride in Petra
• Visit a Bedouin camp
• Jeep tour of Wadi Rum desert
• See Seven Pillars of Wisdom
• Visit Lawrence's Spring and House
• Explore Khazali Canyon
• See Mushroom Rock
• Return to Amman or airport

Top questions

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

The full-day tour typically lasts around 12 hours including travel time between sites.

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

Yes, hotel pickup in Amman or airport pickup is included in your private tour.

Do we get a local guide at Petra?

A local guide at Petra is included if you select that option during booking.

What activities are included at Wadi Rum?

The tour includes a 2-hour 4x4 jeep ride through Wadi Rum plus stops at major landmarks like Seven Pillars of Wisdom and Lawrence's Spring.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is specified as included; however, bottled water and Bedouin tea are provided during your visit.

Can I choose to visit only Petra or only Wadi Rum?

Yes, you can customize your itinerary to visit either one or both sites according to your preference.

Is this tour suitable for families or people with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infants or small children can use a pram or stroller.

Are entrance fees included in this private day trip?

No entrance fees are not specifically listed as included; check during booking for details.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with hotel or airport pickup in Amman, bottled water throughout the journey, an English-speaking driver who knows all the best routes (and playlists), a guided walk at Petra if selected when booking, a two-hour 4x4 jeep ride across Wadi Rum’s dunes, plus stops for Bedouin tea beneath sandstone cliffs before heading back in comfort at sunset.