Petra & Wadi Rum Private Day with Local Guide

Summary

Petra’s Siq Walk & Wadi Rum Jeep Ride from Aqaba

Step into Petra’s ancient Siq with a local guide who knows every hidden carving, then share a traditional meal in Wadi Musa before riding deep into Wadi Rum’s red desert by jeep. You’ll catch sunset over Martian cliffs and taste real Jordanian hospitality—moments you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that crack?” our guide asked, pointing at the narrow slit in the rock ahead. I was still catching my breath from the drive out of Aqaba — desert air already dry in my throat — but the excitement kind of took over. The Siq is longer than I expected, almost echoey with our footsteps and the odd call from another group somewhere behind us. Our guide, Sami, kept stopping to show us little carvings I’d have missed: gods, camels, even a weathered face or two. The light kept shifting as we walked deeper; sometimes it felt like walking through a secret hallway that belonged to someone else centuries ago. When the Treasury finally appeared at the end — pinkish stone glowing in the sun — I just stood there for a second. It’s hard to describe that first sight without sounding dramatic, but yeah, it got me.

After wandering around Petra (and getting lost once — thanks to my terrible sense of direction), we met up again for lunch at this place near Wadi Musa. The smell hit me before we even sat down: grilled lamb, warm bread, something spicy I couldn’t name. Li laughed when I tried to say “shukran” properly — probably butchered it — but everyone seemed happy enough to help us pile our plates high. There was this moment where everything slowed down: sunlight on chipped plates, voices mixing Arabic and English, steam rising off rice. I didn’t expect to feel so at home so far away.

The drive out toward Wadi Rum felt like moving into another world entirely. Our Bedouin driver waved us into his battered 4x4 (I think he called it “the camel with wheels”) and off we went across sand that looked almost red under the late afternoon sky. Wind whipped past my ears; every so often he’d stop and point out shapes in the rocks or tell a story about his grandfather’s time here. The silence between stories was just as good — you could hear nothing but wind and your own heartbeat sometimes. We stopped on a ridge for sunset; orange light spilling over those Martian cliffs. I still think about that view when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wadi Rum Jeep Tour and Petra Visit

• Wadi Rum 4x4 Jeep tour with Bedouin guide
• Lunch at local restaurant and Petra guided tour
• Walk through the Siq canyon
• Visit the Treasury (al-Khazneh) tomb

Top questions

How long does the Petra guided tour last?

The guided tour of Petra lasts about 2.5 hours with a certified local guide.

Is transportation included from Aqaba?

Yes, private transportation with pickup is included from your chosen location.

Do I need to buy entry tickets separately?

No, all admission fees for Petra and Wadi Rum are included in your booking.

Is lunch provided on this day trip?

Yes, a traditional meal is included at a local restaurant near Wadi Musa.

How long is the jeep tour in Wadi Rum?

The 4x4 jeep ride through Wadi Rum lasts approximately 2 hours with a Bedouin guide.

Are guides fluent in English?

Yes, both your Petra and Wadi Rum guides speak English fluently.

Is bottled water available during the trip?

Bottled water is provided throughout your journey.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes private pickup from Aqaba or nearby towns, all entry fees for Petra and Wadi Rum, a certified local guide for 2.5 hours in Petra plus free time to explore on your own, a traditional Jordanian lunch near Wadi Musa, bottled water along the way, WiFi onboard your vehicle, and a two-hour 4x4 jeep ride through Wadi Rum led by an English-speaking Bedouin guide before returning in the evening.