About this tour
When Ngaio from the Global Hobo crew did this full-day mission from Amman, we clocked up 13–14 hours hitting Petra, Jordan's rose-red archaeological heavyweight, and optionally pushing into Wadi Rum's otherworldly desert. You get a private air-conditioned ride from the capital with an English-speaking driver, a couple of hours bouncing across Wadi Rum's rust-coloured landscape in a 4x4, and plenty of time to wander Petra's carved facades and the Treasury. It's a solid logistics play for solo travellers or small groups who want to cram history and scenery without renting a car.
Highlights
- Petra's Treasury carved straight from rose sandstone cliffs
- Two-hour 4x4 blast through Wadi Rum's Valley of the Moon terrain
- Private transport means no tour-bus shuffle or random strangers
- On-board WiFi keeps you tethered if you need it
- Driver navigates the long Amman haul so you rest beforehand
- Combo option bundles two iconic Jordan spots into one push
- Flexible itinerary — Petra-only or Petra-plus-Wadi Rum
What to expect
You'll depart Amman early (exact time depends on booking) in a decent air-con vehicle with a driver who knows the route cold. The drive to Petra is roughly 2.5–3 hours of highway and scenic approaches — bring a book, nap, or enjoy the landscape rolling past. Once there, you're loose to explore the carved city at your own pace; the Treasury is unmissable and heaving with daytrippers, but push deeper into the site and you'll find quieter tombs and rock formations. If you've picked the Wadi Rum option, there's a transition period to the visitor centre, then a teeth-rattling 2-hour jeep ride with a local Bedouin-era driver through burnt-orange dunes and rust-tinted rock formations — genuinely theatrical and surprisingly physical if the track's rough. The return drive to Amman eats another 3 hours, so you'll roll back late evening.
What travellers say
- Private car and driver beats tour-bus anonymity and pace
- Wadi Rum's 4x4 ride genuinely wild and worth the day
- Petra's Treasury is as jaw-dropping as the hype promises
- Flexible Petra-only or Petra-plus-Wadi-Rum options suit different stamina
- On-board WiFi and water keep you tethered and hydrated
- Entry fees and guide cost extra — Jordan Pass saves you money
- Thirteen-hour round-trip is gruelling for early risers and late finishers
- Petra gets mobbed in peak season; crowds peak mid-morning
- Wadi Rum jeep ride is bumpy and loud; motion-sensitive travellers beware
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely efficient for time-poor travellers. No mucking about with buses or group pickups; you've got a driver and a private car, which means flexibility and comfort. The Wadi Rum add-on is worth the extra cash if you've not seen desert landscape before — it's visceral and photos don't do it justice. If you already own a Jordan Pass (which covers Petra entry), you're laughing — you'll save the 70 USD per-person ticket price and the optional guide fee. Infant seats are available, so families with small kids aren't locked out. Suitable for most fitness levels, though exploring Petra involves some hills and uneven terrain.
Entry fees and the local Petra guide aren't included unless you have a Jordan Pass, so budget an extra 70 USD per person for Petra alone, another 70 USD if you want a licensed guide (honestly, worth it for context), and 10 USD for Wadi Rum. That's a hidden cost bite. The day is long — 13–14 hours door-to-door means an early start and a late finish, which can blur into fatigue. Peak season (Oct–Apr) means Petra gets rammed, especially around the Treasury — go early or wander the lesser-trodden trails. The Wadi Rum jeep ride is bumpy and loud; not ideal if you're nursing a hangover or have motion sensitivity. Bring plenty of water beyond what's supplied; Petra's exposed and hot. Tips aren't included — your driver will appreciate cash.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.