About this tour
When Priya from the crew did this private tour, she covered two of Jordan's heavyweight attractions in one long day: Petra, the 2,000-year-old Nabatean city carved into rose-red cliffs, and Wadi Rum, a desert landscape of towering sandstone and rust-coloured dunes. Picked up from Amman or the Dead Sea, you're driven straight to Petra for an introductory walk through its famous facades and carved tombs, then pushed on to Wadi Rum for a couple of hours dune-bashing before sunset. It's a full-on 12–14 hour day, but crammed with the kind of scenery that justifies the effort.
Highlights
- Petra's rose-red cliff faces and carved facades in soft morning light
- Walking through the Siq, the narrow gorge leading into the lost city
- Wadi Rum's vast desert plains and dramatic sandstone pillars at dusk
- Private transport means flexible pacing, no coach-load queuing
- Sunset views across the dunes from the safari vehicle
- Pick-up and drop-off from your Amman or Dead Sea base
What to expect
The day kicks off early with hotel collection, then it's roughly two hours' drive to Petra. Once there, you'll walk the main sights—the Treasury, the Monastery, the carved tombs—at an introductory pace. Your driver navigates; a local guide isn't included, so you're free to linger or move on as you fancy, though audio guides or books help fill the gaps. After lunch (your call where), you head back to the vehicle for the drive south to Wadi Rum. The final leg is a two-hour desert safari by 4x4 through sand, rocks, and natural arches, timed to catch the sunset when the dunes turn golden and the light gets properly special. Then the long drive home—plan for evening arrival.
What travellers say
- Two iconic sites in one day from a single pick-up point
- Private vehicle avoids crowded coach tours and inflexible schedules
- Wadi Rum sunset timing maximises dramatic desert light
- Flexible pacing at Petra lets you skip the rush
- Full-day grind—expect fatigue by the return drive
- No included local guide means you miss storytelling depth
- Entry tickets and meals add significantly to total cost
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Petra and Wadi Rum in one hit means you tick two major boxes without juggling separate trips or overnight stays. Private transport beats being herded onto a coach, and pick-up from your hotel saves mucking about with taxis. The landscape payoff—ancient carved city then desert wilderness—is genuinely varied. Suits all fitness levels if you're prepared to walk at your own pace through Petra.
It's a marathon day (12–14 hours), so it's knackering if you're already tired. Petra gets busy, especially mid-morning. The drive to Wadi Rum is lengthy, so you might feel rushed. No local guide means missing deeper context unless you bring a book or hire one separately. Bring sun protection, sturdy shoes, plenty of water, and a snack. Entry tickets to Petra cost extra. Group size is just you and your driver, so costs are high if you're solo.
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.