A Genuine Look at the 2025 ‘2 Days Petra – Wadi Rum – Dead Sea’ Tour From Amman

So you’re thinking about a quick, packed trip through Jordan’s most famous spots. This two-day adventure from Amman, you know, covers the big three: the rock-carved city of Petra, the red desert of Wadi Rum, and the salty waters of the Dead Sea. I mean, it is a very popular option for people who are a bit short on time but still want to see the main highlights. We took this trip, and honestly, it’s a whirlwind, but a truly memorable one if you prepare correctly. Obviously, fitting so much into 48 hours means very little downtime. This review, pretty much, gives you the real picture of what to expect, from the early morning starts to the unforgettable sights you’ll collect along the way.

Day 1: The Road to the Lost City and a Night in the Desert

Actually, your first day kicks off before the sun is fully up in Amman. The pickup is typically quite early, so you can make the most of the daylight hours. Like, the drive south along the Desert Highway is a few hours long, and it gives you a chance to see the country’s terrain change from urban sprawl to open, arid plains. In that case, having some snacks and water is a smart move. You’ll usually stop once or twice along the way, but honestly, the main event is arriving at the Petra visitor center, which is a feeling of real anticipation. You just get this sense that something incredible is around the corner. By the way, wearing comfortable, broken-in walking shoes is probably the most important piece of advice anyone can give you for this day.

First Glimpses: Walking the Siq to The Treasury

The actual entry into Petra is, in a way, just as impressive as the city itself. You walk through the Siq, a narrow gorge with towering, multi-colored rock walls that, sort of, feel like they are closing in on you. It’s almost a half-hour walk, and every twist and turn builds the suspense. And so on, you will see smaller carvings and water channels cut into the stone by the Nabateans thousands of years ago. Then, just as you get used to the shadows of the canyon, you see it. Frankly, that first slice of the Treasury, Al-Khazneh, appearing through the final crack in the rock is a moment that sticks with you for a very long time. The scale and detail of the carving are, to be honest, difficult to fully grasp until you are standing right in front of it.

Day 1 Continued: Beyond The Treasury and into Wadi Rum

Of course, Petra is much more than just its famous Treasury facade. You know, you have a few hours to look around the Street of Facades, see the enormous amphitheater, and walk the Colonnaded Street. For instance, if you are feeling full of energy, the hike up to the Monastery, Ad-Deir, is totally worth the effort for the amazing views. As a matter of fact, you need to be prepared for a strenuous, uphill climb that takes about an hour each way. Eventually, you’ll have to say goodbye to the ancient city. In that case, the group meets back up for the next part of the trip, which is about a two-hour drive to Wadi Rum as the sun begins to set. Seriously, watching the landscape shift from rocky mountains to the deep red sand of the desert is a pretty stark change.

A Night Under the Stars: The Bedouin Camp Experience

Arriving at the Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum as darkness falls is, like, a whole different world. These camps are usually simple but quite comfortable, with private tents and shared bathroom facilities. Clearly, the highlight of the evening is the dinner. It’s often a traditional Bedouin meal called Zarb, which is basically meat and vegetables slow-cooked in an underground oven. Meanwhile, after eating, you can sit around a bonfire, drink sweet tea, and just look up. The sky, at the end of the day, is the real show here. With virtually no light pollution, the number of stars you can see is just stunning, and the quiet of the desert is incredibly peaceful. It’s a bit rustic, you know, but the authenticity of the experience is something very special.

Day 2: Exploring Mars on Earth and Floating Away

The second day also starts pretty early, but this time you wake up surrounded by the immense silence of the desert. After a simple breakfast, the real Wadi Rum adventure begins: a 4×4 jeep tour. Well, these are not modern Jeeps but are usually older pickup trucks with benches fitted in the back, which is kind of part of the fun. For about two hours, your Bedouin driver will take you through the stunning red and white desert. Honestly, the rock formations are out of this world; some people say it looks a lot like the surface of Mars, and they are not wrong. The vastness of the space and the deep colors are, really, what make this part of the trip so incredible.

Jeep Tour Highlights in the Red Desert

During the jeep tour, you’ll, like, make several stops at points of interest. For example, you might visit Lawrence’s Spring, a small oasis where Lawrence of Arabia supposedly washed. You could also see the Khazali Canyon, where you can walk a short distance inside to see ancient rock inscriptions. Sometimes, you’ll just stop in a wide-open area to scramble up a rock arch for an amazing photo or to slide down a soft, red sand dune. The drivers are, basically, experts at finding the best spots and often share stories about their lives in the desert. In other words, this part of the tour is a really dynamic and visual experience, unlike the historical weight of Petra.

Day 2 Finale: The Unbelievable Dead Sea Float

Next, after the dust of Wadi Rum, it’s time for the long drive to the lowest point on the surface of the planet. Now, the trip to the Dead Sea can take several hours, so it’s a good time to rest in the vehicle. You know, you’ll probably arrive in the mid-afternoon at a resort or beach area. The feeling of walking into the water is pretty strange. It’s so dense and oily with salt and minerals that your feet, almost, get pushed up instantly. Okay, lying back and floating without any effort at all is a completely bizarre and fun sensation you have to try. The water is actually so buoyant that trying to swim normally is nearly impossible.

Good Advice for Your Dead Sea Experience

Alright, there are a few things to keep in mind for your float. First, definitely do not shave for at least a day before you go in; any tiny cuts will sting quite a bit. You also really, really don’t want to get the water in your eyes, because it is extremely painful. And, of course, many people take advantage of the natural mud on the shoreline. You can, pretty much, cover yourself in it, let it dry in the sun, and then wash it off in the sea for what people say is a great skin treatment. At the end of the day, after you’ve floated and cleaned off, you’ll get back on the road for the final leg of the tour, returning to Amman in the evening, feeling totally tired but full of new experiences.

This two-day tour is, frankly, a sprint, not a marathon. You get to see Jordan’s absolute must-see locations, but you sacrifice deep exploration for breadth. I mean, it is perfect if your time is limited, but if you want to spend a full day hiking all of Petra’s trails or go deeper into the Wadi Rum desert, you’d obviously need more time.

• Pace: Very fast-paced with early starts and long drives.
• Highlights: Honestly, you see three world-class sites in just 48 hours.
• Best For: Travelers on a tight schedule who want a taste of Jordan.
• What to Bring: Just comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a sense of adventure.
• Keep in Mind: This is, sort of, a highlights reel, not an in-depth exploration.

Read our full review: 2 Days Petra – Wadi Rum – Dead Sea From Amman Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (2-Day Jordan Highlights Tour)