Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Tour: A 2-Day Review for 2025
Day 1 Morning: First Steps into the Lost City of Petra
So, the day started out pretty early, with a pickup from our hotel in Amman. Our driver, you know, was a really friendly guy named Omar who actually made the long drive feel a lot shorter. At the end of the day, that early start is something you just have to do to see everything. It’s almost like the city is still sleeping as you leave, and you watch the landscape begin to shift from city buildings to, well, more open and rugged-looking terrain. We chatted for a bit, and honestly, having a private car was pretty comfortable; it sort of lets you ease into the day. As I was saying, the three-hour drive actually flies by when you are just watching the world outside your window change. You might find some helpful travel tips here.
Frankly, getting to the Petra visitor center is when the excitement really kicks in. It’s a modern building, and you get your tickets there, but right away you step out and, just like that, you are on this dusty path heading into the past. The first part of the walk is kind of open, you see some tombs carved into the rock, but it’s really all about the Siq. This canyon is, you know, really narrow and the rock walls are incredibly high on both sides. The light changes as you walk, sometimes it’s bright and other times it’s almost dark. The sound is kind of hushed in there, you mostly just hear your own footsteps echoing a little. It’s a very special feeling, like you are walking through a secret passage, which in a way, you are. For more on this stunning canyon walk, check this out.
Anyway, after walking for what feels like a little while, you see it. Just a little slice of a building through a crack in the rock, and then you step out of the Siq and the whole thing is right there. The Treasury, or Al-Khazneh, is just completely amazing to see for the first time in person. Seriously, pictures don’t really do it justice. The thing is, it is quite busy with a lot of people all trying to get the same photo, which is to be expected, I guess. At the end of the day, having our own guide was great because he sort of helped us find a good spot and told us stories about the building that you definitely wouldn’t get otherwise. It is a moment that pretty much everyone remembers from their trip to Jordan. Discover how to get the perfect photo of the Treasury.
Day 1 Afternoon: Deeper into Petra’s Mysteries
Obviously, you might think the Treasury is the main event, but it’s more or less just the welcome mat to a huge city. Once you move past it, the whole area just opens up into this wide valley called the Street of Facades. Honestly, it’s just lined with tombs, like, hundreds of them carved into the cliffs. Next, you come to this big Roman-style Theater that’s been cut right out of the mountain. It’s at this point you sort of realize the massive amount of work that went into building this place. You’re not just looking at one amazing building anymore; you are standing in the middle of an ancient city that feels almost endless. Learn about the other amazing structures in Petra.
Then, you know, comes the choice to make the climb up to the Monastery, Ad-Deir. To be honest, it’s a lot of steps, something like 800 of them, and it’s a bit of a workout, especially in the afternoon sun. You see a lot of people taking donkeys up, which is an option if you’re not up for the hike, though you should definitely decide if that’s right for you. But still, the climb itself has these amazing views along the way. When you finally get to the top, you turn a corner and there it is. The Monastery is actually bigger than the Treasury and, frankly, there are way fewer people up there. It feels very peaceful, and the view over the surrounding mountains is just totally worth the effort. Read our guide on climbing to Ad-Deir.
Now, let’s talk about some practical things for Petra, right? You absolutely need to wear your most comfortable shoes, like seriously, your feet will thank you. I mean, we walked for miles and miles. You should also bring a lot more water than you think you need; you can buy it there, but it is a bit more expensive. A good sun hat and sunscreen are not optional, pretty much. The sun in Jordan is quite strong, and there isn’t a whole lot of shade once you are out of the Siq. So, just being prepared makes the whole experience so much better. See a full list of things to bring to Petra.
By the way, you’ll meet a lot of the local Bedouin people inside Petra. Many of them grew up right inside the city before it became a major tourist site. They’re running the shops, selling beautiful scarves and handmade jewelry, and offering those donkey and camel rides. Chatting with them is actually a really nice part of the experience. They have some incredible stories to tell and a great sense of humor. You know, it’s just a little glimpse into the culture of the people who call this incredible place home. Understand more about the local Bedouin community.
Day 1 Evening: An Overnight Stay in the Wadi Rum Desert
Okay, so after a very full day in Petra, we got back in the car for the drive to Wadi Rum. The change in the scenery is pretty dramatic, you know? You go from the rocky mountains of Petra to this incredibly vast, open desert that’s this amazing shade of red. As a matter of fact, the drive itself, which takes a little over an hour, happens as the sun is starting to set, so the colors of the desert are just changing constantly. The feeling is completely different; it’s a shift from ancient history to just pure, raw nature. The anticipation of sleeping out in the desert is a really cool feeling. Get more details on the journey to Wadi Rum.
Frankly, arriving at our Bedouin camp was a very special experience. These camps are usually tucked away behind some massive rock formation, so you don’t see it until you are right there. Our camp was a collection of sturdy goat-hair tents, a larger tent for meals, and some clean, modern bathrooms, which was a nice surprise. We were greeted with, what else, but some sweet Bedouin tea and sat around a fire. The hospitality is just wonderful; they really make you feel like a guest in their home. At the end of the day, it’s these little moments that you really remember. Find out how to choose the right desert camp.
Now for dinner, they prepared a traditional meal called Zarb. I mean, this was an event in itself. Basically, they cook chicken and vegetables in a big pot that’s buried underground in the hot sand for hours. They make a big show of digging it up, and the smell is just incredible. We all ate together in the main tent, and the food was just so tender and full of flavor. Sharing a meal like that, with other travelers and our Bedouin hosts, was just a really, really lovely way to end the day. Read more about this unique dining experience.
After dinner, we did something that was, for me, one of the best parts of the whole trip. We just walked a little away from the camp, lay down on the cool sand, and looked up at the stars. Because there’s virtually no light pollution, the sky is just… you know, unbelievable. You can see the Milky Way so clearly, and there are just millions and millions of stars. It’s so quiet out there. I mean, completely silent. It’s a very peaceful feeling, and it just makes you feel very connected to the world in a way. Find the best tips for stargazing in the desert.
Day 2 Morning: A 4×4 Adventure Across Mars
Waking up in the desert is just a little different, you know? It’s the quiet that you notice first. Then you peek out of your tent, and the morning sun is hitting the red mountains, making them glow. It’s pretty magical, to be honest. Breakfast was simple—fresh bread, yogurt, cheese, and of course, more tea. You just sort of sit there, eating slowly, feeling totally refreshed and ready for whatever the day has in store. It’s a very peaceful way to start your morning, completely different from the usual rush. Discover what a morning in the desert feels like.
After breakfast, we jumped into the back of an old 4×4 pickup truck for our jeep tour. This was so much fun. Our driver, a young Bedouin guy, knew the desert like the back of his hand, and he was zooming us across the red sand dunes. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and these just massive, beautiful rock formations all around you… it honestly feels like you’re driving around on another planet. It’s a very freeing experience, just being out there in all that open space. Seriously, the photos you take out here look like they could be from Mars. Learn what a Wadi Rum jeep tour is really like.
So, the jeep tour isn’t just about driving around; you make several stops. For instance, we stopped at Lawrence’s Spring, a little trickle of water coming out of the rock where T.E. Lawrence supposedly rested. Then we went into Khazali Canyon, a narrow slit in a mountain where you can see ancient Nabatean and Islamic inscriptions carved into the walls. We also stopped at a few of the famous rock bridges, which you can climb up for some really amazing photos. Each stop is just a little different and gives you another reason to be amazed by this place. Check out all the must-see spots in Wadi Rum.
Anyway, after a few hours, the tour wraps up, and you just take a moment to look back at it all. Wadi Rum is really different from Petra. While Petra is about human achievement and history that feels almost overwhelming, Wadi Rum is more about nature’s grandeur. It’s the sheer size of it, the silence, the colors. You just feel kind of small, but in a good way. It’s an experience that sort of clears your head and gives you a new perspective on things, really. Read more personal stories from Wadi Rum.
Day 2 Afternoon: Floating at the Lowest Point on Earth
Alright, so next we had the longest drive of the trip, from Wadi Rum all the way to the Dead Sea. It’s a few hours in the car, so it’s a good time to just relax, maybe even nap a little. You watch the landscape change again, from red desert to a more arid, hilly terrain as you drive north along the Dead Sea Highway. Honestly, it’s pretty impressive just seeing the blue of the sea appear next to you, knowing you’re driving along the lowest road on the planet. It’s just another one of those slightly surreal moments this trip is full of. Explore the scenic Dead Sea Highway drive.
Typically, these tours stop at one of the resorts along the shore, which gives you access to their beach, pools, and facilities. We stopped at a nice place where we could change and store our stuff in lockers before heading down to the water. It’s definitely a good idea to have access to freshwater showers for after your float. Getting ready to go in, you sort of wonder if it will be as strange as everyone says. You see other people in the water just… sitting there, like they’re in an armchair, and it’s pretty funny. Find out about the best day-pass resorts at the Dead Sea.
And then you get in. It is absolutely one of the weirdest sensations, you know? You just lean back and your feet pop right up. You literally cannot sink. You just float on top of the water effortlessly. The water feels kind of oily because of all the minerals. A couple of really important tips, though: first, definitely don’t shave for a day or two before you go, or any little cut will sting. And whatever you do, do not get this water in your eyes. It is incredibly salty. But as long as you just relax and lean back, it’s a totally unique and fun thing to do. Get more essential tips for your Dead Sea float.
Of course, you have to do the mud thing. There are usually buckets of the famous Dead Sea mud right there on the beach. You just cover yourself in this dark, mineral-rich mud from head to toe. It feels kind of cool and slimy. You let it dry in the sun for about 15 minutes until it’s all cracked, and then you go back into the salty water to rinse it off. I mean, you look completely ridiculous, but so does everyone else, so it’s just part of the fun. And honestly, my skin felt incredibly soft afterwards. It’s a pretty memorable spa treatment, that’s for sure. Learn about the benefits of a Dead Sea mud bath.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations on the Private Tour
So, one of the biggest questions is about taking a private tour versus a big bus tour. In my opinion, the private option is really worth thinking about. You have so much more flexibility. For instance, if you want to spend a little more time at the Monastery in Petra or stop for photos on the way to Wadi Rum, you can. You are on your own schedule, more or less. Having a private driver and guide also means you can ask all the questions you want and get real, personal answers. It just makes the whole thing feel a little more special and less rushed. Categories Dead Sea float, Jordan travel, Petra Tour, private tours jordan, Wadi Rum Camping
