If you’ve only got 48 hours in Jordan but want to see its greatest sights — the rose-red city of Petra, the moonscape of Wadi Rum, and float in the salty serenity of the Dead Sea — then the 2-Day Group / Mid-Size Shared Tour to Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea by Jordan Private Tours is perhaps your best bet. It packs in maximum highlights with smart logistics to save both time and money. Here’s a close look at what the trip offers, how it works, and tips to make the most of it.
What the Tour Includes
According to Jordan Private Tours, the 2-Day Group / Mid-Size Shared Tour includes (or offers) these key elements:
- Pickup from your hotel in Amman early in the morning (roughly between 6:30-7:00 AM).
- Travel in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles (either smaller vans or sedans depending on group size).
- Exploration of Petra — giving you time to walk through the entry Siq, see the Treasury, possibly some of the key monuments/geography around the site.
- Afternoon transfer to Wadi Rum, overnight stay in a traditional Bedouin camp Rum Magic Nights. Dinner and breakfast there.
- A 2-hour Jeep (4×4) tour in Wadi Rum with local Bedouin guides. Early morning or later morning depending on schedule.
- Visit to the Dead Sea, including resort access with lunch — giving you time to float in the salty waters, relax on the beach, and enjoy a hearty meal.
- Return to Amman by evening of Day 2.
- Meals beyond those explicitly mentioned (breakfast, Bedouin dinner) may not be covered.
- Insurance, personal expenses, tips etc. usually also extra.
- All other entry fees (Petra, Wadi Rum, and sites not covered by the Jordan Pass).
Why It’s Cost-Effective
Here are the reasons this itinerary delivers a lot of value:
- Shared cost of transport and accommodation. By grouping travelers in shared vehicles and shared overnight in a camp in Wadi Rum, you split the cost among several people. Big savings vs private transfers or private camps.
- Efficient route. The sequence — Amman → Petra → Wadi Rum → Dead Sea → back to Amman — is geographically logical. You’re not back-tracking weirdly, which saves time and fuel.
- Focused stay. Overnight only where needed (Wadi Rum), with just enough time to rest. That keeps lodging, food, and guiding costs lower.
- Minimal extras. The basic inclusions are good — you get the key highlights without needing to pay for many add-ons.
Sample Itinerary — What Your Two Days Might Look Like
Here’s how your two days would typically unfold:
- Day 1 (Morning): Hotel pickup in Amman around 6:30-7:00 AM → drive to Petra (≈ 3-hour drive) → arrive, enter via Siq, see Treasury, walk through the main facades and perhaps Royal Tombs, etc.
- Day 1 (Afternoon): After lunch, depart toward Wadi Rum. Arrive in the desert camp in the evening, enjoy dinner under the stars, optionally relaxing or short stroll, rest in your tent.
- Day 2 (Early Morning): Breakfast in the camp → 2-hour Jeep tour in Wadi Rum (see dunes, famous rock formations, maybe sunrise lighting, Bedouin camps, scenic spots).
- Day 2 (Midday): Depart Wadi Rum → travel toward the Dead Sea. Arrive, have time to float, swim, unwind, apply the Dead Sea mud, enjoy the unique setting.
- Day 2 (Late Afternoon/Evening): Head back to Amman, arriving by early evening. Finish with dinner in Amman if you like, or drop off at your hotel.
Things to Watch / Tips to Maximize Value
- Buy the Jordan Pass ahead of time. If you’re in Jordan for more than one night, the Jordan Pass helps you avoid separate entry fees (especially Petra) and might cover your visa fee. This can save a lot. Jordan Private Tours mention that entrance fees are not included, so using the Pass smartly helps.
- Pack smart. Bring comfortable walking shoes, layers for the desert nights, swimwear, sun protection. If you don’t need luxury, skip heavy gear; lighter luggage helps if you share transport.
- Skip lunch in fancy tourist-spots. Use local restaurants or simple cafés to eat. The meals included (like camp dinner) are typically simple and authentic — this saves money and gives local flavor.
- Go off-peak if possible. Visiting in shoulder seasons (spring, autumn) will yield better prices for accommodation, fewer crowds in Petra and Wadi Rum, and more comfortable weather.
- Be ready for long drives. Amman → Petra → Wadi Rum → Dead Sea involves several hours on the road. Rest stops are included, but it helps mentally to expect travel time.
Experience & Highlights — What Makes It Memorable
- There’s something almost magical about entering Petra via the Siq, hearing the echo off the treasury, walking past carved facades, remembering you’re in a place shaped over two thousand years. Shared tours don’t take away from that — you still get the atmosphere and grandeur.
- Wadi Rum at night: stars like no city lights. Bedouin hospitality. The Jeep safari in the golden desert at sunrise or sunset gives you storytelling landscape moments that reconnect you with nature.
- The Dead Sea: what other place lets you float on water so dense, smear yourself with healing mud, watch the sun sink below the mountains, then rinse off and feel rejuvenated? It’s a contrast to the rugged hikes and canyon walls of Petra.
Verdict: Is It the Best Use of 2 Days?
If your goal is to see the iconic trio of southern Jordan — Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea — and you’ve only got two days, then yes: this tour is among the best value options. You get excellent landmarks, adventure, relaxation, and Jordanian culture, with most of the heavy logistics handled.
You’ll trade off luxury and leisurely pace, but for many travellers that trade is worth it: you walk enough, see enough, live enough in those moments. If instead you had more time, you might explore more sites (Jerash, Madaba, etc.), stay longer in Petra, or take slower travel. But with only 48 hours, this tour gives you the most for your money.
Book your tour today! the 2-Day Group / Mid-Size Shared Tour.