Petra 2 Day Tour from Eilat: Explore the Lost City Without the Rush
- 2 Days
- Maximum Capacity: 50
Adult
Child
Infant
Tour Overview
Discover why Petra earned its place as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World on this Petra 2 day tour from Eilat.
Unlike rushed day trips that give you just 3 hours inside the archaeological park, this Petra 2 day tour from Eilat gives you a full guided afternoon on Day 1 plus free exploration time on Day 2, so you can reach sites like the Monastery (Ad Deir) that most day-trippers never see.
Cross the Arava border from Eilat into Jordan with full border assistance. Travel north along the Desert Highway to the ancient Nabataean city carved into red desert cliffs 2,300 years ago.
On Day 1, your English-speaking guide walks you through the Siq, the narrow gorge leading to the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh), the Royal Tombs, the Roman Theater, and the Colonnaded Street. After a late lunch, check into your hotel in Petra for the night.
On Day 2 of the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat, return to the park for free time to hike to the Monastery, explore at your own pace, and capture photos without the midday crowds.
The Petra 2 day tour from Eilat includes hotel accommodation (3-star, upgradable), entrance fees to Petra Archaeological Park, lunch, guided tour, and all transportation.
This Petra 2 day tour from Eilat operates daily with guaranteed departures. Whether you’re staying in Eilat on vacation or passing through on a longer Israel trip, this is the most complete way to experience Petra without the exhaustion and compromise of a single-day rush.
Duration
2 Days
Tour Type
Jordan Package Tours
Group Size
20
Language
English, Spanish
Popular Features
- AC BUS
- Border Crossing Assistance
- Entry Tickets Included
- Expert Guide
- Visa Assistance
Highlights
- Spend 2 full days exploring Petra, not just a rushed 3-hour visit like day tours
- Walk through the dramatic 1.2 km Siq canyon to the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
- Guided tour of the Royal Tombs, Roman Theater, Colonnaded Street, and Qasr al-Bint temple
- Free time on Day 2 to hike to the Monastery (Ad Deir), the most spectacular structure in Petra
- Overnight hotel accommodation in Petra (3-star, upgradable to 4 or 5-star)
- Optional Petra by Night experience (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) with 1,500 candles lighting the Siq
- Entrance fees to Petra included ($70 value)
- Full border assistance at the Arava crossing, no paperwork stress
- English-speaking licensed Jordanian guide inside Petra
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Eilat accommodation
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Eilat
- Air-conditioned transportation throughout (Israel and Jordan)
- Border crossing assistance (both directions)
- Licensed English-speaking guide for Petra tour
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Petra (3-star: Oscar Hotel, Venus Hotel, or similar)
- Lunch on Day 1
- All taxes and service charges in Jordan
Excluded
- Border crossing fee and Jordan visa fee: approximately $140 per person total (paid in cash at the border, or pre-paid with booking)
- Dinner on Day 1 and meals on Day 2 (budget 15-25 JOD per meal)
- Petra by Night experience (optional, arranged on the spot, ~17 JOD)
- Horse ride at Petra entrance (optional, tips expected)
- Hotel upgrade to 4 or 5-star (see extras for pricing)
- Single room supplement ($45)
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal travel insurance
- Anything not explicitly listed under "Included"
Travel Itinerary
Day 1 - Eilat to Petra, Guided Tour of the Lost City
08:00 AM - Hotel Pickup in Eilat
Your Petra 2 day tour from Eilat begins with pickup from your hotel or a central meeting point in Eilat. Our representative meets you and briefs you on the border crossing procedure. Make sure you have your passport, cash for border/visa fees ($140), and comfortable walking shoes.
08:30 AM - Arava Border Crossing into Jordan
Arrive at the Arava/Wadi Araba border crossing, the closest crossing point between Israel and Jordan. Our border assistance representative handles the process with you. Border and visa fees total approximately $140 per person, paid in cash (USD, EUR, or NIS accepted) at the crossing. The entire crossing typically takes 45-60 minutes, including passport control, customs, and vehicle change. Your Petra 2 day tour from Eilat continues on the Jordanian side with a Jordanian vehicle and driver.
The Arava border crossing is the least crowded of the three Israel-Jordan crossings, making it the fastest and most efficient option for travelers departing from Eilat.
09:45 AM - Drive North Along the Desert Highway
Board the Jordanian coach and head north along the Desert Highway (Route 15) through dramatic Jordanian desert landscapes. The drive to Petra takes approximately 2 hours. Your guide provides an introduction to Jordan's history, the Nabataean civilization that built Petra, and what to expect at the archaeological site. Watch the landscape change from the Red Sea coast to the highlands of southern Jordan.
On clear days, you can see the mountains of Wadi Rum in the distance to the east, where Lawrence of Arabia led the Arab Revolt and where multiple Hollywood films have been shot.
12:00 PM - Arrive at Petra Visitor Center
The Petra 2 day tour from Eilat arrives at the Petra Archaeological Park visitor center in Wadi Musa. Your guide collects entrance tickets (included in your tour price) and gives a brief orientation. You have the option of a short horse ride from the entrance gate to the beginning of the Siq (included with Petra entrance; tips are expected of the horsemen, 5-10 JOD).
12:30 PM - Walk Through the Siq to the Treasury
Enter the Siq, a narrow gorge 1.2 kilometers long with walls rising up to 80 meters on both sides. The canyon was formed by geological splitting, not water erosion, which is why the walls are so smooth and vertical. As you walk, your guide points out Nabataean water channels carved into the cliff walls, niches that once held religious sculptures, and remnants of the original paved road.
The colors shift from pink to orange to deep red as you go deeper. Then, through a narrow gap in the cliff at the very end, the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) appears. This is the single most photographed moment in Jordan, and the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat gives you the time to absorb it properly.
The Treasury is a 40-meter-high facade carved directly into the sandstone cliff around the 1st century BCE. Despite its name (given by local Bedouins who believed an Egyptian pharaoh hid gold in the urn at the top), it was actually a royal tomb. The precision of the carving, with Corinthian columns, friezes depicting mythological figures, and perfectly symmetrical proportions, is staggering considering it was carved top-down from the cliff face.
13:45 PM - Guided Tour: Royal Tombs, Theater, and Colonnaded Street
Your Petra 2 day tour from Eilat guide leads you deeper into the ancient city:
The Street of Facades: A row of monumental Nabataean tomb facades lining the main path, each with carved columns and pediments.
The Roman Theater: Carved into the hillside to seat 8,500 spectators, this theater was expanded by the Romans after they annexed the Nabataean kingdom in 106 CE. Uniquely, tombs were carved into the rock above the theater's upper seating tiers, creating a striking blend of entertainment and burial architecture.
The Royal Tombs: Four massive facades carved high into the cliff face of Jabal al-Khubtha. The Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, and Palace Tomb each showcase different architectural styles and levels of preservation. The Urn Tomb was later converted into a Byzantine church in 446 CE, and you can still see the arched openings of the church interior.
The Colonnaded Street: The main civic thoroughfare of Nabataean and Roman Petra, lined with columns and the ruins of markets, temples, and public buildings. At the western end stands the Qasr al-Bint temple, one of the few freestanding structures in Petra (most are carved into cliff faces). This temple to the Nabataean god Dushara survived because of its massive stone blocks.
Your guide explains how the Nabataeans controlled the incense and spice trade routes connecting Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. At its peak around 1 CE, Petra was home to 20,000-30,000 people who engineered an ingenious water management system in the middle of a desert, channeling rainfall through dams, cisterns, and ceramic pipes.
15:30 PM - Late Lunch at a Local Restaurant
A late lunch is included in your Petra 2 day tour from Eilat (Jordanian cuisine: grilled meats, rice, salads, hummus, flatbread). This meal is served at a restaurant near the Petra visitor center.
16:30 PM - Hotel Check-in and Free Evening
Transfer to your hotel in Petra/Wadi Musa for check-in. The standard accommodation on the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat is a 3-star hotel (Oscar Hotel, Venus Hotel, or similar). Upgrades to 4-star (Petra Moon, Old Village Resort) or 5-star (Movenpick Resort Petra) are available on request for a supplement.
Day 2: - Exploration and Return to Eilat
07:00 AM - Breakfast at Hotel
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel (included in accommodation).
08:00 AM - Return to Petra for Free Exploration
The Petra 2 day tour from Eilat gives you the entire morning for independent exploration of the archaeological park. This is the real advantage of a 2-day tour: you re-enter Petra with your multi-day ticket and explore at your own pace without a guide or group schedule.
Recommended: Hike to the Monastery (Ad Deir)
The Monastery is Petra's largest and arguably most impressive monument, even bigger than the Treasury at 47 meters wide and 48 meters tall. It's reached by climbing approximately 800 rock-cut steps up a mountainside trail (30-45 minutes up, 20-30 minutes down). The effort is rewarded with a massive facade that few day-trippers ever see, plus spectacular panoramic views over the Wadi Araba valley.
Alternatively, explore areas you didn't reach on Day 1: the High Place of Sacrifice (mountain-top altar with 360-degree views), the Tomb of the Roman Soldier, the Garden Temple, or the less-visited trails toward Little Petra.
12:00 PM - Depart Petra for Return to Eilat
Meet your driver at the Petra visitor center. Board the vehicle for the return drive south to the Arava border. The Petra 2 day tour from Eilat follows the same Desert Highway route back, with a brief stop en route if needed.
14:30 PM - Arava Border Crossing Back to Israel
Cross back into Israel at the Arava border. The return crossing is typically faster (30-45 minutes). An Israeli-side representative meets you and assists with the process.
15:30 PM - Drop-off in Eilat
The Petra 2 day tour from Eilat concludes with drop-off at your hotel or a central point in Eilat. You're back in Israel by mid-afternoon with the rest of the day free.
If you're continuing your Eilat vacation, consider our Eilat day tours for Red Canyon, Timna Park, or snorkeling in the Red Sea. If you're heading north, check our Masada and Dead Sea tour or Jerusalem Full Day Tour from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
- End of Tour
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose a Petra 2 day tour from Eilat instead of a day trip?
The main difference is the time inside Petra. A day trip from Eilat gives you 3-4 hours at the site after a 2-hour drive each way and border crossings. The Petra 2 day tour from Eilat gives you a full guided afternoon on Day 1 plus a free morning on Day 2, totaling 6-8 hours of exploration time. This means you can visit the Monastery (Ad Deir), which requires a 45-minute hike that's impossible to fit into a day trip. You also avoid the exhausting 14-hour day-trip schedule and instead explore at a relaxed pace, with an overnight in Petra. If Petra is on your bucket list, the 2-day format is the best way to see it properly.
How much does the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat cost in total including border fees?
The tour price covers transportation, guide, entrance fees, hotel, and lunch. On top of the tour price, you must pay border and visa fees in cash at the border: approximately $140 per person total, covering Israeli departure tax, Jordanian visa issuance, and border assistance services. Budget an additional 30-50 JOD for dinner on Day 1 and lunch on Day 2, plus tips and personal expenses. Not all nationalities are eligible for a visa at the border. Check with us before booking if you hold a passport from a country not listed in Jordan's visa-on-arrival program.
What is the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat border crossing process like?
The Petra 2 day tour from Eilat uses the Arava/Wadi Araba border crossing, located just north of Eilat. Our representative assists you through the entire process. You pass through Israeli passport control, then walk across to the Jordanian side for passport control, visa issuance, and customs. Border and visa fees total approximately $140 per person, paid in cash at the crossing. The total process takes 45-60 minutes. On the return (Day 2), the process is reversed and typically faster (30-45 minutes). A valid passport is essential. Israeli passport holders must use their Israeli passport at the border.
What hotel is included on the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat?
The standard accommodation is a 3-star hotel in Petra/Wadi Musa (Oscar Hotel, Venus Hotel, or similar, subject to availability). Price is per person in a double room. A single room supplement of $45 applies for solo travelers. Upgrades are available on request: 4-star (Petra Moon, Old Village Resort) or 5-star (Movenpick Resort Petra, directly at the Petra entrance gate). Contact us before booking for upgrade pricing.
Can I do the Petra by Night experience on this Petra 2 day tour from Eilat?
Yes, if your overnight falls on a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday when Petra by Night operates. This is not included in the tour price and must be arranged on the spot in Petra. Cost is approximately 17 JOD per person. The experience runs 20:30-22:30 and features over 1,500 candles lighting the Siq and Treasury, with a Bedouin music performance. It is one of the most magical experiences in Jordan and highly recommended.
How much walking is involved on the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat?
Day 1 (guided tour): approximately 6-8 kilometers of walking on gravel, sand, and ancient stone paths. Mostly flat with some gentle inclines. Allow 4-5 hours of walking including stops. Day 2 (free exploration): distance depends on what you choose to see. The Monastery hike adds 2-3 kilometers round trip with 800 steps (moderate to challenging). The High Place of Sacrifice adds similar distance. Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. The terrain is uneven and dusty. Petra is not wheelchair accessible. The Petra 2 day tour from Eilat is suitable for anyone with moderate fitness, but the Monastery hike requires more stamina.
What should I bring on the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat?
Essentials: valid passport (non-negotiable), cash for border fees ($140 in USD), comfortable walking shoes with good grip, sun protection (hat, sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses), refillable water bottle (refill stations inside Petra), small day backpack, camera. For overnight: one change of clothes, toiletries, light jacket (Petra gets cool in the evening, especially October-March). Optional: walking poles (helpful for Monastery hike), snacks, extra cash in JOD for meals, tips, and souvenirs.
Is this Petra 2 day tour from Eilat suitable for children?
Children aged 2+ are welcome. The guided walking portion on Day 1 is manageable for children 6+ who are used to walking. The Monastery hike on Day 2 is best for children 8+ due to the 800 steps. The Siq walk is flat and exciting for kids of all ages. Bring snacks, water, and entertainment for the 2-hour drive. The Petra 2 day tour from Eilat overnight format is actually better for families than the exhausting day trip, as children can rest at the hotel between exploring days.
What happens during Ramadan on the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat?
During Ramadan, the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat itinerary may change due to earlier closure of the border crossing and adjusted hours at some facilities. Your tour will still visit Petra and include all major sites, but timing shifts. We notify all participants of Ramadan adjustments at least 48 hours before departure. Restaurants inside Petra and in Wadi Musa still serve tourists during Ramadan, though some local options may have reduced hours.
Can I extend this to include Wadi Rum?
If you want both Petra and Wadi Rum, check our Petra and Wadi Rum 2-day tour from Eilat, which replaces the Petra hotel night with an overnight at a Bedouin glamping camp in Wadi Rum, plus a Jeep safari in the desert. Different experience, same departure from Eilat. Alternatively, if you want the deepest possible experience, ask about our 3-day Jordan package that covers Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Petra.
What is the cancellation policy for the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat?
Cancellation 7+ days before departure: 50% of tour price. Cancellation 3-6 days before: 70% of the tour price. Cancellation less than 3 days or no-show: 100% of the tour price (non-refundable). Border fees and visa fees are non-refundable once paid at the border. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellation for any reason.
Tour Essential Information
Departure: Daily from Eilat. Pickup at 08:00 AM from your Eilat hotel or central meeting point.
Return: Day 2, approximately 15:30 to Eilat.
Passport: Valid passport required (minimum 6 months validity from travel date). Passport details required at booking for visa processing. Not all nationalities receive visa on arrival in Jordan. Check eligibility before booking.
Border Fees (NOT included, paid in cash at border):
- Total: approximately $140 per person (covers Israeli departure tax, Jordanian visa, and border assistance)
What to Bring:
- Valid passport (non-negotiable)
- Cash: $140 USD for border fees + JOD for meals, tips, shopping
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Small day backpack
- Change of clothes and toiletries for overnight
- Light jacket (evenings in Petra can be cool)
- Camera
- Snacks for the drive
Physical Requirements:
- Day 1 guided tour: 6-8 km walking, moderate fitness
- Day 2 Monastery hike: 800 steps, moderate to challenging
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Minimum age: 2 years
Accommodation:
- 3-star: Oscar Hotel, Venus Hotel, or similar (included)
- 4-star: Petra Moon, Old Village Resort (supplement)
- 5-star: Mövenpick Resort Petra (supplement)
- Price is per person in a double room. Single supplement: $45
Language: English. Other languages available at additional cost.
Cancellation Policy:
- 7+ days before: 50%
- 3-6 days before: 70%
- Less than 3 days or no-show: 100% (non-refundable)
Important Notes:
- Israeli passport holders must use Israeli passport at border
- During Ramadan, itinerary may change due to earlier border closure
- Horse ride at Petra entrance is optional (tip expected by horsemen, 5-10 JOD)
- Petra by Night available Monday/Wednesday/Thursday only, arranged on the spot (~17 JOD)
- High season supplement may apply during holidays and summer
From 220.00 $
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