Jordan · Trip plan
5 days in Petra & Wadi Rum
The rose-red city, a night in the desert and a float in the Dead Sea.
- Best time
- Oct – Nov, Mar – May
- Ideal length
- 5 days
- A day, mid-range
- $200 per person
- Trip for two
- about $2,000
Planning a 5-day trip to Petra & Wadi Rum? Here's a day-by-day Petra & Wadi Rum itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.
Why go now
Spring and autumn are the best times: cool enough for the long walks in Petra and the desert nights in Wadi Rum.
Jordan packs ancient wonders, dramatic deserts and Bedouin hospitality into a small, safe and welcoming country.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar: a good time to go
- Apr: a good time to go
- May: a good time to go
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct: a good time to go
- Nov: a good time to go
- Dec
Spring and autumn: 15–28°C days, cool nights.
Don't miss
Best things to do in Petra & Wadi Rum
- 01
Petra
The Treasury and the Monastery, carved into rose-red rock.
- 02
Wadi Rum
A desert of red sand and sandstone mountains.
- 03
Dead Sea
Float in the lowest place on earth.
- 04
Amman
The Citadel and Roman Theatre.
Day by day
Petra & Wadi Rum itinerary for 5 days
- D1
Day 1: Amman
- Morning
- Explore the Amman Citadel, with Roman and Umayyad ruins and city views, then the 6,000-seat Roman Theatre.
- Afternoon
- Walk Rainbow Street and have falafel at Hashem, a city institution.
- Evening
- Drive about 3 hours south to Wadi Musa, the town at Petra's gates.
The Jordan Pass covers your visa and Petra entry.
- D2
Day 2: Petra
- Morning
- Enter at 6 AM and walk the narrow, winding Siq gorge until the Treasury appears through the gap.
- Afternoon
- Continue to the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs and the Roman-era colonnaded street.
- Evening
- Petra by Night (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday): the Siq and Treasury lit by 1,500 candles.
Wear sturdy shoes; you'll walk 15 km or more.
- D3
Day 3: The Monastery
- Morning
- Climb about 850 rock-cut steps to the Monastery, Petra's largest monument, and continue to the viewpoint beyond.
- Afternoon
- Lunch inside the site, then drive about 1.5 hours to Wadi Rum.
- Evening
- Arrive at your desert camp for sunset.
Start the climb early to avoid the heat.
- D4
Day 4: Wadi Rum
- Morning
- Jeep tour through Wadi Rum's red-sand canyons, rock arches and the Lawrence of Arabia sites.
- Afternoon
- Camel ride or sandboarding on the dunes.
- Evening
- Bedouin dinner cooked underground (zarb) and a night under spectacular stars.
Desert nights are cold; bring warm layers.
- D5
Day 5: The Dead Sea
- Morning
- Drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at about 430 m below sea level.
- Afternoon
- Float in the salty water and coat yourself in mineral mud.
- Evening
- Fly home from Amman.
Don't shave before swimming; the salt stings.
Shorter or longer
Petra & Wadi Rum in 4, 5 or 7 days
4 days in Petra & Wadi Rum
Follow days 1 to 4 above and leave out “The Dead Sea”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.
7 days in Petra & Wadi Rum
Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering.
What it costs
Petra & Wadi Rum trip budget
| Style | Per person, a day | 5 days for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $100 | $1,000 |
| Mid-range | $200 | $2,000 |
| Luxury | $500+ | $5,000 |
Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Petra & Wadi Rum is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Petra & Wadi Rum for every budget
What to eat
Food to try in Petra & Wadi Rum
Mansaf
Lamb in fermented yoghurt over rice.
Falafel and hummus
Everywhere and excellent.
Knafeh
A sweet cheese pastry.
Getting there
How to reach Petra & Wadi Rum
- Travel
- Fly to Amman; Petra is 3 hours by road.
- Getting around
- Hire a car or driver; Jett buses link Amman and Petra.
- Buy the Jordan Pass before arrival; it covers the visa and Petra.
- Go to Petra at opening.
Before you go
What to pack for Petra & Wadi Rum
- Power bank and charging cables
- Passport and visa printouts
- A scarf for sun and sand
- A warm layer for desert nights
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
- A forex card or some local cash
- Travel insurance
Good questions
Petra & Wadi Rum trip FAQs
How many days are enough for Petra & Wadi Rum?
5 days are enough to see the highlights: Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.
How much does a 5-day Petra & Wadi Rum trip cost?
Roughly $100 a day per person on a budget, $200 mid-range and $500+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $2,000 for 5 days.
What is the best time to visit Petra & Wadi Rum?
Oct – Nov, Mar – May. Spring and autumn are the best times: cool enough for the long walks in Petra and the desert nights in Wadi Rum.
Where should I stay in Petra & Wadi Rum?
Budget: Hostels in Wadi Musa (Petra), from about $50 a night. Mid-range: Bubble camps in Wadi Rum (Wadi Rum), from about $200 a night. Luxury: Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea (Dead Sea), from about $400 a night.
How do I reach Petra & Wadi Rum?
Fly to Amman; Petra is 3 hours by road.
Is 4 days enough for Petra & Wadi Rum?
Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 4 of the itinerary above and skip "The Dead Sea". 5 days is the comfortable length.
What is the weather like in Petra & Wadi Rum?
Spring and autumn: 15–28°C days, cool nights.
What food should I try in Petra & Wadi Rum?
Mansaf: Lamb in fermented yoghurt over rice. Falafel and hummus: Everywhere and excellent. Knafeh: A sweet cheese pastry.
How do I get around Petra & Wadi Rum?
Hire a car or driver; Jett buses link Amman and Petra.
You might also like
More trips like Petra & Wadi Rum
- EgyptEgypt
The pyramids, Karnak and a cruise down the Nile.
Oct – Mar7 days · from ₹4,000/day - MoroccoMarrakech
Souks, riads and the Atlas Mountains on the edge of the Sahara.
Oct – Apr4 days · from $60/day - Northern Territory, AustraliaUluru
The sacred red rock at sunrise and the Field of Light.
Apr – Oct3 days · from $200/day