1-Day Petra Tour from Eilat

Your day starts with a morning pickup from your Eilat hotel at 07:15 (or the airport at 07:40 if you're arriving the same day). The air-conditioned coach heads north to the Arava border crossing, where our local representatives meet you and guide you through visa and passport formalities — typically about one hour, handled start to finish. Have your passport ready, and note that border fees of $125 per person (or $65 with a valid visa stamp) must be paid in cash — USD, EUR, or NIS accepted.

Once across, the Desert Highway carries you south through Jordan's open landscape for about 2.5 hours. This route reveals the terrain that the Nabatean civilization once commanded — wide valleys and rocky plateaus that set the stage for what comes next.

You enter Petra through the Siq, a natural passage of layered sandstone walls rising dozens of meters overhead. Walk it or ride a horse — the choice is yours. At its end, the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) comes into view: a facade carved directly from the cliff face, its columns, pediments, and central urn intact since the 1st century BCE. The urn, standing 3.35 meters high, was long believed to hold hidden treasure — hence the name.

You then have 3–4 hours to explore the site on your own. Follow the path past the Djinn Blocks and the Obelisk Tomb to the Nabatean Theater, cut from the rock to hold 2,000 spectators. Continue to the Royal Tombs — the Palace Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, the Silk Tomb — with their distinct colors and scale. Walk the Colonnaded Street and see what remains of the ancient market and civic center where Nabatean merchants once traded spices, silk, and incense from across the Arabian Peninsula.

Lunch is served at an authentic local restaurant in the town of Wadi Musa, just outside the archaeological park. The return journey follows the same highway south toward Eilat, arriving in the late afternoon.

What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen in summer, a warm layer in winter. Bring at least 1 liter of water per person — exploring Petra involves significant walking on uneven terrain. Cash for the border fees (exact amount recommended). A camera is essential — the Treasury at the end of the Siq is one of the most photographed facades in the world.

Please note: 3–4 hours in Petra gives you time to see the main highlights but is not enough to reach the Monastery (Ad Deir) on the upper ridge. If you want the full experience including the Monastery and the Great Temple, travelers recommend our 2-day Petra tour. This tour is not suitable for children under 2 years old.