Why book the Petra & Dubai tour?
Petra and Dubai is a 9-day small-group tour combining Jordan's greatest ancient sites with the dazzle of modern Dubai, starting in Amman and finishing in Dubai. You'll walk the Siq into Petra at sunrise, do a 4x4 Bedouin jeep safari and overnight in Wadi Rum, float in the Dead Sea, explore Roman Jerash, and then swap sandstone and desert for Burj Khalifa views and a Dhow Dinner Cruise on Dubai Creek. Maximum 18 people, with two hotel levels available: standard 4-star and superior options.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Jordan and Dubai?
Completely. The 9-day format covers Jordan's most iconic sites and gives you the essential Dubai experience without overwhelming you. Your guide handles all logistics including the flight to Dubai on Day 6, and the Jordan Pass system for visa and entrance fees is explained in detail before you travel. Everything is pre-arranged so you arrive knowing exactly what to expect.
What's the difference between this and your other Jordan tours?
Petra and Dubai at 9 days combines Jordan with the UAE. Jordan Express (6 days) is a shorter Jordan-only option covering the highlights quickly. Best of Jordan (7 days) focuses entirely on Jordan with more depth per site. Jordan Encounters gives you even more time in the country. If you want Jordan plus the UAE in a single tour, Petra and Dubai is unique in this pairing.
What's the best time of year to do this tour?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for Jordan, particularly for walking in Petra and Wadi Rum. Summer (June to August) is very hot in both Jordan and Dubai, though Dubai's indoor attractions are all air-conditioned. Winter (December to February) is cool in Jordan, occasionally cold at night in Wadi Rum, but perfectly pleasant in Dubai.
Why does this tour cost what it does?
We get it, you can find cheaper Jordan packages. What you're paying for is 8 nights in 4-star hotels including the Rahayeb Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea Spa Resort for your Dead Sea night, a full day in Petra with an expert guide, 4x4 Bedouin jeep safari, Dubai city tour with Burj Khalifa access, a Dhow Dinner Cruise, 8 breakfasts and 2 dinners, all transport and transfers, and professional guiding in a maximum group of 18.
What's actually included in the price?
Included: 8 nights in 3-4 star hotels and Bedouin camp; all transport and transfers throughout Jordan; Jordan-to-Dubai airport transfers; Dubai city tour including Burj Khalifa; Dhow Dinner Cruise on Dubai Creek; 4x4 Bedouin safari in Wadi Rum; Petra guided visit; Dead Sea swim stop; 8 breakfasts and 2 dinners; services of a professional local guide throughout Jordan.
What's NOT included and how much extra should I budget?
Not included: international flights, the Amman-to-Dubai flight (book with your international tickets), Jordan entrance fees (Jordan Pass recommended), travel insurance, most lunches, drinks, personal expenses, and tips. Your guide will brief you on current entrance fee amounts and tipping suggestions at the start of the tour.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Reserve with a deposit, hold a reservation, or pay in full. The balance is due 8 weeks before departure.
How physically demanding is this tour?
Moderate. Petra is the most demanding day: the main circuit from the Siq to the Treasury is flat on sandy ground, but reaching the Monastery involves around 800 rock-cut steps up. Most people do it at their own pace. Wadi Rum is in 4x4 vehicles. The Dead Sea and Dubai days are easy. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for Petra and Jerash.
What if I'm older than the rest of the group?
Petra and Dubai is popular with older travellers. The pace is comfortable, hotels are 4-star, and you can explore Petra at your own speed. The Monastery climb is optional: the Treasury is the iconic viewpoint and requires no strenuous ascent. The Dubai section involves comfortable city touring with air-conditioned transport.
What if I have mobility issues or a medical condition?
Petra's main Siq route is sandy and mostly flat but stretches over several kilometres. The Monastery requires 800 rock-cut steps and is not suitable for those with mobility limitations (horse carriages are available within the site for an additional fee at the site). Jerash involves walking over uneven Roman paving stones. The Dead Sea beach and Dubai activities are generally accessible. Contact us before booking if you have specific concerns.
How hot does it actually get?
Jordan can be very hot in summer, particularly in Wadi Rum where midday temperatures regularly exceed 35-40 degrees Celsius. Early morning and evening are much cooler. Dubai is similarly hot in summer but with extreme humidity. Both destinations are best visited in spring and autumn for outdoor activity. The tour itinerary is designed to visit outdoor sites in cooler parts of the day.
Is Jordan safe to visit right now?
Jordan is one of the most stable and visitor-friendly countries in the Middle East, with a long history of welcoming tourists. The tourist areas on this tour, including Amman, Petra, and Wadi Rum, are well-established. Check the current UK Foreign Office or your government's official travel advice before departure.
Is it safe for women travelling solo?
Jordan is generally considered safe for solo female travellers, particularly within established tourist circuits. Modest dress is appreciated, especially outside tourist areas. The small-group format means you travel with companions and a guide throughout. Your guide will give country-specific advice at the start of the tour.
What happens if I get sick on tour?
Your guide can direct you to local medical facilities. Jordan has good hospitals in Amman, and Dubai has world-class healthcare. Travel insurance with medical cover and repatriation is compulsory on all our tours.
Will I be hassled by vendors and touts?
In Petra's main site, vendors and camel-ride touts are present but manageable. Unlike many Egyptian sites, once inside the Petra perimeter the atmosphere is relatively relaxed. Your guide will brief you on what to expect and how to decline gracefully. Jerash and Wadi Rum are generally low-pressure environments.
What's the accommodation actually like?
You stay in good 3-4 star hotels throughout Jordan with an upgrade option to 5-star at several stops. In Amman, options include the La Casa Hotel (standard) or the Landmark/Le Grand (superior upgrade). In Petra, the Edom Hotel, Amra Palace, or Petra Palace Hotel (all close to the entrance). The Rahayeb Desert Camp in Wadi Rum is a Bedouin camp in permanent goat-hair tents with private bathrooms right against the cliffs. The Dead Sea Spa Resort gives you direct beach access. In Dubai, accommodation is hotel-based.
What's the Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum like?
The Rahayeb Camp sits deep in the Wadi Rum Protected Area, against the cliffs and well away from the main road. Accommodation is in permanent traditional goat-hair tents with proper beds, bedding, and private bathrooms. There's Wi-Fi throughout the camp, and meals are traditionally cooked with an underground 'zarb' barbecue prepared most evenings. You can sleep under the stars if you bring or hire a sleeping bag. It's one of the most memorable nights of the tour.
Will I have Wi-Fi?
All hotels on this tour have Wi-Fi, including the Rahayeb Camp in Wadi Rum. Connectivity in Wadi Rum is camp-based; signal may be limited away from the camp itself.
Can I upgrade?
Yes. A superior accommodation package is available, upgrading to 5-star hotels in Amman (Landmark or Le Grand), Petra (Old Village Resort or Hyatt Zaman), and equivalent in Dubai. Select the superior option from the Dates and Prices tab when booking.
What kind of food will we eat?
Jordanian cuisine is flavourful and generous: mezes, hummus, falafel, fresh flatbread, slow-roasted lamb and chicken, and the national dish mansaf (lamb in fermented yoghurt). A street food tasting in Downtown Amman is included. At the Rahayeb Camp in Wadi Rum, the traditional zarb underground BBQ is a cultural as much as culinary experience. Dubai offers international cuisine from every corner of the world.
Can you cater for vegetarian or vegan diets?
Yes, we are delighted to cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements wherever possible! Simply let us know your dietary preferences or allergies at the time of booking so our team can notify our tour leaders, hotels, and restaurants in advance. While meal options in more remote areas may be simpler, we always do our utmost to ensure you enjoy plentiful, delicious, and authentic local food throughout your adventure with us.
Is it safe to drink the water?
Tap water in Jordan is technically treated but most travellers prefer bottled water. Bottled water is cheap and widely available. A Water-to-Go filter bottle helps reduce plastic waste. In Dubai, tap water is safe to drink.
Is this trip good for solo travellers?
Yes. Maximum 18 people and solo travellers regularly join and enjoy this tour. The mix of cultural sightseeing, outdoor activities, and the social atmosphere of the Bedouin camp creates natural camaraderie.
Do I have to share a room?
The tour is priced on twin-share. A single supplement is available. Note that in the Rahayeb Bedouin camp, en-suite single tents are available but upgrades may apply.
What's the group size and who else will be on the trip?
Maximum 18 people. The demographic mix is typically broad, covering solo travellers, couples, and small groups of friends. For groups of 2-4, an experienced English-speaking driver escorts you with specialist local site guides.
Can I book this as a private tour?
Yes. Contact us to arrange a private departure with customised accommodation, itinerary adjustments, or alternative dates.
Is this tour suitable for kids?
Jordan's combination of ruins, Bedouin camp, and desert is exciting for children who like history and outdoor adventures. Dubai's range of activities suits families well. There is no specified minimum age but the pace and content are adult-oriented. Contact us to discuss suitability for specific ages.
Do I need a visa for Jordan?
Most nationalities should purchase the Jordan Pass before arriving in Jordan. The Jordan Pass includes a single-entry Jordan visa (for stays of 3 or more nights) plus a discounted entrance fee package for all Jordan's main sites. It costs less than buying the visa and entrance fees separately. Check the Jordan Pass website (jordanpass.jo) for current details. Note: the Amman-to-Dubai flight and Dubai visa are separate arrangements.
Do I need a visa for Dubai?
Most Western nationalities receive a free visa on arrival into the UAE for up to 30 days. Requirements vary by nationality. Check current UAE visa rules on the official UAE government or embassy website for your specific passport before travel.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes for Petra and Jerash. Modest loose-fitting clothing for Jordan: covered shoulders and knees for mosque visits; shorts and T-shirts are acceptable at tourist sites. For Wadi Rum nights, bring a warm layer as desert temperatures drop sharply after sunset. Jordan uses Type C sockets at 220V. Sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses are essential. Dubai is relaxed in dress outside religious sites.
Are any vaccinations required?
No vaccinations are officially required for Jordan or the UAE. Commonly recommended vaccines include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Diphtheria. Consult your doctor or travel health clinic for personalised advice before departure.
Do I need to book international flights through you?
No. Fly to Amman (AMM, Queen Alia International Airport) and depart from Dubai. The Amman-to-Dubai flight on Day 6 is not included in the tour price and is best added to your main international ticket booking. Airport transfers are included at both ends.
What about tipping?
Tipping is part of the culture in Jordan. Suggested rates: guides around USD 8-10 per person per day, drivers around USD 3-5 per person per day, restaurants 10% or leave the change. Your guide will brief you on current expectations at the start of the tour.
Can I take a camel ride in Wadi Rum?
Sunrise and sunset camel rides are available to book locally at the Rahayeb Camp in Wadi Rum. Ask your guide or the camp hosts on arrival.
Can I do Petra by Night?
Yes. Petra by Night is an optional add-on available to book in advance or locally. The Siq is lit by candles all the way to the Treasury, where you enjoy traditional Bedouin music and tea. Bring a torch as the path is rough underfoot in places.
Can I add the Wadi Rum hot air balloon?
Yes. An early morning hot air balloon flight over Wadi Rum is available as a pre-bookable optional extra. The balloon rises at sunrise for views over the desert. Flights are subject to weather conditions, and full refund is provided if cancelled due to adverse weather.
Can I take a cooking class in Petra?
Yes. The Petra Kitchen cookery class in Wadi Musa offers a hands-on evening of preparing traditional Jordanian dishes. Spaces are limited and booking in advance is strongly recommended.
Can I add a Dubai desert safari?
Yes. An afternoon and evening desert safari outside Dubai is available as a pre-bookable optional extra, including dune bashing in a 4x4, a camel ride, and a BBQ dinner with entertainment. Book in advance to guarantee availability.
How far ahead should I book?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are peak periods and fill quickly. Booking 3-6 months in advance is recommended. Departures run on Tuesdays throughout the year.
How does booking work?
Complete the online reservation form on the Petra and Dubai tour page. Pay a deposit, make full payment, or hold a reservation. Full balance is due 8 weeks before departure.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is compulsory on all our tours. Cover must include medical expenses and emergency repatriation. World Nomads covers adventure activities including desert safaris and water activities.
What's your cancellation policy?
A sliding scale applies depending on how far ahead you cancel. Full terms are in our booking conditions. We are UK-registered and protected by Trust My Travel's insurance for financial security.
What if my dates are already sold out?
Contact us to check waitlist availability or arrange a private departure on alternative dates. Related alternatives include Jordan Express (6 days, Jordan only), Best of Jordan (7 days), and Jordan and Egypt Express for a different combination.