score:3
There are several tour operators, e.g.:
This one will even organize travel to Eilat (various options) and hotel in Eilat. It's only one day in Petra, though: http://www.tourplanisrael.com/?CategoryID=226&ArticleID=1069
This one has two days in Petra, and the tour leaves avbout the same time as the JETT bus to Abdali bus station in Amman: http://www.petrafromisrael.com/item/petra-tour-2-days-from-eilat
JETT leaves at 16:00. (I remember reading that there might be a different summer timetable, leaving at 17:00.) http://www.jett.com.jo/SubPage.aspx?PageId=230
Organized tours usually bring their own guide, in addition to a local guide.
Petra is rather large, I recommend staying two days. We did the main attractions in the valley and the sacrifice place on day one and the Monastery and further exploring on day two. If you stay for two days, make sure you get a two-day ticket, it is much cheaper than two one-day tickets. If you buy the ticket yourself: there is a rebate if show your hotel reservation.
EDIT:
The general Abdali bus station is now closed. There is one daily JETT bus from JETT's offices in Abdali to Petra. - http://wikitravel.org/en/Amman
Upvote:1
The shortest route from Jerusalem to Amman is via the Allenby or King Hussein bridge. If you need a visa to enter Jordan, you won't get it there. Moreover, it is for pedestrians only. I think that's the kind of hassle you want to avoid.
As an alternative, there is a bus from Nazareth to Amman. This bus uses the Jordan River crossing / Sheik Hussein bridge. You will get a visa there. The ride takes 5 hours. Thus you could do it on your own (and perhaps visit Nazareth along the way).
Unfortunately it is difficult to find out the schedules. The bus is operated by a conpany called "Nazarene Tours". They have a website where you can find a phone number and an e-mail adress. Just contact them to arrange your trip. Note that they also have "canned" tours from Israel to Jordan.
=> www.nazarene-tours.com
Also note that the real rip-off in this trip are the border crossing fees. A couple of years ago I paid the equivalent of some 20 EUR to leave Israel and another 40 something EUR to enter Jordan. The bus trip cost approximately 15 EUR as far as I can remember.