Later in the day, the rocks will change to a brown or bright orange color in direct sunlight , and this looks a lot different. There are three different upper viewpoints where you can look down at the Treasury from the rocks above. All of these are fantastic, but they require a little bit of explanation to find. This is a well preserved tomb, and one of the biggest carvings on the eastern side of the Street of Facades. This is a Roman-style theater that was built in the 1st century AD.
This is a series of tombs on the right side of the Street of Facades. The style looks similar to the Treasury, but these buildings are unfinished and not as nice. If you follow the trail that goes around the backside of these tombs, you can go see the Treasury and other parts of Petra from above.
This was a paved street that in old times probably served as a market lined with shops and sellers. The gate and some of the columns are still standing. Joining the Colonnaded Street, these are the ruins of a big temple in what used to be the city center of Petra. There are great views of the mountains in the distance, so definitely make a quick stop here, at least.
The monastery is one of the most underrated parts of Petra. If you go straight for the Monastery first thing in the morning, you may even have it to yourself for hours. This is a panoramic viewpoint above Petra where religious sacrifices of animals and incense were offered. Rocky Mountain is a 20 minute walk to Petra , or you can use the hotel's daily shuttle service. Jane, the hotel owner lady, was kind enough to drive me to Petra herself and pick me up later.
She's a New Zealander and obviously works very hard. The hotel also helped me arrange my Wadi Rum jeep tour from Petra. All in all, it was just what I needed, and the staff were very helpful with arranging transfers, meals, and other things. Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal. This is a night show where the Treasury of Petra is lit up by 1, candles and some songs are played. Now, as a travel blogger and semi-serious photographer, I kind of kick myself for not doing it.
I wish the Jordanian tourism authorities would take some lessons from the folks who made the outstanding night show at Abu Simbel in Egypt. Kids under 10 go free.
More info can be found at the official Jordanian tourism website. Nowhere in the world is completely safe, but Jordan is a stable country that gets millions of tourists per year. Although not as elaborate as other Petra tombs, this smaller one is still very colourful. Carved in around AD, the tomb is named after its minimalist, symmetrical, design. Here you can see evidence of old tombs, which were later removed to make way for more seats. Although the Nabataeans built the original theatre, the Romans later added a stage wall, which was levelled by a massive earthquake in AD.
The urn carving that sits on top of the pediment suggests this is the burial spot of a Nabataean king or even King Aretus IV. During construction, the cliff wasn't high enough, so engineers pre-assembled the top from stone. This ancient stage and courtyard would have been a backdrop for state or royal funerals. The curved Roman paving was designed to repel flood water and carry wheeled vehicles. The Juniper tree shading this ancient stone fountain is thought to be years old.
Archeologists have yet to excavate outside the street area. Who knows what's under here. Two thousands years on, the plaster on this wall still retains its original colour. Excavations around the site show evidence of a large swimming pool and lavish gardens. To help the building withstand earthquakes, shock-absorbing juniper wood was placed between the bricks. The elaborate masonry work suggest this was once a very important building.
Originally it would have stood 23m high, with marble stairways and a platform for worshipping on. Although built to worship the god Dushara, Christian crosses have since been carved into the walls. While it might look similar to The Treasury, its carvings are much less intricate. Historians think the fresco in here was probably created to honour the Greek god, Dionysus.
It took three years to clean the paintings. Some are detailed enough to identify specific plant species. At one time, the cave would have been a biclinium—a dining area for two people. Even here in the desert, Nabataean wash basins were fed by local water channels. Remains of small homes and cave dwellings are still visible today.
Siq al Barid means 'cold canyon', due to its high walls and shady orientation. Nabataean number crunching Carved tombs Theatre seats 8, Population , k. Nabataean kingdom Their empire covered southern Jordan and stretched as far east as the Sinai Desert. Irrigation The Nabataeans were masters of storing and moving water to and around their city. Theatre What's especially amazing about Petra's grand amphitheatre is it was carved entirely from the rock face, unlike conventional Roman theatres which were made with individual bricks.
Qasr al-Bint Translated from Arabic, its name means "The palace of the girl", as locals once believed this building belonged to a daughter of the Pharaohs. Monastery It'll take an hour's climb and steps to reach here, but the views across the city are worth it. Underground tombs Recent excavations of The Treasury showed the path used to be several metres lower.
Caves The Nabataeans didn't just carve tombs and temples from the rock. The Treasury Years ago, a kind of urban myth came about that The Treasury once stored the city's riches.
High Place of Sacrifice Historians can't quite agree what was sacrificed here on these altars. Royal tombs The views here are as beautiful as the tombs themselves.
Preserving Petra Over 2, tourists pass through Petra each day—and every time they climb a winding staircase or touch a sandstone wall, a tiny piece of the city disappears forever. But check out the reviews on tripadvisor, opinions vary greatly. Personally I was too tired and did not want to be in a big crowd.
Remember that it means walking the whole Siq both ways once again! The most useful advice I have read though is: when it is finished and everyone is leaving just wait a bit, let the crowd move along and then you will be able to enjoy the walk quietly almost to yourself.
To finish I would like to share some link to other blogs that I found useful myself when I was planning my trip to Petra:. Thanks for including my post about Petra here. This is quite a comprehensive resource — great job! Hope you enjoy your time in Jordan! Hi Susan. You are the first one the comment on my blog. Your post on Petra was the one which really convinced me to get there at opening and it was so worth it.
Therefore I wanted other people to get a chance to read it! Comprehensive yet concise, exactly the information I needed for our family trip in October. Thank you for your time and effort for putting all these here. If I only have 1 day, what would you suggest? I was thinking of doing everything on your map not hike up The Monastery but adding a hike up High Place of Sacrifice and return the way I came.
Thanks you for your comment Christina. I am glad you are enjoying my posts. You can really do a lot in one day but it really depends on your level of fitness. I did not hike the classical way up to the high place of sacrifice as I arrived via the Madras trail but there are also stairs.
It also depends at what time you start… I would recommend you do the Siq, the Treasury and the lower road. And then you can decide based on your state. With all the info you have now you can decide on the spot. If you choose the high place of sacrifice I would recommend going back down via Wadi Farasa as you will see a lot more than through the stairs. There are plenty of tombs, the scenery is narrower and there are o lot less tourists which I loved.
Enjoy your trip! You are right, I did this part with a guide. From memory most of it is easy to follow with steps and a path. Maybe once you are at the bottom this is where it is less obvious but you just have to remember the map and go to your right without starting climbing… and you will be fine. And at the top, to find the beginning of the path, you can just ask one of the person selling souvenirs.
Anyway you will not be alone in the middle of nowhere. People take this path and there are women selling jewelry along the way. Just wanted to thank you as well for the notes and the map — we are planning to visit Petra in about two months and your blog is a great resource.
I live in Pakistan, back in once I was 4 years old I used to live with my family in Jordan. My father was a military doctor in Pakistan Army. He was posted in Jordan on deputation, during summers of in the month of June I along with my family visited Petra and its surrounding tombs, I still have a glimpse of these in my mind but my father took lots of pictures which reminds me being there.
Now in Jan of I myself being a retired military officer still cherish those childhood memories that I also have visited this great site some 44 years ago. Your article is comprehensive and very detailed.
Most beautiful thing is this that my present-day wife was also with me there and at that time she was just 2 years old. You can say we both met each other in Petra for the first time in our lives. We have three children and my eldest daughter in now almost completing her university degree. Time passes in a flash. Hi As you can see on the map letters T. There are toilets near the ticket office, at the entrance of the Siq, on the lower road where shops and restaurants are and at the museum.
However none of the higher locations have toilets. Is walking through Petra really do-able? I have seen 87 years young people with extremely different level of ability. It is quite a lot of walking. You could pay for a carriage through the Siq to the Treasury and back to be in better condition to enjoy the main monuments of the lower road. Plus the time to get luggage and early waiting for flight etc. Ends up being similar time. Thanks for your descriptions and the map of Petra.
We are going next year and we have a travel agent helping us to book the trip. We are requesting a mule or animal to get to Petra, it looks like the walk is not that bad. I am concerned about the steps to the Monastery. Mostly, my concern is the way down.
It does not make sense to me that they actually ride mules down the steps, does that occur? I am especially appreciative of your comments on how they treat the animals. I am a big animal advocate and own a horse ranch, so …civil respectful treatment does not sound like what happens there. There are four of us going and although older, all in good physical condition. Do you recommend that we climb to see the Monastery, or should we do other outings and hikes around the Petra area?
Please respond to my email address. Thanks very much. It also depends on what time of the year you are traveling and how the weather is that day. There is no shade, so you would do much less on a very hot day.
I recommend you plan on walking the main path down with the many sights and once you are at the bottom of the stairs for the monastery, you consider how you feel and look at the mules to see if they look well treated. This way you can take a better decision. You just have to discuss the price with the people at the bottom. I wish you wonderful travels. Your email address will not be published. Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guide. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Share 0. Tweet 0. Pin 0. Further in the article you can see pictures of the main sites. Here are links to other Petra Maps for you to get a better feel of what it looks like: Simplified Map of Petra by On the Luce A copy of the map provided to Petra visitors.
Petra Location. Jerusalem to Petra - 6 hours Eilat to Petra - 2h. Petra Tours.
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