Petra, the ancient city carved out of red sandstone rocks, is Jordan’s most famous tourist attraction and a national treasure. It was the home of the Nabataeans, an Arab people who excelled in culture, architecture and engineering more than 2,000 years ago. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World for its impressive dams and water channels and its monumental buildings. Petra was a hub for trade and commerce, where caravans carrying exotic goods like incense, silks and spices would stop and rest.
Petra Trails
Al-Siq to Treasury Trail (Main trail)
This is the most popular trail in Petra. It starts at the visitor center and leads you through The Siq to The Treasury. Many tourists stop there, but the trail goes on. You can continue and visit the Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street and Qasr Al-Bint (The Girl’s Palace).
Al-Khubtha Trail
This trail begins at the Visitors’ Center and leads you through the Siq to the ancient city of Petra. You will see the ‘street of facades’ and a theater carved from the rock. Then you will visit the ‘royal tombs’, which are the Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb and Palace Tomb. Finally, you will climb to Al-Khubtha High Place and Cistern for a stunning view. It takes about 4 -5 hours to finish this trail.
Ad-deir Main Trail
This trail starts from the museum inside Petra, next to The Basin restaurant. It is at the end of the Main Trail. You will go up ancient steps and see the Lion Triclinium on the left. It is in a small side valley. Then you will go up more steps to a hermitage with rock chambers and carved crosses. You will keep going up until you reach Ad Deir. It is a short walk from there and has a great view of the area.
Ad-deir Back Route
This trail is a different way to get to Ad-Deir, or the Monastery. It starts at Kharrubat al-Fajja, 50 meters west of the main road to Beidha, and ends at Ad-Deir. The trail is easy at first and you can see the beautiful landscape and the mountains over Wadi Araba. You will also pass by some farms. You can use donkeys for part of the trail, from the start to the steps that go up to Ad-Deir and back.
Ad-deir to Kharubat al-Fajjah Trail
This trail starts like the Main Trail, until you reach Qasr Al-Bint. Then you go up ancient steps to the Monastery, passing the Lion Triclinium on the way. You will see Ad-Deir and then go to the view point. You will continue to Umm Sysaban, where there is an old walled settlement. The trail ends at Kharrubat al-Fajjah, near the main road to Beidha. You will need a car or bus to go back to the visitor center. Duration: 7-8 hours.
Beidha – The First Trail
This trail starts at Umm Qussa and ends at Slaysel. It is 40 meters west of the main road to Beidha. The trail is easy at first and you will see Bir al-Arayis, an ancient Nabataean water cistern. Then you will go to Siq al-Barid and see a beautiful mural painting in Petra. You will also visit the Neolithic Village of Beidha. Then you will walk through Wadi Slaysel until you reach Slaysel. There you will have a wonderful view of Wadi Araba. Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
Beidha – The Second Trail
Start your journey at the ancient Neolithic Village of Beidha, near the impressive Siq Al-Barid, the largest Nabataean site in the area. You can find toilets, parking, and refreshments here. From Siq Umm al-‘Alda, you can drive or take a bus to the trailhead and then walk for 30 minutes to reach the Baja Neolithic site, where you can admire the stunning rock formations. Return to Siq Umm al-‘Alda by the same path and drive for 15 minutes to Shkarat Msaied, another fascinating Nabataean site. Along the way, enjoy the scenic views of the mountains covered with juniper, oak, and wild pistachio trees. You will also see the ancient caravan route that linked Petra with Gaza and other destinations, passing through Wadi Araba and Bir Madhkur. This route was used by the Nabataeans, Romans, Byzantines, and Muslims for trade and travel. Today, it connects Petra with Wadi Feynan, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba. Estimated time: 4 – 4.5 hours. Difficulty Moderate.
Things to do in Petra
Petra Museum
You can find this museum on the main tourist street, just a three-minute walk from Petra’s main gate. It is open every day of the year from 8:30am to 7:30pm.
The museum displays 280 artifacts from different periods. The five halls tell you about Petra’s history and the nabateans’ culture and civilization.
Petra Kitchen – Cooking Lessons
At The Petra Kitchen, you can enjoy more than just a meal. You can join the nightly cooking classes and dinners, where you can learn how to make authentic local dishes with the help of local chefs. You can use fresh local ingredients to create a typical family menu, and discover the history and culture of Petra through its cuisine. You can also share your recipes and flavors with your friends and family when you go back home. If you want to learn more, you can join the multi-night cuisine course, where you can visit the local markets and see how the food is sourced and prepared, from the farm to the table.
Website: petrakitchen.com
Henna Fantasia Show
Join the Henna Fantasia, a daily show of traditional folklore dances in Petra, held at the Grand Hall of the Old Village Resort. Watch the Henna men and women perform different dances, each with its own distinctive costumes and accessories. You will feel like you are part of the old traditions and culture. You will also have a chance to show off your own dancing skills at the end of the show. Website: http://www.hennafantasia.com/
Petra by night
Petra is amazing by day, but magical by night! Imagine walking through the Siq, guided by the flickering light of 1,800 candles, to see the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) illuminated by more candles and hear the haunting Bedouin music. This is an experience you will never forget! The tours are on every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 8.30pm to 10.00pm. Make sure you arrive early enough to walk through the Siq - you don’t want to miss any moment of this show!