Petra: The Rose-Red City
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Port
Aqaba (for Petra), Jordan
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$299
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 9 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Experience Petra, the mysterious, lost Rose-Red City of the Nabataeans. Petra is a two-hour drive from Aqaba and lies isolated in a valley that was long forbidden to visitors. It is so cleverly concealed by the craggy encircling mountains that it was once 'lost' for a thousand years. From this natural fortress, the Nabataeans commanded trade from Arabia and the East, growing more prosperous and more powerful year by year until they were finally conquered by the Romans in AD 106.
Your tour of Petra begins with a walk into the city through a narrow gorge called the Siq. This stunning natural canyon winds through the towering rock towards the city. As your guide takes you through the Siq, you will see remains of water channels, carvings, and representations of Nabataean gods. The narrow passage is an adventure in itself, for the towering walls create an artificial gloom until you suddenly emerge into the blinding light, and there before you is the Treasury -- your first glimpse of the Rose Red City. The Treasury is the most famous and outstanding of Petra's monuments. Local legend held that treasure was hidden in the urn at the top of the portal -- the bullet marks you can see are evidence of treasure seekers' attempts to find it.
Your guide will lead you down the outer Siq, passing the street of the façades before the fine Greek Theater comes into view. It is now believed that the Nabataeans carved out this theatre in the 2nd century BC. It seats around 3,000 spectators. As you approach the central colonnade, you'll pass a series of fascinating tombs. The Royal Tombs are carved into the face of Jebel Khubtha and consist of the Urn Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb and the three-story Palace Tomb. Leading west is the main street of Petra, which once boasted numerous stately columns along its route. At the end of the street, to the left of the path, is the partly restored Qasr Al Bint. This is the only freestanding structure in Petra and is considered the principal place of worship in the Nabataean city. Mountains surround this extraordinary place, and Bedouin families still inhabit the surrounding areas. Petra is a unique and stunning place -- this is a day you will never forget.
Lunch is included and will be served buffet-style at a five-star restaurant in the upper area of Wadi Musa.
Notes:
There is a strenuous walk into and out of the Petra site along an inclined path that includes slippery and unpaved surfaces, suitably only for physically fit participants. It is approximately a half-mile walk (each way) from the entrance to the site to the beginning of the Siq (canyon). From there, participants must walk five to six miles (each way) through the canyon to the ruins. Temperatures are high -- easily 105° at Petra. Please realistically assess your physical fitness and ability before booking, as the walking is uphill and over unpaved, rough walking tracks with steps. Shade is limited; please dress accordingly. Bring a hat and wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water. While a limited number of golf carts, camels and donkeys are available at Petra for transportation (at your own expense and responsibility), they are strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, and their use is in no way encouraged as they are not insured. If you choose to take the golf cart, you do so at your own risk, and there will be no narration during the bumpy ride that ends at the Treasury building. Your golf cart driver will schedule a meeting time with you in front of the Treasury Building for the return ride. Expect delays; 20 minutes late is not considered late in Jordan. Guests wishing to arrange for a golf cart ride must do so at the visitors center before entering the site. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair. Even if you engage a carriage or service animal, you must still travel on foot over uneven and inclined terrain to completely view the site. No guest is obliged to stay with the guided tour; guests who feel they cannot continue (taking into consideration the return walk) can leave the group and return to the entrance on their own.