Petra

Completed: 450 BC

“Rose City”

Size: 264km2

Time to visit: 2 days

Ma’an Governorate, Jordan

Visitors/yr: 1.2mil
Explore the iconic Treasury at Petra, Jordan, a stunning ancient landmark carved into sandstone cliffs.

Amman

Day 0 – 12:05am
Flying to Amman

  • I was getting ready to start a new job in Thailand, but before going I wanted to visit more of the Middle East region, so I flew to Amman, Jordan via Sharjah, UAE.
  • Pro move: A 30 day visa on arrival is available in Jordan, but make sure to bring cash (approx. 56USD) as card payments are not accepted. Also be sure to pick up a Jordan Pass which gives you access to all major tourist attractions including Petra.

Day 0 – 10:45am
good morning Jordan

  • Amman is the capital city of Jordan, and is home to over 4 million residents.
  • I arrived there in the early hours of the morning, and made my way to the city.
  • My friend’s apartment had a nice balcony with a pleasant view of the neighbourhood.

Day 1 – 1:00pm
Exploring Amman

  • I decided to take a few hours to explore the city before heading south to Wadi Rum.
  • I came across this small mosque with a beautiful green dome and stone minaret.


Wadi Rum

Day 1 – 4:30pm
Making friends

  • After a 3h drive down to the southernmost region of Jordan, we arrived in Wadi Rum.
  • Meaning Valley of the Moon in Arabic, Wadi Rum is a desert stretching 278 square miles at an elevation of 1,750m.
  • It didn’t take long getting out of the car to start meeting a few of the local characters. These camels were beautiful and very friendly.

Day 1 – 4:50pm
A Horse Designed by Committee

  • The Bedouin community that resides in this region is called the Zalabieh tribe. They organise much of the tourism activities in this region.
  • I took my first camel ride across a short stretch of desert to get closer to the first camp stop.
  • The ride was comfortable as we went at a slow pace, admiring this incredible landscape.

Day 1 – 5:00pm
The Majestic Desert

  • It’s hard to convey how awe-inspiring the sight of this desert really is.
  • Vegetation is scarce, and with red-orange sand and rock as far as the eye can see under a blue cloudless sky, it’s like being on a another planet.
  • Every landscape looks ancient and majestic, like a scene from another time and place.

Day 1 – 5:20pm
Water for Camels

  • Shortly after, we arrived at the first camp. There were water troughs for the camels to rehydrate.
  • Camels can go 15 days without drinking water, earning them the name Ships of the Desert.
  • Contrary to popular belief, camels don’t store water in their humps, but instead hold fatty tissue which can be used as a source of nourishment.

Day 1 – 5:30pm
The Writing’s on the Wall

  • Exploring the area, I came across these petroglyphs or rock carvings. They are evidence of 12,000 years of occupation of this desert.
  • It is estimated that there are as many as 25,000 petroglyphs in Wadi Rum, like some sort of prehistoric outdoor library we still get to visit today.

Day 1 – 5:40pm
Life ain’t Jeep

  • It was now time to head to our next location. I hitched a ride on the roof of a jeep and wheeled away into the desert.
  • Racing through this barren and yet enchanting land was exhilarating, as this mystical orange world zoomed by.

Day 1 – 5:50pm
Hollywood’s Desert Stage

  • Soon we arrived at a massive clearing surrounded by rock formations, in what looked like a natural stage.
  • That’s why this location has been used in countless movies, including:
  • Lawrence of Arabia
  • The Martian
  • Dune parts 1 and 2
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
  • John Wick: Chapter 4
  • Aladdin (live action)

Day 1 – 5:55pm
Standing Above the World

  • I climbed to the top of a nearby dune and made my way across the natural rock formations to get a better look.
  • The sight of this desert expanse was breath-taking to behold, with vivid and otherworldly colours out to the horizon.

Day 1 – 6:00pm
Might as Well Jump

  • I’ll never know what possessed me to jump at this spot, perhaps the hyped up energy of being in this exotic place, or the vast openness making me want to spread my wings.
  • Whatever the reason, it makes for a pretty epic photo, and remains one of my favourite memories of this trek.

Day 1 – 6:05pm
A View to Remember

  • I continued scaling the nearby rock formations, enjoying the view across this immense desert landscape.

Day 1 – 6:15pm
Wadi Rum Base Camp

  • From here, we made our way to Wadi Rum base camp where we would be spending the night.
  • You can see on the top map we were right in the heart of the desert, and on the bottom zoomed in image you can see the dotted arc of the small Bedouin tents we slept in.

Day 1 – 6:20pm
Yes We Canyon

  • I decided to explore the rock formations near camp and came across Khazali Canyon, a 100m deep and narrow crack carved into the side of the sandstone.
  • You can see here the sheer scale of this geological feature. To think the millions of years it would have taken for the accumulation and solidification of sediments to form this pathway.

Day 1 – 6:25pm
A peek into the Past

  • Inside the canyon, I found more remarkably well-preserved petroglyphs etched into the cliff face. This time they were drawings of humans and ibexes.
  • It’s fun to think that the people who lived here over 10,000 years ago found a way to communicate with us through time to the present day, and we still get a glimpse into their lives.

Day 1 – 6:30pm
Mind the Gap

  • Delving deeper into the fissure, the space within was tight enough that you could easily touch both rock faces in places.

Day 1 – 6:45pm
Tea for Two

  • Here I am enjoying after-dinner Bedouin tea (typically black tea and sugar with sage, mint, or thyme) with Melodie, one of my traveling companions.

Day 1 – 7:05pm
The Sun Begins to Set on Our Camp

Day 1 – 7:15pm
A Bedouin Feast

  • We were then treated to a yummy dinner of local delicacies.
  • This included fired roasted lamb, fragrant rice, and cooked veggies. Yum!

Day 1 – 8:05pm
Desert Dusk

  • As the day drew to a close, I looked out once more at the desert.
  • As the sun sets, the colours change from red-orange hues, to lighter pinks and peach tones.
  • I stayed up with some of my fellow adventurers, sharing travel stories and favourite destinations to visit.
  • Soon it was time to retire to our tents and get some rest.

Day 2 – 10:30am
Exploring in the Morning

  • I emerged from my tent the next morning rested and refreshed.
  • After a quick breakfast with my fellow desert wanderers, I decided to do a bit more exploring before we needed to move on.
  • I came across more canyons and rock formations to venture into.

Day 2 – 12:05pm
A Bit of Rock Climbing

  • As the day was getting warmer, I adjusted my wardrobe and found a gorge with a series of rock plateaux to climb to.
  • Making it to the top was a good bit of morning exercise. I’d miss Wadi Rum, a magical ethereal world you could spend weeks exploring. I can’t recommend enough coming here at least once in your lifetime.


Aqaba, Red Sea, Dead Sea

Day 2 – 4:20pm
Seeing the (Red) Sea

  • We made it back to the entrance of the Wadi Rum Protected Area, and drove to southernmost Jordan, to its only coastal city, the port of Aqaba.
  • Heading down to the beach, I looked out at the Gulf of Aqaba, which is the northern tip of the Red Sea.

Day 2 – 4:35pm
Aqaba-dabra

  • This magical coastline is 110 miles long and home to diverse marine life, including a rich coral reef, sea turtles, and more than 500 species of fish.
  • Aqaba has played a historically important role in the region’s trade and in supporting military campaigns, including The Battle of Aqaba in 1917.

Day 2 – 7:50pm
The Dead Sea

  • After a quick visit to Aqaba, we started to head back to Amman. On the way, we stopped to look out at the Dead Sea.
  • Shielded from winds and holding no currents, the Dead Sea is actually a salt lake and its surface is tranquil.

Day 2 – 7:55pm
The Dying Sea

  • Known for its extremely high salt concentration (9.6x more salty than ocean water), it is easy to float in the Dead Sea without swimming.
  • Bordering Israel and Jordan, the shore of the Dead Sea is the lowest elevation on Earth, located at -439m below sea level. “Sea” is a bit of a misnomer, as it’s essentially a saltwater lake at the bottom of a valley.
  • Sadly, the Dead Sea is receding at an alarming rate, having lost 40% of its surface area since 1930, and dropping 1m in depth each year, mostly due to human activity and climate change.


Petra – Day 1

Day 3 – 10:55am
Settling In

  • We drove back to Amman for the night, and the next morning I made my way to Petra.
  • I stayed at the nearby Valentine Inn, which I recommend for its great location near Petra, cosy vibe, and reasonable prices.
  • Once I had dropped off my bags, it was time to head over to Petra’s park entrance.

Day 3 – 12:05pm
Entering the Park

  • After entering the park and accessing the visitor’s centre, I started to walk towards the ancient city.
  • On the way, there were already beautiful sandstone niches to admire. These are the Obelisk Tomb and Bab el-Siq Triclinium, 2 distinct structures one above the other.
  • The triclinium (lower) was a dining hall where funerary banquets were held to honour the deceased and the Gods.

Day 3 – 12:10pm
The Canyon Entrance

  • Access to Petra takes you through Al Siq, a narrow canyon winding its way 1.2km towards Petra.

Day 1 – 12:15pm
Siq and Find

  • Walking through the canyon itself is a magical experience.
  • The sand-coloured corridor snakes its way majestically, with stunning curves and outcrops all along the way.

Day 3 – 12:25pm
Let There Be Light

  • The walls are so high and narrow that beautiful shafts of light illuminate the canyon, creating natural patterns of light and shade.

Day 3 – 12:30pm
A Glimpse of Petra

  • As I got to the end of Al Siq, the opening ahead afforded a bright glimpse of the World Wonder I had come to see: The Treasury at Petra.
View of the famous Petra Treasury from the narrow Al-Siq canyon in Jordan, captured in warm daylight.

Day 3 – 12:35pm
The Treasury

  • Marking the entrance to the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, the Treasury, or Al-Khazneh, is a massive structure carved into the rose sandstone cliffs. This is why Petra is known as The Rose City.
  • Movie buffs may recognise it as the final temple where Indiana Jones finds the Holy Grail, in the 3rd instalment of the series: The Last Crusade.
  • Seeing the structure emerge from the end of the canyon really gives gravitas to the significance of this World Wonder. It’s an incredible sight!

Day 3 – 12:40pm
The Treasury (Cont’d)

  • The city of Petra was settled by the Nabataeans, a nomadic Arab people, at around 450BC.
  • It flourished as an important trading post in the region as it was close to vital trading routes, generating large amounts of wealth for this city.
  • Petra’s population peaked at around 20,000 inhabitants during the 1st century, which is likely when the Treasury was constructed.

Day 3 – 12:45pm
The Treasury (Cont’d)

  • The Treasury is 39m tall and 25m wide, carved into the mighty sandstone rock face.
  • Interestingly, the term Treasury is somewhat misleading. The structure never served an economic purpose, but is actually a tomb built for Nabataean King Aretas IV Philopatris.
  • It is believed that Bedouins popularised the term Treasury as they were told a great treasure resided within.

Day 3 – 1:00pm
A Secret Path

  • I’ll share a great secret here if you ever visit Petra. To the left of the monument is the official tourist route up, with a long line to pay to view the Treasury from above.
  • What you’re not told is that you can climb a secret pathway to the right of the Treasury that gives you the best view of this monument. There are no lines, and it’s free.

Day 3 – 1:05pm
On a Ledge

  • At the top of the route, there is an outcrop with a flat ledge from which to admire the Treasury.

Day 3 – 1:10pm
The World Wonder

  • Sitting on that ledge, high above the world, looking down at the iconic Treasury structure of Petra was thrilling.
  • Memories of this view remain one of the highlights of my time in Jordan. The massive rose coloured mausoleum etched into the cliff face really is a stunning sight.

Day 3 – 2:00pm
A City to Visit

  • Heading back down to the base of the structure, it was time to move past the Treasury, and begin exploring the city of Petra itself.

Day 3 – 2:15pm
A Walk Through History

  • Soon I came to a clearing with a beautiful view of the valley below, where you can already make out structures everywhere in the sandstone.
  • This is known as The Street of Facades, which leads into the main centre of the city, and consists of 40 tombs and homes carved into the rock.
  • It’s humbling to think that I’m now walking in the footsteps of the people who lived here thousands of years ago. Time to dive in!

Day 3 – 2:25pm
The First Climb

  • Exploring Petra, you can take a number of different paths to see various parts of the city.
  • I decided to start with a steep trek upwards towards The High Place of Sacrifice, where you can get a great view of the valley and the surrounding desert.

Day 3 – 2:30pm
Meeting the G.O.A.T.

  • All over the site you run into these quizzical goats, climbing rocks and navigating the cliffs.
  • Goats have exceptional balance, and this agility allows them to access places most other animals cannot.

Day 3 – 2:45pm
The High Place of Sacrifice

  • As I made it to the summit, the view of the valley below was spectacular.
  • In this area, you get to see drains carved into the rock floor used to collect the blood of animals sacrificed to the Gods.

Day 3 – 2:50pm
A Jumping Habit

  • Fresh from my jumping pic from Wadi Rum 2 days before, I couldn’t help but renew my efforts and attempt another one here in Petra.
  • Silly as it is, it’s undeniably a whole heap of fun! 😀

Day 3 – 3:10pm
The City Below

  • Making my way to the other side of the upper area, I was rewarded with yet another breath-taking view of the city of Petra below.
  • You can really see all the structures etched into the rock below, so well preserved today for us to admire amidst the sheer geological scale of this location.

Day 3 – 3:30pm
Adopting Local Fashion

  • The heat on this exposed plateau was extreme, so I sought the shade in a nearby hut selling water.
  • After purchasing some refreshment, the vendor kindly offered to fashion my scarf into this head wrap to protect my head and neck from the sun. Looking good!
Explore the ancient carved facade at Petra's Tomb of the Soldier, Jordan's iconic archaeological site.

Day 3 – 4:00pm
Tomb of the Armours

  • A footpath made its way down the other side of the cliff face to continue my journey through a valley known as Wadi Farasa.
  • On the way I passed a number of tombs including this one: Tomb 649, or The Tomb of the Armours.
  • It takes its name from the 3 armours carved into the rock above the entrance. They include breastplates, shields, and axes.

Day 3 – 5:30pm
The Monastery

  • As the path continued on, it was now time to make my way to the Ad-Deir Trail, a 2 mile uphill path to an elevated area northwest of the Petra city centre.
  • Given the heat and incline, this hike can be challenging and takes about 1h 15min.
  • At the summit, I was greeted by The Monastery, a massive 48m high and 47m wide structure. You can really see how tiny I am compared to it – did you spot me? 😎

Day 3 – 5:35pm
The Monastery (Cont’d)

  • Built in the early 2nd century, this building was likely used for religious gatherings, and for the performance of sacred rituals.
  • Later this hall was converted to a Christian chapel, with crosses carved into the rear wall. This is how the Monastery got its name.
  • It was now time to head all the way back down the trail and return to my hotel for the evening. Tomorrow, I would return to explore new corners of the city.


Petra – Day 2

Day 4 – 11:50am
Returning to the City

  • The next day, having already explored the more out-of-the-way sections of Petra, I decided to spend more time in the main centre of the city, and take a closer look at the structures there.
  • So I made my way through the Siq once more, past the Treasury, and took the path down towards The Street of Facades.
Explore the breathtaking sandstone formations of the Siq in Petra, Jordan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore the iconic carved facade in Petra, a testament to ancient artistry in Jordan's stunning landscapes.

Day 4 – 12:20pm
A Closer Look at the Facades

  • You may remember the wide pic from yesterday looking down at the Street of Facades from above. This is one of the tombs among those facades.
  • This tomb is more simple, with less lavish adornments compared to some of the other structures, and would have been the final resting place of a non-Royal.
  • Nevertheless, it’s still an imposing structure, and its features while weathered are still remarkably well preserved.

Day 4 – 12:40pm
The Theatre

  • Continuing my journey down the street, I got to see this large amphitheatre. This is where large outdoor gatherings in the city would have taken place.
  • The proximity of the tombs to the Theatre tells us that Nabataeans chose to conduct their affairs in the presence of the Dead, providing an interesting insight into their sense of community.
Stunning view of the Nabatean amphitheater carved into rock in Petra, Jordan.
Traveler stands before Petra's ancient facade beneath the Jordanian flag.

Day 4 – 1:00pm
The Urn Tomb

  • Opposite the Theatre, we find The Urn Tomb, the first of the Royal Tombs, shown here with a beautiful Jordanian flag.
  • You can see the two levels, below a series of arched corridors, and above what is thought to be the tomb of Nabataean King Malchus II.

Day 4 – 1:10pm
The Urn Tomb (Cont’d)

  • I climbed the rock path to take a closer look at the upper section of The Urn Tomb, so called due to the large urn you can just about make out here at the top of the picture.

Day 4 – 1:20pm
The Urn Tomb (Cont’d)

  • Inside the tomb is a 19mx17m space, where you can see Greek inscriptions added later, indicating this space was also converted to a church around 446AD.
  • Here I am in the doorway, with a nice view of the tomb’s surroundings in the city beyond.

Day 4 – 1:30pm
The Silk Tomb

  • Next to the Urn Tomb, we find another Royal tomb, known as the Silk Tomb due to the complex and layered colouring of its sandstone.
  • At 19m high, it is the smallest of the Royal tombs, and would have served as the final resting place for a wealthy citizen, possibly a member of the royal family.
Explore the intricate rock-cut architecture of Petra, showcasing historic carvings and eroded sandstone.

Day 4 – 1:45pm
The Palace Tomb

  • A little further down, we come to the Palace Tomb, which at 46m in height is the tallest of the Royal tombs.
  • The interior is large enough that it was likely used for banquets and funerary ceremonies.

Day 4 – 2:00pm
The Tomb of Sextus Florentinus

  • Continuing along the path, I soon arrived at the tomb of Sextus Florentinus, which, as the name suggests, was built later after the Roman annexation of Petra.
  • It is named for the Roman Governor of the Province of Arabia, and was built by his son.
  • The facade incorporates both Nabataean and Roman elements, including a fertility goddess and an eagle.
Majestic ancient rock temple facade in Petra, showcasing architectural splendor.

Day 4 – 2:15pm
The Byzantine Church

  • I now walked to another part of the city, known as the Colonnaded Street, which is home to a number of important structures, including the Byzantine Church.
  • What makes this structure special is while most of the other building interiors are little more than worn grottos, the floors of the Byzantine church are well-preserved mosaics, dating back to the 6th century under Roman rule.

Day 4 – 2:35pm
The Great Temple

  • Looking back to the opposite side of the Colonnaded Street, you get the beautiful sweeping view of the Great Temple and its surroundings.
  • You can see what’s left of some of the columns that give the street its name, and the large complex they supported. It would have served as the main temple for religious gatherings.


The Adventure Draws to a Close

Explore the stunning natural sandstone gorge in Wadi Musa, near Petra, Jordan.

Day 4 – 3:00pm
Heading Back

  • It was now time to head back. I walked back through the city to the Siq, that magical time portal that takes you from ancient Petra back to the present day.
  • I made my way back to the hotel, picked up my things, and took a taxi to the airport.

Day 4 – 8:30pm
A History Visited

  • What an incredible experience! As we flew above the clouds, I reflected on everything I had seen in these short days – Amman, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, the Red & Dead Seas, Petra.
  • What made visiting these sites special for me was their place as living museums we still get to visit today.
  • Seeing the petroglyphs in Wadi Rum or the tombs in Petra is more than just a touristic excursion, it’s a walk through history and an opportunity to connect with our past.
  • This remains one of my favourite World Wonder visits to date, and I can’t recommend enough coming to see it all for yourself.

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