How long is the walk into Petra?

The entrance into Petra is in the town Wadi Musa, a great place to stay overnight when visiting Petra. The walk from the entrance of Petra to the Treasury (the iconic facade that is the highlight on a visit to Petra), is 2km long, or just over one mile.



The iconic walk into the ancient city of Petra primarily follows the Siq, a dramatic, narrow gorge that serves as the main entrance to the archaeological site. From the main Visitor Center to the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), the walk is approximately 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) in total. The Siq itself makes up about 1.2 kilometers of this journey. For an average walker, this takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes each way, depending on how often you stop to admire the towering sandstone cliffs that rise up to 80 meters high. The path is relatively flat and paved with smooth stones and gravel, but the desert heat can make it feel more taxing. If you continue beyond the Treasury to the Monastery (Ad Deir), be prepared for a much more strenuous hike involving over 800 hand-carved stone steps, which adds another hour or more to your journey. Most visitors spend a full day walking, covering 10–15 kilometers as they explore the vast "Rose City."

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Distance and Difficulty: The Petra Main Trail is 8km / 5 miles return from the Visitors Centre. Easy walk, largely flat. Allow 3 – 4 hours return, including time to see the sites along the way.

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I found out the hard way that climbing 800 rock steps is a just little more challenging than walking up the entire face of a mountain. The approximately 45-minute climb up to the Petra Monastery was very difficult, and I even had to stop a couple of times to rest.

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You can totally visit Petra by yourself—we did! If you're visiting several areas in Jordan, a tour guide and driver may simplify things, but it's certainly not a requirement.

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Camel Ride in Wadi Rum & Petra is optional for 15 JD / $ 21 USD per camel per hour. You don't need to book it in advance and can be arranged upon arrival to Petra or Wadi Rum.

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While there is certainly enough to occupy yourself for five or more days, two to three days is sufficient to visit all of the highlights in and around the park. One day--or worse yet a morning or afternoon--is likely to bring some disappointment to those who have traveled a great distance.

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The easiest way to get to Petra is to join a guided tour. This option is much more expensive, but it's the most convenient one. You let someone else do all the planning and you sit back and enjoy your day. There are tour packages available from Amman and Aqaba in Jordan, or Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eilat in Israel.

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The trail for the Little Petra to Petra Walk starts at the left of the car park, behind the souvenir shops (it really isn't obvious!). From here the track goes out into the desert following jeep tracks, and you pass by Bedouin tents, goats, camels and the occasional stray dog that loved menacingly barking at us.

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There isn't a strict Petra dress code as such. It's the biggest tourist attraction in Jordan, so people pretty much wear what they like when they visit Petra, However, bear in mind that the site of Petra is huge, so be prepared to do a lot of walking.

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The best time to see Petra is in the early morning or late afternoon, so plan for an early start, or arrive the evening before to stay in one of the comfortable hotels in Petra.

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Our Petra & Wadi Rum Day Trip gives travelers staying in Amman and the Dead Sea the opportunity to see the wondrous sites of Jordan all in one day. This adventure will take you to two of the world's most impressive and unforgettable sites.

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Wadi Musa – translated to the Valley of Moses – is a town that is set within a valley that surrounds the ancient city of Petra. With a large number of hotels and plenty of local restaurants to match, in recent years Wadi Musa has seen a tourism boom with visitors choosing to use the town as a base to explore Petra.

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Petra is said to contain 800 carved tombs, but 80 percent of the original carvings are thought to be lost. Today only about 15 percent of the city has been uncovered, and the vast majority still lays hidden and untouched.

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You will pay for your tour with a credit card when booking. Payment of visa fees, border fees, and tips must be in cash. You may bring cash and/or credit cards with you for personal needs on your trip.

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