Is Petra walkable?

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.



Yes, Petra is walkable, but it is an extremely physically demanding site that requires a high level of fitness. The main trail from the Visitor Center to the Treasury is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of relatively flat, sandy ground through the Siq. However, to see the "highlights" like the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, and the famous Monastery (Ad Deir), you will likely walk over 10 to 15 kilometers (6 to 9 miles) in a single day. The climb to the Monastery alone involves over 800 rock-cut steps. In 2026, the site remains rugged with uneven stones and steep inclines. For those with limited mobility, electric golf carts are available to transport guests from the entrance to the Treasury for a fee (approx. 15–25 JOD). While donkeys and camels are offered by local Bedouins for the steeper climbs, animal welfare organizations strongly discourage their use. If you plan to walk, wearing sturdy hiking boots and bringing at least 2 liters of water is essential. Most visitors find that 2 or 3 days are needed to explore the site fully without complete physical exhaustion.

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People with physical disability can certainly visit, but will mainly be confined to the valley floor as most of the higher places are not accessible to those with limited physical abilities. Deep sand in some areas will render mobility devices useless.

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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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Petra is a lot of work: walking, walking, more walking, and climbing stairs. Unless you ride donkeys and camels, in which case it's still a lot of work, only the kind that earns you the money to pay for all of it. Petra: worth it. C'mon, it's one of the wonders of the world, at least by popular vote.

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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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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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Monday and Tuesday tend to be the quietest days as many people arrive in Amman on the weekend, then stay a few days in the north and then come to Petra. So usually Wednesday and Thursdays are the busiest weekdays.

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However, because Petra is a ruin site, make sure you're wearing something practical as there is a lot of walking.
  • Comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sneakers.
  • Lightweight and breathable clothing, such as shorts or lightweight pants.
  • T-shirts or collared shirts.
  • Hat or cap to protect from the sun.
  • Sunglasses.


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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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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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Generally, the best time to visit Jordan is during spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). The weather is more temperate which means you can explore iconic sites like Petra or the Wadi Rum without getting scorched by the sun.

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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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Part of the reason that camping in Wadi Rum is so affordable during the initial booking process is that the guides running the camps make a good chunk of their money selling Jeep tours and camel rides. This is simply part of the process, and nothing to be worried about at all–but it helps to know what to expect.

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Wadi Rum is also about a day's worth of touring, and because of the desert heat it is better to be able to get an early start. An itinerary I would recommend is (3 nights): Arrive in Jordan and go straight to Petra, spend the night in Petra. Spend a full day exploring Petra, spend the night in Petra.

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But there are little two-passenger buggies. That leaves two hours in the valley at Petra which should belenty. Both Petra and Wadi Rum are very worthwhile, but Petra much more so than Wadi Rum.

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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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One of the main monuments of Petra is the Monastery. After discovering the Siq, the Treasury and the Lower Street of Petra, if you are not too tired and hot, you can climb the 850 steps up to discover it.

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