"Petra : the city of the caravans" Top 5 Page for this destination Petra by TheWanderingCamel

Petra Travel Guide: 1,067 reviews and 2,343 photos

STOP PRESS

Petra is, and will always be, one of the world's most stunning places to visit. The walk through the twisting narrow confines of the Siq - the high rock-walled passage that leads to the site - and the first glimpse of the facade of the Treasury - a tomb carved out of the living rock - is unforgettable and a highlight of any journey through the Middle East. Despite the distance, perceived (wrongly) perceptions of risk in travelling to Jordan and the cost - Jordan is not a particualrly cheap country in which to travel - 800,000 people made the journey in 2008 and numbers are growing all the time. Petra was always the most expensive place to visit in Jordan with entry fees set far, far higher than any other site in the country - well, it has just become a whole lot more expensive!

As of January 1 2010, tourist categories and entry fees for Petra are as follows:

REGULAR TOURISTS – ie those who stay overnight in Jordan – 33 JD (£29/$47) admission for one day, JD38 (£33/$54) for two days, JD43 (£37/$61) for three or more days.

From 1st November 2010 THOSE PRICES WILL RISE TO JD50 (£43/$71), JD55 (£48/$78) and JD60 (£52/$85).

DAY VISITORS - ie tourists who do not stay overnight in Jordan - must pay JD40 (£35/$56) until until the end of February. The charges will then increase to JD60 (£52/$85) from March till October. Come November they will sky rocket to JD90 (£78/$127) per person. THIS IS FOR A ONE DAY VISIT!!!

Independent travellers who want to hire a guide must do so through the official Visitor's Centre at an additional charge of 20 JD for a basic tour through the main sights (2.5 hours) or 50 JD for a full-day tour. As if all this was not enough, EVERYBODY who enters Petra as a tourist will have to pay a COMPULSORY surcharge 7JD covering the cost of a guide and a horse-ride for the short (700 metre) stretch between the Visitor's Centre and the entry to the Siq, regardless of whether they use those services or not. Horses cannot be ridden beyond this point.

You can read more about this change here

Petra : the rediscovery

The valley of Petra

Among the early visitors to Petra was David Roberts, the Scottish painter, who came here in March 1839.

he wrote : "I am more and more astonished and bewildered with this extraordinary city, which must be 5 or 6 miles each way in extent; and every ravine has been inhabited, even to the tops of the mountain. The style of the architecture varies from all that I have ever seen... and I have often thrown my pencil away in despair of ever being able to convey any idea of this extraordinary place..

The valley has been filled with temples, public buildings, triumphal arches and bridges, all of which have been laid prostrate, with the exception of one arch and one temple, and of this temple the portico has fallen. The stream still flows through it as heretofore; the shrubs and wildflowers flourish luxuriantly; every crevice of the rock is filled with them, and the air is perfumed with the most delicious fragrance."

Most people would wish to have seen Petra in such circumstances!

The Royal Tombs of Petra seen from the Paved Road - Petra

The Royal Tombs of Petra from the Paved Road- lulu

These reviews and photos of Petra were posted here by both lulu and leyle. Please see our Homepage re photo use.

Intro Updated Dec 30, 2011
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Reviews (69)

VERY expensive restaurants! Tourist Traps (1)

A warning about the restaurants down by the Basin: they look very attractive, and in fact they are, but they are also... more travel advice

The colours of Petra Favorites (2)

The intense colours and extraordinary striations you see everywhere in Petra really give a whole new meaning to the term... more travel advice

Lunchtime in Petra Restaurants (1)

If, as you should have, you've had an early start in Petra, come lunchtime you'll be hungry. There are not a lot of... more travel advice

A family hotel near to the entrance to... Hotels (4)

The Petra Moon Hotel is a small two star level, family hotel, comfortable and unpretentious and friendly. If you are... more travel advice

Things to Do (48)
See All Baida : steps and more steps here as...
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All A place of pilgrimage for Moslems

Shopping (1)
Buying fruit
Transportation (10)
See All To Petra from Wadi Rum

Comments (29)

Kuznetsov_Sergey Jan 22, 2010 at 11:56 PM Report Abuse

Great page bringing back sweet memories! It's very helpful for me. I'm planning to make my page in several months. What a magnificent place!
willy_wonka Jan 20, 2010 at 6:21 PM Report Abuse

thanks for the updated info on your petra page, important for those of us to budget for when we (ever!) get there! lol.
shootme_boom Nov 19, 2009 at 3:08 AM Report Abuse

You are incredible!!! 7.5 JD is EXTREMELY expensive????!!!!! it's US10$, that is TEN US DOLLARS... you wouldn't be able to buy an ice cream with this kind of money in the US, let alone fish and rice!!!!!
MacedonianUK Feb 16, 2009 at 1:07 AM Report Abuse

Impresive page Layle!! Funny you should mantion donkey, we had very enterprising kids to offer their services and donkeys. My little girl decided that her donkey is comming home with us!
deecat Feb 12, 2009 at 4:42 PM Report Abuse

My dear friend, you have done it again. Spectacular! Favorites for me were Petra Kitchen, Jebel Haroun, Bedouin Camp & village. Donkey Trip, the Khazneh, Roman Soldier Tomb, 7 Great Temple. Bravo!
iwys Feb 3, 2009 at 8:14 AM Report Abuse

Leyle, the early years? Was this the place where you became an Arabist?
jumpingnorman Feb 2, 2009 at 12:19 PM Report Abuse

Indiana Jones was there???? Nice tip, but it does look like from an Indiana Jones movie, Norman :)
nicolaitan Feb 2, 2009 at 9:27 AM Report Abuse

a most enjoyable morning spent in Petra with you and your informative and interesting photos and commentary. love the elephant rock - like the camel, gorilla, etc in turkey. nice, thank you for your effort in sharing. n.
JLBG Nov 13, 2008 at 9:16 PM Report Abuse

Petra is high on my wish list and this outstanding page has even strengthened my will to visit it! Your page will obviously be of a great help, not to miss anything! I was especially impressed by the water channels!
Arkeolog Sep 29, 2008 at 12:36 AM Report Abuse

Great page on Petra. 2 days later, I'll be there in this fantastic city. Thx for information. Bora