Petra
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Petra (1985) And One Of The New Seven Wonders Of The World (2007). The Capital Of The Nabataean Kingdom From About The 4th Century BC, Carved Into Rose Red Sandstone, With The Treasury (Al Khazneh), The Monastery (Ad Deir), The Royal Tombs And A 1.2 Km Siq Gorge Approach. · Wadi Musa, Maan
Petra is the rose-red capital of the Nabataean kingdom, carved into sandstone canyons in southern Jordan from about the 4th century BC. You enter from the town of Wadi Musa through the Siq, a winding gorge about 1.2 km long, and then the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) appears at the end. Beyond it lie the Street of Facades, the Theatre, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, the Great Temple and the far Monastery (Ad-Deir). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The honest picture is a huge, dusty, hot site. Most people walk 8 to 15 km on uneven ground, there is little shade, and vendors and animal rides press you the whole way. Come early, wear good shoes, take water, and give it two days if you can. The Jordan Pass saves money for most visitors, a night in Wadi Musa makes the ticket cheaper, and the quiet hours at dawn and late afternoon are when the stone looks its best. Rain can close the Siq, so check the weather before you go. Wear shoes with real grip and plan rest stops.
Nabataean rock-cut city in the desert canyons south-east of the Dead Sea, entered from the town of Wadi Musa through the Siq gorge to the Treasury, Wadi Musa, Maan, Jordan
Petra is open daily, usually from early morning until late afternoon, with shorter days in winter. Tickets are sold at the visitor centre in Wadi Musa. Petra by Night runs on a few evenings a week with a separate ticket. The site can CLOSE or limit the Siq when rain threatens, so check locally. Little Petra is FREE and open all day.