The lost city of Petra in Jordan – named as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World – And is my favorite one.
This majestic place thousands of years old that still holds hidden secrets waiting to be unveiled.
In Petra, one of the most famous and popular destinations among travelers world-wide is The lost city of Petra.
This site is on the bucket list of many travelers and it is visited annually by more than 10 millions people.
History of the Lost City of Petra
Petra was the capital of the Nabatean (an Arab Bedouin tribe) Kingdom from around the 4th century B.C. and was used as a successful trading route. Because of its location and its ability to innovate elaborate water irrigation systems, Petra was a wealthy and prosperous city. After surviving attacks from the Greeks a few hundred years prior, the Nabateans were eventually conquered by the Romans, who ruled for 250 years until it was destroyed by a massive earthquake, leaving Petra effectively uninhabitable. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1985.
How to Get There
Many people choose to tack a Petra visit on to their holiday in Israel. From Israel, there are a few main options for travel to Petra. One of the most convenient ways is with a tour operator.
For your entry into Jordan, you’ll need cash for required border crossing fees as it’s not included in the tour price. The Israel exit fee is 107 ILS (about $30), payable in euro, dollars, or ILS. The Jordanian visa fee is 40 Dinar (around $56), payable only in cash and in Dinar, which you can exchange on site. You’ll also be required to pay a Jordanian exit fee of 10 Dinar (around $14).
It’s also fairly simple to plan your own trip. By bus, train, or flight, make your way down to the Southernmost Israeli city of Eilat. There, you’ll cross the border (don’t forget your cash) and take a few minute taxi ride to the town of Aqaba.
From Aqaba, you can rent a car, or take a two-way taxi for 60 Dinar (around $85). They’ll wait for you all day and take you back to Aqaba if you wish. You can also take a bus (with the English-speaking company JETT) to Petra, which should cost you 12 Dinar (around $17) for a one way ticket.
If you fly into or are staying in the capital city of Amman, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive if you choose to rent a car. If you prefer public transport, you can catch a JETT bus for around 20 Dinar (around $28) straight to Petra at the 7th Circle JETT bus station. Note that it only leaves once a day, starting at 6:30 a.m.
See Petra without nobody in your pictures
If you want to have Petra all for yourself the best time to arrive is very early or stay until late.
Be at the gate 6:15 so you can be down at the Treasure at 6:40 am because people are already Arriving by 7:45, 8:00 am.
Or later afternoon drink a tea while wait for all the tourist goes home.
For visitors who prefer alittle more luxury, book a stay at the impeccably Petra Bubble Luxotel Resort located just a mile down the road from Little Petra. Besides the bubble rooms and spacious grounds with enchanting views, the resort has everything you need for a comfortable stay: A fridge is also provided, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. All the suites have a private hot tub with a private terrace .A buffet breakfast is served every morning at the property. Dinner is also provided.
The tented camp offers a terrace. Rooms start at around $250 a night.
What to See
From the park entrance, you’ll walk through the Siq (a little under a mile of narrow canyon that leads to the main city), past the Treasury (a 130 foot facade of figures, ornate details, and Corinthian capitals), past the Royal Tombs, to the final point of interest is about a 90-minute walk on mostly flat trail. However, there are several split-off trails worth exploring — some that can take you on a multiple hour detour. Since you’ll definitely bump into the Treasury, here are some perhaps less obvious sites that are most definitely worth the trek.
The High Place of Sacrifice: The High Place of Sacrifice is another win for more incredible, sweeping views (We know we sound redundant, but once you go, you won’t shut up about the views, either). Right near the Theatre and just off the Street of Facades lives the Nabatean’s most sacred altar for ritual killings of animals. It takes about 45 minutes up steep steps to reach the top, but witnessing the interesting colors, the elaborate details, and yes, the views, will definitely make the sweat worth .
