Tours to Petra

Petra is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that is famous for its rock cut architecture and water conduit system. Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourist attraction. It lies on the slope of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate Prize-winning poem by John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage". Petra was chosen by the BBC as one of "the 40 places you have to see before you die".

On December 6, 1985, Petra was designated a World Heritage Site. In 2006 the design of a Visitor Centre began. The Jordan Times reported in December 2006 that 59,000 people visited in the two months October and November 2006.

The Petra site is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., depending on the time for sunset. Jordanian tourism officials recommend seeing Petra early in the morning or late in the afte
oon due to the site's size and the intensity of the midday sun. It's also helpful to keep in mind that the entrance at Bab al-Siq is the only access route to the interior of the site. As you walk along this half-mile path, you can see ancient Cameleer carvings, Roman etchings, the remains of the Nabataean water systems and the Treasury (Khanze). The Petra National Trust suggests that you allow at least 30 minutes for a leisurely walk from the gate to the Treasury and an additional 30 minutes for exploration. Your uphill return trip to the gate will take 15 minutes at a brisk pace.

The Petra National Trust notes that the entire site houses over 800 monuments, spread out over 102 square miles. Since all visitors use the Siq to enter Petra, for a one-day tour the PNT suggests that you take the Colonnaded Street path towards the temple at Qasr al-Bint to visit the 4,000-seat Theatre, the Great Temple, Temenos Gate and the Roman shops before lunch. Next, plan to visit the Monastery and the Lion Triclinium, both of which provide a view worth the arduous climb required. The PNT recommends returning to the Siq on a route that allows you to visit the Temple of the Winged Lion; the Ridge Church, which provides a panoramic view of the center of Petra; the Blue Church; and the burial site of Nabataean kings, the Royal Tombs.

Organized tours from Israel are easy enough to arrange; those interested can find all sorts of deals and packages on the Internet.