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An Adventure to Petra, Jordan
I thought I had won the lottery when I saw the country of Jordan on an itinerary for a work trip. We had two days off in Amman on my first visit, and there was no way I could pass up a trip to Petra. Fortunately, I worked with many incredible people who were ready to go on adventures as much as I was. It made traveling to destinations around the world so fun and enjoyable.
Petra is located interestly exactly 150 miles South of both Amman, Jordan and Jerusalem, Israel. It is considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World that you can still see with your own eyes. This ancient city should be on all adventure seekers bucket list. I grew up hearing about this ancient beauty, but also remember seeing it in the movie “Indiana Jones – The Last Crusade”. I knew from a young age that I just had to make it to this beautiful place.
The best way to get to this ancient city is to fly into Aqaba (AQJ) or Amman (AMM) Jordan. I would suggest always checking the state department’s website before traveling to any overseas locations. Make sure you check out my blog on the Safest Tips for Traveling Overseas: Pre-planning Strategies.
Where to Stay in Amman
I’ve traveled to Amman quite a few times and stayed in a few different hotels. If I were to go today, I would most definitely book on Expedia.com. Particularly to do a cost analysis and look at all the different reviews before making a selection. In Amman you will easily be able to stay in a 5-Star Hotel for less than $300 USD a night.
Some of the hotels I have stayed at are:
- Amman Marriott Hotel. A very lovely hotel if you plan to be Amman for business or on an adventure.
- Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel – Another very nice hotel and you cannot beat the price for such a luxurious hotel.
- InterContinental Amman, Jordan an IHG Hotel – You can never go wrong with an InterContinental, I always find they are consistent with their brand across the world.
How to Get to Petra
A good site to check out when traveling to this amazing location is Visit Petra. I would also highly recommend my favorite tour company: Viator.com. They are very affordable and well-established around the world. Getting to Petra will be approximately a 3-hour very bumpy ride on roads that have probably seen better days- but the trip is well worth the ride! I would suggest possibly bringing a pillow to help with the jostling about you’re sure to do in the seat. Check out the tours below if you are interested in adding Petra to your bucket list:
Petra Full Day Tour and Wadi rum from Amman, Jordan.
If you are up for a real adventure – I would also check out the 3-Day Private Tour from Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, Dana, Aqaba, and Dead Sea.
A Walk Through Rose-Colored Sandstone
The walk from the entrance to the Khaznah (otherwise known as the “Treasury”) is nothing short of magical. Walking through the beautiful rose colored canyon takes anywhere from twenty to thirty minutes. There are vendors along the path that will offer options other than walking to include a ride on a donkey, horse, or a camel down to the Monastery.
You’ll have a lot of walking to do during your visit, and the opportunity to add a little more adventure to your experience leads me to recommend you take them up on the offer, even if the ride is short. (One exception: they will offer donkeys up the cliff to the Library as well. It’s ok to take a donkey UP, but trust me on this one- pass on the way down unless you have a deathwish!) Whichever way you choose you will be blown away by Petra’s beauty.
The road into the rose-colored sandstone curves and twists all the way until the most magnificent scene comes into view. There are many ancient carvings and building facades throughout Petra, so plan to be in the ancient city for a full day to explore all that it has to offer.
As some pro tips for this location: Don’t forget to bring some good walking shoes (there’s a lot to see!) Also, have some Jordanian Dinar on hand in case you’d like to ride to or back from Petra.
So break out your Indy hat and whip, and book a trip to one of the coolest places ever! This is THE place to visit if you are up for an ancient adventure.
Our tour also included a stop at the Wadi Musa (The Valley of Moses).
Wadi Musa (The Valley of Moses)
In the Biblical Book of Exodus, after Moses has liberated the Hebrews from Egypt they become thirsty from wandering the desert. Moses is instructed by God to strike the rock of Horeb and water gushes out to satisfy the thirst of His people, and it is said to have occured in this location. As such, the Wadi Musa is considered a sacred place for Jews and Christians. There are many other amazing ancient pilgrimage sites to be seen in Jordan too, check them out at Jordania Esclusiva.
If you are going to be in Amman or Aqaba I would also recommend visiting the Dead Sea on the Jordanian side.
A Visit to the Dead Sea
I’ve visited the Dead Sea on the Jordan side a few times now, but it is also very beautiful on the Israel side. Both sides having luxurious hotels located right on the Dead Sea. People from all over the world fly to the Dead Sea to gain the healing benefits of covering themself in the sulphur mud and soaking in the Dead Sea. My skin always felt so amazing and soft after slathering myself in the Dead Sea mud. Then, once it dried I’d just head out to the Sea for a float to wash it clean. During every visit to the Dead Sea I would stock up on the mud. To this day I still have quite a bit of it. By the way a Dead Sea mud mask works great for getting rid of a headache.
There is nothing like floating in the Dead Sea, it is the craziest feeling in the world. It’s hard for people who haven’t experienced it to grasp, because we’ve all waded into water before. Trust me when I say: this is worlds different from any other swim you’ve ever had. There is so much salt in the water that it almost feels oily, and your bodies buoyancy means you have to fight to get your legs to stay underwater. You could lay on your back in this water and read a book without having to expend any effort at all to float.
A cautionary tale…
My husband once visited the Dead Sea with co-workers, and noticed signs posted all over saying “Do not get water in eyes or mouth!” One of his co-workers apparently didn’t see any of the twenty signs… He ran past my husband and dove head-first into the sea, disappearing beneath the surface. He reappeared fast– and came up screaming, “Shawn! (my husband), I’m BLIND! Help me Shawn- I can’t see! I’m in the seventh circle of Hell oh Lord help me Shawn!!” In the end he was alright, and although my husband found it all quite comical it was definitely not a pleasant experience for his coworker for awhile. All that to say: Do Not open your eyes underwater when you take your dip into the Dead Sea! The concentration of salt in the water will make you instantly regret it!
And Now for Another History Deep Dive!!!
The name Petra is a Greek word meaning “Rock.” The ancient name before the Greeks is believed to be the Biblical name “Sela.” Both Paleolithic and Neolithic archeological remains are found in this region. An ancient culture called the Edomites lived in the region around 1200 BC, and a few hundred years later the Nabateans, an Arab tribe, would make it their Capital. Petra would go on to become a major trader in spices with China, Egypt, Greece, and India.
At one point in time at least 10,000 – 30,000 people lived in the area under the Nabateans. In 106 AD the Romans were responsible for defeating the Nabateans and causing the region to become a part of the Roman province of Arabia. An earthquake in 551 AD would bring tremendous ruin to the region and it seems that there was much decline of trade and occupation as a result.
Around 1100 AD there is evidence to suggest that the Crusaders occupied Petra as an outpost. This would be the last time that Petra would be known to the Western world until it’s rediscovery in 1812. Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a Swiss traveler and graduate of Cambridge University who promoted the discovery of the interior of Africa and the Middle East, is credited with finding Petra once more.
Excavations of Petra did not begin until 1958. These were undertaken by the British School of Archeology, giving us great knowledge of the inhabitants that came before. In 1993 additional excavations have unearthed more amazing carved buildings. (1)
If you are thinking about taking a great adventure to Petra, don’t hesitate. You’ll be enchanted with Jordan’s ancient beauty and mysteries, of that I am certain!
Sources
(1). https://www.britannica.com/place/Petra-ancient-city-Jordan
