The short trip started off with a stay in Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a city that blends history and modernity, An early start with a walking tour to find my feet in this city was perfect as we learned the main points of the city and also new facts which if your into history then is even better, once finished we then visited The Roman Theatre, a masterpiece that would have looked even better back in the time it was built and used, following that it was time for us to go exploring the towering Citadel, where ancient ruins like the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace stood against a backdrop of panoramic city views.
Then for the next two days it was time to get the bus down to Petra to see a place I never thought I would be able to, The Famous Al-Khazneh aka The Treasury. After arriving just after 11am it was time to explore this famous location
Visiting Petra is like stepping into an ancient world carved into rose-red stone. The trip starts with a walk through the Siq, a narrow canyon with towering walls that build anticipation for what lies ahead & no matter how many times I have seen the pictures and videos on social media it was still an mind blowing experience. Emerging from the shadows, the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh) appears in all its majestic glory, finally seen it in person will live with me forever, sitting down and taking numerous photos while taking it all in was the icing on the cake. Exploring further into this amazing and vast archaeological site, from the amphitheater to the Royal Tombs, each site telling its own story I was in awe looking at every part of vast land of rose-red stone.
As the day transitions into evening, Petra undergoes a magical transformation. The "Petra by Night" experience begins with a candlelit walk through the Siq, the soft glow of hundreds of candles guiding those chose this tour to the Treasury. Upon reaching the Treasury, the scene is breathtaking & enchanting: thousands of candles light up the facade, casting flickering shadows that bring the ancient site to life. Traditional Bedouin music fills the air along with a cup of tea to enjoy this timeless moment making it all blend seamlessly with the whispers of the wind.
While sitting under the star-studded sky, surrounded by the timeless beauty of Petra, is an unforgettable experience, Visiting Petra during the day reveals its grandeur and history, but experiencing it at night evokes a sense of wonder and timelessness that stays with you long after you leave.
For the last day in Petra we wanted to come in the "back door" and this was by starting in Little Petra and hiking/walking all the way back. Though I will say it definitely feels like a scam in parts of paying for a tour guide for the Little Petra which is easily done by yourself and walk/hike is easily done as the path is well marked, be aware of locals trying to sell to you while making up sob stories.
The walk from Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) to Petra is a journey that combines natural beauty with historical intrigue. The hike begins from Little Petra’s sandstone cliffs, winding through a rugged yet captivating landscape of ochre-hued mountains and narrow pathways.
As the trail ascends, the views become increasingly spectacular, showing the dramatic desert scenery. The highlight of the walk is the approach to Petra through the "back door," leading to the Monastery (Ad-Deir).
Reaching the Monastery feels like uncovering a hidden treasure after the hike. Its colossal size and finer details are awe-inspiring, especially after the beautiful journey to get there. From this vantage point, it was easier to walk down the steps that descend into Petra’s main complex, exploring its wonders from an opposite perspective of Day 1.
The Little Petra to Petra walk is definitely an addition I would recommend anyone to do as seen the lesser side of Petra had the advantage of not being full of tourists while knowing at the end you are still going to see everything again makes it worthwhile.
Petra was amazing and recommend it everyone, when people say you can feel the history then this place is definitely one of those places. With that now done, it is time to finally explore South East Asia and beyond!!!
