Overview
Discover Petra - the treasure of ancient world, hidden behind a barrier of rugged mountains.
Discover Petra--the treasure of ancient world, hidden behind a barrier of rugged mountains.
After meeting you at the port of Aqaba, we will begin our journey to Petra, the Rose-Red city, carved out of stone and hidden by towering sandstone mountains. Petra the rose - red city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the legacy of the Nabateans, an industrious Arab people who settled in south Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Much of Petra's appeal comes from its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge.
Although Petra is uninhabited today, during ancient times, it was an important city and served as the main city of an ancient people called the Nabataens, who lived in southern Jordan, Canaan and the northern part of Arabia. These people created an entire kingdom and Petra was the capital.
From the main entrance, the visitor travels on foot through the awesome "SIQ", an immense crack in the sandstone that winds for one kilometer between overhanging cliffs to reach the Treasury, Theater, the Royal Tombs and Qasr El-Bint. The sites are absolutely amazing; they are indescribable. There are buggy rides and camels that will take you one way for an extra charge.
From Petra we will drive to Wadi Rum which is also known as ‘The Valley of the Moon’. This is the place where Prince Faisal Bin Hussein and T.E. Lawrence based their headquarters during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in World War I, their exploits intrinsically woven into the history of this amazing area. This was the setting for the film that carried his name "Lawrence of Arabia". Everywhere in this moonscape place are indications of man's presence since the earliest known times.
Uniquely shaped massive mountains rise vertically out of the pink desert sand, which separate one dark mass from another in magnificent desert scenery of strange breathtaking beauty, with towering cliffs of weathered stone. The faces of the sheer rock cliffs have been eroded by the wind into faces of men, animals and monsters.
The valley floors are some 900-1000 meters above sea level, and the great sandstone crags rise sheer, a further 500-550 meters. Jabal Rum is the highest peak in the area and the 2nd highest in Jordan. Others are some 27 km north of the Rum village like Jabal Kharaz and Jabal Burdah with its Rock Bridge which is one of Wadi Rum's most popular attractions. You will visit Wadi Rum with a 2-hour jeep tour, the best way to view it.
Then we will return back to Aqaba.
- The ride to Petra is about 2 hours each way.
- It can be very hot and sunny in Petra. Please dress appropriately. Sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
- Not included: gratuity, additional water/other beverages, personal expenses.
- Lunch is included.
- There will be a restroom stop on your way to Petra.
- Your ship must arrive no later than 7am to do the combo of Petra and Wadi Rum.
Days offered: 7 days a week
Departures:- 07:00 AM, duration: 11.5 hours
- 08:00 AM, duration: 11.5 hours
