Petra- City of mysteries

You can choose to climb a steep path to the sacrificial ‘High Places’ (altars) and hike to the top of Jebel Harin (1396m) for a stunning view over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert or visit the Monastery, the largest of Petra’s monuments and certainly worth the climb up to it. Towering to a height of 40m its doorway alone measures 8m in height, dwarfing anyone framed within it. This is truly a place to lose oneself in the history and ambiance of the past.

Spend the morning with Indiana Jones in “The Last Crusade” as he charges through the desert gorge to the Treasury in search of the Holy Grail! Jordan abounds in archaeological riches, but few sites in the world can rival the Nabataean city of Petra, carved out of the rose-red rock cliffs!

This jewel of the middle east, Approaching the Siq you will follow its towering sandstone walls towards the site of the captivating and iconic splendor of the beautiful Khazneh (the famous Treasury), one of the city’s most iconic structures. A guided orientation tour will then take you to some of the key parts of this remarkable and ancient site, one of the most impressive and exciting anywhere in the world. You will explore the Royal Tombs and the Roman theatre, with its 8,000 seats carved from the solid rock that surrounds it.

The Nabataeans were an industrious Arab people who settled the area more than 2,000 years ago.

Petra was widely admired for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels. It served as a crossroad for trade and commerce. Lawrence travelled to Petra both before and during the war and was captivated by the majestic beauty of the Nabataean temples and tombs carved into the rock. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

The High Place of Sacrifice is a notable site within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra. Perched atop Jebel Madbah Mountain, it stands 170 meters high and is also known as al-Madhbah in Arabic. Historically, it was used for animal sacrifices to the Nabatean god Dushara. Besides its historical significance, the High Place of Sacrifice offers breathtaking views of the ancient city of Petra, making it one of the most impressive spots to visit.

The Monastery, known as "Ad-Deir" in Arabic, is one of the largest monuments in Petra. Measuring 47 meters wide by 48.3 meters high, it was modeled after the Khazna but features niches for sculptures instead of bas-reliefs. The façade includes a columned portico, and the interior has two side benches and an altar against the rear wall. Initially used as a biclinium for religious meetings, it dates back to the early 2nd century AD during the reign of King Rabel II. Later, the hall was repurposed as a Christian chapel, with crosses carved into the rear wall, which led to its name "Monastery."