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Hidden in the depths of Jordan, lies the ancient
city of Petra. Located in the Wadi Musa Canyon also
home to the Wadi Rum, Jordan’s answer to the
Grand Canyon and undoubtedly the most breathtaking
of Jordan’s desert landscapes, it is without
question one of the most magnificent sites in the
Middle East.
As you pass through the Siq, a narrow
gorge into the city, suddenly Petra appears, a mystical
city cut into the surrounding cliffs, surrounded
by the desert and the most impressive red sandstone
temple you have ever seen, so big that it is impossible
to take a good photo Petra is half-built, half-carved
into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled
with passages and gorges. It is one of the world's
most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern
traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture.
What is this astonishing city? Who built it, and
why? How did it get forgotten? Two thousand years
ago Petra was a bustling city and major route for
Camel caravans loaded with spices, textiles and Incense
from distant cities. The local Nabateans managed
to harness water and grew to a population of nearly
20,000. As political control changed and traders
stopped passing through Petra it became cut off from
civilisation. Eventually forgotten by the outside
world today we are starting to discover clues to
Petra’s fascinating past and long lost secrets.
Wadi Rum is undoubtedly Jordan's most spectacular
natural feature. Rising abruptly from the flat and
featureless desert are massive pillars of sheer sandstone
rock, weathered and eroded into fantastic shapes
and towering majestically above the desert floor.
It really is a sight not to be missed.
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Climate
Jordan’s climate is generally hot and dry. Spring
and autumn are usually considered the best time to
visit – temperatures during the day and at night
are less extreme. Little rain falls between May and
September, when temperatures range from a low of around
18°C to a high of 32°C, and usually higher.
Away from the western plateau, in the desert areas
of Wadi Rum and the north, summer temperatures can
soar to the high 40’s falling at night to 10°C,
and lower. Most rain falls from September to December
and can be heavy. In February, Amman experiences lows
of 2°C or 3°C and highs of 18°C; in Wadi
Rum temperatures can fall to near freezing at night
but warm to the low 20’s during the day.
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What is the best way to visit?
The best way to visit is by foot, Petra is in the
desert so you will need lots of water and you should
protect yourself against the sun. The best way to see
Petra is to combine it with a stay in Wadi Rum.
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Trekking and hiking
 Jordan in general is a wonderful place for hiking
and trekking, and Wadi Rum in particular is renowned
for this. Tourists are not encouraged to venture out
alone into the "wild places" in Jordan and
you should take a guide with you for your own safety.
In Wadi Rum the tourist police will immediately stop
you if they find you "wandering" where you
are not supposed to be. It is important to know that
there are NO large scale maps readily available of
Jordan and it is very easy to get lost. One rock looks
very similar to all the others and paths are hardly
ever signposted.
Far too many helicopters have had to be called out
to look for lost hikers, and if nobody knows where
you are you will be very lucky to be found. Go with
a group and a guide and you will not only be safe but
get the added benefit of learning more about the area
on your trip and getting taken of the beaten track
to see some of the areas more hidden wonders.
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Climbing in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum has become a world renowned climbing centre.
The best time to climb here is in the spring and the
autumn, but you are likely to find climbers out all
the year round.
 The classic Bedouin climbing routes are an enjoyable
mixture of scrambling and climbing, and within the
grasp of anyone with some mountain experience. Some
are circular expeditions that involve trekking. Most
of the best known climbing routes are in the general
vicinity of the village of Rum, in Wadi Um Ishrin and
in the Barragh Canyon.
Most people interested in mountaineering will want
to climb Jebel Rum (1754m) at least once! The official
price for climbing it with a guide is usually around
150JD to 200JD, according to the route chosen. Try
to make up a small group to share the expense, check
with the guide first to see how many people he will
accept. His answer will logically depend largely on
your expertise and on your choice of route.
One of the problems in Wadi Rum is the chronic shortage
of local guides. Although a programme of training is
being set up, it will be several years before the demand
can be met. In the meantime climbers coming as tourists
and wanting just a day or two climbing the "big
walls" but not wanting to drag all their equipment
along are often disappointed. In this case it is best
to book a tour in advance with a reputable company.
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Visas for Jordan
Holders of UK & IRL passports do require a visa.
Nationals of all other countries should contact their
local embassy or consulate. Passports must be valid
for at least 6 months after the end date of the trip.
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What to Wear?
Jordan is a Muslim country and whilst you may see
other travellers dressed otherwise, as in any Muslim
country, tight or skimpy clothing should not be worn
by adults out of respect for local customs.
Although long, loose shorts are acceptable, you should
be sensitive to local traditions, it’s best to
carry a pair of lightweight trousers to slip on if
visiting mosques or churches. Women should not wear
halter neck or sleeveless tops, and a headscarf may
be useful.
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People
 The mysterious story of the city of Petra begins with
a group of Arabian nomads called the Nabataeans. They
led profitable lives as desert traders and but very
little is known about where they originated. What is
also still unclear is what made these nomadic merchants,
who disliked houses, believing that buildings and immobility
would enslave them to a more powerful people, make
Petra home and encouraged them to settle into an urban
lifestyle. It is most likely that with increasing wealth
Petra originated as a defensive stronghold to protect
the Nabataean’s precious goods and their families.
The Nabataeans took pride in their prosperity and carved
inscriptions into the stone detailing their great wealth
and Power. Petra was their crown jewel, the thriving
capital of Nabataea.
Petra evolved into a thriving commercial center. Petra
was strategically located at the intersection of two
major commercial routes from Asia and southern Arabia
and was ideally situated to become a commercial center.
Stone Inscriptions which cover many of the walls provide
an insight into the original writers. Whilst most of
the artefacts from the Nabataeans, scrolls made of
leather and papyrus, have long since disintegrated,
more than 4,000 stone inscriptions written in Nabataean
have survived. We have learnt from these who built
Petra's grand monuments, the identity of people buried
in the tombs and whom the Nabataeans worshipped and
honoured.
Most of the stone graffiti in Petra is signatures.
It is believed that the Nabataeans would sign their
names on and around religious buildings as a permanent
record of their religious devotion.
Once a flourishing city in the heart of the ancient
Near East.....then forgotten by the outside world for
centuries. We are only beginning to understand the
mystery surrounding the amazing city of Petra and its
people.
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Money Matters
Banks are open from 0830-12.30 & 16.00-18.00 Sat-Thurs.
Shops are open from 0830-12.30 & 16.00-18.00 Sat-Thurs.
The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar. Credit
cards only are accepted in some hotels and in the larger
shops/restaurants but ATM’s are widely available.
Travellers’ Cheques:
Although Travellers Cheques although still the safest
way of carrying money it is difficult to cash them
in Jordan. There are high commission charges on Travellers
Cheques on a per cheque basis so if you do take them
then we suggest you take high denomination cheques.
Proof of purchase may be necessary and take USD or
Sterling if you are taking Travellers Cheques.
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Medical Information
Vaccinations: The following are recommended: Hepatitis
A, Polio Typhoid, Tetanus. NB: Yellow Fever vaccination
certificate is required if travelling via an infected
country.
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Useful links
Travel Health Information
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