Petra
Petra is one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, and occupies one of the top spots on many a bucket list. The 'Rose-Red City' is absolute must-see when visiting Jordan. The site, which is over 2,000 years old, has been occupied by various civilisations throughout the centuries. The city is half-built and half-carved into the hillsides, which conceal colourful caves.
Petra was established by the Nabateans, acting as an important stop on the caravan trading crossroad between Asia, Arabia and Europe. The city was once home to an estimated 30,000 people, but after the necessity of caravan routes began to fade with the increase of sea travel, and an earthquake destroyed many of the buildings, Petra was abandoned. The only visitors to the site for hundreds of years were nomadic Bedouin tribes, and the ruins soon became nothing more than rumour to the outside world.
However in 1812, after hearing the rumours of an ancient city hidden within the depths of Jordan, Swiss explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt decided to investigate. Disguised as an Arab scholar, and already fluent in Arabic, Burckhardt devised a ruse, claiming he had vowed to make a sacrifice at the resting place of the Prophet Haroun, which was said to be in the ancient city. This was enough to secure him a local guide, and so Burckhardt was able to enter Petra, where he was astonished by the ruins and dramatic scenery. However his ruse was uncovered, and so Burckhardt was forced to make a rather swift exit, with official excavations of Petra only starting over a century later.
Whilst the entirety of the Petra site is extraordinary, the most well-known sites are the Siq, the winding canyon featured in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', The Treasury, which is the first historical building within the site, and The Monastery, a huge carved temple reached by 800 steps.
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1 - 4 of 4 Hotels
Movenpick Resort Petra
Wadi Mousa, Petra, Jordan
The Movenpick is ideally located opposite the entrance to the Petra site. The hotel is a mixture of Arabic and international design. There are a number of facilities including a pool and choice of restaurants, providing a comfortable base for exploring.
Adventure Culture
Hayat Zaman
Taybeh Village, Petra
Hayat Zaman (formerly Taybet Zaman) is a charming local hotel situated on a hillside in the village of Taybeh, close to the famous rose-red city of Petra. Whilst it is fairly simple, the Hayat Zaman provides a comfortable base and plenty of character.
Culture
Petra Guest House
Petra, Jordan
Located right at the visitor's entrance to Petra, the 4-star Petra Guest House is a comfortable option for the visitors.
Petra Marriott
Wadi Mousa, Petra, Jordan
The Petra Marriott is located above Wadi Mousa; the town on the edge of the famous Petra site. Like many hotels in Jordan, the Petra Marriott is a little dated, however it does provide a perfectly comfortable base for adventures into the Rose-Red City.
Culture
1 - 4 of 4 Hotels
1 - 8 of 8 Tour Ideas
nights
Exceptional Jordan and Oman
Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, Muscat & Jebel Akhdar
Explore the wonders of Arabia with this balanced itinerary, covering highlights of Jordan and Oman from the rose-red city of Petra to the sparkling gold of Muscat's Grand Mosque. This is the Middle East at its finest.
Couples Adventure Beach
GBP £7,200 pp
nights
Imagine Jordan
Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea
Dive into the amazing history and culture of this incredible Kingdom. Enjoy mouth watering cuisine and enjoy Jordanian hospitality throughout this trip. From Amman visit iconic sights such as the Roman ruins at Jerash, and then travelling south to the Red Rose city of Petra and the unique landscape of Wadi Rum before ending with a few days...
Adventure Culture
GBP £2,500 pp
nights
Family Fun in Jordan
Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea
This short and action packed family adventure to Jordan is the perfect opportunity to mix soft adventure in a country that stimulates the imagination and offers so much more than a week in a beach hotel.
Adventure Couples Eco/ethical tourism Short Break
GBP £2,900 pp
nights
Ultimate Jordan
Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea
This classic tour brings together all of Jordan’s remarkable highlights, including Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. With a fairly relaxed pace, this is a great itinerary for both couples and families.
Couples Adventure Spa & health
GBP £4,600 pp
nights
Active Jordan
Amman, Dana, Feynan, Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea
One of the most magical experiences in Jordan is to get off the beaten track and into the more remote areas where you can meet Bedouins, trek through dramatic scenery and spend evenings underneath incredible starry skies.
Adventure Couples Culture Beach
GBP £4,300 pp
nights
Exceptional Jordan and Israel
Amman, Petra, Dead Sea, Jerusalem & Tel Aviv
Enjoy the unparalleled highlights of Jordan and Israel on this action-packed itinerary. With thousands of years of captivating history and incredible landscapes, this tour offers plenty of diversity from discovering ancient cities, to travelling through stunning desert scenery, exploring significant religious sites, and floating in the Dead Sea....
Adventure Couples Spa & health
GBP £10,100 pp
nights
Highlights of Egypt and Jordan
Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea
This wonderful itinerary brings together the magnificent highlights and local treasures of Egypt and Jordan. Sense a deep connection to these ancient lands as you get off the beaten track, following the trail of mighty Pharaohs and nomadic Bedouins.
Culture Cruise
GBP £5,700 pp
nights
Ultimate Israel and Jordan
Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ngeve Desert, Petra & Amman
Discover the wonders of Israel and Jordan on a trip that combines important religious sites, inspiring landscapes, magical desert scenery and the saline waters of the Dead Sea, in an area steeped in history, culture and fabulous cuisine. Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the Middle East as you explore the incredible ruins of Petra,...
Adventure Couples Culture
GBP £12,000 pp
1 - 8 of 8 Tour Ideas
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