Is Petra value visiting? On its face, this may appear to be a ridiculous query—how many individuals go to Jordan and don’t find yourself visiting the nation’s most well-known vacation spot? Dig deeper, nonetheless, and it begins to appear much less foolish. As wonderful as it’s to discover a millennia-old Nabataean metropolis, the truth is that it’s change into a vacationer lure. There are arguably extra day guests in Petra on a given day than there truly have been residents, again when it was initially inhabited!
This concern, in fact, isn’t black and white. That’s why I’ve determined to jot down an article exploring it intimately, versus merely declaring “yes” or “no” and being accomplished with the topic.
My Personal Impressions of Petra
At the tip of the day—spoiler alert—I do really feel that Petra is value visiting. This is regardless of the truth that I went on the hottest time of yr, and that I wasn’t in probably the most…energetic frame of mind once I visited. Specifically, I’d been staying on the residence of a school good friend the place I mainly had something I wished, every time I wished it. I used to be in a lazy mindset, I’m not ashamed to confess.
The key to Petra is to tempo your self, significantly when you go to throughout a highly regarded month, and particularly when you aren’t extraordinarily match. Even after you’ve walked by way of Al-Siq Canyon to achieve the Treasury (the place most individuals get their Petra “money shot”), it’s nonetheless one other hour (or longer) to Petra’s major viewpoint. And, because it’s an out-and-back path, you’ll must plan of going again the best way you got here.
How Most Trips to Petra Go Down
Walk by way of Al-Siq Canyon
The excellent news? There are few higher methods to constructed up anticipation for Petra than strolling by way of this canyon, even when you’re unlikely to have a lot private house as you do. The dangerous information? Wasps and hornets have a tendency to hang around right here, so please make haste when you’re not a quick walker (I’m).
Visit the Treasury
Your first cease would be the Treasury, probably the most well-known place on the website, and the explanation that almost all vacationers discover Petra value visiting—are you able to say “Instagram”? Do beware that that is additionally the place most scammers and touts hang around, so you ought to be vigilant about your cash and your belongings.
Hike to a viewpoint
Past this level, a number of vacationers head again—I don’t suggest that you just do. Instead, I counsel following the indicators to Petra’s viewpoint (there’s one major one), which affords you a shocking view of the whole website in its desert context. It’s a panoramic panorama to behold.
Ride a camel there
Indeed, generally the taking of breath is extra literal, particularly when you resolve that Petra is value visiting in August (of all months!) like I did! In this case, it’s possible you’ll select to take one of many touts on the Treasury up on their provide for a camel experience. It’ll prevent a number of hassle!
Marvel on the majesty
Ultimately, my biggest remorse about Petra is that I didn’t take extra time to savor it. Being 25 on the time and with my thoughts going 1,000,000 miles a minute, I used to be all about ticking one factor off my listing and shifting on to the following. Will I ever return? Who is aware of. But if I do, it is going to be completely different.
Is Wadi Rum Worth Visiting?
Wadi Rum is a vacation spot that folks typically group along with Petra due to their geographical proximity, but it surely very completely different. Among different issues, Wadi Rum isn’t actually a spot you’ll be able to go for someday and get the complete image of it. You ought to ideally sleep at the least an evening there, so that you could go to mattress because the desert darkens, and get up because the solar rises over it.
On the opposite hand, don’t be fooled into believing that you want to be tremendous outdoorsy in an effort to take pleasure in Wadi Rum. Just as Petra is value visiting even when you don’t know so much about historical past, fashion-minded vacationers who’ve by no means set foot inside an REI can have a good time at Wadi Rum, due to the rising prevalence of “glamping”-style lodging amid its sands.
Other FAQ on Visiting Petra
Is Petra overrated?
While I really like Petra, I do really feel that it’s barely overrated—after many years of hype, how may anybody argue in any other case? On the opposite hand, in the same solution to world wonders like Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, there’s a motive hundreds of thousands of vacationers per yr flock to Petra, even when you get there are surprise (possibly silently, and maybe just for a second) what the fuss is about.
How many days do you want in Petra?
The majority of vacationers will go to Petra for a single day, both from Amman or Tel Aviv, or earlier than the camp (or glamp) within the Wadi Rum desert. While you may clearly spend a number of days exploring the historic website, I believe a morning and afternoon are ample for most individuals.
Is Petra touristy?
Petra is without doubt one of the most touristy locations on the planet, however not in a nasty method. It’s not Disney World—whereas there are a number of sellers hawking numerous items, they aren’t corny and mass-producers. However, it is filled with Instagrammers and influencers making an attempt to get the perfect—i.e. similar—shot, and simply very full on the whole. Even when you come proper at opening time, you gained’t be capable to take pleasure in a lot peace right here.
The Bottom Line
Is Petra value visiting? Yes and no. Certainly, when you’re going to be in Jordan anyway I’d suggest visiting. Some vacationers will come for the day from Amman (and even over the Dead Sea in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv), whereas others will keep in a single day in Petra’s city middle, and even to the east within the close by Wadi Rum desert. However, when you’re contemplating making a visit all the best way to the Middle East merely (and even primarily) to see Petra, I would suggest in opposition to this.
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Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications resembling “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric facets of life as a traveler.