Private Back Trail Tour of Petra starting from the Monastery

Petra rewards the early riser. This private tour takes you from Little Petra to the Monastery, then through Petra’s major sights in reverse, giving you a quieter start and a grand finish at the Siq. I like the mix of lesser-used trails and famous monuments, and I like having private transport from Amman, an English-speaking driver, and a local Petra guide. The main drawback is the long day: expect 12 to 13 hours, several hours of walking, steep mountain paths, and a return drive to Amman.

You should also know that the northern trail includes a short passage of about 30 meters that needs care, especially with children or anyone uneasy with heights. The tour is best for people who want more than the standard Treasury visit and are comfortable trading some ease for a more unusual route.

Key points at a glance

• Reverse route through Petra: Begin near Little Petra and finish by walking out through the 1.2-kilometer Siq.
• Monastery first: Reach one of Petra’s grandest monuments before moving toward the central ruins.
• Private touring: Your group travels alone, with hotel pickup, a private air-conditioned vehicle, and an English-speaking driver.
• Strong mix of sights: See the Byzantine Church, Qasr el Bint, Wadi Farasa, the Theater, Royal Tombs, Treasury, and Siq.
• Long but well-filled day: The schedule allows time for guided touring and some independent exploration, but you need stamina.
• Useful extras included: Petra admission, a horse ride before the Siq, and onboard Wi-Fi are included, unless you choose a Jordan Pass option for admission.

Why starting at the Monastery changes Petra

Most first visits to Petra begin at the visitor center, pass through the Siq, and arrive at the Treasury before continuing uphill toward the Monastery. This tour flips that order. You begin from the Little Petra side, cross the northern back route, and reach the Monastery before descending into the main archaeological area.

That change matters. You see Petra as a wide network of routes rather than a single famous corridor. The early part of the day brings mountain views, farming country, caves, and broad views toward the valley and Palestine. The route also avoids walking through the main site before reaching the Monastery, which can make the approach feel more remote.

I especially like the sense of progression. The Monastery is a powerful first major sight, then the route gradually brings you closer to Petra’s central monuments. By the time you reach the Treasury, you have already seen quieter corners and several types of Nabatean and later Roman remains.

The route is not easy. You will climb through the mountains, descend afterward, and walk for much of the day. A short section of the northern trail requires extra attention. Families with small children and anyone prone to vertigo should discuss the route with the operator before booking.

The early drive from Amman to Wadi Musa

Pickup begins at about 7:00 am from your Amman hotel. Petra is roughly 245 kilometers south of Amman, so the drive takes a large part of the morning. Your transport is a private, climate-controlled vehicle sized for your group, with an English-speaking driver who also helps guide the day.

This arrangement is useful because Petra demands an early start and a late finish. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the bus station or work out a return connection after a tiring walk. The driver remains part of your support team while a local English-speaking guide leads the Petra visit.

Onboard Wi-Fi is included, though you should still carry water, sun protection, and any personal items you need for a full day outside. Food, drinks, and gratuities are not included. A lunch option is available when selected, and vegetarian meals can be requested.

The timing is tight but sensible for a day trip from Amman. You should expect around three hours for the journey in each direction, with the remaining time spent around Petra. If you want slow photography stops, extended museum time, or a leisurely meal, this format may feel rushed.

Little Petra and the northern back trail

The route begins near Little Petra, also known as Beida, and continues through Siq Albarid. From there, you head toward a farming village and climb into the mountains. This is the less familiar side of Petra, and it gives you a different first impression than the polished approach through the main visitor entrance.

The climb provides an exceptional view of the Monastery before you reach it. That preview helps you understand the scale of the site. Instead of walking directly toward a monument framed by canyon walls, you first see the surrounding terrain and the Monastery set into the rock.

The French-language feedback supplied for this experience points to two practical details: the northern trail avoids the main Petra route, and a short passage of about 30 meters requires care. That section may be uncomfortable for anyone with a strong fear of heights. Ask about current trail conditions before setting out, especially if rain is possible.

You should wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. A sunhat is specifically recommended, and the sun can be tiring on exposed sections. This is not a casual stroll from one monument to the next. It is a proper walking route with climbs, descents, uneven ground, and long distances.

The Monastery, Byzantine Church, and Qasr el Bint

The Monastery is one of Petra’s great sights, with a broad carved facade that resembles the Treasury in its basic style but feels more remote and monumental. Reaching it early in the route gives you time to take in the setting before descending toward the central site.

The tour then moves toward the Byzantine Church and Qasr el Bint. The Byzantine Church is known for its surviving floor mosaics, while Qasr el Bint is one of the major freestanding temple remains in Petra. Together, they show that Petra was not only a collection of carved facades. It also had substantial buildings, religious spaces, and later Christian use.

This portion is a good reason to choose the private format. Your local guide can explain what you are seeing at the pace your group needs. You can ask for clarification, pause for photographs, or keep moving if the heat is building.

The route description allows about three hours for this broad section. That does not mean every minute is fixed. The private setup gives you more control than a large group, but the day still has a planned sequence and a long return to Amman.

Wadi Farasa and Petra’s quieter monuments

From Qasr el Bint, you continue through Wadi Farasa. This section includes the Lion Fountain, the Garden Triclinium, and the Roman Soldiers Tomb. You also see caves and shifting shades in the sandstone, details that are easy to miss when your attention is fixed on the Treasury.

The Garden Triclinium is a good reminder that Petra’s rock cut spaces had different purposes. Some were tombs, some were ceremonial rooms, and others were linked to gatherings or daily life. The Roman Soldiers Tomb adds another layer to the site, showing the mix of Nabatean and Roman influence.

I like this middle section because it breaks up the famous sights. Petra can become a parade of photographs if you rush from the Treasury to the Royal Tombs. Wadi Farasa gives the guide room to explain smaller features and gives you a chance to notice the rock itself.

Do not expect a flat path. The combination of walking time, heat, and uneven surfaces can make this part tiring. Carry water and pace yourself. The local guide is there for the Petra route, while the driver handles the wider transport between Amman and the site.

The Theater and Royal Tombs

The Theater is one of Petra’s most recognizable excavated monuments, with seating for about 3,000 people. It was cut into the rock and expanded over time, creating a striking contrast between natural stone and planned architecture.

From the Theater, the route continues toward the Royal Tombs. These large facades are among the best places to appreciate Petra’s changing sandstone colors. Depending on the light, the rock can shift from pale cream to pink, red, and darker bands.

This section brings you back into the core of Petra. After the quieter back trail, the Theater and Royal Tombs provide a stronger sense of the city’s scale and public life. You begin to see how tombs, streets, temples, and performance spaces were arranged within the valley.

The guide’s role is important here. Without context, the tomb facades can look like impressive walls with open chambers. With explanation, you can better understand their place in Nabatean society and the later changes made to the site.

The Treasury and the walk through the Siq

The Treasury, or El Khazneh, is the main photographic prize of Petra. Its rose-pink facade was carved into the cliff and remains the monument most closely linked with the city. The tour reaches it after you have already crossed the back trail and explored several major ruins, so the arrival feels like a reward rather than the starting point.

You will have time to admire the facade and take photographs. The tour description says the Treasury was built to house priceless treasures, but the name reflects a later belief rather than proof that a literal treasury was stored there. Your guide can help separate the monument’s appearance from the stories attached to it.

After the Treasury, the route ends through the Siq. This narrow passage runs for about 1.2 kilometers between tall stone walls and leads to the main visitor center entrance. The walk is one of Petra’s defining experiences, with the rock walls gradually opening toward the city and the Treasury behind you.

Ending at the Siq gives the day a neat shape. You begin with open mountain views, move through monuments and carved tombs, then finish in the confined passage that introduces Petra on the standard route. You get both versions of the site in one long day.

Time for the Petra Museum

If time allows, you can visit the Petra Museum near the main entrance before rejoining your vehicle. The museum is not guaranteed as a long stop, since the route already uses most of the day and you must still drive back to Amman.

Treat it as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. If you are especially interested in archaeological objects and site interpretation, tell your guide early that the museum matters to you. The private format may make a short visit possible, but the exact time depends on the pace of the trail and the group.

What the $293.33 price really covers

At $293.33 per person, this is not a budget Petra visit. The value comes from the number of services bundled into a private day trip: hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman, private air-conditioned transport, an English-speaking driver, a local Petra guide, Petra admission when that option is selected, a horse ride before the Siq, and onboard Wi-Fi.

For a private group, the price may compare more favorably than it first appears. You are paying for a long transport day as well as the guided site visit. You also avoid arranging separate transfers and guides, which can be worthwhile when you have only one day for Petra.

The value drops if you already have transport, a guide, or a Jordan Pass. Those holding a Jordan Pass should tell the operator, since the entrance fee can be reimbursed at the destination when the appropriate option was booked. Travelers from Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council countries are advised to choose the Jordan Pass option and pay the reduced entrance fee directly in Jordan.

Lunch and drinks cost extra, as do tips and personal expenses. Budget for gratuities for the driver, local guide, and horse handler. The horse ride is included, but it is a short transport element before the Siq, not a full replacement for the day’s walking.

The experience is often booked far ahead, with an average booking lead time of 181 days. That suggests you should reserve early if your Jordan dates are fixed, particularly because this is a private activity with limited vehicle and guide availability.

Who should book this Petra route

I would choose this tour if you want Petra’s main monuments but do not want the usual out-and-back approach. It suits active visitors who enjoy long walks, mountain paths, changing scenery, and a guide who can connect the smaller ruins to the famous ones.

It also works well for a private group that values flexible pacing. You can stay with your own companions, ask questions freely, and avoid being tied to strangers. The itinerary was praised for balancing major sights with less familiar sections and allowing time to explore at an individual pace.

I would hesitate if you have limited mobility, difficulty with steep paths, or a strong fear of heights. Contact the operator before booking if mobility is a concern. A golf cart at Petra may be available by request, but you should confirm whether it suits this back-trail route.

This is also a demanding choice for anyone who dislikes early starts. You leave Amman at about 7:00 am, spend roughly six hours on the road, walk for much of the Petra visit, and return late. The reward is a fuller, more unusual day, not a relaxed excursion.

Practical preparation for the 12 to 13 hour day

Wear shoes with good grip and bring a hat. The tour specifically recommends comfortable footwear and a sunhat, and both are sensible for the climbs, descents, and exposed paths.

Carry water and plan for your meal. No food or beverages are included unless you select the lunch option, and local restaurants may not serve alcohol. If a dry restaurant would be a problem for you, raise that point with the operator before the day.

Confirm your pickup the day before. The operator asks you to reconfirm arrangements using the office phone, emergency mobile number, or email shown on your voucher. Airport pickup and drop-off are possible by request, but they are not part of the standard hotel transfer promise.

The tour runs in English. French and Spanish may be available by request, subject to availability. Special dietary needs should be given at booking, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Monastery-first Petra tour?

Book it if you want a private, active Petra day with a route that feels different from the standard entrance. The Monastery, Wadi Farasa, Royal Tombs, Treasury, and Siq create a satisfying sequence, and the included transport and guiding remove much of the planning work.

Skip it if you need an easy walk, a short visit, or a flexible day with plenty of downtime. The price is high, the schedule is long, and the northern trail has one section that deserves caution.

For fit walkers with one day from Amman, this is a strong way to see both Petra’s quiet back route and its famous center. Just arrive prepared for the miles, the heat, and the fact that Petra saves its best drama for the end.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 7:00 am, with pickup from your Amman hotel.

How long does the Petra tour take?

The full experience lasts approximately 12 to 13 hours, including transport between Amman and Petra.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman are included. Airport pickup and drop-off can be arranged by request.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What language is the tour provided in?

The tour is provided in English. French and Spanish may be available by request, depending on availability.

Are Petra entrance fees included?

One day of Petra admission is included when you select the option with entrance fees. Jordan Pass holders should inform the operator so the entrance fee can be reimbursed at the destination when applicable.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included unless you select the lunch option. Vegetarian meals can be requested.

Is the horse ride included?

Yes. A horse ride before the Siq is included.

Can people with mobility issues join?

People with mobility issues should contact the operator before booking. A golf cart service at Petra may be available by request.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. Poor weather may result in a new date or a full refund.