Petra - Jordan - page 352

The easy-to-follow trail to the Monastery starts from the Nabataean Museum and takes
about 40 minutes (if in doubt, look for weary hikers coming down). Alternatively, don-
keys (with a guide) can be hired for about JD7-12 one way, depending on your power of
negotiation; you're better off walking coming down as the donkeys travel fast and the way
is steep and slippery, making for an uncomfortable and at times dangerous journey for
both you and your mount. The trip is best started in mid-afternoon when there is welcome
shade and the Monastery is at its most photogenic. The remarkable ancient rock-cut path
of more than 800 steps follows the old processional route and is a spectacle of weird and
wonderfully tortured stone. There are several side paths to explore, including a detour to
the Lion Tomb (Lion Triclinium), set in a gully. The two weather-beaten lions that lend
the tomb its name face each other at the base of the monument.
An exciting 6km hike leads from the Monastery to Siq al-Barid (Little Petra; it takes
about 2½ hours and involves some easy scrambling). Ask at Petra Visitor Centre or at loc-
al travel agencies for a guide as the route is difficult to find.

WALKING TIMES TO KEY SIGHTS IN
PETRA

To make the most of Petra you need to walk. The good news is that you don't have to be a serious hiker with a week
to spare to have a 'Burckhardt moment' in the ancient city - you just need to know where to go and when. Times in
the following table indicate one-way walks (unless stated otherwise) at a leisurely pace. At a faster pace without
stopping, you can hike from Petra Visitor Centre to the Treasury in 20 minutes and the museum in 40 minutes along
the main thoroughfare. Don't forget to double the time for the uphill return journey, particularly if you're tired after
a day's sightseeing. A variety of animal transport is usually on hand to get you back to base if you're seriously flag-
ging: for example, you can take a donkey from the Monastery to the Museum, a camel to the Treasury, a horse car-
riage to the Siq entrance and a horse to the visitor centre. See Click here .

DIRECT
ROUTE

TIME DIFFICULTYALTERNATIVES & INTERESTING DETOURS

Visitor Centre to
Siq Entrance

15
minutes

Easy Horse ride Ponies are for hire to help you reach the dam near the Siq en-

trance - useful on the uphill return journey.

Siq Entrance to
Treasury

20
minutes

Easy Hike Clamber above the Royal Tombs to a Treasury viewpoint and look

down on everyone else looking up (one hour; strenuous).

Treasury to Roy-
al Tombs

20
minutes

Easy Hike Climb the steps between the Royal Tombs and Sextius Florentinus

tomb for a regal-eyed view of Petra. Continue to the cistern and descend to
the Urn Tomb (one to 1½ hours; strenuous).

Hike As an alternative to the Siq, squeeze through sinuous Wadi Muthlim
to reach the Royal Tombs (1½ hours; moderate, guide required).