Petra - Jordan - page 354

TOP TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF
PETRA
Petra at Dawn The Treasury is sunlit in the morning; you may have seen photos but the real thing is indescribably
magical. Tip: Go before the 8am tours arrive.
Photogenic Petra Mid-afternoon and most of Petra's weary guests have returned to base. Those who linger catch
the Royal Tombs turn pink at sunset. Tip: The sun sets around 6pm in summer and 5pm in winter.
Petra on High The Siq, Street of Facades and museum all lie brooding in the wadi bottom. Climb a few steps, hike
to a high place, sit on a camel and you'll find a whole new dimension to Petra. Tip: The Theatre seats give grand-
stand views.
Hidden Petra Petra doesn't give up its secrets easily and most visitors leave without discovering the exquisite
Monastery, at the top of 800 hand-hewn steps. Tip: Best seen in the full sun of afternoon, beautiful views of Wadi
Araba are just a 15-minute stroll from the Monastery to the lookouts.
Green Petra Explore a parallel world along the hidden wadis of Petra; lizards, snakes and scorpions are common
but shy residents beside the rocky pools. Tip: Magnificent pink oleander blossoms stripe the wadis in profusion in
May.
Living Petra Petra may be a pile of ruins to some, but for others it's home; take Raami's Tours to see how the
Bdoul Bedouin interact with their famous monuments. Tip: Say yes to tea with the Bedouin and participate in
Petra's age-old ritual.
Petra by Night ( Click here ) Catch the spirit of Petra by candlelight. Tip: Warm coat needed in winter.
WADI MUTHLIM TO THE ROYAL TOMBS
This adventurous 1½-hour canyon hike is an exciting alternative route into Petra if you've
already taken the main Siq path, or a rewarding way out of the site if you still have energy.
The hike is not difficult or strenuous, but there are several boulder blockages and in winter
you may need to wade through pools of water. Flash floods are a serious issue in the area
and, due to a recent fatality at the time of writing, a guide is now mandatory.
The trail starts from the dam, just before the entrance to the Siq. Before entering the an-
cient, 88m-long Nabataean tunnel , it's possible to make a short detour (veer right and
double-back over the top of the tunnel) to the Eagle Monument Offline map , with its
eponymous carvings.
Back on the hike, walk through the tunnel and you'll emerge into the sunlight of Wadi
Muthlim with its thick ribbon of oleander. The wadi gradually narrows into a metre-wide
siq and in three places you'll have to lower yourself down 2m-high boulder blockages.
The first is easy enough to negotiate; the other two take a bit more strategy - not impos-
sible if you have someone to lean on, but tricky if you attempt it on your own. If you're