Petra is one of those world phenomena that is on everyone’s bucket list. But do people know much about it, or the country of Jordan that hosts the spectacular site, or even how to get there? Well, I didn’t either, but what I learned was mind blowing.
I booked through Zuruna Travel, a private travel service that creates custom trips around Jordan. They created a route for me that showed me just a few of the must-see sites in only a couple of days since, like many, that’s all the time I had.
We arrived in Amman, only a mere one-and-a-half hours flight from Cairo. Zuruna made sure a private car met us and we headed straight to the Rose City.
On the way, we discovered the Jordanian countryside, turning from desert to greenery, even stopping to pick up wild sage from the side of the road. As the roads winded up and down the hills, remnants of history surrounded us and we got peeks into caves nestled in the mountains that are still used as homes today.
As we got closer, we stopped by the town of Wadi Musa, also known as the Valley of Musa, where the prophet is said to have passed through and struck water from rock. The water runs until this day and is a natural source for villagers to come and fill up their tanks and empty bottles with goodness.
Although this is only one of the villages on the way to Petra, it is known as the main administrative center, hosting the largest population in the area of approximately 30,000.
Although this is the modern route, I learned that travelers and traders actually traversed through the north or even the south around Jabal Haroun where the famous tomb of Aaron (Moses’s brother) lays.
We finally arrived at our beautiful residence for the evening, the Movenpick Resort Petra. True to its reputation, the grounds were stunning. With a two-minute walk to the main site and only 10 minutes away from “Little Petra”, the location is ideal.
Zuruna made sure to provide tickets for us as well as organize a guide for our night trek and for the morning after. Although you would think that once would be enough, both host very different experiences and enchanting views of the narrow passing Siq that takes you to Petra.
The path leading into the Siq is rocky, so I would strongly suggest your favorite trainers for this one. The gorge is lit up with candles, creating shadows on the smooth sandstone walls, ultimately picturesque for any photographer. You are met with the first and most popular site, the Treasury, also known as Al Khaznah in Arabic.
Built in the sandstone and designed to be perfectly protected from rainfall or wind, it is remarkably intact. It seems that the only thing it hasn’t been protected from is humankind and the changes that have come with history.
The candlelight continued all along the front of the monument, giving an air of a higher power present. Bedouins are still in charge of the area, working hand in hand with the army.
Tea was served with the taste of the herbs we had just picked along side the narrow roads, with a scent similar to mint and the taste of Moroccan tea. The Bedouins played music, using some of the oldest instruments ever made, and sang old Bedouin songs. The mood was perfect.
Once done, visitors are encouraged to take pictures and live the experience to the fullest. We walked back in darkness with only the candles and the moon providing light. It was enchanting, yet we were not prepared for how different our morning experience would be.
After a good night’s sleep and a quick breakfast, we woke up, got our workout gear on and headed back to the site. You could automatically tell the difference from the previous night’s trek and atmosphere, with the hustle and bustle reminding me a little of Egypt and our chaos. We decided to take a different means of transport with a carriage ride, transporting us back in time and imagining what it might have been like.
The colors of the sandstone make it seem like I was in a different place just last night. With the scattered trees and glimpses of nature between the rocks making for perfect shade, every corner looks like the perfect picture.
Although the Treasury may be the main touristic site, I would strongly recommend going down the route of the caravan, visiting the tombs of ancients and caves that just make for a cool getaway from the heat and with remarkable views.
Only Bedouins are allowed to sell in the area, so for tourists, expect handmade silver trinkets to more commercial accessories being sold as if you were in a trader’s market.
After walking and taking in just a glimpse of the sites, I wished I had more time. Petra, known to be on the list of world heritage sites, is a gem that Jordan holds and is worth more than the world gives it value. It showed me how much more the Middle East has to offer and how travel and history in our region seems endless, even when you think you have seen it all.
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