« Amazing or what? How? How much? Impressions. ⬇️
Petra - an ancient city carved into the rock. Today it is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world, alongside the Great Wall of China, Chichén Itzá, Machu Picchu, and others. Truly a unique structure, this place feels like it’s straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. Just imagine, the revenues from Petra alone account for one-third of all tourism income in Jordan. 😱 The atmosphere here is distinctly different from anywhere else.
In terms of distance, Petra is located about 75 miles from Aqaba - you can get there by rental car or taxi (around 70-110 JD). It’s best to arrive early to maximize your time before the heat sets in (the site opens at 7:00 AM), as it can get quite hot here. In August, for example, temperatures can reach a scorching 82°F, while early morning can be as cool as 61°F. 😅
Entrance tickets are available for 1, 2, or 3 days at a price of 70, 75, and 80 JD respectively. This is just the entrance fee for one person. I haven’t seen such a deal anywhere. Keep in mind, this price is for those who might want to spend a night in Jordan. For tourists from neighboring countries (primarily Israel and Egypt), the price is set at 126 JD.
Unforgettable experiences guaranteed. Make sure to see it. However, if you’re not a fan of historical architecture and are just passing through, you can still enjoy the views; that way, you won’t feel too guilty about the lack of personal space. Though, at this moment, I'm not talking about the physical aspect... while some walking is involved, the main route from the entrance to the monastery is about 5 miles, and to reach the monastery itself, you have to climb 900 steps. With so many paths leading in other directions, it's quite possible to spend a few days here if you wish.
The atmosphere: most of the main route is accompanied by local horses, donkeys, and camels. Though, at the entrance, they make you aware that this doesn't come included in your ticket price—don't believe it! The animals are colorful, well-groomed, and make for a serene atmosphere—making this site generally feel like a stepping stone for tourists and adventurers alike. However, do consider bringing good walking shoes, as hiking here on open terrain can be quite uncomfortable. I'm thinking that walking on sand might be quite an unpleasant experience. On the way up to the monastery, you'll often find that well-meaning tourists tend to sit down on the steps, as this isn’t exactly a fast-paced stroll. While it might take a while, the scenery up top rewards you more quickly.
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They definitely raised the price! You could say it’s a ridiculous amount!
It turns out you need to buy a package of tickets to all historical sites in advance online.
If you suddenly think about visiting, make sure to clarify everything online regarding the country! »
Petra - an ancient city carved into the rock. Today it is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world, alongside the Great Wall of China, Chichén Itzá, Machu Picchu, and others. Truly a unique structure, this place feels like it’s straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. Just imagine, the revenues from Petra alone account for one-third of all tourism income in Jordan. 😱 The atmosphere here is distinctly different from anywhere else.
In terms of distance, Petra is located about 75 miles from Aqaba - you can get there by rental car or taxi (around 70-110 JD). It’s best to arrive early to maximize your time before the heat sets in (the site opens at 7:00 AM), as it can get quite hot here. In August, for example, temperatures can reach a scorching 82°F, while early morning can be as cool as 61°F. 😅
Entrance tickets are available for 1, 2, or 3 days at a price of 70, 75, and 80 JD respectively. This is just the entrance fee for one person. I haven’t seen such a deal anywhere. Keep in mind, this price is for those who might want to spend a night in Jordan. For tourists from neighboring countries (primarily Israel and Egypt), the price is set at 126 JD.
Unforgettable experiences guaranteed. Make sure to see it. However, if you’re not a fan of historical architecture and are just passing through, you can still enjoy the views; that way, you won’t feel too guilty about the lack of personal space. Though, at this moment, I'm not talking about the physical aspect... while some walking is involved, the main route from the entrance to the monastery is about 5 miles, and to reach the monastery itself, you have to climb 900 steps. With so many paths leading in other directions, it's quite possible to spend a few days here if you wish.
The atmosphere: most of the main route is accompanied by local horses, donkeys, and camels. Though, at the entrance, they make you aware that this doesn't come included in your ticket price—don't believe it! The animals are colorful, well-groomed, and make for a serene atmosphere—making this site generally feel like a stepping stone for tourists and adventurers alike. However, do consider bringing good walking shoes, as hiking here on open terrain can be quite uncomfortable. I'm thinking that walking on sand might be quite an unpleasant experience. On the way up to the monastery, you'll often find that well-meaning tourists tend to sit down on the steps, as this isn’t exactly a fast-paced stroll. While it might take a while, the scenery up top rewards you more quickly.
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A breathtaking beauty 😍. Majestic, awe-inspiring, endless dunes... I feel like there are no words to describe the entire splendor and experiences associated with this emotion.
The Empty Quarter, or Al Wahda, is famous for its stunning red sands. Films such as "Transformers," "Martian," "Red Planet," and "Lawrence of Arabia" were shot here.
August temperatures can reach 33°C.
To get from Akaba to the area, it’s about 50 miles to the entrance. You can rent a car or take a taxi for around 30-70 JD ($42-$98).
Entrance tickets to the territory start at 7 JD ($10). You can also walk, rent a 4WD for about 50 JD ($70) or hire a driver.
The first option is for explorers—to take in all the main attractions within a 20-mile radius of the desert.
The second option is for those better prepared: the roads are well maintained, so getting lost isn't likely, but the main danger is that in the desert, there’s no familiar boundary with neighboring Saudi Arabia. On SA territory, you may encounter border guards who might stop you. So, if you’re going out on your own, plan your route ahead and recognize that there’s no official border.
The third option is the most relaxing. In government-run establishments, they have fixed prices, but if you just buy a ticket for 7 JD and drive a bit further into the village (about 10km), you can negotiate prices locally. For example, we paid 70 JD for a four-hour trip covering all the iconic places instead of 100 JD. I think it might also be possible to haggle for three hours instead of four, but we found that the quoted price was more than reasonable—it was rather short. You can also negotiate lunch with the driver (10 JD per person) or dinner (20 JD per person) if you're staying overnight (prices can vary in the desert lodging, but I’m not sure how much).
Regarding prices for this excursion, from Pegas, it would be $111 per person, which equals roughly 157 JD for two. 🥲 Not sure what this excursion costs at local tour centers. »