Adventure Through Little Petra and Beyond

Petra, Little Petra, Jordan, rock formations, canyons

Sometimes you just want to get from A to B as quickly as possible, but there are times when taking the long way, however more tiring, will provide you with some of life’s greatest adventures. Despite the exhaustion and dehydration and crawling on hands and knees to escape falling hundreds of feet down crumbling cliff faces.

Taking the back route through Petra is without doubt more satisfying that striding into the wake of other tourists via the main entrance.

The lesser-known entrance takes you first into Little Petra, a place where the local Bedouins claim “If you haven’t been to Little Petra, then you haven’t been to Petra at all”.

As I walked through a passage that led to stairs, monuments, tombs, water cisterns and caves carved into grand canyons surrounded by nothing but the sound of sand beneath my feet, I knew following the advice of these locals was going to be the best part of my trip to Jordan.

Tomb in Little Petra, cave, rocks, jordan

Inside Little Petra - frescos and water canals

Of all the wondrous areas within Petra and Little Petra that are open to the public, there is only one area that cannot be accessed – a cave fresco painted by the Nabataeans over 2000 years ago.

It is the only surviving example of Nabataen intricate painting left in the world. Unfortunately, it is now almost entirely destroyed by a fire and natural weathering. Little can be seen of the fresco except a few grape vines, various birds and cherubic figures, but it is a reminder of how the Nabataeans created such a culturally rich and sophisticated civilisation.

Fresco in Little Petra, Nabatean art work
Following Little Petra, my friends and I set our sights for Ad-Deir in Petra, popularly known as the Monastery and the second most popular attraction after the Treasury. The distance between the two places takes approximately 3.5 hours by foot, and a guide is needed because without, the inevitability of getting lost in this vast landscape is almost guaranteed. You’re only a speck of dust in a terrain full of craggy mountain tops and barren land that stretches as far as the eye can see, so you really don’t want to get lost, especially with limited water supply and the sun’s rays strobing down onto you.
Surrounded by craggy conyons, rock formations Little Petra, desert, Jordan

Bayda Neolithic Village

After we exited Little Petra, we followed the desire lines around that led us onto a faint trail that leads through to the Bayda Neolithic Village which is supposed to be the oldest village in the world dating back 7000BC.  Archaeologists have determined that they cultivated barley and emmer wheat, and hunted goats in an early form of domestication. The latter of which is still prevalent as a source of income for the Bedouin people.
Goat herder in Petra, rock formations
Goats, goat herder in Little Petra, Petra, Jordan

As we carried on, there was not a soul in sight, and we felt privileged to have one of the world’s New Seven Wonders of the World at our feet. We danced around and shouted in exultation and heard nothing but the replies of our echoes. We knew an opportunity like this would not come around again.

Trekking though Little Petra, Monastery, trek, jordan, hiking
Petra landscape, desert, rock formations
rock formations Little Petra, trekking little petra, canyons

Trekking through Little Petra, Jordan, desert

Climbing Mountain cliffs in Petra, Little Petra, Jordan, trekking

Notice how my friends are scrambling on the ‘easier’ route, whilst our guide casually walks along the thread bare cliff!

After carefully following our guide, we ventured down pathways that fell loose beneath our weight. We held onto jagged mountain faces and climbed across paper narrow routes that opened onto sheer drops.

Finally, the Monastery emerges

As the Monastery emerged from behind a canyon, our feet were instantly relinquished from tiredness and all our senses became completely captivated by Petra’s most colossal vision.

Monastery in Petra, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seven World of the World

The spectacular facade

The façade is an awe-inspiring sight to behold, featuring a monumental structure carved directly into the rose-red sandstone rock.

Its name, “Al-Deir,” translates to “The Monastery” in Arabic, but it is believed to have served as a Nabatean tomb rather than an actual monastery. Despite its name, the exact purpose of this imposing structure remains a mystery, adding to its allure and intrigue. Few places deserve its UNESCO World Heritage Site statue more than Petra, and indeed, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The Monastery in Petra, new seventh Wonder of the World, UNESCO

Where to stay in Petra

I stayed 2 nights at Petra Guest House Hotel, located on the doorstep of the Petra’s entrance.

The really good thing about this hotel is the Cave Bar, set in a restored 1st century Nabatean house, a gorgeous al fresco setting to relax with a cocktail after days of exploration. It’s also possible to book excursions or travel guides through the hotel.

→ Search all hotels in Petra / Wadi Musa

Are you planning a trip to Jordan and looking for more inspiration?

Hiking through Petra, Jordan

Would you like to hike from Little Petra to the Monastery?

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Hi, I'm Shing

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11 Responses

    1. Hello Daniel! I entered the front and back entrance of Petra, and the back was definitely my favourite way to explore such an unimaginable place!

  1. I’ve always wanted to visit Petra but you’ve just now added an additional reason to go! I absolutely love going off the beaten path- what an adventure! You must have felt a little bit like Indiana jones, am I right? haha

    1. Haha I definitely got into the Indiana Jones spirit! The album I recreated on my facebook was called The Indiana Jones Adventures! I hope you make it to Jordan soon – so many people resist going because they think it’s embroiled in the Arab Springs conflict, but it really is a place of calmness amongst the storm.., and with fewer people going its not uncommon to feel like you have the whole of Petra completely to yourself!

  2. Hey, thank you very much for all the information. I am a bit confused about the way you are dressed on the pictures. Is it ok to wear shorts around Petra?

    1. Hello Sina, I too had reservations about what to wear before going to somewhere like Petra, but it is fine to wear shorts – just ensure that they are loose, practical, and obviously still an appropriate length. The places where you should wear clothing beneath the knee are Madaba because its a very religious city, and Wadi Rum because it sees less tourists than Petra.

      On a whole, the ‘no no’ to dressing etiquette applies mainly to the exposure of shoulders and chest – they’ve got to be kept under wraps! But arms and a bit of leg is ok 😀

      If you want more information on what to wear in Jordan, I wrote this article that will give you a better insight: http://www.theculturemap.com/dress-bedouin-jordan/

      I hope this helps 🙂

  3. Hello,thanks for these lovely review about my place , I would like to say that the back trail which leads to the monestry has been recently reinovated and became more decent to hike . If you guys interested to walk into Petra from this rear door just give a call on 00962775216631

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