Main Trial to the Monastery (PT-JHT-002)

This trail (Distance: 6km) begins with completing the Main Trail (the most visited trail in Petra, the trail starts from the visitor centre of Petra through the siq to The Treasury, then the royal tombs, The colonnaded street, and finally The Girl's Palace (Qasr Al Bint)). You will then continue to the Monastery up ancient steps and after a short walk you reach the Lion Triclinium, which is set in a small side wadi on the left. Continue past this up the carved stairway to reach a hermitage with chambers excavated in the rock and decorated with many carved crosses. You then move on upwards to reach Ad Deir, which lies a short way beyond and offers a fantastic view over the area.

Tour/Trail Details:

Trail Name:       Classic /Main Trail to Monastery

Trail Duration:   05 – 06 hours (4 hours into Petra and 2 hours return)

Trail Distance:   06km (one way)

Grade/Level:     Medium to Difficult

Start location:   Main Gate / Visitors Center

End Location:    Monastery

Trail/Tour Itinerary:

You will meet your guide at the Visitors Centre near the ticketing office. You will purchase your entrance ticket (or we can purchase/arrange it if it is included with our package). You enter the Petra Archaeological Park (PAP) from the main gate in Wadi Musa. The walk from this gate to the entrance of the Siq, Bab al- Siq, takes 15 minutes at a gentle pace (downhill) and perhaps an extra 10 minutes returning (because it is uphill) i.e., 25 minutes.  So, remember to add 40 minutes to your total time to get there and back. From the entrance to the Siq. The walk itself typically takes just about 10 minutes, and you will pass the Obelisk Tomb and Bab As-Siq Triclinium. Walking through the Siq itself at a leisurely pace will take ½ an hour. Don’t forget to look out for the Nabataean water channel on your left and the Nabataean ceramic water pipes on your right. Keep your eyes open for the Cameleer carving on the left side of the Siq as you walk towards the Treasury (Al Khazanah). If you look more carefully just beyond, you will see another set of camels heading upwards.  Notice the many niches all along the Siq representing the different deities. Give yourself another 10-20 min to explore the Treasury (Al Khazanah) itself, take lots of photos, and prepare yourself to discover a lot more.  After having walked through the Siq and explored the Treasury (Al Khazanah), carry on towards the Theatre, the Royal Tombs, the (Royal) court, then walk down the Colonnaded Street towards Qasr al Bint, passing by the Paradises, the Great Temple, the Roman shops, & Temenos Gate on your way.

You then continue to the Monastery, 800 steps uphill. On the way you can take a short detour to the Lion Triclinium. This is a tiring climb but the views overlooking Wadi Araba are well worth it.  After you descend to the Petra Basin, and if you still have the energy, walk back via the Temple of the Winged Lion, the Ridge Church and the Blue Church and the Royal Tombs (Urn Tomb; Silk Tomb; Corinthian Tomb; Palace Tomb and the Tomb of Sextius Florentinus) before you exit the site taking the same route you came through.