About this tour
When Maz from the Global Hobo crew did this full-day private tour, we rolled out from our Dead Sea resort at 7am in a chilled air-conditioned car and drove three hours south to Petra, Jordan's showstopper. A local guide met us at the gates and walked us through the dramatic Siq canyon, past the carved Treasury (yes, that's the real thing), and along the Street of Facades, Roman Theatre, and Royal Tombs to Qasr Al Bint. The whole guided stretch runs about two hours, leaving the afternoon free to wander, rest, or squeeze in a horse ride through the rose-red rock. It's proper tiring but completely worth the hype.
Highlights
- Three-hour drive through Jordanian landscape in your own private car
- The Siq's narrow canyon walls suddenly open onto the Treasury façade
- Street of Facades packed with 2,000-year-old carved doorways and tombs
- Local guide points out carved details most tourists completely miss
- Optional horse ride through Petra's back routes (tip the handler well)
- Afternoon free time to rest or explore beyond the main circuit
- Professional driver handles all logistics; you just walk and soak it in
What to expect
You'll be picked up early—7 or 8am is ideal—from your hotel or resort. The drive to Petra is long but smooth; the car's got aircon and water, so settle in. Once you arrive, your guide takes over for a structured two-hour walk that covers the main sights. The Siq is claustrophobic and dramatic; your eyes adjust to the light, then boom—the Treasury appears carved into the cliff face. It's genuinely jaw-dropping, no exaggeration needed. From there you're hiking through more carved facades and past tombs, with the guide explaining the Nabataean history and architecture.
The afternoon is yours. Most people either walk back to the gate (about 45 minutes) and head out, or hang around, grab lunch at a local spot, maybe hire a horse for a ride through quieter sections. The whole site is vast and you're on your feet the whole time, so bring a lot of water. Late afternoon you're driven back, arriving before dark. It's long but paced well—you're not rushed through.
What travellers say
- Private car means no crowded coach, just your crew and a driver
- Two-hour guided intro covers all major sites without filler
- Early pickup beats the tour-group crush at the gates
- Afternoon free time lets you rest or explore at your own pace
- Professional driver handles three-hour drive; you arrive fresh
- Relentless heat and walking—moderate fitness is genuinely required
- Entrance fees add up; confirm what's included before booking
- Horse ride tip isn't flagged upfront but handlers expect it
- Midday crowds still heavy; early start only helps so much
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is Petra at its most accessible. A private car means no herding onto a coach with 50 others, and a proper local guide saves you from wandering aimlessly or reading plaques. The inclusion of entrance fees and transfers takes the logistical headache away. If you're based at the Dead Sea, the drive is manageable in one day. Works for solo travellers, couples, and small groups.
It's genuinely exhausting. You're walking on uneven stone paths in the heat for hours, and there's not much shade. The site gets rammed mid-morning, so your early start helps but doesn't eliminate crowds entirely. The horse ride is optional but the handler's tip is expected—budget extra cash. Bring serious sunscreen and a hat; sunburn here is real. You need decent fitness and proper boots; trainers will wreck your feet. Lunch isn't included in the basic package, so budget for that. The site itself is steep and rocky; parents with small kids should think twice.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.