About this tour
When Tomás from the crew did this private full-day run from Amman to Petra, we found ourselves walking through one of the world's most jaw-dropping archaeological sites without the usual tourist horde. You get picked up from your hotel, driven into the desert, and spend hours exploring the rose-red city carved into canyon walls — threading through the Siq gorge, gawking at the Treasury, clambering up to the High Place of Sacrifice, and soaking in views across barren, sculpted rock. It's a 12-hour day, small group (max seven), and you're moving on foot, so fitness matters. Private transport means no coach-full of package tourists, which changes the whole vibe.
Highlights
- Siq gorge entrance — narrow ravine walls pink and weathered, suddenly opens onto the Treasury
- Treasury facade at golden hour, carved directly into cliff face, utterly massive
- Theatre terraces with views across the basin, surprisingly intact Roman-era seating
- High Place of Sacrifice via Wadi al-Mahfur — steep scramble with sweeping desert panoramas
- Monastery perched high on the plateau, reached by desert track, fewer crowds than lower sites
- Private vehicle means flexible pacing — stop where you want, driver waits
- Guide option adds serious context — Nabataean trade routes, water systems, why it was built
What to expect
The day kicks off with a hotel pickup and a scenic drive south from Amman — roughly three hours through scrubby desert landscape before you reach the Petra entrance. Once through the gate, you're walking into the Siq, a narrow slot canyon that funnel-funnels you toward the Treasury facade. It's striking, even crowded. The morning is best for photographs and beating the midday crush. From there, you trek across the basin, climbing toward the theatre, the royal tombs, and eventually the High Place of Sacrifice if you've got legs left — it's a proper hike up rough stone steps with a 700m drop on the other side. Expect loose scree, sun exposure, and no shade beyond what the cliffs throw. Most crews spend four to five hours actively exploring once inside, then the reverse drive back to Amman. It's long, sweaty, brilliant — but not a gentle potter around.
What travellers say
- Private vehicle and flexible itinerary beat herded coach-tour experience
- Small group size keeps the atmosphere intimate and guide attentive
- Guide option covers Nabataean history and engineering brilliantly
- Treasury and High Place views genuinely spectacular, worth the sweat
- Air-conditioned transport saves recovery time between walking stints
- 12-hour day exhausting — starts early, finishes late
- Entry fees and meals excluded from base price, adds up quickly
- Petra crowds peak mid-morning regardless of private booking
- Moderate-to-high fitness required; loose scree and steep sections not casual
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Private transport beats coach tours — you skip queues and set your own rhythm. Guides really know their stuff on Nabataean history, water management, and trade networks. Petra itself is one of those places that justifies the travel. Small group (max seven) feels intimate without feeling lonely.
It's a full 12 hours door-to-door, so pace yourself. The site demands moderate fitness — plenty of climbing, uneven terrain, and altitude (around 800m). Peak season (Oct–Apr) still brings crowds, especially 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Bring serious sun protection and at least 3 litres of water — the desert reflects heat viciously. Meals aren't included, so pack snacks or budget lunch at the site (pricey). Entry fees aren't included in base price — you'll add them separately. Wear proper walking boots, not sandals. Not wheelchair-accessible. Kids under eight may struggle with the distance and heat.
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.