Petra Full Day Tour Review (2025): What to Expect

You know, there are some places in the world that are just so famous, you sort of feel like you already know them before you even go. Petra is definitely one of those spots, I mean, you’ve seen it in movies and on countless travel shows, right? Yet, honestly, none of that really gets you ready for the real thing. A ‘Petra Full Day Tour’ is a title that sounds pretty straightforward, but the experience is so much more than just a long walk. It’s a very long day, that’s for sure, and your legs will probably feel it tomorrow. I’m telling you this now. In a way, preparing for a full day there is kind of a big deal, so I wanted to share what it’s actually like, what you can really expect on a tour in 2025. This isn’t just a list of sights; it’s more or less a rundown of the feeling, the physical effort, and the little things that make it a completely unforgettable time.

Frankly, thinking about a whole day on your feet can sound like a lot. As a matter of fact, it is a lot of walking, we’re talking about miles and miles. But the thing is, you’re so caught up in what’s around you that you almost don’t notice the distance, at least not at first. Obviously, the place is famous for the Treasury, but that’s like just one chapter in a really, really long book. A full day gives you the time to read a few more of those chapters, to go past the main attractions that everyone swarms to, and find quieter spots. You get to, you know, absorb the immense size of this ancient city. This review is basically my attempt to give you a play-by-play, so you can decide how to make the most of your own big day there. Anyway, let’s get into what that day actually feels like.

First Impressions: The Path Through the Siq

Okay, so your tour almost always begins at the main visitor center. From there, you start walking, and honestly, the first part of the walk is just a wide, dusty path that is a bit exposed to the sun. You’re walking with a lot of other people, and at this point, you’re probably thinking, “Is this it?” But then, you get to the entrance of the Siq, which is basically this huge split in the rock. The moment you step into this canyon, everything just changes. For instance, the temperature drops a few degrees, and the noise from the outside world kind of fades away, which is a really neat effect. It’s almost a mile-long walk through this narrow passage, with rock walls that are incredibly high on both sides of you. You know, you have to keep looking up because the patterns and colors in the stone are just wild.

As I was saying, the walk through the Siq is an attraction all on its own, it’s not just a way to get to the Treasury. The canyon walls, you know, twist and turn, so you can’t see what’s coming next. It’s pretty much a masterclass in building anticipation. You will sometimes see these small, carved niches or the remains of the Nabataean water channels running along the side of the wall. To be honest, it’s these little details that start to give you a sense of just how ingenious these people were. You can literally reach out and touch a piece of history that’s over two thousand years old. Instead of rushing this part, it is a great idea to slow down a little bit. Some people spend hours just looking at the rock formations. To be honest, you can see why if you read stories from other travelers. Frankly, this winding path makes you feel really small, but in a good way.

I mean, you’ll see horse-drawn carriages clattering past, which is an option if you have trouble walking, but frankly, you miss so much if you ride. Walking allows you to, like, feel the place. You can stop, look closer at the deep red and pink swirls in the sandstone, and really appreciate the slow reveal. In that case, just be mindful of the carriages, as they move pretty fast and the path isn’t terribly wide in some spots. By the way, the ground is a bit uneven, so comfortable shoes are something you’ll be very thankful for, even this early in the day. The guides on these tours will often stop here and there to point out things you might otherwise miss, like the remnants of a gateway arch that once stood at the entrance. At the end of the day, it’s the suspense of what lies at the end of this beautiful canyon that really powers you forward.

That First Look: Seeing the Treasury for Real

So, you’re walking and walking down the Siq, and just when you think the canyon might go on forever, it happens. You know what I’m talking about. Through a thin, vertical sliver of an opening at the very end of the canyon, you see it. Your first peek at the Treasury, or Al-Khazneh, is just iconic. It’s almost like the whole experience was engineered for this single moment of drama. The rock facade is sort of a dusty rose color, and it literally glows when the light hits it. Honestly, it looks like a photograph, but it’s really there, right in front of you. As you walk the last few steps out of the Siq and into the open area in front of it, the entire structure reveals itself, and it’s just massive and so intricately carved. I mean, it is just an absolutely breathtaking sight.

Now, this spot is naturally the most crowded place in all of Petra. As a matter of fact, you have to be ready for a bit of chaos. There are people everywhere, all trying to get that perfect photo without anyone else in it, which is, you know, pretty much impossible. There are also local Bedouins offering camel rides, which adds to the lively scene. Just try to find a spot to the side, take a deep breath, and soak it all in. You might have to wait a little for a clearer view, but it’s worth it. A lot of people just snap their pictures and move on, but if you’re on a full-day tour, you actually have time to hang around. You can observe the way the light changes on the facade, which is just really cool. The detail is absolutely wild. Frankly, a good guide can tell you all about the carvings.

You know, it’s kind of funny they call it ‘The Treasury.’ The legend was that an Egyptian pharaoh hid his treasure in the urn at the very top, but actually, it’s more or less a king’s tomb. Our guide told us that the bullet marks you can see on the urn are from people in the past who literally tried to shoot the treasure out.

After you’ve taken it all in from the ground level, you might see people up high on the cliffs opposite the Treasury. These are viewpoints you can get to for a fee, paid to the local Bedouins who manage the paths. They offer that famous top-down photo you’ve probably seen. To be honest, getting up there involves a little bit of a scramble, so it’s not for everyone. If you do go, they will often offer you tea while you sit and enjoy the view, which is a nice touch. It’s just one of those things you have to decide on the spot if you have the time and energy for it. Anyway, even if you just stay on the ground, the experience of finally seeing the Treasury with your own eyes is, you know, kind of the main reason you came, and it really doesn’t disappoint.

More Than One Building: What’s in the Rest of Petra?

Okay, so you might think the Treasury is the main event, but honestly, it’s just the spectacular opening act. Petra is a whole city, and once you walk past the Treasury, a much wider valley opens up, and this area is called the Street of Facades. It is basically a long row of massive tombs, one after another, carved right into the rock face. These are a bit less fancy than the Treasury, but their sheer number and size really give you a sense of what this place was like at its peak. You can actually go inside some of these, and it is sort of spooky and amazing at the same time. They are mostly just empty, square rooms now, but you can feel the age of the place. You know, you are literally standing inside a mountain that was hollowed out by hand thousands of years ago.

As you keep walking, the valley gets even wider, and you will eventually see the Theater. It looks Roman, but actually, the Nabataeans carved it first, also straight from the rock. The Romans just came along later and made it bigger. You can climb up the stone seats and get a pretty neat view of the rest of the ancient city center unfolding before you. From here, you can see the Colonnaded Street, which was like the main shopping street back in the day. There are columns still standing, and the remnants of what were once fountains and temples. It is at this point that you really start to understand the “full day tour” part of the name. To see everything, you have to do a lot of walking, I mean, a serious amount. You can pretty much spend an entire afternoon here. Actually, planning your route through the main city area is a smart move.

Looking up on the cliffs to your right from the main path, you’ll see the Royal Tombs. These are some of the most impressive carvings in all of Petra, arguably even more intricate than the Treasury in some respects. There’s the Urn Tomb, the Silk Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, and the Palace Tomb, all side-by-side. It takes a little bit of a climb up a set of stairs to reach them, but the effort is completely worth it. The view from their terrace looking back down over the city is incredible. The Silk Tomb, in particular, has some of the most stunning colored sandstone you will ever see—deep reds, oranges, and blues all swirled together. Most people on shorter tours skip this climb, so it tends to be a bit quieter up there. It is a great spot to just sit for a while, have a snack, and just, you know, try to process the scale of it all.

The Big Climb: Is the Monastery Hike Worth It?

Frankly, after you’ve explored the main city area, you’re faced with a big choice. Do you climb up to the Monastery, Ad-Deir? Your tour guide will likely point to a path that disappears up into the mountains and tell you there are about 850 steps to the top. This is the point in the day where your legs are already tired, it is probably getting hot, and you might be wondering if you have it in you. To be honest, it is a challenging hike. It’s not just stairs; it’s an uneven, winding path that is a bit of a workout. You will see stalls along the way selling water, souvenirs, and snacks, so there are plenty of places to take a break, which you will probably need to do.

Now, you will definitely see people riding donkeys up the path. This is a very popular option for those who feel they can’t make the climb. You should know, however, that how the animals are treated is a subject of a lot of discussion. It’s a personal choice, of course, but if you’re reasonably fit, walking it is really rewarding. It’s a journey in itself, you know, with the views getting better and better as you go higher. The path itself is beautiful, cut through the mountains with amazing scenery all around. Just take it slow and steady, that’s the key. At the end of the day, making it to the top on your own two feet feels like a real achievement. And you’ll need to bring a lot of water for this part. You can check out some tips for the Monastery hike online before you go.

So, you’ve made it up the 850-plus steps, you turn a final corner, and there it is. The Monastery is absolutely gigantic. I mean, it is so much bigger than the Treasury, but because there are fewer crowds up here, the whole atmosphere is much more serene. It’s set in this huge, open sandy area, and it’s just stunning. You can sit at a little cafe across from it, have a cold drink, and just stare at it. Unlike the Treasury, you can actually go inside the main chamber of the Monastery, which is just a huge, empty room that makes you feel very small. But the trip isn’t over yet. There are little signs pointing to spots that promise the “best view in the world.” If you have any energy left, a short five-minute scramble up some more rocks will get you to a viewpoint looking out over the mountains and the Jordan Rift Valley. So, is the climb worth it? Seriously, yes, one hundred percent. If you’re in Petra for a full day and are physically able, you just have to do it.

The Real Stuff: What You Genuinely Need for a Day in Petra

Alright, let’s talk practical things, because how you prepare can pretty much make or break your day. At the end of the day, this is an endurance event, so you need to be ready. Let’s start with your feet. Basically, wear the most comfortable, broken-in walking shoes or hiking boots you own. Seriously, this is not the day to try out a new pair. You’ll be walking on sand, uneven rock, and up and down countless stairs, so good footwear is your best friend. Also, the sun in Jordan is really no joke, even in the cooler months. You absolutely need a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. There are stretches of the walk with very little shade, especially in the main city area and on the hike up to the Monastery.

Next up is water and food. Obviously, staying hydrated is incredibly important. You should bring at least one large bottle of water with you to start the day. There are many stalls and a couple of restaurants inside the park where you can buy more, but it is a bit more expensive than outside. So, you might want to plan for that. Similarly, packing some of your own snacks like granola bars or fruit is a very smart move. There is a buffet-style restaurant,