A Real Review: 2 Day Trip to Petra From Amman (2025)

Getting Started: The Drive from Amman to Wadi Musa

So, you’re thinking about that trip down to Petra from Amman, right? To be honest, the drive itself is actually part of the entire adventure, you know. You basically have two main routes to pick from, the faster Desert Highway or the more scenic King’s Highway. We opted for the King’s Highway, and honestly, it was a very good choice. The road is a bit slower, I mean, it winds through all these old towns and past some really incredible viewpoints over valleys. You sort of get a real feel for the country this way, unlike just speeding down a straight road. It’s really about seeing the landscape change in a very gradual way. For instance, you leave the urban sprawl of Amman behind, and pretty soon, you’re in this wide-open space that feels almost ancient. Actually, a good driver can point out some interesting spots to stop for pictures along the way. Anyway, the town you’re headed for is Wadi Musa, which is more or less the town that services the Petra archaeological site. It’s frankly just a staging ground for the main event, but a very necessary one.

The whole trip by car takes, like, three to four hours, depending on traffic and how many times you stop. We actually took our time, stopping for some sweet, minty tea at a roadside stand. Honestly, that was one of the best moments, just sitting there and watching the world go by. It’s pretty amazing to think about the people who have traveled this same path for literally thousands of years. Obviously, they weren’t in an air-conditioned car, so we have it pretty easy. Still, there’s this feeling of history that just hangs in the air, you know? It’s kind of hard to explain, but it definitely sets the mood for what’s to come. By the time you get to Wadi Musa and check into your hotel, you are really ready for what comes next. As a matter of fact, doing it this way means you are not arriving tired and jumping straight into a massive day of walking, which seems to be a much better plan. For us, arriving in the afternoon was perfect, giving us time to settle in before tackling the real adventure the next morning. You pretty much want to be well-rested for all the walking you’re about to do.

First Impressions: Exploring Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)

Okay, so on your first day, before you even think about the main city of Petra, you really should go see Little Petra, or Siq al-Barid as it’s locally known. We went in the late afternoon, and honestly, it was the perfect introduction. It’s basically a much smaller, more compact version of Petra, and it tends to be far less crowded. You get to see these amazing buildings carved right into the sandstone cliffs, but it’s, you know, a bit more manageable on your first day. This site was apparently a suburb of Petra, a place for traders to stop and rest. You can almost feel that history as you walk through the small canyon, or siq. The name Siq al-Barid means ‘the cold canyon,’ and you actually understand why when you step inside. You see, the high walls block out a lot of the sun, so it’s noticeably cooler, a really nice break from the desert heat.

The coolest part, at least for me, was this one chamber called the Painted House. In here, you can still see the remnants of incredibly detailed frescoes painted on the ceiling, which is really rare for a Nabataean site. They show, like, birds and vines with grapes and stuff, and it’s pretty stunning to see these colors still there after two thousand years. It gives you a sense that these rock-carved rooms were once really vibrant and full of life, not just empty spaces. Exploring Little Petra doesn’t take very long, maybe an hour or two at most, so it’s a very easy addition to your schedule. In fact, many people on shorter trips skip it, but with a two-day plan, you absolutely have the time. Frankly, it felt like a secret preview, an appetizer that gets you really excited for the main course. It helps you get used to the scale and style of Nabataean architecture before you’re overwhelmed by the sheer size of the main site, so I really think it’s a great first stop. Actually, learning about its history first puts the main site into better context.

The Main Event: Day One in Petra – The Siq and the Treasury

Alright, this is what it’s all about, you know? Your first full day inside Petra proper. My advice is to start very early, I mean, as soon as the site opens. The morning light is just incredible, and you’ll miss most of the big crowds that arrive a little later. The walk into the city begins through the Siq, which is this amazing, narrow canyon that snakes its way for over a kilometer. Honestly, the walk itself is a huge part of the experience. The sandstone walls are hundreds of feet high, and they almost seem to glow with these swirling patterns of red, pink, and orange. Sometimes, the canyon gets so narrow you can practically touch both sides at once. It’s really dramatic and builds up a huge amount of anticipation. You can still see the original channels carved into the sides of the canyon, which the Nabataeans used to control water, and it’s just mind-blowing to think about the engineering involved so long ago.

And then, just as you’re getting used to the cool shadows of the Siq, it happens. You get that first peek of the Treasury, Al-Khazneh, framed perfectly by the dark walls of the canyon. To be honest, it’s one of those moments that photos just can’t do justice to. It’s so much bigger and more detailed than you can ever imagine. Stepping out into the open area in front of it is really quite a feeling. We just stood there for a while, kind of in awe. You’ll see lots of people taking photos, of course, and local Bedouins offering camel rides. The facade of the Treasury is so well-preserved, and it’s really the iconic image of Petra for a reason. From there, the city opens up into the Street of Facades, with rows of tombs carved into the rock. Exploring this area gives you a better sense of Petra as a living city, not just one monument. We spent a good part of the day just wandering this lower section, as a matter of fact, because there is so much to take in, and it’s a lot of walking. Getting some insight into the true purpose of these incredible structures is definitely worth your time.

You think you are prepared for seeing the Treasury for the first time, but actually, you’re not. The scale, the color, and the sheer drama of that reveal from the Siq is something that will probably stay with you forever. It’s just a genuinely powerful moment.

Going Deeper: Day Two – Beyond the Treasury to the Monastery

Okay, so day two is your chance to really go deep into Petra, and this is why a two-day trip is so, so worth it. The main goal for most people on their second day is getting up to the Monastery, or Ad-Deir. Let me be straight with you, this is a real hike. It’s about 850 steps carved into the mountainside, and in the heat, it can be pretty challenging. We started the climb mid-morning, which was probably a little late, to be honest. I’d suggest starting it earlier if you can. You should definitely take lots of water, and just go at your own pace. There are little stalls along the way where you can stop for a rest and a drink in the shade, so it’s not a race. The steps themselves are uneven, and you share the path with donkeys carrying people up, so you have to be aware of your surroundings. Honestly, you’ll be tired and sweaty, but the views on the way up are really fantastic.

But then, you get to the top, and wow. The Monastery is even bigger than the Treasury, though arguably a little less ornate. It’s absolutely massive and sits on this huge, flat plateau with stunning views over the surrounding mountains and valleys. It’s just so impressive. Unlike the Treasury, which is tucked into a tighter space, the Monastery feels so open and grand. Because it takes so much effort to get here, it’s also a lot less crowded. You can actually find a quiet spot to just sit and absorb it all. We had some fresh pomegranate juice from a cafe across from the Monastery and just looked at it for the longest time. You’ll definitely want to explore the different viewpoints around the area for some incredible photo opportunities. Seriously, that hike is one of those things where the reward at the end makes every single step completely worth it. At the end of the day, having the time for this climb is a key benefit of a longer visit, as it is just not feasible on a single-day tour.

Practical Tips and Honest Thoughts for Your Trip

So, a few practical things to think about for your trip. First, and this is probably the most important, wear very, very comfortable shoes. I cannot stress this enough. You will be walking for miles on uneven ground, sand, and up and down stone steps. Seriously, good walking shoes or sturdy sneakers are a must. Also, dress in layers. It can be kind of cool in the early morning, especially in the shady parts of the Siq, but it gets really hot in the middle of the day. You’ll want a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen, for sure. You can buy water all over the site, but it gets more expensive the deeper you go, so it’s a pretty good idea to bring a large bottle with you from your hotel. At the end of the day, being comfortable physically makes the whole experience so much better.

Now, about the local vendors and animal rides. You’ll be approached a lot, I mean, constantly. People will offer you donkey rides, camel rides, horse carriage rides, and try to sell you souvenirs. Just be prepared for it. A polite ‘la, shukran’ (no, thank you) usually works well. If you do want a ride, especially up to the Monastery, just agree on a price before you get on. As for food inside the site, there’s a main restaurant run by the Crowne Plaza near the museum area, but it’s a bit pricey. There are also smaller cafes and stands scattered around. We just had some simple snacks and drinks to keep us going, which was fine. Another thing is hiring a guide. We decided against it and just used a good guidebook, which was fine for us. But, a good guide can definitely share a lot of stories and point out details you would otherwise miss. That is a personal choice, really. You could maybe research options for local guides beforehand to see if it fits your style.