What you see in Petra
You enter Petra on foot through the Siq, a narrow gorge more than a kilometre long between cliffs that rise high above you. At the end of the Siq the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) suddenly appears, its carved front glowing pink in the sun. It is a moment most visitors never forget.
- The Siq: the winding gorge that leads into the city.
- The Treasury: Petra's most famous carved facade.
- The Street of Facades: rows of tombs cut into the cliffs.
- The Royal Tombs and the Theatre, carved out of the rock.
- The Monastery: a huge facade at the top of a long climb of hundreds of steps. On a day trip there is often not enough time for it.
How the trip usually works
The usual route is a drive north along the Sinai coast, a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Aqaba in Jordan, then a drive of a couple of hours to Petra. You visit the site with a guide and come back the same way, late at night. On some days a flight can replace part of the journey.
Ferry and flight schedules change, and some days are not possible. When you ask, we'll send you the route for your date, the times, the price and exactly what is included, so there are no surprises.
Passport, visa and border
- You need a passport that is valid for your whole trip; ask us how long it should still be valid.
- Visa rules for Jordan depend on your nationality and can change, so check them before you book. We'll tell you how it works for your passport.
- There may be border or departure fees on the way. We'll tell you which ones apply and whether they are in the price.
- Keep your passport with you all day: you'll need it at the border and on the ferry.
Is a Petra day trip right for you?
If Petra is on your bucket list and you're already in Sharm El Sheikh, a day trip is a realistic way to see it. But it is a very long day with early pickup, a lot of travel and a lot of walking on sand and stone. It's not ideal for young children or anyone who finds long walks difficult. If you can, ask us about a version with a night in Jordan, which gives you more time in Petra.
What to bring and wear
Prefer a big day out without crossing a border? The Mount Sinai sunrise and St Catherine's Monastery trip and the Colored Canyon and Dahab day are both in Sinai.
- Your passport (and any visa documents).
- Comfortable walking shoes: you'll walk several kilometres.
- A hat, sunglasses and sun cream.
- A warm layer in winter: Petra is in the mountains and mornings can be cold.
- Water and some cash for drinks and tips.