Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .

Petra’s back entrance gives you the day’s biggest reward first: the Monastery. After a ride from Little Petra, you climb toward this enormous carved facade with far fewer people around than at the Treasury. Guide Bassil, who has more than 18 years of experience at Petra, adds useful context and keeps the pace personal.

I like two things here. First, you see Petra in a smart order, starting high at the Monastery and walking downhill toward the Treasury. Second, this is a private outing, so you can stop for photos, ask questions, and move at a pace that suits your group. The tradeoff is real: this is roughly a 10-kilometer hike, with a steep climb to the Monastery and about 850 steps downhill.

Key points to know before booking

• Start at 7:00 a.m. with hotel pickup, a stop at the Visitor Centre, and transport to Little Petra.
• Reach the Monastery by the rear approach, using a 4×4 ride to the base of the stairs before the climb.
• Walk downhill for much of the route, including around 850 steps from the Monastery to the Colonnaded Street.
• See Petra’s major sights in one day, including the Royal Tombs, Theater view, Street of Facades, and Treasury.
• Finish at the Treasury, with free time there or a roughly 40-minute walk through the canyon to the Visitor Centre.
• Bring extra money for admission, since the Petra entry ticket is not included in the $140 price per person.

Why the back entrance changes your Petra day

Most people first see Petra through the Siq, the narrow canyon leading to the Treasury. That classic arrival is powerful, but it also means the Treasury comes early, crowds gather in the canyon, and you still need to tackle Petra’s long trails afterward.

This tour reverses the usual order. You begin near Little Petra, ride toward the Monastery, and walk down through the ancient city until the Treasury appears at the end. I like this arrangement because the day builds toward Petra’s most famous facade rather than using it as a starting point.

The rear route also gives you a quieter opening. The Monastery is one of Petra’s largest and most impressive monuments, yet the approach from the back can feel less pressed by foot traffic. You have more room to look around, take pictures, and listen to the guide without stopping every few steps for a passing group.

The quiet does not mean easy. Petra is dry, sunny, and physically demanding. The walk includes a mountain climb, uneven ground, and a long distance through the site. The downhill direction helps, but it does not remove the work. I would choose this tour for someone with moderate fitness who is comfortable walking for several hours.

The 7:00 a.m. start and ride to Little Petra

The day begins at 7:00 a.m. with pickup from your hotel in Wadi Musa. You make a quick stop at the Visitor Centre to collect the Petra entry tickets, then continue to Little Petra. The tour includes the hotel pickup and a 4×4 ride, but the Petra admission fee itself is separate.

Little Petra receives a short visit of about 15 minutes. That is enough to see its main features and understand the setting, but not enough for a slow, detailed exploration. Think of it as an introduction to the Nabataean sites rather than a full tour of Little Petra.

From there, the included 4×4 ride takes you to the bottom of the Monastery stairs. This is an important practical detail. You are not walking the entire approach from the main Visitor Centre, and the vehicle saves time and energy before the main climb begins.

The 4×4 transfer is part of the tour, not an optional extra listed separately. It also helps explain why this route feels different from a standard Petra visit. You reach a less common access point and begin with one of the site’s major monuments.

Climbing to the Monastery, Al Dayr

The climb to Al Dayr takes the largest block of the morning, listed at about three hours including the surrounding visit and transport. Once you leave the 4×4, you begin walking up the mountain toward the Monastery.

The Monastery is broad, tall, and visually different from the Treasury. Its facade has a simpler, more massive feel, and the open setting lets you appreciate its scale. Because the route begins away from Petra’s main entrance, the first part of the visit can feel calm and spacious.

This is also where you should be honest about your fitness. The tour information calls for a moderate physical level, and that is a fair description. You need to manage a sustained uphill climb, sun exposure, and uneven paths. One useful advantage of a private guide is that the pace can be adjusted for your group instead of being fixed for a large party.

Bassil has been guiding at Petra for more than 18 years. His role is not only to point out monuments. He can explain what you are seeing, answer questions about Petra and Jordanian culture, and help you understand why the site is laid out as it is. Several comments about the outing highlight his patience, safety-conscious approach, and ability to take good photographs.

You should still plan for the weather. The walk can be hot, and the long exposure to sun makes an early start worthwhile. Wear sturdy walking shoes, carry water, and use sun protection. The supplied details do not specify equipment rental or refreshments, so plan to bring what you need for the full walk.

Down 850 steps to the Colonnaded Street

After the Monastery, the route heads downhill toward Petra’s ancient market area and Colonnaded Street. The walk includes about 850 steps and takes roughly one hour.

Downhill sounds easy until you have spent time on stone steps. The descent can put pressure on your knees, especially after the climb to the Monastery. Take your time. Since this is a private tour, you can ask for short pauses without holding up a larger group.

The Colonnaded Street gives you a change of scale. At the Monastery, the focus is one vast facade in an open mountain setting. Here, you see the remains of Petra’s central urban area, where the city’s public life once gathered. Columns and architectural fragments help you picture a place that was more than a line of tombs and dramatic cliffs.

The guide adds value at this point because scattered ruins can be hard to read on your own. Bassil can direct your attention to the important features and explain what you are passing instead of leaving you to guess among broken stones.

Royal Tombs, Theater view, and the main trail

From the Colonnaded Street, you continue along Petra’s main trail toward the Royal Tombs. This section is listed at about 30 minutes, though the complete outing includes walking, stops, and time for looking around.

The Royal Tombs are among Petra’s most striking carved facades. From the route, you can take in the tombs and look toward the Theater from the front mountain. This elevated view gives you a useful sense of how Petra’s monuments sit within the surrounding rock.

The Theater and Street of Facades are also part of the day’s coverage. The Theater is carved into the mountainside, while the Street of Facades presents a row of rock-cut fronts along the main passage. These sights make the walk feel varied. You are not simply moving from one large facade to another. You pass civic spaces, tombs, carved streets, and mountain views.

A guide matters here because Petra is easy to experience as a collection of dramatic photographs. With interpretation, the route becomes easier to follow as an ancient city with different zones and purposes. You also have someone who can point out photo angles that may not be obvious from the main walking line.

Arriving at the Treasury at the end

The tour finishes at the Treasury after the full route. The final approach is one of Petra’s most memorable moments, particularly because you have spent the day moving through the site before reaching its best-known monument.

The Treasury is not actually a treasury in the modern sense. It is a monumental carved facade, and its nickname comes from later tradition. The tour gives you about 45 minutes at this area, with remaining time available for sightseeing or independent exploration.

Ending here has a practical benefit. You can focus on the Treasury without worrying that you still have a major uphill walk ahead. You may spend time taking photographs, examining the facade, or simply sitting nearby and letting the scale of the place sink in.

Your guide can take photographs for you, which is useful for couples and solo participants. This small service came up repeatedly in the supplied comments, along with praise for Bassil’s clear explanations and friendly manner.

After the guided portion, you have two choices. You can continue exploring on your own, or walk roughly 40 minutes back through the canyon to the Visitor Centre. The tour does not include hotel drop-off, though the supplied information gives a typical return cost of 5 to 10 JOD per car.

What the $140 price includes and leaves out

The listed cost is $140 per person. That is not a bargain if you only want transportation and a quick look at Petra. It becomes more reasonable if you value a private guide, hotel pickup, the rear approach, and the included 4×4 transfer to the Monastery stairs.

Your price covers:

• Hotel pickup
• An English-speaking guide
• The 4×4 ride to the bottom of the Monastery stairs
• A private tour for your group

The Petra entry ticket is not included. This is the most important extra cost to check before booking, since the advertised price is not the final total for the day. Hotel drop-off is also separate, with the stated cost of 5 to 10 JOD per car.

Private touring is where much of the value lies. You are not locked into the pace of a large group, and your guide can spend more time on questions or photos. Group discounts are offered, so the price may work better when shared among several people, though you should confirm the exact reduction when booking.

The tour is often reserved around 45 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it suggests you should not leave this particular back-route plan until the last moment, especially if your Jordan schedule is fixed.

Who will enjoy this route most

I would recommend this outing to an active couple, family, or small group that wants Petra’s major sights without taking the standard route in and out. It suits you if you like having a guide beside you but do not want to join a large party.

It is also a good choice if the Monastery is high on your list. The rear access puts that monument at the center of the day and avoids spending all your energy walking from the main gate before reaching it.

You should think twice if you have difficulty with steep steps, long walks, or hot weather. The route covers around 10 kilometers, includes a mountain ascent, and requires a long descent. The private format gives you flexibility, but it cannot remove the physical demands of Petra.

This is less suitable if you want to finish back at your hotel with no extra planning. The tour ends at the Treasury. You must either explore independently, walk through the canyon to the Visitor Centre, or arrange your own return transfer.

The tour is listed as allowing service animals and being near public transportation. It requires moderate physical fitness. No special accessibility arrangement is described, so you should contact the provider before booking if you need a specific accommodation.

Small details that make the day go better

Confirm your pickup point and keep your phone available before the 7:00 a.m. start. Bassil has been described as contacting people the day before to confirm arrangements, but you should still make sure your hotel details are correct.

Bring water, sun protection, and shoes suited to stone paths. The tour can be hot, and the long walk is more enjoyable when you are prepared for it. Comfortable clothing also helps on the 850-step descent.

Leave room in your schedule after the Treasury. The listed duration is about five to seven hours, but your exact finish depends on walking speed, photo stops, and how long you spend exploring. If you use the canyon route back to the Visitor Centre, allow additional time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The outing depends on good weather, and poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Petra back entrance tour?

Book it if you want the Monastery first, prefer a private pace, and can handle a long day on foot. The combination of the rear approach, 4×4 transfer, experienced guide, and downhill route gives you a different view of Petra than the usual Treasury-first visit.

I especially like the way the route saves the Treasury for the finish and includes both famous monuments and less direct viewpoints. Bassil’s long experience, patience, historical explanations, and willingness to help with photographs add practical value.

Skip it if your priority is the lowest possible price, a short Petra visit, or a gentle route with little climbing. Remember that admission is extra, hotel drop-off is extra, and the day ends at the Treasury rather than your hotel.

For fit visitors with one full day in Petra, this is a strong choice. You get a private guide, a memorable approach to the Monastery, and a logical walk through the city that ends at its most recognizable facade.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:00 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup is included.

Is hotel drop-off included?

No. Hotel drop-off is not included. The stated cost is 5 to 10 JOD per car.

Is the Petra entry ticket included in the price?

No. The Petra entry ticket is not included.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $140 per person. Group discounts are offered.

How long does the tour take?

The approximate duration is five to seven hours.

How far do you walk?

The full route is around 10 kilometers.

How do you reach the Monastery trail?

After visiting Little Petra, you take an included 4×4 ride to the bottom of the Monastery stairs. You then climb to Al Dayr.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in front of the Treasury.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.