Private 3-Hour Guided Petra Tour with Hotel Pickup
- Duration3 hours
- Daily
- Private
- Pickup available
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Overview
This private guided Petra tour gives you the essential sights of the rose-red Nabataean city in about three hours, with an English-speaking guide for your party alone. We pick you up from your hotel in Wadi Musa at 07:00, 10:30 or 14:00 and drive the short distance to the Petra Visitor Centre. From there your guide leads you through the Siq to the Treasury, up to a viewpoint above the theatre, past the Royal Tombs and along the Colonnaded Street to Qasr al-Bint, explaining the history at every step. Afterwards you have free time to explore further on your own. It suits couples, families and friends who want real context and great photo angles, at a pace that fits them.
Highlights
- Your own English-speaking guide for the main Petra trail
- Hotel pickup in Wadi Musa at 07:00, 10:30 or 14:00
- The Siq, a narrow sandstone gorge leading to the Treasury
- First view of Al-Khazneh, the Treasury, glowing in the light
- Climb to a viewpoint above the rock-cut theatre
- The Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street and Qasr al-Bint
- Free time afterwards to explore Petra at your own pace
- Flexible pace and photo stops chosen by your group
Full Description
The Siq, the gateway to Petra
Petra was the capital of the Nabataeans, an Arab people who grew rich on the incense and spice caravan trade and carved their city into the rose-red sandstone of southern Jordan from around the first century BC. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1985. The way in is the Siq, a winding gorge about 1.2 kilometres long with walls that rise far above your head and almost meet in places.
Your guide points out the water channels the Nabataeans cut along the sides, the remains of the original paving and the worn carvings of a camel caravan. This private Petra tour starts here because the Siq sets the scene: the light changes with every bend, and the walk takes about twenty to thirty minutes with stops for photos and stories.
Al-Khazneh, the Treasury
At the end of the Siq the gorge opens onto Al-Khazneh, the Treasury, the most famous monument in Jordan. Its facade, about forty metres high, was carved directly into the cliff, probably in the first century AD, as the tomb of a Nabataean king. The name comes from a local legend that treasure was hidden in the stone urn at the top, which still shows the marks of shots fired at it.
Your guide explains how the facade was cut from the top down, what the carved figures represent and where to stand for the best photos. The colour of the stone changes through the day, from soft pink in the morning to deep orange in the afternoon, so each of the three start times shows the Treasury in a different light.
The theatre viewpoint, the Street of Facades and the Royal Tombs
Beyond the Treasury the valley widens into the Street of Facades, a row of tombs carved into the cliffs. Your guide then takes you up a path to a viewpoint above the theatre, cut into the mountainside by the Nabataeans and later enlarged under Roman rule. From here you look down over the seats and across the valley to the Royal Tombs.
The Royal Tombs are a line of grand facades in the opposite cliff: the Urn Tomb, which was later used as a church, the Silk Tomb with its swirling bands of coloured stone, the Corinthian Tomb and the huge Palace Tomb. You see them up close and learn who may have been buried here. This climb is short but uneven, and your guide sets the pace for your group.
The Colonnaded Street and Qasr al-Bint
The trail continues along the Colonnaded Street, the paved main street of Roman Petra, lined with column bases and the remains of shops, a fountain and the Great Temple. It ends at Qasr al-Bint, the principal temple of the city and one of the few freestanding buildings in Petra, probably dedicated to Dushara, the chief Nabataean god.
This is where the guided part ends, after about two and a half hours. You can stay to explore, for example climbing to the Monastery, Ad-Deir, or walk back to the Visitor Centre at your own pace; a shuttle service runs back to the Visitor Centre until 5 pm. Petra opening hours run from early morning until around sunset, and the best time to visit Petra is spring or autumn, with an early start in summer.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in Wadi MusaWe pick you up from your hotel at 07:00, 10:30 or 14:00 and drive about 10 minutes to the Petra Visitor Centre.
- Through the SiqWalk with your guide through the narrow gorge, with stops for its water channels and carvings, about 30 minutes.
- The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)Time for the story of the monument and photos from the best angles, about 20 minutes.
- Street of Facades and theatre viewpointContinue past the rock-cut tombs and climb to the viewpoint above the theatre, about 40 minutes.
- The Royal TombsSee the Urn Tomb, the Silk Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb and the Palace Tomb, about 30 minutes.
- Colonnaded Street and Qasr al-BintWalk the Roman street to the great temple, where the guided tour ends, about 30 minutes.
- Free timeExplore further on your own or head back to the Visitor Centre; the guided part lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours.
What's included
- Hotel pickup in Petra (Wadi Musa)
- Private English-speaking guide
- Guided walk through the Siq to the Treasury
- Theatre viewpoint, Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street and Qasr al-Bint
- Time to explore on your own afterwards
Not included
- Petra entry ticket
- Hotel drop-off
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 0–12
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Couples, families and friends who want a private tour, just your group
- A half-day plan — about 3 hours
Not suitable for
- People with mobility impairments
- People with a low level of fitness
Meeting point
We pick you up from any hotel in Petra (Wadi Musa) at 07:00, 10:30 or 14:00, depending on the time you choose, and drive you to the Petra Visitor Centre where the tour starts. If you are not staying in a hotel, meet your guide at the Petra Visitor Centre gate. Hotel drop-off is not included; the Visitor Centre is a short taxi ride from most Wadi Musa hotels.
Important information
- The Petra entry ticket is not included; buy it at the Visitor Centre before the tour.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes; the tour involves a fair amount of walking on sand and rock.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and water to protect against the sun.
- Carry a passport or ID, including for children.
- Photography is welcome, but drones are not allowed in Petra.
- Food and drinks are allowed inside Petra.
- A shuttle runs back to the Visitor Centre until 5 pm for those who prefer not to walk back.
- Hotel drop-off is not included.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private tour?
It is private. Your English-speaking guide leads only your party, from the hotel pickup to the end of the guided trail.
Can we change the itinerary or the pace?
Yes. Your guide adapts the pace to your group, spends more time where you are most interested and stops for photos whenever you like, within the three hours.
How many people can join?
The tour is for your group alone. Tell us how many people are travelling when you book so we can prepare the pickup.
Is the price per person or per group?
Prices are per person, with a reduced rate for children. The booking panel on this page shows the current price.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup from any hotel in Wadi Musa is included. Hotel drop-off is not included.
What is included?
Hotel pickup in Wadi Musa, a private English-speaking guide, the guided route through the Siq to the Treasury, the theatre viewpoint, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street and Qasr al-Bint, and free time afterwards. The Petra entry ticket, hotel drop-off and tips are not included.
Is the Petra entry ticket included?
No. The entry ticket is not included, so buy it at the Visitor Centre before the tour starts.
How long is the tour?
About 3 hours, with roughly 2.5 hours of guiding inside Petra. Many guests then stay longer to explore on their own.
Is it suitable for children or travellers with reduced mobility?
Children who are happy to walk will enjoy it. The tour is not suitable for travellers with mobility impairments or a low level of fitness, as it involves a lot of walking and a short climb.
What should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water, your passport or ID and your Petra entry ticket.
What is the best time of day or season?
Spring and autumn are ideal. The 07:00 start is cooler and quieter, while the 14:00 start shows the Treasury in warm afternoon light.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date and start time in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes.
