We will start our tour from the Visitors Center and will walk under gigantic rock cut archway marking the entrance to Bab El-Siq. The Nabataeans, who lived in Petra from the 4th century BC to the 2nd century AD, are assumed to have built the gateway.
Wandering in the a narrow canyon of Siq, you will be greeted by steep cliffs that reach up to 80 meters on either side with smooth and polished walls ornamented with elaborate sculptures and inscriptions in certain spots.
We will make our way until reaching an open plaza to be met by one of Petra’s most recognizable sites: the Treasury (Al-Khazneh).
This amazing structure is 40 meters tall and carved into the rock face. It is supposed to have been built in the first century AD and functioned as a mausoleum for a Nabataean monarch.
We’ll tour the Djinn Blocks, a collection of big, square stones named after the Arabic term for “genie” or “spirit,” since local tales link its formation to supernatural powers. The Djinn Blocks are noteworthy for being moved and placed in their current location without the aid of modern equipment, using only a combination of sleds, rollers and labor, making them a monument to the ingenuity and ability of the Nabataeans to construct such impressive structures using only the tools and technology available at the time.
The Snake Cave, also known as the “Cave of the Seven Sleepers” due to a local legend about a group of seven Christian lads who found safety in the cave during a time of religious persecution, is our next stop. The cave is famous for its natural beauty, which includes colorful rock formations, glistening pools of water, and exquisite stalactites and stalagmites. Despite its name, the Snake Cave is home to only a few small reptiles such as lizards and geckos, as well as a variety of bats.
The Obelisk Tomb, a vast, beautifully painted tomb in Petra’s city center, is next to be seen, as is the Aslah Triclinium, a large dining hall cut into the rock near the Obelisk Tomb.
Our knowledgeable guide will explain you about the Nabatean Water System, which consists of a network of channels and cisterns designed to collect and store water in Petra, allowing the city to thrive in the parched desert climate.
– You will then explore:
– The Aneishu Tomb, a massive, artistically adorned mausoleum with a vast courtyard and a number of underground chambers.
– Façade Street, a winding avenue dotted with a variety of stunning, beautifully carved monuments.
– The Theatre – a massive, semi-circular building cut into the rock that could seat up to 8,500 people and was used for a variety of activities, including theatrical plays and religious ceremonies.
– The Royal Tombs, a series of spectacular tombs carved into the rock face, including the Urn Tomb, Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, and Palace Tomb.
– The Monastery, a large building resembling the Treasury in architecture and placed at the summit of a steep hill.
– Petra Basin, a wide-open region that functioned as Petra’s major city center.
– The Caravan Road was a lengthy and winding path used by traders and tourists to get to Petra. It is filled with majestic structures and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding environment.
All of these landmarks and locations provide insight into the Nabatean people’s rich history and culture, as well as evidence of their exceptional engineering and creative abilities.