Check Dates & Category
Video
Gallery
looooooooooooooooooding
Tour Info
Includes:
Excludes:
Accommodation:
2 nights Amman including breakfast Basis
1 night Petra including breakfast Basis
1 night Amman including breakfast Basis
Services Included:
Airport`s meet, assist and transfers
Jerash & Ajloun Cities Tours
Tours to Madaba, Mt. Nebo & Kerak Castle
Petra City Tours
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Accommodation and Sightseeing as listed
Professional Multilingual tour guide and tour leader
All services in private basis
Entrance fees as sights listed in itinerary
Excludes:
Any Flights booking
Entry Visa to Egypt
Any Kind of Insurance
Personal expenses
Optional Tours
Tipping
Tour Itinerary Details
Day 01: Arrival Amman
Arrival at Queen Alia Airport where you will be met and assisted through Visa and Customs by our staff and escorted to your hotel in Amman. Overnight in Amman.
Meals: No
Day 02: (Amman) Jerash & Ajloun Cities Tours
Breakfasts, then we drive to Jerash, the best example of a Roman provincial city in the whole Middle East. We visit the spectacular Forum, the Cardo and Artemis Temple. After that we drive to the Islamic castle of Ajloun, built to protect the pilgrim routes to Mecca. Overnight in Amman.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 03: (Petra) Tours to Madaba, Mt. Nebo & Kerak Castle
After breakfast, we drive to Madaba, to see the famous mosaic 6th century map of Palestine in St. George's church. We head to Mt. Nebo, the place where Prophet Moses gazed at the Promised Land before he died. You visit the old monastery and overlook the Jordan Valley, Continue to Kerak via Wadi Muijb canyon and visit the great crusader castle of Kerak ,after that transfer to restaurant to get your lunch meal ,Proceed to Petra. Overnight at the hotel in Petra
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch
Day 04: (Petra) Petra City Tours
Breakfasts, today visit the red rose city Petra, the biggest attraction of Jordan. You can start the trip on horseback or by foot to the canyon, the so called Siq, and then walk to the most beautiful monument: the Treasury. From here you explore the city by yourself; you can see the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh's Castle. Transfer back to Amman- overnight in Amman.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 05: Departure day (Amman)
After breakfast, free time until your departure and check out then transfer to Queen Alia Airport for your final departure. Wish you a safe trip
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Highlights
Ajloun castle
Location: in a high hill near the town of Ajloun 73 km north of Amman, and a short journey Northwest from jerash.Built: it was built by Muslims ... More Info.
Amman
Location: between dessert and rich Jordan Valley.History: Nowhere else in the world has witnessed the existence of so many civilizations. The ancient ... More Info.
Jerash
Location: Jerash, located 48 kilometers north of AmmanBuilt: it Back in Roman times, the city was known as Gerasa and was one of the Ten Decapolis ... More Info.
Karak Castle
Location: to the south of Madaba, the road to Karak winds down into and up out of the awe inspiring Wadi Mujib, along the Mobaite ridge. Located 124 ... More Info.
Madaba
Location: located 30km from south west of Amman.History: Madaba, known as the City of Mosaics." for the many Byzantine mosaics that have been ... More Info.
Mount Nebo
Location: located 10 km west of the Roman Byzantine town of Madaba,History: Mount Nebo is one of Jordan's most important Christian Holy Sites: this is ... More Info.
Petra
Many influence, are apparent in the architecture of Petra; Assyrian, Egyptian, Hellenistic and Roman. Most of the visible remains date from the Roman ... More Info.
Location: in a high hill near the town of Ajloun 73 km north of Amman, and a short journey Northwest from jerash.Built: it was built by Muslims ... More Info.
Ajloun castle
City:
Ajloun
Type:
Historical Castles
Description:
Location: in a high hill near the town of Ajloun 73 km north of Amman, and a short journey Northwest from jerash.
Built: it was built by Muslims in 1184-85 as a military fortune the orders of the local governor, Ezz Eddin Osama bin Munqethe, a nephew of the Ayyubid leader Salahuddin Al-Ayyoubi (Saladin).
History: The Qalat er-Rabad, as the Ajlun Castle is locally knwon, was the base of the Arab forces of Saladin, when he defeated the Crusaders in the 12th century. The Ajlun Mountains are famous for their lush vegetation and thick green forests and a good place for hikes. The castle today is beautifully preserved and is a popular attraction for foreigners & Jordanians alike. The structures, towers, chambers, galleries and staircases that form part of the town as well as the beautiful scenery that surrounds the hills nearby will captivate you.
The castle of Ajloun was built in 1184 by a nephew of Salah al-Din (Saladin to Westerners) to defend the land held by the Arabs from the Crusaders. It is almost opposite the Castle of Belvoir on the other side of the Jordan. At that time it was known as Qalat al Rabadh. Originally it was a square castle with a tower at each corner; it was enlarged some forty years later, when another tower was built. Under the Mamelukes, Ajloun was one of the chains of castles which, using heliograph, fire beacons and pigeon post could transmit messages from Damascus to Cairo within twelve hours. It was severely damaged by earthquakes in the 18th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, and restoration work is proceeding. Alone on its hill, and looking over some magnificent countryside, Ajloun was admirably sited and was never taken by the Crusaders, although the Mongols in the 13th century occupied it for a short time before it was retaken by its original owners. The entrance to the castle the moat is still there and the castle is entered over a modern bridge.
The interior is full of rambling corridors and staircases. Notice the "murder holes" in the photo on the left, through which boiling oil or pitch (or whatever else was handy) could be poured on any invader. This part of Jordan is one of the most fertile regions, it is seldom that rain fails to fall here. From the castle one has an impressive view over the cultivated terraces nearby.
Location: between dessert and rich Jordan Valley.History: Nowhere else in the world has witnessed the existence of so many civilizations. The ancient ... More Info.
Amman
City:
Amman
Type:
City Info
Description:
Location: between dessert and rich Jordan Valley.
History: Nowhere else in the world has witnessed the existence of so many civilizations. The ancient Ammonites called it 'Rabbat Bani Ammon' (capital of the Ammonites), the Greeks called it "Philadelphia" (the city of brotherly love), and Muslims finally called it Amman. Jordan's 'white city', Originally spread over seven hills, or jabals, the capital of the Hashemite kingdom now sprawls over 19 hills and is home to over a million people, almost half of Jordan's population. Known as the White City, the hills are covered in a jumble of light-colored stone houses, consistently box-like in shape with flat roofs characteristic of a typical desert city. Faded minarets, pavement markets, Arabian sweet shops and the crumbling remains of ancient civilizations contrast wonderfully with the contemporary edifices, fashionable boutiques and international restaurants. This blend of the old and the new combines in the noisy and chaotic downtown area where the city's extraordinarily friendly residents go about their business.
At the heart of downtown is the Ottoman-style King Hussein Mosque, around which the buzz and bustle is at its most interesting. Even busier at prayer times, the surrounding streets are filled with the essence of Arabia, exotic smells and rows of glittering treasures in the souq (market) amid the noise of frenetic haggling.
Just as overwhelming is Amman's sense of history, dating back 5,500 years to its position as the ancient capital of the Ammonites, Rabbath-Ammon of the Old Testament, and later as Philadelphia, the Roman city that became part of the Decapolis. Overlooking the city from atop Jabal al-Qala'a is the Citadel, the site of the ancient Rabbath-Ammon, and at its foot lies the impressive Roman amphitheatre that is the most remarkable remnant of ancient Philadelphia.
Amman is one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world, and today functions as a thriving commercial and administrative centre with modern facilities, historical attractions and a longstanding tradition of hospitality. It is an excellent base from which to explore the surrounds, even the rest of the country, being no more than five hours drive from anywhere, and is surprisingly agreeable for a capital city.
here are many important biblical sites spread around Jordan, like the brook where Jesus Christ was baptized, the citadel where John the Baptist was beheaded by King Herod and the mountain where Moses first saw the Promised Land.
Amman is a modern settlement contrasting the largest part of the Middle East. It is a flourishing urban centre that offers a large number of superb hotels for travelers as well as some beautiful museums and Roman, Greek and Ottoman sites.
Amman today is an attractive capital for culture and arts, and an active place for conferences and businesses. Visiting Amman is a great experience for all the antiquities like the Citadel, Roman Theatre, Nymphium, Iraq El Amir, Rijm Al Malfoof, and many others.
Location: Jerash, located 48 kilometers north of AmmanBuilt: it Back in Roman times, the city was known as Gerasa and was one of the Ten Decapolis ... More Info.
Jerash
City:
Jerash
Type:
Old Historical Site
Description:
Location: Jerash, located 48 kilometers north of Amman
Built: it Back in Roman times, the city was known as Gerasa and was one of the Ten Decapolis Cities that ruled the area. It has been occupied since the Bronze Age and achieved notoriety when Emperor Hadrian visited Jerash in AD 129-130
History: Jerash, is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside Italy. To this day, its colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, plazas and arches remain in exceptional condition. Within the remaining city walls, archaeologists have found the ruins of settlements dating back to the Neolithic Age, indicating human occupation at this location for more than 6500 years. This is not surprising, as the area is ideally suited for human habitation. Jerash is fed year-round with water, while its altitude of 500 meters gives it a temperate climate and excellent visibility over the surrounding low-lying areas.
In the 3rd century BC, during the Hellenistic era, Jerash became a member of the Decapolis, a federation of Greek cities. It was then known as Gerasa.
Gerasa and other Decapolis cities were conquered by Pompey in 63 BC, which ended up being a positive development. Jerash enjoyed semi-autonomous status and considerable prestige as part of the Roman province of Syria, during which it prospered from its position on the incense and spice trade route. Jerash lost its autonomy under Emperor Trajan, but his annexation of Petra in 106 AD brought the city even more wealth. A favorite city of Hadrian, who stayed there in the winter of 129-30, it flourished both economically and socially in the 2nd century. Several temples were built during this period, including the Temple of Artemis (in 150 AD) and Temple of Zeus (in 162 AD).
After a period of decline in the 3rd century, Jerash was reborn as a Christian city under the Byzantines. It flourished especially during the reign of Justinian (527-65), during which at least seven churches were added to the city.
The last church was built in 611, but it all went downhill from there. The city was invaded by Persians in 614, captured by Muslims in 635 and badly damaged by several earthquakes in the 8th century. In 720, Caliph Yazid II decreed that "all images and likenesses in his dominions, of bronze and of wood and of stone and of pigments, should be destroyed." Obedience to this command can be seen in the mosaics of some of Jerash's churches, such as that of St. John the Baptist. But others, already so ruined that their mosaics were not visible (such as the Church of Sts. Cosmos and Damianus), escaped the destruction By the time the Crusaders arrived in the 12th century, Jerash had been inhabited for some time. Unfortunately, a garrison stationed in the area by the Atabey of Damascus made the Temple of Artemis into a fortress, which was captured and completely destroyed (apparently by fire) by King Baldwin II of Jerusalem in 1112. The impressive, beautifully preserved ruins of Jerash include places of worship and other buildings from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods.
Hadrian’s Arch: Built to commemorate the visit of the Emperor Hadrian to Jerash in 129 AD, this splendid triumphal arch was intended to become the main Southern gate to the city; however, the expansion plans were never completed.
Hippodrome: This massive arena was 245m long and 52m wide and could seat 15,000 spectators at a time for chariot races and other sports. The exact date of its construction is unclear but it is estimated between the mid-2nd to 3rd century AD. It is now also possible to relive the days when gladiators and charioteers appeared before the crowds, with regular re-enactments by the Roman Army and Chariot Experience (RACE).For more about RACE, visit.
Oval Plaza: The spacious plaza measures 90m x 80m and is surrounded by a broad sidewalk and colonnade of 1st century AD Ionic columns. There are two alters in the middle, and a fountain was added in the 7 th century AD. This square structure now supports a central column, which was recently.
Colonnaded Street: still paved with the original stones – the ruts worn by chariots are still visible – the 800m Cardo was the architectural spine and focal point of Jerash. An underground sewage system ran the full length of the Cardo and the regular holes at the sides of the street drained rainwater into the sewers.
Cathedral: Further up the Cardo Maximus, on the left is the monumental and richly-carved gateway of a 2nd century Roman Temple of Dionysus. In the 4th century the temple was rebuilt as a Byzantine church now referred to as the ‘Cathedral’ (although there is no evidence that it held more importance than any of the other churches). At the top of the stairs, against an outer East wall of the Cathedral is the shrine of St. Mary, with a painted inscription to Mary and the archangels Michael and Gabriel.
Nymphaeum: This ornamental fountain was constructed in 191 AD and dedicated to the Nymphs. Such fountains were common in Roman cities, and provided a refreshing focal point for the city. This well-preserved example was originally embellished with marble facings on the lower level and painted plaster on the upper level, topped with a half-dome roof. Water cascaded through seven carved lion's heads into small basins on the sidewalk and overflowed from there through drains and into the underground sewage system.
North Theatre: The North Theatre was built in 165 AD. In front is a colonnaded plaza where a staircase led up to the entrance. The theatre originally only had 14 rows of seats and was used for performances, city council meetings, etc. In 235 AD, the theatre was doubled in size to its current capacity of 1,600. The theatre fell into disuse in the 5th century and many of its stones were taken for use in other buildings.
South Theatre: built during the reign of Emperor Domitian, between 90-92 AD, the South Theatre can seat more than 3,000 spectators. The 1st level of the ornate stage, which was originally a two-storey structure, has been reconstructed and is still used today. The theatre's remarkable acoustics allow a speaker at the centre of the orchestra floor to be heard throughout the entire auditorium without raising his voice. Two vaulted passages lead into the orchestra, and four passages at the back of the theatre give access to the upper rows of seats. Some seats could be reserved and the Greek letters which designate them can still be seen.
The Jerash Archaeological Museum
The museum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Jordan. The museum, which showcases the different ages of Jordan, is the first of its kind in Middle East and is ranked among the rare archaeological museums of the world. The Jerash Archaeological Museum, Jerash is a must see for all tourists in Jordan. The Jerash Archaeological Museum in Jerash was constructed in the last century. Set up in 1923, The Jerash Archaeological Museum was initially a part of the Artemis Temple. It was then one of the many rooms in the courtyard of the Artemis Temple. In the year 1985, it was relocated to the old rest house, came to be known as The Jerash Archaeological Museum of Jerash. It is here that The Jerash Archaeological Museum was made open for public visits and it began to represent "Jordan through the Ages".
Location: to the south of Madaba, the road to Karak winds down into and up out of the awe inspiring Wadi Mujib, along the Mobaite ridge. Located 124 ... More Info.
Karak Castle
City:
Amman
Type:
Historical Castles
Description:
Location: to the south of Madaba, the road to Karak winds down into and up out of the awe inspiring Wadi Mujib, along the Mobaite ridge. Located 124 km south of Amman
Built: Karak is distinguished by its fine crusader castle built in the 12th century on the remains of earlier citadels, which date back to Nabataean times. The fortress, was built in 1142 by Payen le Bouteiller, lord of Montreal and of the province of Oultre Jordan.
History: Whether you approach Karak from the ancient Kings Highway to the east or from the Dead Sea to the west, the striking silhouette of this fortified town and castle will instantly make you understand why the fates of kings and nations were decided here for millennia The town is built on a triangular plateau, with the castle at its narrow southern tip. The castle is some 220m long, 125m wide at the north end, and 40m wide at the southern end where a narrow valley deepened by a ditch separates it from the adjoining and much higher hill – once Saladin's favorite artillery position. Throughout the castle, dark and roughly-shaped Crusader masonry is easy to discern from the finely-crafted blocks of lighter and softer limestone used in later Arab work. Once an important city of the Biblical kingdom of Moab, Karak was also home to the Nabateans, Romans (from 105 AD), and the Byzantines, before the Crusaders built a castle here. In the Byzantine period Karak was a bishopric and it remained mostly a Christian town even under Arab rule.
In 1126, Payen le Bouteiller (Paganus the Butler) received Kerak from King Baldwin II of Jerusalem as part of the lordship of Oultre Jordan (Transjordan). In 1142, he built Karak Castle over the existing foundations on the site.
Karak Castle replaced Shobak as the center of the Transjordan and became the most important in a series of fortresses between Jerusalem and Aqaba. The Crusaders set up an impressive system of security: all the fortifications were a day's journey apart and each one lit a beacon at night to inform Jerusalem it was safe.
Karak Castle resisted attacks by Saladin's troops in 1183 and 1184, but finally fell after a siege in 1189. The Mamluk ruler Baybars added a tower on the northwest corner in 1263. It was later owned by local families until 1840, when Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt captured the castle and destroyed much of it in the process. After World War I, Karak was administered by the British until the Emirate of Transjordan was established in 1921. Karak is still a predominantly Christian town, with many of today's inhabitants tracing their roots back to the Byzantines. Karak is still a largely Christian town and many of today's Christian families trace their origins back to the Byzantines. There is a small but interesting museum in the castle, which is one of the finest of its type surviving today.
Location: located 30km from south west of Amman.History: Madaba, known as the City of Mosaics." for the many Byzantine mosaics that have been ... More Info.
Madaba
City:
Madaba - Mount Nebo
Type:
City Info
Description:
Location: located 30km from south west of Amman.
History: Madaba, known as the City of Mosaics." for the many Byzantine mosaics that have been uncovered throughout the city. The most famous of these is the Madaba Map, a 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land. This is a very pleasant town, they are proud of the tolerance between both Christians and Muslims in the city. Madaba has a very long history stretching from the Neolithic period. The town of Madaba was once a Moabite border city, mentioned in the Bible in Numbers 21:30 and Joshua 13:9.
During its rule by the Roman and Byzantine Empires from the second to the seventh centuries AD, the city formed part of the Provincial Arabia set up by the Roman Emperor Trajan to replace the Nabataean kingdom of Petra. During the rule of the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate, it was part of the southern Jund of Palestine.
The first witness of a Christian community in the city, with its own bishop, is found in the Acts of the Council of Chalcedon in 451, wherein Constantine, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bostra, the provincial capital, signed on behalf of Gaiano, "Bishop of the Medabeni."
The resettlement of the city ruins by 90 Christian families from Kerak in the south, led by two Italian priests from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in 1880, saw the start of archaeological research. This in turn supplemented substantially the scanty documentation available.
Madaba's attraction places:
In the contemporary Greek Orthodox church of St. George: The Madaba Mosaic Map covers the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, which is located northwest of the city centre. The church was built in 1896 AD, over the remains of a much earlier 6th century Byzantine church. The mosaic panel enclosing the Map was originally around 15.6 X 6m, 94 sq.m. only about a quarter of which is preserved.
Umm Ar-Rasas: The Old and New Testaments mention it, the Romans fortified it and the local Christians were still embellishing it with Byzantine-style mosaics well over one hundred years after the beginning of Muslim rule: Kastron Mefaa, modern Umm Ar-Rasas, has a long history.
The rectangular walled city is mostly in ruins but does still include several buildings, as well as four churches and some beautiful stone arches. The main attraction is outside the city walls within the Church of St. Stephen, which contains a very large, perfectly preserved mosaic floor laid down in 718 AD. It portrays fifteen major cities of the Holy Land from both east and west of the River Jordan. This magnificent mosaic is second only to Madabas world famous mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
Less than 2km north of the fortified town, the highest standing ancient tower of Jordan puzzles the specialists: a 15m high, square tower with no door or inner staircase, now inhabited by birds.
Madaba Archaeological Museum: Several neighboring houses built on Byzantine mosaic floors in Madaba were purchased by the Department of Antiquities to form the core of a museum for the city. The site was opened in 1987.
A number of mosaics from Hesban, Ma’in Qastal, and Mount Nebo are on display in the open courtyard of the museum, along with a collection of lonian and Corinthian capitals, and a number of Byzantine collonettes and altars. The museum also houses several collections of pottery, glass from Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods.
An important collection of Islamic pottery and bronze vessels found inside a room of the Umm Al-Walid was conserved at the Institute of Conservation in Geneva and is now on display in Madaba. There is also a collection of silver Ptolemaic coins from Muraba at Musa and a collection of gold Umayyad dinars. Madaba is considered an important centre of mosaic artistry with large numbers of mosaic floors found all over the ancient city, most famous among them is the map of the Holy Land in the Modern Greek Orthodox Church.
To complement the ancient "school of Madaba," a modern school teaching mosaic conservation was established in the city.Mosaic sites are found surrounding Madaba at Main, Hesban, Siyagha, Mukhayyat, Masuh, Mukawir, Nitel, Jamil, and, most importantly, at Umm Ar-Rasas (ancient Kastron Mefaa) with its fourteen churches, most of which date to the 5th and 6th centuries AD. The most famous, however, is the Church of St. Stephen dated to the Abbasid period (8th century AD).
Madaba Folklore Museum:
The Madaba Folklore and Archaeological Museums form one complementary unit. They are both located in the same group of old houses built on ancient mosaic floors. The site was opened in 1978.
Location: located 10 km west of the Roman Byzantine town of Madaba,History: Mount Nebo is one of Jordan's most important Christian Holy Sites: this is ... More Info.
Mount Nebo
City:
Madaba - Mount Nebo
Type:
Old Historical Site
Description:
Location: located 10 km west of the Roman Byzantine town of Madaba,
History: Mount Nebo is one of Jordan's most important Christian Holy Sites: this is the spot where Moses (or Prophet Musa) is believed to have first seen the Promised Land that he would never enter. According to the final chapter of Deuteronomy, Mount Nebo is where the Hebrew prophet Moses was given a view of the Promised Land that God was giving to the Hebrews. "And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho." (Deuteronomy 34:1). Mount Nebo is a 1,000m (3,300ft) high mountain located 10km/6 mi NW of Madaba in Jordan, opposite the northern end of the Dead Sea.
In the fourth century, early Christians turned the old building on the highest part of the Siyagha Mountain into a church to commemorate Prophet Moses' resting place and made pilgrimages to it from Jerusalem.
The first church was later expanded into the present basilica where a collection of Byzantine mosaics is exhibited as well.
The site became custody of the Franciscan order in 1932 that excavated the church and put Mount Nebo on the religious tourist maps.
For the past several years midnight Christmas mass in both English and Arabic has been held at the site.
The Brazen Serpent: This sculpture, which has become a symbol for Mount Nebo, is a modern replica of the Biblical brazen serpent.
During the Exodus journey God sent plague to kill the rebellious Israelites.
God also instructed Moses to erect a bronze serpent on a pole to stop the plague. All who looked up at the raised serpent survived the plague.
Thus the curative serpent around a pole became the symbol of the pharmacies.
If you stand on the viewing platform erected for Pope John Paul II you can enjoy the panoramic scene that Moses saw more than 3000 years ago.
And if you are lucky and the weather is clear you are able to see the Dead Sea and several cities on the West Bank of Jordan River.At sunrise even the streets can be visible. By sunset, you can also enjoy an amazing view as the sun sinks behind the mountains of Jerusalem.
Many influence, are apparent in the architecture of Petra; Assyrian, Egyptian, Hellenistic and Roman. Most of the visible remains date from the Roman ... More Info.
Petra
City:
Petra
Type:
Old Historical Site
Description:
Many influence, are apparent in the architecture of Petra; Assyrian, Egyptian, Hellenistic and Roman. Most of the visible remains date from the Roman period, yet somehow bear a unique Nabataean stamp. It is mostly the rock-cut tombs which remain today, though freestanding temples built of stone, the Qasr Al-Bint Temple and the Temple of the Winged Lions can also be seen.
The Bab Al-Siq Area: As one makes one's way through the gorge, on horseback or on foot, to the entrance of Al-Siq or narrow defile, the first monuments one sees are three massive Djin blocks. There are about 40 such monuments to be found in Petra. Their significance is as yet uncertain. They are generally thought to have been an early form of Nabataean tomb, though their proximity to running water may signify that they were related to the worship of water, bearer of fertility. Opposite the Djin blocks are two monuments, the Obelisk Tomb and the Bab Al-Siq Triclinium, which stands below it. Although they are found in close proximity to one another, they appear to be unrelated, dating from various periods and standing on a slightly different axis. The Obelisk Tomb takes its name from the four Obelisks which decorate its upper storey. The Obelisk was a common Nabataean funerary symbol and clearly demonstrates Egyptian influence. An inscription in both Greek and Nabataean to be found opposite it, refers to a family tomb built by Abdmank which may well be the Obelisk tomb itself. The Bab Al-Siq Triclinium, constructed at a later date and more classical in style, is the first of approximately 100 similar monuments to be found throughout the site. These were rock-carved rooms with benches running around three sides of their interior, situated near tombs, so as to act as dining rooms for the funerary banquets which appear to have been an essential ritual in burying and commemorating the dead. There are many large tombs in the Outer Siq, some of them bearing obvious traces of earthquake damage. The Tomb of the 17 Graves clearly demonstrates how the graves were cut into the rock floor. Also noteworthy are the five small commemorative Obelisks and two Nabataean inscriptions carved onto the walls. As the Outer Siq opens out, the Street of Facades becomes visible. Whole streets, 4 rows, one above the other, of Assyrian type monuments with double bands of crow-step decoration run along the cliff face. It isn't known whether these served as houses or tombs but they appear to be of an early date. Beyond the Street of Facades lies the Theater, which was constructed in the early 1st century AD by Nabataeans and enlarged and improved by the Romans shortly after their annexation of the Kingdom in 106 AD? This they did by ruthlessly gouging away a street of houses or tombs in order to extend the rear of the auditorium, which could then accommodate 3000 people. This also improved the acoustics of the theater and supported a drain, which took the run-off water around the sides of the theater. The standard Roman-design theater today lies open to the Outer Siq, but would originally have been enclosed by a wall and completely cut off from the street.
The Treasury: "A beam of stronger light breaks in at the close of the dark perspective, and opens to view, half seen at first through the tall narrow opening, columns, statues, and cornices of a light and finished taste, as if fresh from the chisel, without the tints or weather stains of age, and executed in a stone of a pale rose color, which was warmed at the moment we came in sight of them with full light of the morning sun". Little has changed the Treasury since the Hon. Charles Irby and Mr. James Mangles, commanders in the British Royal Navy, described their first sight of it in 1818. "We do not know with what to compare this scene", they added; "perhaps there is nothing in the world that resembles it". It is justly the most famous monument in Petra, perhaps from the impact of the first glimpse of that luminous strip at the end of the towering penumbra of the Siq. Suddenly we emerge into a natural courtyard face to face with the glowing perfection of the Treasury. Its elaborately carved facade is alive with a cast of Nabataean deities and mythological characters - equestrian figures of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) whose role in the Greek myths was to guide the souls of the dead to the Elysian Fields; dancing Amazons wielding axes; winged Victories; Medusa heads; eagles and various mythical creatures. All are funerary symbols. At the center of the tholos - the round section between the broken pediment at the top of the facade - is the eroded relief figure of a goddess holding a cornucopia in her left arm. This has been identified as Al-Uzza, the great goddess of Petra, who was commonly assimilated with the Greek Aphrodite, goddess of love; here she includes the attributes of Tyche, the Greek goddess of fortune, and of Isis, the supreme goddess of the Egyptian pantheon who, as the wife of Osiris, also presided over the underworld and the spirits of the dead. Though all the figures are eroded, the flowers, leaves and fruits on the friezes, pediment and capitals still look, miraculously; almost as crisp as the day they were carved. In Arabic the Treasury is called El-Khazneh, or Khaznet Far'oun, Pharaoh's Treasury, from an ancient myth that treasure had been concealed here by a powerful black magician, popularly identified with a wicked and fabulously wealthy Pharaoh: who else but he who proceeded the Pharaoh who drove prophet Moses (pbuh) and his followers out of Egypt and chased them here to Petra?! At this point, it seems, the Pharonic treasure had become an impediment. Not this monument alone, but the whole of Petra, was believed to be a storehouse of Pharaoh's wealth, deposited here by deep magic; but this, the most sumptuous monument, must surely have housed his greatest riches. The urn at the top was deemed the most likely repository, and every Bedouin who owned a gun would take a shot at it as he passed, in the vivid hope that if he hit the right spot all the treasures of Pharaoh would cascade down upon him. The result is a sadly battered urn and not a whiff of treasure. So ferociously did the Bedouin of the 19th century believe in the existence of treasure, and in magical powers, that they suspected all western travelers of being magicians who had come to spirit away the hidden wealth out of reach of themselves, the rightful heirs and owners? "Nor are they satisfied with watching the stranger's steps", as Burckhardt wrote in 1812: "They believe that it is sufficient for a true magician to have seen and observed the spot where the treasures are bidden... in order to be able afterwards, at his ease, to command the guardian of the treasure to set the whole before him". Small wonder that those early visitors were given such an unwelcoming reception. TheTreasury's original purpose remains elusive - except that it was not a Treasury. Some scholars believe it was a royal tomb, with the king's burial place in the small chamber at the back; others, a temple, pointing to its temple-like facade and the lack of burial holes - for them the rear chamber was the sanctuary, complete with ritual ablution basin. Yet others suggest it was a memorial mausoleum, perhaps for the cult of the deified Obodas I. The funerary symbolism of the carvings on the facade certainly points to some association with the dead. The date of the Treasury is also unclear, and has to be assessed on stylistic grounds, providing yet more theories. It is tempting to suppose that its ornate carving points to a later period, but Petra has proved a graveyard for such neat solutions. Some scholars suggest around 25 AD, under Aretas IV who initiated much construction and urban planning, and who may have brought craftsmen from Alexandria. The consensus now favors the reign of Aretas III Philhellene (86-62 BC), a time of great expansion and exposure to Hellenistic ideas. Whenever it was carved, and for whichever Nabataean king, Hellenistic ideas were here brilliantly transformed into a design that kept a distinctively Nabataean flavor. And whatever its purpose, the sitting of the Treasury at the end of the forbidding twilight of Al-Siq was clearly designed to strike wonder into all who entered the Nabataean capital.
The Royal Tombs: From the theater a stairway leads to the Royal Tombs set into the rock- face of the Jabal Al-Khubtha. These tombs, thought to be those of several Nabataean kings, are certainly amongst the most impressive of the 500 tombs to be found in Petra.
The Bab Al-Siq Area: As one makes one's way through the gorge, on horseback or on foot, to the entrance of Al-Siq or narrow defile, the first monuments one sees are three massive Djin blocks. There are about 40 such monuments to be found in Petra. Their significance is as yet uncertain. They are generally thought to have been an early form of Nabataean tomb, though their proximity to running water may signify that they were related to the worship of water, bearer of fertility. Opposite the Djin blocks are two monuments, the Obelisk Tomb and the Bab Al-Siq Triclinium, which stands below it. Although they are found in close proximity to one another, they appear to be unrelated, dating from various periods and standing on a slightly different axis. The Obelisk Tomb takes its name from the four Obelisks which decorate its upper storey. The Obelisk was a common Nabataean funerary symbol and clearly demonstrates Egyptian influence. An inscription in both Greek and Nabataean to be found opposite it, refers to a family tomb built by Abdmank which may well be the Obelisk tomb itself. The Bab Al-Siq Triclinium, constructed at a later date and more classical in style, is the first of approximately 100 similar monuments to be found throughout the site. These were rock-carved rooms with benches running around three sides of their interior, situated near tombs, so as to act as dining rooms for the funerary banquets which appear to have been an essential ritual in burying and commemorating the dead. There are many large tombs in the Outer Siq, some of them bearing obvious traces of earthquake damage. The Tomb of the 17 Graves clearly demonstrates how the graves were cut into the rock floor. Also noteworthy are the five small commemorative Obelisks and two Nabataean inscriptions carved onto the walls. As the Outer Siq opens out, the Street of Facades becomes visible. Whole streets, 4 rows, one above the other, of Assyrian type monuments with double bands of crow-step decoration run along the cliff face. It isn't known whether these served as houses or tombs but they appear to be of an early date. Beyond the Street of Facades lies the Theater, which was constructed in the early 1st century AD by Nabataeans and enlarged and improved by the Romans shortly after their annexation of the Kingdom in 106 AD? This they did by ruthlessly gouging away a street of houses or tombs in order to extend the rear of the auditorium, which could then accommodate 3000 people. This also improved the acoustics of the theater and supported a drain, which took the run-off water around the sides of the theater. The standard Roman-design theater today lies open to the Outer Siq, but would originally have been enclosed by a wall and completely cut off from the street.
The Treasury: "A beam of stronger light breaks in at the close of the dark perspective, and opens to view, half seen at first through the tall narrow opening, columns, statues, and cornices of a light and finished taste, as if fresh from the chisel, without the tints or weather stains of age, and executed in a stone of a pale rose color, which was warmed at the moment we came in sight of them with full light of the morning sun". Little has changed the Treasury since the Hon. Charles Irby and Mr. James Mangles, commanders in the British Royal Navy, described their first sight of it in 1818. "We do not know with what to compare this scene", they added; "perhaps there is nothing in the world that resembles it". It is justly the most famous monument in Petra, perhaps from the impact of the first glimpse of that luminous strip at the end of the towering penumbra of the Siq. Suddenly we emerge into a natural courtyard face to face with the glowing perfection of the Treasury. Its elaborately carved facade is alive with a cast of Nabataean deities and mythological characters - equestrian figures of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) whose role in the Greek myths was to guide the souls of the dead to the Elysian Fields; dancing Amazons wielding axes; winged Victories; Medusa heads; eagles and various mythical creatures. All are funerary symbols. At the center of the tholos - the round section between the broken pediment at the top of the facade - is the eroded relief figure of a goddess holding a cornucopia in her left arm. This has been identified as Al-Uzza, the great goddess of Petra, who was commonly assimilated with the Greek Aphrodite, goddess of love; here she includes the attributes of Tyche, the Greek goddess of fortune, and of Isis, the supreme goddess of the Egyptian pantheon who, as the wife of Osiris, also presided over the underworld and the spirits of the dead. Though all the figures are eroded, the flowers, leaves and fruits on the friezes, pediment and capitals still look, miraculously; almost as crisp as the day they were carved. In Arabic the Treasury is called El-Khazneh, or Khaznet Far'oun, Pharaoh's Treasury, from an ancient myth that treasure had been concealed here by a powerful black magician, popularly identified with a wicked and fabulously wealthy Pharaoh: who else but he who proceeded the Pharaoh who drove prophet Moses (pbuh) and his followers out of Egypt and chased them here to Petra?! At this point, it seems, the Pharonic treasure had become an impediment. Not this monument alone, but the whole of Petra, was believed to be a storehouse of Pharaoh's wealth, deposited here by deep magic; but this, the most sumptuous monument, must surely have housed his greatest riches. The urn at the top was deemed the most likely repository, and every Bedouin who owned a gun would take a shot at it as he passed, in the vivid hope that if he hit the right spot all the treasures of Pharaoh would cascade down upon him. The result is a sadly battered urn and not a whiff of treasure. So ferociously did the Bedouin of the 19th century believe in the existence of treasure, and in magical powers, that they suspected all western travelers of being magicians who had come to spirit away the hidden wealth out of reach of themselves, the rightful heirs and owners? "Nor are they satisfied with watching the stranger's steps", as Burckhardt wrote in 1812: "They believe that it is sufficient for a true magician to have seen and observed the spot where the treasures are bidden... in order to be able afterwards, at his ease, to command the guardian of the treasure to set the whole before him". Small wonder that those early visitors were given such an unwelcoming reception. TheTreasury's original purpose remains elusive - except that it was not a Treasury. Some scholars believe it was a royal tomb, with the king's burial place in the small chamber at the back; others, a temple, pointing to its temple-like facade and the lack of burial holes - for them the rear chamber was the sanctuary, complete with ritual ablution basin. Yet others suggest it was a memorial mausoleum, perhaps for the cult of the deified Obodas I. The funerary symbolism of the carvings on the facade certainly points to some association with the dead. The date of the Treasury is also unclear, and has to be assessed on stylistic grounds, providing yet more theories. It is tempting to suppose that its ornate carving points to a later period, but Petra has proved a graveyard for such neat solutions. Some scholars suggest around 25 AD, under Aretas IV who initiated much construction and urban planning, and who may have brought craftsmen from Alexandria. The consensus now favors the reign of Aretas III Philhellene (86-62 BC), a time of great expansion and exposure to Hellenistic ideas. Whenever it was carved, and for whichever Nabataean king, Hellenistic ideas were here brilliantly transformed into a design that kept a distinctively Nabataean flavor. And whatever its purpose, the sitting of the Treasury at the end of the forbidding twilight of Al-Siq was clearly designed to strike wonder into all who entered the Nabataean capital.
The Royal Tombs: From the theater a stairway leads to the Royal Tombs set into the rock- face of the Jabal Al-Khubtha. These tombs, thought to be those of several Nabataean kings, are certainly amongst the most impressive of the 500 tombs to be found in Petra.
- The Urn Tomb: was probably constructed around 70 AD. It is preceded by a deep courtyard with colonnades on two sides. High up in the facade there are 3 niches which give on to small burial chambers. Their inaccessibility would have made them relatively safe from tomb robbers. Inside there is a massive single chamber which may originally have served as a triclinium for funerary banquets, but which was adapted in 446 AD to serve as a Byzantine church, the vaults of which can still be seen below the tombs.
- The small Silk Tomb: is remarkable for the swirls of different colored rock which make up its facade. Then comes the Corinthian Tomb, which combines various elements of both the Nabataean and the classical architectural styles. Next to it is the broad, 3-storey high Palace Tomb, interesting in that its lower part was cut from the rock, while some of its upper storey was constructed with masonry when the cliff itself proved to be too low. En route to the Sextus Florentinus Tomb, it is worth noting the large rock-carved cistern which served the city by storing water piped from another huge cistern near the modern Petra Forum hotel, a considerable distance away.
- The Sextus Florentinus Tomb: constructed in 130 AD, is one of the few tombs which can be accurately dated. Over the doorway a Latin inscription informs us it was constructed for Sextus, Roman Governor of the Province of Arabia, by his son at his father's specific request.It too combines Nabataean and Roman elements, although unfortunately it has been badly eroded. It is interesting that this high-ranking Roman official should have wanted a rock-cut tomb in typically Nabataean style.
The City Center: The first thing to be seen in the city center is the remains of the Nymphaeum, standing in the shade of a tree. Very little is left, but one can imagine from similar monuments elsewhere (the Nymphaeum in Jerash, for example) what this public fountain, with plays of water to delight both the ear and the eye, would have looked like. It was situated at the confluence of two watercourses, dedicated to the water nymphs and was probably one of the improvements made to the city after the Roman annexation. A short way beyond the Nymphaeum, the Colonnaded Street begins. Only a short stretch remains of the 6 meter wide paved road, which also seems to have been constructed shortly after the Roman annexation of Petra to replace an earlier Nabataean track. We should imagine the street as running through an important commercial section of the town, with shady porticoes on each side. The hillsides on both sides of the street would at the time have been covered with buildings serving a variety of purposes. The Colonnaded street led past the Temple of the Winged Lions on the northern bank of the stream, which was crossed at that point by a bridge over the wadi (valley). The temple is at present under excavation, but it has already been established that it was built around 27 AD and was probably dedicated to the main Nabataean Goddess Al-Uzza, the consort of the Chief God, Dushara. Some workshops for metal and stone have been found in the complex and these were probably in use later in the 1st century AD when the temple was remodeled. The stone-built temple was totally destroyed in the earthquake of 363 AD. The Colonnaded Street ends at the Arched Gate, probably built in the 2nd century AD, after the completion of the street, to act as a ceremonial entrance to the sacred precinct (temenos) of the Qasr Al-Bint Temple. The triple arched gate, which would originally have been closed with huge wooden doors, is of standard Greco-Roman design, but decorated with zoomorphic and geometric motifs showing marked Nabataean features. It is an interesting example of the blend of different cultures. Once through the Arched Gate one is standing within the sacred precinct of what is today known as the Qasr Al-Bint Temple. This is the only substantial stone-built structure in Petra still standing. Constructed sometime around 30 BC - 40 AD, it was built to impress. Set upon a raised podium, its massive 23 m high walls still dominate the precinct, which also housed an open-air altar. It was the most important temple of the town, dedicated to Dushara, the chief God of the Nabataeans, who later became assimilated with the more familiar Greek god of wine, Dionysus, especially important in Petra due to the custom of funerary banquets where wine would have been drunk. Inside, the temple is divided into 3 rooms of which the middle room would have served as the holy of holies. This would have had a raised platform bearing a representation of the god Dushara. The typical Nabataean way of representing their deities was by a stone god block (betyle) with a stylized portrayal of the eyes, nose and mouth. Later, under Greco-Roman influence, they began to depict their gods in statue form. We know from other sources that the interior of Dushara's temple gleamed with the many gold offerings, which filled it. The temple was damaged in the late 3rd century AD, but, remarkably, the main walls remained standing in spite of several subsequent earthquakes.Â
Al-Habees: The small but interesting museum is to be found in an unusual Nabataean structure with 5 windows, set into the hillside of Al-Habees. Beyond the museum, on the other side of the hill, is situated the Habees High Place. This has all the standard facilities of a high place; an altar, benches, a water cistern and approach stairway, but on a small scale, suggesting that it was perhaps a private place of worship. It commands breathtaking views over the Wadi Sayyagh, one of Petra's most beautiful wadis, especially in spring and autumn. Some was down the wadi is to be found a stone quarry which the Nabataeans exploited. On the summit of Al-Habees, is situated a 12th century AD Crusader fortress. Continuing around the hillside one comes across the Columbarium, an intriguing Nabataean tomb fitted with hundreds of shallow niches, the purpose of which remains uncertain. Shortly after this, and visible from the Qasr Al-Bint below, is the Unfinished Tomb which clearly demonstrates the Nabataeans' technique of construction, excavating their rock-cut buildings from the top and working downwards.
High Place of Sacrifice: The steep half-hour climb from the theater up to the High Place of Sacrifice on the summit of the Attuf Ridge is well worth the effort. Paths and stairways, which were part of the original Nabataean processional way, lead upwards through spectacular mountain scenery until the long, flat summit is reached. The most immediately obvious monuments as one reaches the top are the two 7 m high rock obelisks which were made by carving away the surface of the mountain to leave only these 2 protuberances; a formidable undertaking. The obelisks stand some 30 m apart on an east/west alignment and probably represent the 2 most important Nabataean gods, Dushara and his consort Al-Uzza. Across the gully lies the High Place of Sacrifice, the best preserved of all such sacred places of the ancient world. his may have been created by the Nabataeans, as the high quality of the stone work would indicate, or it may date back to their predecessors, the Edomites. The rock was leveled to form a shallow courtyard with benches (triclinia) on the north, east and south sides facing the altar platform, on which animal sacrifices were made. These sacrifices represented the renewal of the close relationship between man and his gods and blood was, of course, a symbol of life. A betyle probably once stood on the top of the altar platform. A nearby cistern would have provided the water necessary to the ritual. After enjoying the sensational views over the never-ending folds of hills, one may descend to the city center by a different processional way, which follows the Wadi Farasa. The first monument of interest is the Lion Monument. The lion was associated with the goddess Al-Uzza and this fountain would have provided refreshment for the pilgrims following this processional way up to the High Place. The water would appear to have spouted from the Lion's mouth and it was then carried down the hillside through the rock-cut channel visible alongside the stairway. At the bottom of the stairway one reaches the Garden Temple Complex. On an upper terrace stand a hall and a cistern which once held water brought from the springs 4 km away. This water was subsequently distributed throughout the city center by means of a network of cisterns, channels and pipes. The portico of the temple on the lower terrace is formed by 2 engaged and 2 round free-standing columns, examples of which are rarely found in Petra. Many small wall-niches lead us on to the Roman Soldier Tomb with its triclinium opposite it. Although now separate, these 2 monuments would once have been joined by a porticoed courtyard to form a sepulchral complex. In the niches of the tomb's facade there are fragments of figures in Roman military dress, which give the tomb its name. These figures, the size of the tomb and the classical style of its architecture would suggest it was built after the Roman annexation of 106 AD for a person of considerable importance. The funerary banqueting hall (triclinium) opposite is notable as having the only carved interior decoration in Petra, with fluted engaged half-columns. The colors of the natural rock are also amongst the most striking in the city. Nearby are the Renaissance Tomb and the Broken Pediment Tomb. The path then passes many other tombs and houses set out in streets of different levels before reaching the city center.Â
Al-Deir (The Monastery): The modern name of Al-Deir comes from the fact that the Nabataean structure was perhaps used by Christians in the Byzantine period. However, the processional way, which we follow upwards from the restaurant near the museum, through the Wadi Al-Deir for an hour, is Nabataean. It is a tiring climb made worthwhile not only by the other monuments to be seen en route, but also by the mountain scenery and splendid views. After a short walk one reaches the Lion Triclinium set in a small side wadi. It is so called because of the 2 badly eroded lions carved either side of the doorway. Lions, it will be recalled, were associated, in Nabataean sculpture, with the goddess Al-Uzza. The higher one climbs the more impressive the views become until one finally emerges at the Hermitage, chambers excavated in the rock, decorated with many carved crosses. From this point there is a magnificent view back to the city center and the Royal Tombs. A short climb through the narrow passage brings one out suddenly onto the large open area in front of Al-Deir where no doubt the faithful congregated after completing the processional walk. Al-Deir itself is cut into the mountainside but not dominated by it. One really needs to see a human figure at its base to appreciate the huge scale of the largest facade in Petra. The doorway alone is over 8 m high. The temple/tomb is devoid of decoration, but striking in its simplicity and magnitude. It was no doubt an extremely important site of pilgrimage with its carefully orchestrated processional way terminating in the vast open area in front. A short way beyond, one is rewarded by magnificent views from a new perspective in the direction of the Wadi Araba to the west.
Siq Al-Barid or Little Petra: The Siq Al-Barid is located to the north of Petra, only a 10 minute drive away. A classical temple stands guard outside the miniature siq which would appear to have been an important suburb of the city of Petra, situated at the point where several ancient caravan routes met, linking Wadi Araba with Gaza, Egypt and the Mediterranean coast. The narrow file, only some 350 m long, is crammed with tombs, temples, triclinia, houses, water channels and cisterns, in brief, a "Little Petra". Of particular note are the remains of painted frescoes on plaster dating from the 1st century AD, which are to be found in one of the biclinia.
Al-Habees: The small but interesting museum is to be found in an unusual Nabataean structure with 5 windows, set into the hillside of Al-Habees. Beyond the museum, on the other side of the hill, is situated the Habees High Place. This has all the standard facilities of a high place; an altar, benches, a water cistern and approach stairway, but on a small scale, suggesting that it was perhaps a private place of worship. It commands breathtaking views over the Wadi Sayyagh, one of Petra's most beautiful wadis, especially in spring and autumn. Some was down the wadi is to be found a stone quarry which the Nabataeans exploited. On the summit of Al-Habees, is situated a 12th century AD Crusader fortress. Continuing around the hillside one comes across the Columbarium, an intriguing Nabataean tomb fitted with hundreds of shallow niches, the purpose of which remains uncertain. Shortly after this, and visible from the Qasr Al-Bint below, is the Unfinished Tomb which clearly demonstrates the Nabataeans' technique of construction, excavating their rock-cut buildings from the top and working downwards.
High Place of Sacrifice: The steep half-hour climb from the theater up to the High Place of Sacrifice on the summit of the Attuf Ridge is well worth the effort. Paths and stairways, which were part of the original Nabataean processional way, lead upwards through spectacular mountain scenery until the long, flat summit is reached. The most immediately obvious monuments as one reaches the top are the two 7 m high rock obelisks which were made by carving away the surface of the mountain to leave only these 2 protuberances; a formidable undertaking. The obelisks stand some 30 m apart on an east/west alignment and probably represent the 2 most important Nabataean gods, Dushara and his consort Al-Uzza. Across the gully lies the High Place of Sacrifice, the best preserved of all such sacred places of the ancient world. his may have been created by the Nabataeans, as the high quality of the stone work would indicate, or it may date back to their predecessors, the Edomites. The rock was leveled to form a shallow courtyard with benches (triclinia) on the north, east and south sides facing the altar platform, on which animal sacrifices were made. These sacrifices represented the renewal of the close relationship between man and his gods and blood was, of course, a symbol of life. A betyle probably once stood on the top of the altar platform. A nearby cistern would have provided the water necessary to the ritual. After enjoying the sensational views over the never-ending folds of hills, one may descend to the city center by a different processional way, which follows the Wadi Farasa. The first monument of interest is the Lion Monument. The lion was associated with the goddess Al-Uzza and this fountain would have provided refreshment for the pilgrims following this processional way up to the High Place. The water would appear to have spouted from the Lion's mouth and it was then carried down the hillside through the rock-cut channel visible alongside the stairway. At the bottom of the stairway one reaches the Garden Temple Complex. On an upper terrace stand a hall and a cistern which once held water brought from the springs 4 km away. This water was subsequently distributed throughout the city center by means of a network of cisterns, channels and pipes. The portico of the temple on the lower terrace is formed by 2 engaged and 2 round free-standing columns, examples of which are rarely found in Petra. Many small wall-niches lead us on to the Roman Soldier Tomb with its triclinium opposite it. Although now separate, these 2 monuments would once have been joined by a porticoed courtyard to form a sepulchral complex. In the niches of the tomb's facade there are fragments of figures in Roman military dress, which give the tomb its name. These figures, the size of the tomb and the classical style of its architecture would suggest it was built after the Roman annexation of 106 AD for a person of considerable importance. The funerary banqueting hall (triclinium) opposite is notable as having the only carved interior decoration in Petra, with fluted engaged half-columns. The colors of the natural rock are also amongst the most striking in the city. Nearby are the Renaissance Tomb and the Broken Pediment Tomb. The path then passes many other tombs and houses set out in streets of different levels before reaching the city center.Â
Al-Deir (The Monastery): The modern name of Al-Deir comes from the fact that the Nabataean structure was perhaps used by Christians in the Byzantine period. However, the processional way, which we follow upwards from the restaurant near the museum, through the Wadi Al-Deir for an hour, is Nabataean. It is a tiring climb made worthwhile not only by the other monuments to be seen en route, but also by the mountain scenery and splendid views. After a short walk one reaches the Lion Triclinium set in a small side wadi. It is so called because of the 2 badly eroded lions carved either side of the doorway. Lions, it will be recalled, were associated, in Nabataean sculpture, with the goddess Al-Uzza. The higher one climbs the more impressive the views become until one finally emerges at the Hermitage, chambers excavated in the rock, decorated with many carved crosses. From this point there is a magnificent view back to the city center and the Royal Tombs. A short climb through the narrow passage brings one out suddenly onto the large open area in front of Al-Deir where no doubt the faithful congregated after completing the processional walk. Al-Deir itself is cut into the mountainside but not dominated by it. One really needs to see a human figure at its base to appreciate the huge scale of the largest facade in Petra. The doorway alone is over 8 m high. The temple/tomb is devoid of decoration, but striking in its simplicity and magnitude. It was no doubt an extremely important site of pilgrimage with its carefully orchestrated processional way terminating in the vast open area in front. A short way beyond, one is rewarded by magnificent views from a new perspective in the direction of the Wadi Araba to the west.
Siq Al-Barid or Little Petra: The Siq Al-Barid is located to the north of Petra, only a 10 minute drive away. A classical temple stands guard outside the miniature siq which would appear to have been an important suburb of the city of Petra, situated at the point where several ancient caravan routes met, linking Wadi Araba with Gaza, Egypt and the Mediterranean coast. The narrow file, only some 350 m long, is crammed with tombs, temples, triclinia, houses, water channels and cisterns, in brief, a "Little Petra". Of particular note are the remains of painted frescoes on plaster dating from the 1st century AD, which are to be found in one of the biclinia.
Tour Route Map
Booking Conditions
Rates:
Rates quoted on US Dollar per person per package including all Applicable taxes
Rates based on mentioned hotels or Nile cruises listed in offer
Payment should be in USD and if by another currency it will be due to daily exchange rate
Rates excluding Christmas, New Year & Easter and it will be case by case upon request
Children Policy:
Child up to 03 years old free of charge and sharing parent`s room
Child from 03-05 years old will be charged 25 % of adult`s rate
Child from 05-11, 99 year old will be 50 % of adult rate and sharing parent`s room
Child over 12 years old will be Adult`s rate
Accommodation:
Chosen hotels in each package is a sample of package category not secured booking and your final booking will be sent within confirmation letter and invoice
Tour Guides:
Rates based on English - French - German - Spanish - Italian tour guides.
Other languages speaking guide will have supplement and will be advised upon receiving your request.
Tipping:
You are not obliged to do it, it is up to you
Cancellation:
Trip2egypt.com only accepts cancellation made writing document by official email ( info@trip2egypt.com ) . If travelers cancel his/her reservation the following fees will be applies,
On same day of arrival will be No show and will charge full payment
02 - 04 days prior to arrival date 75 % of total payment will be charged
05 - 07 days prior to arrival date 65 % of total payment will be charged
08 - 15 days prior to arrival date 55 % of total payment will be charged
16 - 30 days prior to arrival date 45 % of total payment will be charged
31 - 45 days prior to arrival date 25 % of total payment will be charged
Christmas and New Year from 18 DEC until 10 JAN cancellation policy will be as the following:
On same day of arrival will be No show and will charge full payment
02 - 15 days prior to arrival date 75 % of total payment will be charged
16 - 25 days prior to arrival date 65 % of total payment will be charged
26 - 45 days prior to arrival date 55 % of total payment will be charged
Rates and Booking
Book your Trip in 3 Easy steps
1- Booking Info
Promotion
Extra Optional tours
Day Tour to Wadi Rum from AmmanSpend a wonderful day tours at early morning drive 4 hrs to the protected area of Wadi Rum, one of the most impressing desert landscapes in the world. ... More Info.
Day Tour to Wadi Rum from Amman
City:Amman
Duration: From: 7AM To: 6PM Total: (11 Hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed point
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Entrance fees to all the mentioned sites
Professional Multilingual tour guide
Professional Multilingual tour leader
Jeep tour in Wadi Rum
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
Jeep tour in Wadi Rum
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
Excludes:
Meals and drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Validity: (From:07-30 To:08-31)
1 Person price :00
2:4 Persons price:00
5:8 Persons price:00
9:12 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
2:4 Persons price:00
5:8 Persons price:00
9:12 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
5:8 Persons price:00
9:12 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
9:12 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
Day Tours Hammamat Main springsSpend a wonderful day tours early morning departure to the therapeutic Hammamat Main springs, the largest and oldest natural spa in the world, ... More Info.
Day Tours Hammamat Main springs
City:Amman
Duration: From: 6AM To: 6PM Total: (12 Hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed point
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Entrance fees to all the mentioned sites
Professional Multilingual tour guide
Professional Multilingual tour leader
Lunch at local Restaurant
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
Lunch at local Restaurant
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
Excludes:
Meals and drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Validity: (From:07-03 To:07-18)
1 Person price :00
2:4 Persons price:00
5:8 Persons price:00
9:12 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
2:4 Persons price:00
5:8 Persons price:00
9:12 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
5:8 Persons price:00
9:12 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
9:12 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
13:15 Persons price:00
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
