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Petra and Wadi Rum
Hidden in the depths of Jordan, lies the ancient city of Petra. Located in the Wadi Musa Canyon also home to the Wadi Rum, Jordan’s answer to the Grand Canyon and undoubtedly the most breathtaking of Jordan’s desert landscapes, it is without question one of the most magnificent sites in the Middle East.
As you pass through the Siq, a narrow
gorge into the city, suddenly Petra appears, a mystical
city cut into the surrounding cliffs, surrounded
by the desert and the most impressive red sandstone
temple you have ever seen, so big that it is impossible
to take a good photo Petra is half-built, half-carved
into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled
with passages and gorges. It is one of the world's
most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern
traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture.
What is this astonishing city? Who built it, and why? How did it get forgotten? Two thousand years ago Petra was a bustling city and major route for Camel caravans loaded with spices, textiles and Incense from distant cities. The local Nabateans managed to harness water and grew to a population of nearly 20,000. As political control changed and traders stopped passing through Petra it became cut off from civilisation. Eventually forgotten by the outside world today we are starting to discover clues to Petra’s fascinating past and long lost secrets.
Wadi Rum is undoubtedly Jordan's most spectacular natural feature. Rising abruptly from the flat and featureless desert are massive pillars of sheer sandstone rock, weathered and eroded into fantastic shapes and towering majestically above the desert floor. It really is a sight not to be missed.Climate
Jordan’s climate is generally hot and dry. Spring and autumn are usually considered the best time to visit – temperatures during the day and at night are less extreme. Little rain falls between May and September, when temperatures range from a low of around 18°C to a high of 32°C, and usually higher. Away from the western plateau, in the desert areas of Wadi Rum and the north, summer temperatures can soar to the high 40’s falling at night to 10°C, and lower. Most rain falls from September to December and can be heavy. In February, Amman experiences lows of 2°C or 3°C and highs of 18°C; in Wadi Rum temperatures can fall to near freezing at night but warm to the low 20’s during the day.
What is the best way to visit?
The best way to visit is by foot, Petra is in the desert so you will need lots of water and you should protect yourself against the sun. The best way to see Petra is to combine it with a stay in Wadi Rum.
Trekking and hiking
Jordan in general is a wonderful place for hiking
and trekking, and Wadi Rum in particular is renowned
for this. Tourists are not encouraged to venture out
alone into the "wild places" in Jordan and
you should take a guide with you for your own safety.
In Wadi Rum the tourist police will immediately stop
you if they find you "wandering" where you
are not supposed to be. It is important to know that
there are NO large scale maps readily available of
Jordan and it is very easy to get lost. One rock looks
very similar to all the others and paths are hardly
ever signposted.
Far too many helicopters have had to be called out
to look for lost hikers, and if nobody knows where
you are you will be very lucky to be found. Go with
a group and a guide and you will not only be safe but
get the added benefit of learning more about the area
on your trip and getting taken of the beaten track
to see some of the areas more hidden wonders.
Climbing in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum has become a world renowned climbing centre. The best time to climb here is in the spring and the autumn, but you are likely to find climbers out all the year round.
The classic Bedouin climbing routes are an enjoyable
mixture of scrambling and climbing, and within the
grasp of anyone with some mountain experience. Some
are circular expeditions that involve trekking. Most
of the best known climbing routes are in the general
vicinity of the village of Rum, in Wadi Um Ishrin and
in the Barragh Canyon.
Most people interested in mountaineering will want to climb Jebel Rum (1754m) at least once! The official price for climbing it with a guide is usually around 150JD to 200JD, according to the route chosen. Try to make up a small group to share the expense, check with the guide first to see how many people he will accept. His answer will logically depend largely on your expertise and on your choice of route.
One of the problems in Wadi Rum is the chronic shortage of local guides. Although a programme of training is being set up, it will be several years before the demand can be met. In the meantime climbers coming as tourists and wanting just a day or two climbing the "big walls" but not wanting to drag all their equipment along are often disappointed. In this case it is best to book a tour in advance with a reputable company.
Visas for Jordan
Holders of UK & IRL passports do require a visa. Nationals of all other countries should contact their local embassy or consulate. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the end date of the trip.
What to Wear?
Jordan is a Muslim country and whilst you may see other travellers dressed otherwise, as in any Muslim country, tight or skimpy clothing should not be worn by adults out of respect for local customs.
Although long, loose shorts are acceptable, you should be sensitive to local traditions, it’s best to carry a pair of lightweight trousers to slip on if visiting mosques or churches. Women should not wear halter neck or sleeveless tops, and a headscarf may be useful.
People
The mysterious story of the city of Petra begins with
a group of Arabian nomads called the Nabataeans. They
led profitable lives as desert traders and but very
little is known about where they originated. What is
also still unclear is what made these nomadic merchants,
who disliked houses, believing that buildings and immobility
would enslave them to a more powerful people, make
Petra home and encouraged them to settle into an urban
lifestyle. It is most likely that with increasing wealth
Petra originated as a defensive stronghold to protect
the Nabataean’s precious goods and their families.
The Nabataeans took pride in their prosperity and carved
inscriptions into the stone detailing their great wealth
and Power. Petra was their crown jewel, the thriving
capital of Nabataea.
Petra evolved into a thriving commercial center. Petra was strategically located at the intersection of two major commercial routes from Asia and southern Arabia and was ideally situated to become a commercial center. Stone Inscriptions which cover many of the walls provide an insight into the original writers. Whilst most of the artefacts from the Nabataeans, scrolls made of leather and papyrus, have long since disintegrated, more than 4,000 stone inscriptions written in Nabataean have survived. We have learnt from these who built Petra's grand monuments, the identity of people buried in the tombs and whom the Nabataeans worshipped and honoured.
Most of the stone graffiti in Petra is signatures. It is believed that the Nabataeans would sign their names on and around religious buildings as a permanent record of their religious devotion.
Once a flourishing city in the heart of the ancient Near East.....then forgotten by the outside world for centuries. We are only beginning to understand the mystery surrounding the amazing city of Petra and its people.
Money Matters
Banks are open from 0830-12.30 & 16.00-18.00 Sat-Thurs.
Shops are open from 0830-12.30 & 16.00-18.00 Sat-Thurs.
The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar. Credit cards only are accepted in some hotels and in the larger shops/restaurants but ATM’s are widely available.
Travellers’ Cheques:
Although Travellers Cheques although still the safest
way of carrying money it is difficult to cash them
in Jordan. There are high commission charges on Travellers
Cheques on a per cheque basis so if you do take them
then we suggest you take high denomination cheques.
Proof of purchase may be necessary and take USD or
Sterling if you are taking Travellers Cheques.
Medical Information
Vaccinations: The following are recommended: Hepatitis A, Polio Typhoid, Tetanus. NB: Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if travelling via an infected country.
