Petra Day Tour from Sharm El Sheikh by Cruise & Horseback

Summary

Petra Guided Day Trip: Siq Canyon, Treasury & Ancient Streets

If you want to see Petra’s ancient wonders without hassle—horseback rides through canyons, real stories from locals, lunch with a view—this trip covers it all in one day.

What’s the experience like?

The day started before sunrise—Sharm’s air still cool as we piled into the van. The drive to Taba took a good three and a half hours, but honestly, it went by fast. Our driver played some old Egyptian pop on low volume, and I dozed off for a bit. At Taba port, there was this salty breeze coming in from the Red Sea while we waited for the ferry to Aqaba. The crossing itself? Smooth sailing—just over an hour, with seagulls trailing behind us almost the whole way.

Once we landed in Jordan, our English-speaking guide met us right at the dock. He was local—knew every shortcut and had stories about Petra that you just don’t get from guidebooks. The drive to Petra took us past dusty hills and tiny roadside tea stands. When we finally arrived at the site, I could feel that dry desert heat kick in. We got our tickets sorted quickly (no lines that morning), then hopped onto horses for a short ride towards the Siq canyon entrance. The horses were gentle; their handlers chatted quietly in Arabic as we made our way down.

The Siq is something else—narrow walls rising up on both sides, cool shade even when it’s hot outside. You’ll spot little carvings along the rock face: gods, camels, ancient niches where people left offerings centuries ago. It’s about a 1.2 km walk through here; I kept stopping just to run my hand along the sandstone because it felt almost soft after all those years of wind and sand.

And then suddenly—the Treasury appears at the end of the gorge. It’s massive up close, pinkish-red in the morning light, columns towering above you. Our guide pointed out bullet holes from old Bedouin legends (apparently they thought treasure was hidden inside). After plenty of photos and a quick coffee from a vendor nearby (strong stuff!), we wandered further down Facades Street past tombs stacked like stone apartments.

The Roman Theatre still has its original seats—you can sit for a minute if your legs need a break—and then there’s Qasr al-Bint and eventually Ad Deir (the Monastery) if you’re up for more walking or even a donkey ride up those steps (I skipped that part; next time maybe). Lunch was at a simple local place inside Petra: grilled chicken, rice, fresh bread—nothing fancy but tasted great after all that walking.

We retraced our steps back through the Siq as late afternoon shadows crept in. Back at Aqaba port by evening, tired but happy—and honestly kind of dusty! Ferry back to Taba was on time; our driver was waiting with cold water bottles for everyone before heading back to Sharm El Sheikh.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Petra Full Day Exploration

• Transfer from Sharm El Sheikh to Taba
• Boat transfer from Taba to Aqaba
• Full day visit to Petra
• Horseback ride to the Siq canyon
• Visit the Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
• Walk through Street of Facades
• Explore the Roman theatre and royal tombs
• Visit the Great Temple
• Lunch at Petra
• Transfer back to Aqaba port
• Boat cruise from Aqaba to Taba
• Drive back to hotel in Sharm El Sheikh

Top questions

Is this Petra tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes! The paths are mostly flat and there are options like horse or donkey rides if needed. Wheelchair access is available too.

What should I bring for this day trip?

I’d recommend comfy shoes (lots of walking), sunscreen, hat, passport for border crossing, and maybe some cash for snacks or souvenirs.

Is lunch included? What kind of food is served?

Lunch is included at a local restaurant inside Petra—usually grilled meats or vegetarian options with rice and bread.

What happens if the ferry isn’t running?

If there’s an urgent cancellation or schedule change with the ferry, you’ll cross via Taba/Arava land borders instead so you won’t miss out on visiting Petra.

What’s included

Your entry visa to Jordan is covered, plus all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle between Sharm El Sheikh and Petra—including ferry tickets between Taba and Aqaba. There’s an English-speaking guide in Petra for about three hours who really knows his stuff. Entrance fees to all sites are included too. Lunch at a local spot inside Petra comes with it—all service charges and taxes are taken care of as well. Wheelchair access and infant seats are available if you need them.