Petra Back Trail Hike to the Monastery: Private Guided Tour
The Monastery sits at the end of a mountain trail most visitors never walk.
A private guided hike from Little Petra to Petra's Monastery along an ancient back route, followed by descents through the Royal Tombs, Roman Theater, and Treasury. The tour runs five to six hours with an English-speaking guide. Transportation from Amman, water, and guiding fees are included. A 4x4 ride to the trailhead costs 5 JD per person and is not included.
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Step-by-step itinerary
- The Monastery1h
- Petra Royal Tombspass by
- Petra Roman Theaterpass by
- The Treasury30m
Hike Petra Back Trail to Monastery
- Ride to Petra Heritage Village
- Take 4x4 to trailhead
- Hike from trailhead to Monastery
- Explore Monastery and caves
- Have buffet lunch at Basin restaurant
- Visit Qaser Albent and views
- See colonnaded street and great temple
- View Petra Royal Tombs
- Visit Petra Roman Theater
- End at The Treasury and main Siq exit
The experience
The day starts with a 20-minute shuttle to Petra Heritage Village near Little Petra, then a local 4x4 carries you to the trailhead. From there, you hike a quiet mountain route toward the Monastery: a path far from the main entrance crowds. The trek crosses dramatic landscapes and opens onto panoramic views over the Wadi Araba desert before the Monastery reveals itself at the end of the trail. Your guide points out Nabataean caves and frames the best photo spots, including the iconic shots from the cave opposite the monument.
After time at the Monastery, the route descends through Petra's interior. You pass Qasr al-Bint and the colonnaded street (a 6-meter-wide Nabataean shopping street rebuilt in 106 BC), then climb to the Royal Tombs, grand mausoleums carved into the Jabal al-Khubtha rock face. The Roman Theater comes next, carved into the mountainside during King Aretas IV's reign and later rebuilt by the Romans. It once seated 4,000 spectators. Lunch happens at the Basin restaurant or elsewhere along the way, depending on your preference.
The tour ends at the Treasury, Petra's most recognizable monument. Standing nearly 40 meters high and carved into rose-red cliffside in the 1st century BC, it displays Corinthian capitals, detailed friezes, and mythological figures. Your guide explains the Nabataean engineering and separates historical fact from the local legend of treasure hidden in the stone urn at its crown. From there, you walk through the main Siq toward the visitor center exit.
What’s included
- Transportation from Amman.
- an English-speaking guide (or guide in Spanish, Italian, or French depending on your option).
- bottled water for the tour.
- and guiding fees. The 4x4 ride to the trailhead, meals, coffee or tea, and gratuities are not included.
Options for this experience
2 optionsYou pick the guide language when booking.
Before you book
Prices and times updated today
Operated by Petra Private Tours – Local Guide
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to reach the Monastery and Petra's interior monuments on foot, away from the main entrance queues. The back route and private guide mean you move at your own pace through the landscape rather than following a fixed group schedule through the Siq.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What languages is the guide in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How do I get to the trailhead where the hike starts?
A free shuttle runs every 30 minutes from the Petra visitor center to Petra Heritage Village near Little Petra starting at 7:30 AM. Earlier starts require a taxi costing 15 JD per car. From there, a local 4x4 takes you to the trailhead for 5 JD per person.
What is the Monastery and why is it at the end of this hike?
The Monastery (Ad Deir) is one of Petra's largest rock-cut monuments, carved into the mountainside in the 1st century BC. The back trail reaches it by following an ancient route through the mountains, arriving at the structure after a wilderness hike rather than through the crowded main entrance.
What other sites do I see after leaving the Monastery?
After the Monastery, the route descends to Qasr al-Bint and the colonnaded street, then climbs to the Royal Tombs: a collection of grand mausoleums on the Jabal al-Khubtha rock face. You then visit the Roman Theater, which was carved during King Aretas IV's reign and rebuilt by the Romans, before finishing at the Treasury.
Is lunch included in the tour?
Lunch is not included, but the tour stops at the Basin restaurant or nearby options where you can eat. You choose where and what to have.
How physically demanding is this hike?
The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers.
Petra Back Trail Hike to the Monastery: Private Guided Tour
5h–6h · EN · ES · FR · IT
from US$ 289 per group
4.9135 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider