Petra day trip from Aqaba: Treasury, Siq & Royal Tombs

Walk through Petra’s narrow Siq to the Treasury carved in rose-red stone

A full-day tour from Aqaba to Petra, Jordan's most visited archaeological site, includes hotel pickup, a two-hour drive north, and a guided walk through the Siq canyon to the Treasury façade, the Street of Facades, the carved theatre and the Royal Tombs. An English-speaking guide leads the route on foot. The remaining time covers transport to and from Aqaba.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day trip from Aqaba to Petra

• Pick up from anywhere in Aqaba
• Drive to Petra with short stop
• Arrive at Petra Visitors Center
• Walk 800 meters to Siq
• Walk through Siq to Treasury
• Explore Street of Facades and tombs
• Visit 5,000-seat theatre
• See Royal Tombs at Jebel Khubtha
• Return to Aqaba

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Aqaba hotel and a two-hour drive north in an air-conditioned vehicle. The route includes a short stop before you reach the Petra Visitors Center, where the walking portion begins. From there, an 800-meter walk takes you to the entrance of the Siq: a narrow rock canyon that stretches 1,200 meters, carved between walls that rise up to 80 meters high and narrow to just three meters in places. The Siq opens directly onto the Treasury, the site's most recognizable monument, a massive façade carved into the cliff face.

Beyond the Treasury, the path widens into the Street of Facades, lined on both sides by tombs cut into the rock. This leads to the theatre, a 5,000-seat amphitheater carved into the mountainside in the middle of a cemetery area. From there, the route continues to the Royal Tombs on the western side of Jebel Khubtha, the final stop before returning to the vehicle for the drive back to Aqaba. The entire walking section is led by an English-speaking guide who navigates the route and explains the Nabataean history of the site.

Petra entry tickets are not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately at the Visitors Center. The cost depends on your nationality. The tour is physically demanding. The walk covers uneven terrain, includes elevation changes, and requires several hours on foot. Bring water, sturdy walking shoes and sun protection. The canyon offers some shade but the open areas are exposed.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for transport from Aqaba to Petra and back.
• Wi-Fi on the car.
• hotel pickup in Aqaba.
• English-speaking guide for the walking portion of the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by taxi jwad jordan

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're based in Aqaba and prefer a structured group itinerary over navigating Petra's sprawling site independently. You'll follow a set route through the main monuments rather than decide your own pace and priorities.

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Top questions

How long is the actual walking at Petra, and how much of the day is spent driving?

The walking portion covers roughly four hours across the Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades, theatre and Royal Tombs. The remaining three to four hours are split between the two-hour drive each way and the short stop en route, plus time at the Visitors Center.

What exactly is the Siq, and why does everyone mention it?

The Siq is a narrow canyon carved through rock that serves as the main entrance to Petra. It stretches 1,200 meters and narrows to as little as three meters wide, with walls rising up to 80 meters high. Walking through it is the only way to reach the Treasury and the rest of the site, so it frames your first view of Petra's monuments.

Are Petra entry tickets included, and how much do they cost?

Petra entry tickets are not included in the tour price and must be bought separately at the Visitors Center. The cost is 50 Jordanian dinars for foreign nationals or 10 Jordanian dinars for Arab nationals, depending on your citizenship.

What's the physical difficulty level, and who should not book this tour?

The tour involves several hours of walking on uneven, rocky terrain with elevation changes and no motorized transport once you enter the site. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. A high level of physical fitness is needed to complete the full route comfortably.