Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .

Petra’s back entrance gives you the day’s biggest payoff first: the Monastery, reached through a quieter mountain route rather than saved for the end of a long walk. The views are broad, the approach feels remote, and the first crowds are usually lighter. Guide Bassil, who has more than 18 years of experience at Petra, leads the private outing and can adjust the pace for your group.

I like two things here. You get a striking route that most Petra visitors miss, and the private format leaves room for questions, photos, and pauses. The 4×4 ride to the bottom of the Monastery stairs also saves some effort. The catch is simple: this remains a long, hot hike of about 10 kilometers, with 850 steps downhill from the Monastery.

Key points to know before booking

• The route begins at the Monastery, reached through Little Petra and a 4×4 transfer.
• Guide Bassil leads the private tour, with a reputation for clear explanations, patience, and helpful photography.
• The tour ends at the Treasury, not back at the Visitor Centre.
• Expect 5 to 7 hours on foot, including roughly 850 steps and about 10 kilometers of walking.
• Petra admission is not included, and hotel drop-off costs an additional 5 to 10 JOD per car.
• A 7 a.m. start matters, helping you make progress before the strongest heat and busiest periods.

Why Petra’s back route changes the day

Most first-time visitors enter Petra through the Siq and reach the Treasury early. This tour reverses that order. You begin near Little Petra, ride toward the Monastery, and work downhill through the ancient city until the Treasury appears at the end.

That change is more than a transport trick. The Monastery is one of Petra’s grandest carved facades, and reaching it first gives the day a clear goal. Instead of spending your energy walking deep into the site before the main sight, you see the Monastery while your legs are fresh.

The rear route also gives you a different sense of Petra. You pass through open mountain country before reaching the central ruins. The views are a major part of the experience, and you have better chances for unusual photographs than on the standard approach.

Still, do not confuse quieter with easy. You will walk for hours, often under strong sun, and the downhill sections can be hard on knees. I would choose this tour for the route and the guide, not because it avoids physical effort.

The 7 a.m. pickup and Little Petra start

The day begins at 7 a.m. with hotel pickup in the Petra area. You make a brief stop at the Visitor Centre to collect your Petra admission ticket, then continue to Little Petra. Your Petra entry ticket is not included in the tour price, so budget for that separately.

At Little Petra, the visit is short, about 15 minutes. This is enough to see the main features and understand that the site is more than a transport stop. You will not have a long independent exploration here, but the quick look helps connect the day’s two Nabataean sites.

From Little Petra, a 4×4 vehicle carries you to the bottom of the Monastery stairs. The ride is included, and it removes a sizable stretch of rough walking. That is one of the tour’s better practical choices, especially because the route still demands plenty of effort later.

The exact early morning sequence may take some time, so keep your schedule flexible. The total outing is advertised as 5 to 7 hours, and walking pace, photo stops, and time spent at the monuments can affect the finish.

Reaching Al Dayr, Petra’s Monastery

The climb to Al Dayr, or the Monastery, is the centerpiece of the morning. From the 4×4 drop-off, you climb the mountain stairs toward the carved facade. The Monastery is large, spare, and powerful, with a setting that feels more open than the Treasury area.

Your guide can explain what you are seeing as you climb and once you reach the top. That matters here because the approach is not just a staircase. The route itself gives you changing views of the hills and valleys, and a guide can help you notice carved details and explain Petra’s wider story.

Allow roughly three hours for this first part, including the transfer from Little Petra, the short Little Petra visit, the climb, and time at the Monastery. Do not read that figure as three hours of nonstop stair climbing. It includes the full opening section of the tour.

The heat is the main concern. One person described the easier back route as still no joke in the sun, and that is fair advice. Start with water, a hat, sunscreen, and shoes with a firm grip. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness before booking.

At the Monastery, take time to look beyond the facade. The surrounding hills are part of the attraction, and the back route gives you angles that are not available from the main trail. Bassil is also willing to take photographs, which is useful when you are traveling as a couple or small group and want more than quick arm’s-length pictures.

The 850-step descent to the Colonnaded Street

After the Monastery, the direction changes. You walk downhill for about 850 steps toward the ancient market area and the Colonnaded Street. Going down may sound easier than climbing, but a long descent can test your knees and ankles.

This is where proper footwear earns its place. Sandals with poor support will make the stairs less pleasant, and the surface can be uneven. Walk at your own pace and tell the guide if you need a pause. A private tour is useful here because you are not being pulled along by a large group.

The Colonnaded Street was part of Petra’s central urban area. Its surviving columns and broad route help you picture the city as a place of trade, public movement, and daily activity, not simply a collection of impressive facades.

Plan on about an hour for this section. The walk downhill is a physical experience, while the street gives you a more structured view of the ancient city. You may also see or pass nearby sights such as Qasr al-Bint, depending on the exact route and timing.

Royal Tombs and the view toward the Theater

From the Colonnaded Street, the tour follows the main trail toward the Royal Tombs. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes an elevated view toward the amphitheater from the front mountain.

The Royal Tombs are among Petra’s most dramatic carved facades after the Treasury and Monastery. Their scale is easy to appreciate from the trail, where you can compare several structures rather than focusing on one entrance alone.

The higher viewpoint is valuable because Petra can feel enclosed at ground level. From above, the arrangement of the theater, tomb facades, cliffs, and routes becomes easier to understand. This is also a good place to ask Bassil how the city’s spaces were used and how the carved monuments fit together.

The route includes a theater view, the Street of Facades, and other major features as you continue toward the Treasury. Because this is a walking tour rather than a series of long formal stops, some sights are viewed along the way. If a particular facade matters to you, tell the guide early so you can allow time for photographs and questions.

Ending at the Treasury instead of the Visitor Centre

The final major sight is the Treasury, where the tour ends. Arriving from inside Petra gives you the familiar facade as a reward after the mountain route, the Monastery, the long descent, and the central ruins.

The Treasury is Petra’s most famous view, but the timing changes how you experience it. You have already seen the site from several angles, so the final arrival feels like a closing scene rather than the only major goal of the day.

The stated Treasury stop lasts about 45 minutes, with remaining time used for sightseeing and exploration. That gives you room to study the facade, take photos, and listen to the guide’s explanation. You may also have some free time on your own.

The tour does not return you to your hotel or automatically to the Visitor Centre. From the Treasury, you can continue independently or walk back through the Siq to the Visitor Centre, a return journey of about 40 minutes. Hotel drop-off is available for an extra 5 to 10 JOD per car, but it is not included.

This end point is important when planning the rest of your day. If you have dinner reservations, a long drive, or a bus departure, leave a cushion after the stated tour time.

What the private format adds

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That changes the rhythm of a demanding day. You can stop for photographs, slow down on the stairs, and ask questions without waiting for a large group to catch up.

Bassil is the named guide associated with this experience. His long experience at Petra is particularly useful on a route that combines several trails and transport links. The strongest praise centers on his explanations, patience, safety-conscious approach, local information, and help with photographs.

A guide also gives the ruins more meaning. Without one, the Monastery, tombs, colonnades, theater, and Treasury can blur into a sequence of impressive stone walls. With clear explanations, you have a better chance of understanding how the spaces relate to one another.

The private setup does not remove every inconvenience. You still need to manage your own water, clothing, and stamina. It also costs more than joining a large group, although the $140 per person price can make sense for couples, families, or friends who value a private pace and direct attention.

Group discounts are available, but no discount amount is provided. If you are traveling with several people, ask about the final per-person price before booking.

Is $140 a fair price?

The value rests on three things: private guiding, the 4×4 transfer, and a route that links Little Petra, the Monastery, the central ruins, and the Treasury in one day.

You are not paying only for a walk. The guide organizes the back entrance, coordinates the transfer, provides context at the monuments, and leads you across a route that would be harder to manage on your own. The private format is especially useful if your group has mixed walking speeds or wants to stop often for photos.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want independent sightseeing or plan to spend only a short time at Petra. Admission is extra, hotel drop-off is extra, and the tour ends at the Treasury, so factor in those costs and the return walk.

For a couple or small group splitting the benefit of a private guide, I consider the price reasonable if the back route is your priority. You should compare the total cost, not just the headline amount.

Who should book this Petra tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A less usual way to approach Petra
• The Monastery early in the day
• A private guide who can answer questions at your pace
• Help with photographs and route-finding
• A full view of Petra’s major sights in one long outing
• The chance to avoid some of the crowds on the standard approach

I would hesitate if you have trouble with extended walking, steep stairs, heat, or downhill terrain. The route is described as the easier way to reach the Monastery, but it remains a serious hike.

Families with older children may find the format useful because the guide can set a flexible pace. Anyone with a tight afternoon schedule should remember that the tour can last seven hours and does not include hotel drop-off.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking. The experience requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor weather results in a different date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, based on local time.

My call: choose it for the route, not the shortcut

Book this tour if you want Petra to feel like a journey through the mountains, not simply a walk to the Treasury. The back entrance, Little Petra transfer, early Monastery visit, and private guiding make it a strong choice for a first visit when you want context and unusual views.

Skip it if your priority is a short, easy Petra visit or a guaranteed return to your hotel. The 10-kilometer route, 850-step descent, extra admission cost, and Treasury finish all require planning.

For most reasonably fit visitors with one full Petra day, I would choose this route over a basic point-to-point visit. Start early, carry water, wear serious walking shoes, and keep the rest of the day open.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 5 to 7 hours.

Is Petra admission included?

No. The Petra entry ticket is not included in the tour price.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in front of the Treasury. You can explore on your own afterward or walk about 40 minutes through the canyon to the Visitor Centre.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup is included. Hotel drop-off is not included, but it can be arranged for an additional 5 to 10 JOD per car.

How physically demanding is the route?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The route covers about 10 kilometers and includes a climb to the Monastery followed by roughly 850 steps downhill.