Jordan
A 10-day trip to Petra
Petra is a city carved into rose-red cliffs — the Nabataeans' lost capital, and one of the world's wonders.
Petra is a 2,000-year-old city carved by the Nabataeans into rose-red sandstone canyons — the 'lost city' rediscovered in the 19th century and one of the world's great archaeological sites.
The way in is the Siq, a narrow gorge that opens on the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) — the famous facade. Beyond it, the city unfolds for miles: the Royal Tombs, the Monastery (climb 800 steps), and the High Place of Sacrifice. You walk a lot; allow two days.
Stay in the nearby town of Wadi Musa, go early to beat the heat and the crowds, and add a night at 'Petra by Night.' Combine with Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea for the classic Jordan loop.
Trip length
10 days
Best time to go
March–May and September–November
What your 10-day plan includes
- A day-by-day itinerary with neighborhoods clustered so you spend less time in transit.
- Real budget awareness — a target, an estimate, and a status you can dial up or down.
- Recommendations shaped by your pace, food priorities, group, and must-dos.
- Swap anything, improve any day, refine in any direction without starting over.
How to plan 10 days in Petra
- Buy a 2-day Petra pass — one day isn't enough for the Monastery and the main city.
- Start at dawn to beat the heat and the cruise crowds (arriving mid-morning).
- Climb to the Monastery (800 steps) — fewer crowds and the best facade.
- Go to 'Petra by Night' on a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday — candles in the Siq.
- Combine Petra with Wadi Rum (desert) and the Dead Sea for the full Jordan loop.
Build your 10-day Petra trip
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