Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .

Petra is famous for the Treasury, but the real win here is getting there by the back route, with a guide who helps you see more of the ancient city before the biggest crowds fully land. This is a private tour that threads in stops most people miss, starting with the Monastery climb and ending right at the Treasury.

Two things I really like: you get more breathing room than the standard approach, and the guide paces the walk so you can pause for photos and explanations as you go. A key consideration is that you still do real walking and stairs, including an 850-step descent from the Monastery area, plus a longer stretch that adds up to about 10km.

Key Points Before You Go

• Back entrance route to reduce crowd friction and improve the photo angles you can get
• Hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide to make the day feel organized from minute one
• Little Petra plus Monastery setup, including a quick Little Petra stop and a 4×4 ride to the bottom of the Monastery stairs
• Major Petra sights in one run, from the Monastery and Colonnaded Street to the Royal Tombs and the Treasury
• Ends at the Treasury, with optional time to wander or a walk back through the canyon to the Visitor Centre

Why This Petra Back Entrance Tour Feels Smarter Than the Usual Route

Petra works best when you treat it like a route, not a checklist. This tour is built around that idea. You start with the Monastery area, work your way downhill through classic Petra corridors, and finish at the Treasury. That flow matters because it changes how the day feels, from the first big vista to the final iconic facade.

I also like the way the plan blends transport with walking. You do not just hoof it from the start. There’s a quick touchpoint at the Visitor Centre to handle your entry tickets and a free shuttle ride to Little Petra. Then you hit a 4×4 ride to position you at the bottom of the Monastery stairs. The result is that you still earn the views, without wasting energy on the wrong approach.

Finally, the private guide format is not just a luxury. It’s how you get a steadier day. When you have someone like Bassil (an experienced Petra guide) handling the pacing and pointing out what you’re looking at, you’re less likely to drift into the tourist shuffle. You also get practical help for what to notice on each stretch, and you’ll have time to stop for photos in places most people rush past.

The Morning Logistics That Set the Tone (Pickup, Tickets, and the First Transfers)

The tour starts at 7:00 am in Wadi Musa, with pickup from your hotel. The exact meeting point is listed as 8FF9+X72, Wadi Musa, Jordan, and your day ends at the Treasury. This matters because Petra is big, and getting the timing right saves you energy for the hike itself.

Early start also helps with heat. Petra can get brutal later in the day, and this route still includes steep ground and lots of steps. If you’re sensitive to sun, going early gives you a better shot at cooler walking and more comfortable breaks.

Before you reach the main action, you’ll make a short stop at the Visitor Centre. The goal is simple: collect your entry tickets and use the free shuttle provided by the Petra Authority region to reach Little Petra. After a brief 15-minute look at the Little Petra highlights, you take a 4×4 shuttle to the bottom of the Monastery stairs.

One practical note: the tour description lists Petra entry tickets as not included, so you’ll want to plan for that cost separately. The good part is that your guide coordinates the ticket handling and the transport steps so you’re not scrambling.

Stop 1: Little Petra Quick Hit, Then the Monastery Climb

The day’s first big segment is the Monastery. The way it’s organized is key: you don’t only show up at the stairs and start climbing. You get a quick orientation around Little Petra first, then you’re transported closer to the climb via 4×4.

The tour schedule gives you about 3 hours for this stop. That time includes the early shuttle flow and the Monastery climbing. The 4×4 ride takes you to the bottom of the Monastery stairs, which is a real energy saver. From there, you climb up to Al Dayr, the Monastery.

Why I think this is a smart way to start: the Monastery area gives you a different Petra mood than the Treasury crowd zone. You’re up high, you’re working through open sightlines, and the viewpoints help you understand the geography of Petra. Even when it’s hot, the climb feels like part of the experience, not a penalty you’re stuck with. And because this is a back route, you typically get fewer people between you and the views.

Stop 2: Colonnaded Street and the 850-Step Descent

After the Monastery, you head downhill toward Petra’s market spine: the Colonnaded Street. The walk includes 850 steps down from the Monastery to the ancient Market place of Petra.

You’re allocated about 1 hour for the Colonnaded Street segment, which gives you enough time to move at a sensible pace without feeling like you’re watching the guide’s GPS dot. This is also where a guide earns their keep. On the way down and along the street, it’s easier to pick up details about the architecture and how the space was used, instead of just staring at stones and wondering what you’re seeing.

The downside here is physical, not scenic. 850 steps is not nothing. If you have knee issues or you need frequent breaks, plan to take your time. The tour’s pace can be flexible, but gravity is not optional. Bring water, and wear shoes with solid grip.

Stop 3: Royal Tombs Views Over the Amphitheatre

Next comes a shorter hike section focused on viewpoints. From the Colonnaded Street, you go along the main trail to a look over the Royal Tombs. The schedule for this stop is about 30 minutes.

You’re not just looking at facades here. You also get a view of the amphitheatre from above the front mountain. That’s one of those moments that changes how you understand the site. Petra isn’t only a set of monuments. It’s a terrain shaped by paths, levels, and sightlines.

This part is brief, so it’s especially important to be ready to pause and look. I’d use the guide’s explanations to connect what you see in front of you with what you’ll see at the end near the Treasury. Even a short stop can pay off if you treat it like a perspective break, not a quick photo sprint.

The Treasury Finale: Explore the Facade, Then Choose Your Exit Plan

The tour ends at the Treasury, which is also where you’ll spend your main final viewing time. The schedule indicates you’ll arrive after hiking around 10km, then spend about 45 minutes exploring the Treasury facade.

This is the payoff. You finally reach the iconic face that pulls people in from around the world. The difference with this back route is that you’ve earned your way there through other Petra zones, so your brain is already engaged by the time you arrive. You’re not only seeing the Treasury. You’re placing it into the larger experience of the city.

You’ll have time to enjoy the facade and do a little sightseeing. After the scheduled exploring, there’s room for what you want to do next. The tour ends in front of the Treasury, so you can head out on your own.

You also have a practical option for getting back: a 40-minute walk back to the Visitor Centre through the canyon. That’s a great choice if you like moving through Petra rather than immediately exiting. If you’re tired from the steps and distance, you might prefer to arrange transport, but the canyon walk option is built into the tour plan.

What You Actually Get With a Private Guide (And Why It Matters in Petra)

The tour includes an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup. In Petra, that combo often saves more time than it costs. If you’ve ever tried to figure out where a path starts, which stair set you should take, or how to time a viewpoint, you know how quickly confusion stacks up.

A private guide also changes how you experience the site because you can slow down when you want to. The tour description highlights a more flexible pace, and that shows up in real-world ways: you can pause for photos from angles that aren’t the standard crowd line, and you can spend extra time on sections that grab your attention.

The guide experience also seems to be a major strength of the operator. Bassil is mentioned as the guide in multiple experiences, and people highlight how he explains what you’re walking past and takes photos for you. That’s useful, because Petra is one of those places where you usually forget to ask someone to take your picture until the best moment is gone.

Price and Value: Is $140 a Good Deal?

At $140 per person, you’re paying for a private format, hotel pickup, guide time, and some transport inside Petra. The big question is value, so here’s how I’d judge it.

You’re not paying just for narration. You’re paying for:

• Hotel pickup (so you’re not self-navigating the morning)
• A guide for a full 5 to 7 hour experience
• A 4×4 ride that brings you to the bottom of the Monastery stairs
• A day plan that strings together Monastery, Colonnaded Street, Royal Tombs, and the Treasury

What’s not included is Petra entry ticket, gratitude/tips, and hotel drop off (5 to 10 JOD per car). If you’re already planning to pay entry fees anyway, the real value check is how much you’d spend and how much effort you’d use to replicate the same back-route plan on your own.

For many people, the Monastery portion plus the step-heavy itinerary is the hard part. A guide plus transport shortcuts make that much more manageable. Add the private factor, and the price can feel fair, especially if your group is staying flexible and you want a calmer day.

Best For Who? Fit for Families, Couples, and Walking-Ready Travelers

This tour is listed for travelers with a moderate physical fitness level. The reason is obvious once you see the walk plan: you have Monastery stairs plus the later 850 steps down, and you end up hiking roughly 10km before the Treasury.

So, I’d suggest this for:

• Couples or solo travelers who want a calmer Petra route with fewer crowds
• Small groups who want a guide to keep the day organized
• Anyone who enjoys walking and wants the Monastery and Treasury, but in a sequence that feels less rushed

It may not be ideal if you need step-free routes or if you’re expecting an easy stroll. Even if the route is designed to reduce some stress through 4×4 transport, Petra still requires stamina.

That said, the tour description notes flexibility and guided pacing. If you’re a slower walker, you can still make this work, as long as you build time into the day and accept that the sun and steps will set the tempo.

Photo, Views, and Timing Tips That Actually Help

This itinerary is built for photos from different vantage points. You’ll get views from the Monastery area, you’ll have a long descent through the Colonnaded Street corridor, and you’ll get a Royal Tombs viewpoint that also frames the amphitheatre. Then the day ends with the Treasury facade.

For your camera and your body, here’s what I’d do:

• Wear shoes you trust on stone steps, especially for the downhill 850-step stretch
• Bring a hat and plan for sun, because the schedule includes climbing and walking
• Expect that your best photos happen when you pause, not when you speed up, and that’s exactly what a private guide helps with
• Use the final 45 minutes at the Treasury to take your time before you decide how to exit

If you’re sensitive to heat, the 7:00 am start is your friend. It doesn’t remove the sun risk, but it makes the first and most strenuous parts more manageable.

Should You Book This Petra Back Entrance Tour?

If you want Petra in a way that feels calmer, more structured, and less copy-paste, I think this tour is a strong choice. The back entrance approach is the big selling point because it changes what your day feels like, and the Monastery-to-Treasury flow makes sense for first-time visitors who still want to go beyond the most crowded picture spots.

I’d say book it if:

• You want a private guide and an organized plan with pickup
• You care about views and want a different approach to reaching the Treasury
• You’re comfortable with stairs and walking for about 5 to 7 hours

I’d reconsider if:

• You strongly prefer minimal stairs or very light walking
• You don’t want to budget for Petra entry tickets (since they’re not included)
• You’re worried about the day’s heat and distance and would rather rely on a shorter route

FAQ

Is this a private tour or a group tour?

This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:00 am.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts in Wadi Musa, Jordan (meeting point listed as 8FF9+X72). It ends in front of the Treasury.

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 5 to 7 hours.

What sites are included in the tour?

The tour covers the Monastery, Colonnaded Street, the Royal Tombs, and the Treasury.

Are Petra entry tickets included?

No. Petra entry ticket is listed as not included.

What transportation is included inside Petra?

You get a 4×4 ride to the bottom of the Monastery stairs, and you also use a free shuttle to Little Petra provided by the Petra Authority region.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup is included. Hotel drop off is not included, and it’s listed as 5 to 10 JOD per car.

Is it good for people with limited mobility?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. It includes significant walking and stairs (including 850 steps), so it may be challenging if you need an easier, step-free day.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. It can also be canceled due to poor weather, and you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.