- From
- $87 per person
- Duration
- Half Day · 4 hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate — 5–10 km on sand and rock, with optional climbs
- Max group size
- 7
- Start time
- 05:30 (timed for the activity – ask us if you need another time)
- Starts from
- Petra / Wadi Musa
- Destinations
- Petra, Wadi Musa
Overview
Enter Petra before the crowds to walk the Siq at first light and watch the Treasury glow rose-red at dawn — a private, peaceful start to your Petra day.
Highlights
- Enter Petra before the crowds at first light
- Walk the Siq as the dawn light filters through the canyon
- Watch the Treasury glow rose-red at dawn
- A peaceful, crowd-free start to your Petra day
- Private transport from your Wadi Musa hotel
What to expect
A long, memorable day on your feet in a spectacular desert setting. You will walk the narrow Siq canyon as the Treasury comes into view, then explore the Royal Tombs, the Street of Facades and the wider Nabataean city at your own pace. There is an optional climb of around 800 steps to the Monastery (Ad Deir) for a panoramic reward. The ground is sand and rock, so sturdy closed-toe shoes, a hat and water are essential. Start times are adjusted seasonally to avoid the midday heat, and the pace is always yours to set.
Who this tour suits
- Travellers with half a day free in Petra / Wadi Musa
- People interested in Jordan's history and archaeology
- Photographers who want time in good light
- Walkers comfortable with 5–10 km inside the site, more if you climb to the Monastery
Difficulty & pace
- Difficulty
- Moderate — 5–10 km on sand and rock, with optional climbs
- Walking
- 5–10 km inside the site, more if you climb to the Monastery
Itinerary
- 05:30 Pickup in Wadi Musa — A short drive to the Petra Visitor Center before opening.
- 06:00 Walk the Siq at dawn — Enter the canyon as the first light filters through.
- 06:45 Treasury at dawn — Watch the Treasury glow rose-red in the early light, crowd-free.
- 08:00 Free time — Continue exploring the Royal Tombs or return to your hotel.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup & drop-off in Wadi Musa
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver
Not included
- Entrance fees not included — we recommend the Jordan Pass (jordanpass.jo)
- Licensed guide (available on request, extra cost)
- Gratuities
Start time, pickup & drop-off
Start time: 05:30 (timed for the activity – ask us if you need another time) Jordan time
- Meeting point
- Hotel pickup in Amman (or Wadi Musa / Aqaba on request). Meet your driver at reception.
- Pickup areas
- Amman hotels & residences
- Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
- Madaba
- Dead Sea resorts
- Aqaba hotels & port (on request)
- Wadi Musa / Petra hotels
- Pickup time
- Confirmed with you the day before.
- Drop-off
- Return drop-off at your original pickup point (or another agreed location).
Good to know
- Special instructions
- Tell us your hotel or accommodation name and address when booking. For airport or port pickup, share your arrival details.
- Meals
- Breakfast is included on overnight tours. Lunch and dinner are not included unless stated in "What’s included".
- Summary
- Confirmation is received at the time of booking. A current passport is required on the day of travel for Petra entry. The site is open year round; start times are adjusted seasonally to avoid the midday heat. This is a private experience unless a small-group option is selected.
- Confirmation
- You will receive a booking confirmation by email immediately after payment. Final meeting-point details and pickup time are confirmed the day before your tour.
- Mobile ticket
- Mobile ticket accepted — show your confirmation on your phone.
- Accessibility
- Petra is a vast archaeological site with uneven sand and rock paths, steps and climbs. The main Siq-to-Treasury route is mostly flat and accessible to most visitors, but the Royal Tombs, Monastery and High Place of Sacrifice involve many uneven steps and are not wheelchair accessible. Visitors with limited mobility can use the official golf-cart service along the Siq (small fee) and a horse/carriage to the Treasury. We are happy to tailor a lighter itinerary — just ask.
- Physical requirements
- Moderate fitness — several kilometres of walking on sand and rock, with optional steep climbs (Monastery, High Place). Comfortable closed-toe shoes essential.
- Seasonal considerations
- Petra is open year round. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal — warm days and cool mornings. Summer afternoons (June–August) are very hot; start early and carry extra water. Winter (December–February) is quiet and clear but can be cold, with a rare chance of rain or snow.
- Important notes
- Petra involves extensive walking in heat and sun — carry water and sun protection. The Jordan Pass (optional) covers Petra entrance and waives the tourist visa fee for stays of 3+ nights. Golf-cart and horse/carriage services are available inside the site for an extra fee. Every tour group entering Jordan at the Arava / Wadi Araba (Eilat–Aqaba) border must be accompanied by a licensed Jordanian guide. If you are arriving at this border, we add a guiding fee of USD 175 per tour day for your whole group (not per person). Example: a 2-day tour adds USD 350.
- What to bring
- Passport (for Petra entry); Sturdy closed-toe walking shoes; Sun hat, sunglasses & SPF 30+ sunscreen; 1–2 litres of water per person; Light layers — mornings are cool, midday is hot; Small daypack for valuables; Cash (JOD) for souvenirs, tea and the Monastery viewpoint
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation is available up to 48 hours before your tour start time. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the tour, or no-shows, are non-refundable. Exceptions apply only where agreed in writing by email from Jordan by Locals. Refunds (where applicable) are returned to your original payment method.
If you paid a 25% deposit, it is non-refundable within 48 hours of the tour. Exceptions apply only where agreed in writing by email from Jordan by Locals.
Local tips
- Wear closed shoes with good grip; Petra's paths are sand, gravel and worn rock.
- Dress in layers for the early start; it can be cold before sunrise, then warms up quickly.
- Entrance fees are not included. The Jordan Pass tiers include one, two or three days of Petra entry; buy it online before you arrive if it suits your plan.
- Carry water, a hat and sun protection; many sites have little shade.
- Start early when you can; mornings are cooler for walking.
Frequently asked questions
What makes this Petra sunrise tour different?
You enter Petra before the crowds at first light, walking the Siq as dawn filters through and watching the Treasury glow rose-red with almost no one else there.
Where does the tour start?
Pickup and drop-off are included from your hotel in Wadi Musa.
Is a guide included?
A local guide for the Siq and Treasury is available as an optional add-on; it is not included by default.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts about four hours, with free time after the Treasury to continue exploring the Royal Tombs or return to your hotel.
What is the Jordan Pass, and is it required?
The Jordan Pass is an official package from the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities that bundles a tourist-visa fee waiver with entrance tickets to around 40 of Jordan’s leading sites. It is entirely optional — you do not need it to travel with us, and you are welcome to pay each entrance fee individually at the gate instead. You buy it online before you arrive, show it at each site entrance, and it also waives the tourist visa fee when you stay at least 2 nights (3 days) in Jordan.
When is the Jordan Pass worthwhile, and what entrance fees does it cover?
The Pass covers entrance to Petra (one, two or three days depending on the tier), Jerash, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea resorts, Mount Nebo, Madaba, Kerak, Ajloun, Bethany Beyond the Jordan and many more sites. For most travelers it pays for itself with a single Petra visit plus the visa waiver, so any additional site is effectively free — making it the best value if you are visiting Petra and at least one other major site, or staying two or more nights. Entrance fees are not included on any of our tours, so the Pass usually saves you money. We are happy to recommend the right tier for your itinerary — just ask.
About this destination: Petra
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