Petra by Night is Pure Magic

Imagine yourself in the distant foreign lands of the Middle East. You’ve been riding your camel through the desert for days when you come across some people that lead you in a direction that promises water and food.  As you draw close, you can see the illumination of light in the distance. The soft glow of candle light that will lead the way to civilization. This is only the start of your experience at Petra by Night.

To get the most from this experience you should allow yourself to be wrapped up in the moment and think of what it would be like to arrive into this illuminated city at night. Our story starts in the modern city of Petra.

** This is the tour we took ** Book your own adventure in Jordan =====> 8 Day Jordan Explorer

Knowing we wanted to arrive early to make time for photographs, we hopped in the hotel van and made our way to the entrance. Entering was easy, but busy and we made sure to lag behind the group so there wouldn’t be much for obstruction in our photos. This tactic ended up working for us and before too long, all the people had gone ahead of us and we were left alone under a star filled sky.

We couldn’t have been luckier when you think about the conditions. Clear sky, massive amounts of stars and the softest most beautiful glow of the candle lights along the path. While Petra by Night offers a show with Bedouin dance and music, we couldn’t help but absorb ourselves in our surroundings. We dawdled, experimenting with long exposures and enjoying the moment that belonged just to us.

Don’t leave home without your Lonely Planet Jordan Guide Book

Petra by Night Experience

The walk from the entrance to the Treasury takes a solid 20 minutes along a path and then into a gorged area called the Siq. The total distance overs 2 km.  With the mesmerizing stars in the sky, we meandered along taking photos and not really being too concerned about the show.

That’s right, Petra by Night includes a show where you sit on mats placed on the desert floor in front of the treasury while the locals dance and serve you tea.  This is the part where I tell you we didn’t make it to the show. We were so absorbed in photographing the illuminated Siq with the stars that we missed the whole show.

Knowing we wanted to take photos of the Treasury before they blew out the candles, we rushed towards the opening of the Siq just as they were playing the last song. We setup in the far right corner and then waited for people to start clearing out.  We were able to get some pretty great shots of the Treasury by just hanging back.

** This is the tour we took ** Book your own adventure in Jordan =====> 8 Day Jordan Explorer

All Alone at the Treasury

It wasn’t long before the staff was pushing us out and back through the Siq to the entrance of Petra. Again, we took our time and continued to take photos while the staff came behind us and put the lights out. I can say, without a doubt, that we are not sad about missing the show. We had a chance to experience Petra by Night in a unique way that we do not regret.

Walking back through the Siq, alone again, I found my mind wandering to the information we had learned during our day visit. Petra was a secret city that wasn’t discovered by the West until 1812. It was an ancient Nabatean City that the Bedouins had used for centuries, but it lay hidden to outsiders until 200 years ago.

** This is the tour we took ** Book your own adventure in Jordan =====> 8 Day Jordan Explorer

Imagine discovering this hidden city and marveling at its architectural wonders. Think again about being lost in the desert, found and then led down the path of lights to see the Treasury for the first time under the illumination of candles. This is what makes Petra by Night Magical.

Yes, there will be lots of visitors but if you bring a little patience and a sense of adventure, you can experience the lost city in it’s best glory.

Where to stay in for the best Petra by night experience?

It’s not hard to find a good location in Wadi Musa, Jordan. Most hotels are close to Petra, so you easily can walk from your hotel. We have put together the best places to stay for the ultimate Petra by night experience.

Top budget hotels we recommend in Wadi Musa, Jordan:

Sharah Mountains Hotel ***** Excellent Traveler Rating by TripAdvisor

Al Rashid Hotel ***** Excellent Traveler Rating by TripAdvisor

My Home Hotel- Petra ***** Excellent Traveler Rating by TripAdvisor

Top mid-range hotels we recommend in Wadi Musa, Jordan:

P Quattro Relax Hotel ***** Excellent Traveler Rating by TripAdvisor

Petra Moon Hotel ***** Excellent Traveler Rating by TripAdvisor

Petra Guesthouse ***** Excellent Traveler Rating by TripAdvisor

Top luxury hotels we recommend in Wadi Musa, Jordan:

Movenpick Resort Petra ***** Excellent Traveler Rating by TripAdvisor

Crowne Plaza Resort Petra ***** Excellent Traveler Rating by TripAdvisor

Read reviews and check prices for hotels in Wadi Musa at TripAdvisor or AirBnB. (Book today at AirBnB and get $40 off!)

** This is the tour we took **  your own adventure in Jordan =====> 8 Day Jordan Explorer

Trave Blog Post About Jordan You Need To Check Out.  

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Divergent Travelers Media Videos

Resources for planning your trip to Jordan

Recommended Guide Books For Jordan: 

• Lonely Planet Jordan (Travel Guide)
• Jordan Handbook: Petra – Wadi Rum – Dead Sea (Footprint – Handbooks)
• The Rough Guide to Jordan (Rough Guide Jordan)

Other great books you need to check out before visiting Jordan:

• Greater Than a Tourist – Wadi Rum Jordan: 50 Travel Tips from a Local
• Petra: An Archaeological Guide

Jordan Map: Jordan Travel Map

• Jordan 1:610,000  Travel map (International Travel Maps)

Planning a road trip around Jordan? Check out Auto Europe for competitive rates.

Search for Flights: Priceline or Skyscanner offers great deals to Jordan.

Find Accommodation in Jordan – Read reviews and check prices for hotels in Jordan at TripAdvisor or AirBnB. (Book today at AirBnB and get $40 off!)

Travel Insurance: We use for Allianz for travel insurance and have since our first trip to Mexico in 2003. They’ve been there for us on our adventures – and many friends and readers – multiple times over! If you want to book with Allianz Travel Insurance, simply use this link to get their travel insurance!

Plan your adventure to Jordan Today. Check out the great tours in Jordan by TourRadar, Gadventures and TourRadar All tours are ran by local tour companies. Take those tours your friends and family members will be jealous of. Below we will list the top 5 tours by TourRadar in Jordan that you should check out.

** This is the tour we took ** Book your own adventure in Jordan =====> 8 Day Jordan Explorer

Jordan.Jordan Explorer. TourStart and end in Amman! With the in-depth cultural tour Jordan Explorer, you have a 8 day tour package taking you through Amman, Jordan and 3 other destinations in Jordan. Jordan Explorer is a small group tour that includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport. Book your tour today. 

Explore Jordan. Start in Amman and end in Madaba! With the in-depth cultural tour Explore Jordan, you have a 8 day tour package taking you from Amman to Madaba and through Amman, Jordan and 5 other destinations in Jordan. Explore Jordan is a small group tour that includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport. Book your tour today. 

Totally Jordan – 8 Days. Start and end in Amman! With the discovery tour Totally Jordan – 8 Days, you have a 8 day tour package taking you through Amman, Jordan and 7 other destinations in Jordan. Totally Jordan – 8 Days includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more. Book your tour today. 

Highlights of Jordan. Start and end in Amman! With the in-depth cultural tour Highlights of Jordan, you have a 8 day tour package taking you through Amman, Jordan and 5 other destinations in Jordan. Highlights of Jordan is a small group tour that includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more. Book your tour today. 

Amman To Amman (6 Days) Simply Jordan. Start and end in Amman! With the jeep & 4wd tour Amman To Amman (6 Days) Simply Jordan, you have a 6 day tour package taking you through Amman, Jordan and 7 other destinations in Jordan. Amman To Amman (6 Days) Simply Jordan includes accommodation as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more. Book your tour today.