In Jordan, a ‘stunning’ discovery under Petra’s ancient stone

For anyone thinking of visitng Petra, try and allow more than a couple of hours. When we went it was for two days, going in and out each day. A lot of people just go down the entry canyon, take a look at the Treasury (the bit in Indiana Jones) and head back. But the site itself is much larger. If you are up for a decent walk there are parts that I thought were much more impressive and interesting up the hills. Some of the scenary around there is stunning.

Also, if you can do down in the evening, that's great too.

Jordan as a whole was a really interesting place to visit.

For those who cannot travel, the Fall of Civilizations episode 15. The Nabataeans - The Final Days Of Petra has stunning visuals in 4K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSfFq02pK4s

If you go, I can't recommended enough to hike in to Petra from Little Petra (Siq al-Barid). Little Petra is a small caravan stop about 8km away. The hike brings you in through the backside of Petra near the Monastery.

Also explore up the stairs carved in the rocks in Petra. They're somewhat hidden and most tourists do not venture up them. They lead to a sort of rock maze on top of the cliffs overlooking Petra with incredible views. I accidentally got lost up there at dusk and ended up hiking out the Al Siq canyon alone in the dark. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The stars and subtle desert night sounds felt like I had entered a time machine. One of those deeply transformative experiences that only occurs when venturing off the beaten path. Fortunately, the guards at the entrance were cool with my accidental trespassing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Petra

Is it deep inside? I always wondered about the actual site from IJ. Or is it just a front facade?

Machu Picchu is like this. If you take the 3 day hike up the mountain to get there, you see some pretty awesome ruins. I did this in the early 90's and I'm sure the routes / ability has changed by now, but it was really cool back then.

Angkor Wat is the main attraction but it also has interesting nearby ruins as well. Rent a motorbike and get lost on the farming backroads, google maps works pretty well.

I did the 3 day hike about 8 years ago and I remember the ruins along the way where spectacular mainly due to there being no crowds. Holds a special place in my heart.

Comment sounds like Angkor Wat is in Machu Pichu.

If you're not going in person, it's captured fairly well on Google Streetview: https://www.google.com/maps/@30.322462,35.4515824,2a,90y,259.... Follow the canyon at the right of the view to see many more things.

When you hike in through the backside like that, is there a place where you buy a ticket and/or are scanned for tickets?

When I was there, we went through the official entrance in Wadi Musa, with tickets and all (which I don't mind!). We went early to have the time to make quite a large tour around the whole area, and as far as I could tell it looked like the area was simply open for anyone to hike in or out freely, except through the front entrance. As I said, I don't have any problem with buying a ticket, I'm just wondering if my observations are correct.

Also try the donkey travel agency there ;DD.

> Jordan as a whole was a really interesting place to visit.

Agree. I really liked Wadi Rum, which is where parts of 'The Martian' and 'Lawrence of Arabia' were filmed. Totally spectacular. When I went, years ago, the capital Amman was also a friendly city to walk around, even for an obvious westerner like myself.

It's all just a pale blue dot, if you squint enough.

Agreed. Angkor Wat is in Cambodia.

Good question. I don't remember how the tickets worked. We were in a small group and our guide took care of it. Also, the rules might have changed a bit. I was there over 10 years ago.

I have not been there, but it is often like this, in touristic places.

As long as the main tourist entrances are taxed and enough money comes in this way, no one cares, if the back is open for the locals or occasional hikers/backpacker low on money.

Yes, allow 3 days: main Petra; Little Petra hike into Petra; hike to Aaron's Tomb (Jebel Haroun).

The main site is large, and has strenuous climbs up to the High Altar, Treasury overlook, Acropolis and out to the Monastery. I recommend starting early when the site opens shortly after dawn, before the crowds of mid-morning, and the heat of the afternoon.

Here's the Monastery in the dawn with some poetic musings:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhailfranco/8579438475/in/al...

From Aaron's Tomb, you can see the Monastery embedded in the side of the huge escarpment (sequence of zoom levels):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhailfranco/8579748035/in/al...