00:00After walking 17 miles from sunup to sundown, we're ready to share everything we think you'll
00:06want to know so you can plan your dream trip to Petra.
00:09Ready to go!
00:11In hopes that you too will feel like this when you finally get there.
00:16Alright, let's get the boring logistics out of the way first.
00:20Tip number one is get the Jordan Pass.
00:23Getting the Jordan Pass takes less than three minutes and if you're staying in Jordan for
00:26more than three nights, it is a no-brainer.
00:29Purchasing this pass waives your tourist visa fees when you enter the country and it also
00:34includes prepaid entry to Petra as well as 40 other attractions.
00:39But you must stay a minimum of three nights in Jordan in order to waive the tourist visa
00:44fees.
00:45The Jordan Pass with one-day admission to Petra is 70 JOD.
00:49Without the pass, you would spend 90 JOD on visa entry fees and a one-day ticket to Petra.
00:54This 20 dinar savings equates to about 28 US dollars per person.
00:59Tip number two is to reserve a rental car.
01:02So Petra is about two and a half hours from Queen Elia International Airport and it's a
01:07pretty easy drive.
01:08Google Maps don't let us down.
01:11But having a rental car really allows you to explore Jordan and see all of the sites
01:17on your own terms.
01:18Also, you can stop and buy snacks whenever you want which is a huge plus especially for
01:24me.
01:25Tip number three is to plan to stay two nights in Wadi Musa.
01:28Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a wonder of the world, and a filming location for iconic
01:33movies like Indiana Jones.
01:34So it's no surprise that this attraction brings over 1 million visitors each year.
01:39For that reason, you're going to want to get there early.
01:42The park opens at 6 AM and we definitely recommend that you take advantage of that.
01:46After a long day of hiking, you're not going to feel like driving.
01:49So staying another night in Wadi Musa lets you enjoy dinner and in-couch Petra at night.
01:55We used points to book two nights at the Petra Marriott Hotel.
01:59The hotel is about a 10 minute drive from the park's entrance and most of the restaurants
02:03in Wadi Musa.
02:05The hotel is super nice and the staff was really accommodating and friendly.
02:08Tip number four is to pack good hiking shoes.
02:10When we were packing for this trip, we were debating whether or not we wanted to use precious
02:15real estate on our hiking shoes, but we have walked in sand and on rock and loose gravel.
02:24So all in all, I would recommend packing the hiking shoes.
02:28If you're also planning on visiting the Wadi Run protected area while you're in Jordan,
02:32you're not going to want to walk those sand dunes in normal tennis shoes.
02:35Tip number five is to go beyond the treasury.
02:38I feel like when people talk about Petra, I think about Petra, they really just think of
02:42like that one place, the treasury, but this place is huge.
02:47While the treasury is the most iconic feature of Petra, it can also be the most crowded.
02:52So continue past the treasury to the Adir Trail to see the monastery and enjoy some tea with
02:57the view.
02:58Bonus tip.
02:59A lot of you Instagramers have probably seen pictures that look a lot like this.
03:04Up here at the monastery is where you can find that awesome photo spot.
03:08That little hole in the rock is the famous Instagram spot.
03:14We also highly recommend the Alcabuta Trail to see the treasury from above.
03:18When you get here, a lot of people will try to sell you a view of the treasury from above.
03:26And we've read online that a lot of those views are unsafe because they like take you
03:30up these like really quick routes.
03:33We're hiking the long route.
03:34It's basically a whole bunch of stairs up the back of the mountain.
03:38You climb all the way to the top and you go down the hill and there's these guys that
03:42have like a juice shop and you get coffee and tea and it's like a perfect panorama view
03:46of the treasury and it was really awesome.
03:47And if you don't enjoy hiking, don't worry because there will be plenty of opportunities
03:51to ride a camel or a donkey to the top.
03:54Which brings us to tip number six.
03:56Decide if you want to pay for a tour to a photo spot or a camel ride and then be prepared
04:01to tell a lot of people no.
04:03Just to kind of set like realistic expectations.
04:06There's a lot of vendors and people asking if you want to ride a camel or asking if you
04:11want to ride a donkey or trying to take you to a picture spot.
04:15They're out there trying to make a living but you realize like I can't possibly say yes
04:19to all of you.
04:20Tip number seven is to remember to negotiate.
04:23Coming from the United States, it's not really in our culture to negotiate prices.
04:28Lauren was an easy target and we just spent 30 JD on these two and they were definitely
04:33like two dollars but it's always nice to help people out.
04:38Oh, two dinar, three dinar and we ended up paying like 30.
04:42However, while in Jordan to get the best deal, it is acceptable to negotiate price on
04:47goods and services.
04:49And now our eighth and final tip, see Petra by night.
04:53And this will take some advanced planning as Petra by night only runs every Monday, Wednesday
04:58and Thursday of each week.
04:59So it's really cool they have, you can kind of see them behind us but they light the walkway
05:04with candles and then you get to the treasury.
05:06A bunch of lights and light show and music and it's supposed to be like a peaceful event.
05:12Everyone drinks tea and kind of hangs out.
05:14There are no advance reservations for Petra by night but there are unlimited tickets so
05:18you don't have to worry about it selling out.
05:20Tickets cost 17 Jordanian dinar or about 24 USD and can be purchased from your hotel
05:25or at the visitor center.
05:27Additionally, make sure you hold on to your site ticket from earlier in the day as you
05:31will need to present your valid daylight ticket with your show ticket at the entry gate
05:35to gain entrance to Petra by night.
05:38If you want to follow along with the rest of our travels in Jordan or watch our full Petra
05:42vlog, we would love it if you would subscribe to our channel.
05:45Okay?
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