Walk through the Siq, Petra's narrow canyon entrance, and the Treasury shows itself to you in slices of rose-red sandstone. That's the moment Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade borrowed for its Holy Grail scene, and it lives up to the hype. How you spend the rest of the day is what makes it yours.
What's the most luxurious way to see Petra? Arrive at opening, before the tour buses, with a private archaeologist-guide, and give it a full day of seven to eight hours. Go past the Treasury to the Monastery, the High Place of Sacrifice and the Royal Tombs, and sit down to lunch at the Basin Restaurant.
Key facts
- Getting there: fly into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, then transfer by private car to Petra.
- Entry: U.S. travelers get a visa on arrival, about $56 (as of October 2026).
- Where to stay: Mövenpick Resort Petra, right at the entrance to the ancient city.
- How long: a full day inside the park, 7 to 8 hours.
- Our trip: two nights in Petra on the Jordan Experience, March 12-18, 2027.
Why Petra Is a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Petra was carved by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years ago, made known to the West by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812, and named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Most visitors only see the Treasury and the main street. The archaeological park is huge, though, with hundreds of tombs, temples and trails past the postcard view.
The VIP Petra Experience
Most tourists arrive mid-morning, rush to the Treasury, take their photos and leave by noon. You can do it differently, and slowly. On our trip, a guide walks you through the Siq to the Treasury and the tombs in the morning, and the afternoon is yours to keep going at your own pace.
Photo: Alexander Van Steenberge / Unsplash
Standard vs Luxury Petra Experience
| Feature | Standard Visit | Luxury VIP Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Entry time | Mid-morning with crowds | At opening, before the tour buses |
| Guide | Shared group guide | Private archaeologist-guide |
| Duration | 3 to 4 hours | Full day (7 to 8 hours) |
| Sites visited | Treasury, main street | Treasury, Monastery, High Place of Sacrifice, Royal Tombs |
| Dining | Packed lunch | Sit-down lunch at the Basin Restaurant |
| Transport | Walking only | Donkey/camel to Monastery, private car |
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Amman
The full day is the luxury. You get to stop when something catches you, sit in the shade, and let the guide tell you who lived here before you move on.
Beyond Petra: The Complete Jordan Luxury Experience
Jordan is compact and wildly varied. In one week you can explore ancient ruins, float in the Dead Sea, sleep under the stars in Wadi Rum and snorkel in the Red Sea.
Jordan's Must-Do Experiences
| Experience | Location | Duration | Why It's Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petra full-day | Petra | 7-8 hours | New Seven Wonders |
| Dead Sea floating | Dead Sea | Half day | Lowest point on land |
| Wadi Rum glamping | Wadi Rum | Overnight | Desert stargazing, Bedouin camp |
| Jerash ruins | Jerash | 3 hours | Best-preserved Roman city |
| Aqaba snorkeling | Red Sea | Half day | Coral reefs, warm waters |
| Amman food tour | Amman | 3 hours | Street food, ancient citadel |
After Petra, the desert is next. Read my Wadi Rum glamping guide for the bubble suites and the stars, my Dead Sea wellness guide for the float and the mud, and what to wear in Jordan when it's time to pack.
Our Jordan Experience is built around Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, and we can add Amman, Jerash or Aqaba before or after. Start planning, because you deserve to see the Treasury at opening, with nobody in your way.
Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destination Guide