Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .

Back entrance at Petra feels like a secret handshake.

This private tour uses the quieter rear route to reach the big sights with less crowd pressure, plus a plan that gives you photo angles most people never get. I like that it is private and paced by your guide, not a cattle schedule.

Two things I especially like: you get guide Bassil’s years of Petra explaining, and the route is built around smart help for the hard parts, including a 4×4 ride to the base of the Monastery stairs. The reviews point to him making time for questions and snapping great pictures of you.

One consideration: this is still a hike. Expect real uphill work to Al Dayr (the Monastery), heat can be intense, and you finish at the Treasury with free time plus a long canyon walk option back.

Key takeaways before you go

• Private, guide-led Petra means your pace and photo stops are yours to control.
• Hotel pickup plus an early start at 7:00 am helps you start before the heaviest foot traffic.
• 4×4 ride to the Monastery stairs saves a chunk of grueling ground.
• A long but well-chained route links Monastery to the Colonnaded Street, then toward the Royal Tombs and the Treasury.
• You end in front of the Treasury with 45 minutes to explore, then choose how to get back.
• Moderate fitness matters because you will hike about 10 km overall and handle steep steps.

Why the Petra back entrance changes your whole day

Petra is famous for a reason, but the classic entry route can feel like you are watching the crowd more than the carvings. This back entrance approach flips that. You work from the Monastery area down toward the main trail, so the day feels more like a progression of viewpoints rather than a single bottleneck stampede.

What I like from a practical standpoint is how the day is structured. You are not just dropped at the entrance and left to wander. You start with tickets and a shuttle, then you climb toward the Monastery, then you step back into the main Petra story along the downhill connections.

It also helps that this is a private tour for only your group. That matters if you want questions answered, time for photos, or simply a slower rhythm when the sun is aggressive.

Getting started: 7:00 am pickup, tickets, and the Little Petra shuttle

The day begins at 7:00 am in the Wadi Musa area, with pickup from your hotel. The meeting point is listed near 8FF9+X72, Wadi Musa, Jordan, and the tour ends at the Treasury.

One key detail for planning: Petra entry tickets are not included. You will collect your entry tickets at the visitor area first. After that, you ride the free shuttle run by Petra Authority from the visitor center region to Little Petra.

You also get a short window to see Little Petra highlights for about 15 minutes. For many people, it is a quick “warm-up” moment, and it helps break up the day before the Monastery climb.

The Monastery climb at Al Dayr: hard work, big rewards

Al Dayr (the Monastery) is the headline. The tour uses the back route to reach it in a way most visitors do not do, and that changes the feeling of the climb. You start by taking a 4×4 ride to the bottom of the Monastery stairs, which cuts out some of the hardest approach.

From there, you climb the mountain to the Monastery area. The schedule lists about 3 hours here. That time buffer is important because the Monastery is not just a quick stop. The viewpoint is the point, and you will want time for photos, stretching, and catching your breath.

In hot months, the Monastery climb can test your limits. The tour is marked for moderate physical fitness, and that matches what you should expect. If you go, bring water and plan to take small breaks. Even if you are fit, the altitude feel plus sun can slow you down.

Downhill into the market: 850 steps to the Colonnaded Street

After the Monastery, the tour turns the day into an easing rhythm, at least on paper. You descend about 850 steps downhill to the ancient Market place, the Colonnaded Street.

This stretch is short compared to the climb, but it still has effort. Going downhill can be tough on knees, so if that is your weak spot, slow your pace and watch your footing. Your guide can keep you moving safely and help you time the steps so you are not rushed.

Once you reach the Colonnaded Street area, the vibe shifts from steep effort to ancient street life. This is where you start to feel how Petra connects different monuments into one walking world.

The tour gives about 1 hour in this section, and it is a great time to soak in details that you might miss if you are just passing through.

Royal Tombs viewpoints and the theater angle

Next comes a set of viewpoints that make the day feel like more than a checklist. From the Colonnaded Street, you move along the main trail to get an overview of the Royal Tombs.

You also get a perspective on the amphitheater from above the front mountain. The schedule allows about 30 minutes here, which is enough time to stop for a few key angles, listen to the story your guide is explaining, and then move on before the heat really locks in.

If you like photos, this part can be very productive. Higher viewpoints let you frame the structures with depth, and you can often get shots that show how the carved façades sit in their setting.

Qaser Al-Bint, the theater view, and Street of Facades

This private route is listed as covering Qaser Al-Bint, the Theater view, and the Street of Facades as part of what you see across the day.

What to expect here is less about a single long stay and more about a guided sequence. You will be shown the right places to look, and your guide will help you connect what you are seeing to how the site works as a whole. This is especially helpful at Petra, where multiple façades can blur together if you do not have someone pointing out the differences.

I like this approach because it keeps the walk moving, while still giving you context. You get a day that feels organized without turning into a lecture.

Treasury finale: 45 minutes at the most famous facade

The tour ends at the Treasury, and you arrive after hiking around 10 km overall. That distance number is your heads up. This is not “easy entry Petra.” It is a full half-day or longer outing with a true walking component.

At the Treasury, you get about 45 minutes to explore. This is the part where you will recognize why Petra became a world icon. The façade is the star, but the area around it is also where you can appreciate the scale and how people used this space.

The bonus here is that you have gotten there through a quieter route. That often means you can spend your time looking and photographing without feeling like you are constantly being pushed along.

How you get back: walk to the Visitor Centre or sort transport

After the Treasury, you have free time for self-exploration. You also have a specific option listed for return: a 40-minute walk back to the Visitor Centre through the canyon.

If walking is not your plan, you can arrange transport. Hotel drop-off is not included, and it is listed that drop off runs about 5 to 10 JOD per car. That means you should either plan for pickup near the end point or be ready to cover a short ride.

The smart move is to decide before you reach the Treasury. By then you will be tired, and it is better to have a plan.

Price and value: what $140 buys you in real time

At $140 per person, this is not the cheapest way into Petra. But it is also not trying to be. This cost is for a private guided day with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, plus the 4×4 ride to the Monastery stairs.

Here is how I think about value for Petra tours like this:

• Private guidance is money well spent if you want context, not just sightseeing. A good guide can prevent wasted stops and help you focus your time where photos and viewpoints matter.
• The 4×4 ride is a real savings in effort. It also changes the experience because you start climbing sooner, rather than spending your energy on the hardest approach segments.
• Hotel pickup reduces friction. Petra days go smoothly when you are not scrambling to find transport at dawn.

Also, this tour is reported as booked about 45 days in advance on average. That tells me it sells because people want the quieter back entrance style and the comfort of a guide handling the flow.

Timing, weather, and what the start time means for you

This experience starts early in the morning at 7:00 am, and that is a gift. Petra gets hot, and starting earlier helps you avoid the worst conditions during the Monastery segment.

Weather matters too. The experience notes it requires good weather. If it gets canceled for poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That is reassuring because Petra is one of those places where visibility and safety matter.

If you are traveling in shoulder season, you might still face strong sun. Even then, plan for sweating and take breaks. The route includes multiple step sections, so you want to be ready rather than toughing it out.

What to pack for the back entrance day

You are hiking and you are also stopping for photos. Pack like you are doing both.

Practical basics:

• Water and a snack you can eat while resting
• Comfortable shoes with solid grip for steps
• Sun protection, hat, and sunscreen
• A light layer for early morning if you feel chilly at first

If you are slow and steady, that is fine. One review specifically called out being pretty slow and still making it on the easier route, but they also noted that even the easier option still has real sun and effort. In other words, go in with respect for the walk.

Who this private Petra tour fits best

This is a great match if you want:

• A quieter Petra day using the back entrance approach
• A guide who can explain what you are seeing while you walk
• A private format for your group, rather than joining a large crowd
• A structured route that ends at the Treasury with a clear finish plan

It may be a rougher fit if you:

• Have knee issues that get worse on downhill steps
• Are looking for a very light “mostly flat” day
• Prefer staying put at one major site for hours

Also note: service animals are allowed, and the tour is marked as near public transportation. So even if you are not using hotel cars the whole time, you can usually work with the area’s transport options.

Should you book this Petra back entrance tour?

If you want Petra with less crowd stress and more time spent looking, I think you should seriously consider booking. The combination of private guide, early start, Monastery access via 4×4, and an end at the Treasury makes it a strong value for people who want the iconic moments plus the quieter approach.

Book it especially if you care about photos and want the day organized around viewpoints, not just the famous façade. At the same time, go into it knowing it is a real hike, and plan your return from the Treasury so you are not improvising when tired.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the private Petra back entrance tour?

The tour lasts about 5 to 7 hours.

What time does the tour start, and where does it meet?

It starts at 7:00 am. The meeting area is listed near 8FF9+X72, Wadi Musa, Jordan.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in front of the Treasury. You also have the option of a 40-minute walk back to the Visitor Centre through the canyon.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Hotel pickup is included. Hotel drop-off is not included, and it is listed as about 5 to 10 JOD per car.

Is the Petra entry ticket included in the price?

No. Petra entry tickets are not included, and you collect tickets at the visitor area before continuing.

What transportation is included during the Monastery part?

A 4×4 ride to the bottom of the Monastery stairs is included, and there is also a free shuttle provided by Petra Authority from the visitor area region to Little Petra.

Is this tour physically demanding?

It is suited for travelers with moderate physical fitness. The walk includes stairs and a total hike of around 10 km. Service animals are allowed.